# Why do my windshield washer sprayer things not work very well? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 21, 2005, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-windshield-washer-sprayer-things-not-work-very-well/285974 "2005-01-21T21:03:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2005, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-windshield-washer-sprayer-things-not-work-very-well/285974/1 "2005-01-21T21:03:20Z")
The left one barely makes it onto the windshield. The right one doesn’t make it at all. As you can imagine this is a distressing state of affairs + wastes a lot of fluid. Are they clogged? Do I have to take the whole car in to get serviced to clean it out? How much does that cost? Can I do it myself? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2005, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-windshield-washer-sprayer-things-not-work-very-well/285974/2 "2005-01-21T21:44:06Z")
Could be clogged. A fine needle might do the job. Might also be misaligned, in which case you can use the needle to align it better. ---
**Author:** ![the\_first\_supraliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f475e1/32.png) [@the\_first\_supraliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_first_supraliminal)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2005, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-windshield-washer-sprayer-things-not-work-very-well/285974/3 "2005-01-21T21:59:35Z")
If a needle won’t fit, try the stiff metal bristle from a steel brush. These are in the paint department of hardware stores, and loose bristles are often in the bottom of the bins. ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2005, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-windshield-washer-sprayer-things-not-work-very-well/285974/4 "2005-01-22T01:13:08Z")
Sometimes a simple toothpick will work. I used to get car wax on the end of my “sprayers”, that gunked them up. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2005, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-windshield-washer-sprayer-things-not-work-very-well/285974/5 "2005-01-22T01:15:54Z")
OK, basically I just wanted to be sure it was Ok to go sticking needles, etc. in there. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2005, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-windshield-washer-sprayer-things-not-work-very-well/285974/6 "2005-01-22T01:22:28Z")
> [@ccwaterback](#): > > Sometimes a simple toothpick will work. I used to get car wax on the end of my “sprayers”, that gunked them up. No no no, no toothpick. At least be very careful. I used a toothpick once and the end broke off in the orfice, swelled up, and was a real bitch to finally get out. A needle is better. Sorry for the yelling, **ccwaterback** , but it _was_ a real bitch. 😉 Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2005, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-windshield-washer-sprayer-things-not-work-very-well/285974/7 "2005-01-22T01:24:21Z")
No offense, cc, but toothpicks work fine until they get wet and break off in the “washer pod.” We have owned two Dodge vehicles; both seemed to be expert at trapping the pointy wooden tips. After my negative experiences, I have found the tip of a paper clip usually works very well to dislodge the gunk, plus grants enough leverage to re-align the stream. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2005, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-windshield-washer-sprayer-things-not-work-very-well/285974/8 "2005-01-22T01:30:40Z")
Tried a paperclip, was too fat to fit in there. And I wasn’t going to try toothpicks, i don’t think I could find a toothpick in my house. Tomorrow morning I will try a needle. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2005, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-windshield-washer-sprayer-things-not-work-very-well/285974/9 "2005-01-22T01:39:02Z")
> [@El Cid Viscoso](#): > > No offense, cc, but toothpicks work fine until they get wet and break off in the “washer pod.” We have owned two Dodge vehicles; both seemed to be expert at trapping the pointy wooden tips. > > After my negative experiences, I have found the tip of a paper clip usually works very well to dislodge the gunk, plus grants enough leverage to re-align the stream. Beacha by two minutes! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2005, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-windshield-washer-sprayer-things-not-work-very-well/285974/10 "2005-01-22T01:58:38Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > Beacha by two minutes! 😛 Hey, I’m connected by copper floss at 26,400. I’m lucky Online Cid _even exists_ at this point… 😃 (Sorry.) ---
**Author:** ![DaveRaver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daveraver/32/1078_2.png) [@DaveRaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveRaver)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2005, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-windshield-washer-sprayer-things-not-work-very-well/285974/11 "2005-01-22T02:43:13Z")
It might just be the cold weather. The darn things often freeze over and malfunction in these frigid temps. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2005, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-windshield-washer-sprayer-things-not-work-very-well/285974/12 "2005-01-22T02:45:58Z")
> [@DaveRaver](#): > > It might just be the cold weather. The darn things often freeze over and malfunction in these frigid temps. But that’s when I need them the most! Water splashes, freezes, and I’m left with Jack Frost drawing all over. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2005, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-windshield-washer-sprayer-things-not-work-very-well/285974/13 "2005-01-22T04:32:44Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > But that’s when I need them the most! Water splashes, freezes, and I’m left with Jack Frost drawing all over. It’s not sold around here (ahem :)), but anti-freeze washer fluid is available. ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2005, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-windshield-washer-sprayer-things-not-work-very-well/285974/14 "2005-01-22T10:47:28Z")
I guess I live in a high-tech toothpick land. The toothpicks I was thinking about are plastic. Sorry about the confusion. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2005, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-windshield-washer-sprayer-things-not-work-very-well/285974/15 "2005-01-22T12:41:40Z")
What you need is stiff wire. In the hardware store, you can find spools of solid steel picture hanging wire (not the braided stuff) that should be thin enough to get in there, and strong enough to not break or bend too bad. Work the wire back and forth a few times, then test the jets. Chances are good that you’ll misalign them, if they don’t spray where you want, stick the wire in, and adjust the nozzle by moving the wire around. You can also use something like this [welding tip cleaner](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=46413&item=4351387859&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW) it’s got a bunch of high quality stainless steel wires in different sizes so you can pick one that fits in easily, and should be under $10. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2005, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-windshield-washer-sprayer-things-not-work-very-well/285974/16 "2005-01-22T15:22:28Z")
Wire, toothpicks… eh. Compressed air will kick its ass everytime. You can get one of those CO2 bottles used for cleaning electronics. It works well for this very situation. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2005, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-windshield-washer-sprayer-things-not-work-very-well/285974/17 "2005-01-22T16:38:15Z")
> [@ParentalAdvisory](#): > > Wire, toothpicks… eh. Compressed air will kick its ass everytime. You can get one of those CO2 bottles used for cleaning electronics. It works well for this very situation. Yes it does, _after_ you poke around with the wire. The tool **Cheesesteak** links to is handy for other things too. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2005, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-windshield-washer-sprayer-things-not-work-very-well/285974/18 "2005-01-22T16:56:32Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > Yes it does, _after_ you poke around with the wire. Agreed. My dad has a professional air compressor at his auto body shop and a semi-pro unit at home, neither of them have enough juice on their own to clear out whatever crap seems to always get jammed in my washer nozzles. Maybe I just wind up with particularly nasty stuff clogging the system, but I don’t seem to get any success without using a wire. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2005, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-windshield-washer-sprayer-things-not-work-very-well/285974/19 "2005-01-22T17:00:59Z")
Well I guess I don’t end up with the really nasty stuff, then. Whatever it may be. ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2005, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-windshield-washer-sprayer-things-not-work-very-well/285974/20 "2005-01-22T17:36:33Z")
Get two sticks of dynamite … j/k of course. 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-windshield-washer-sprayer-things-not-work-very-well/285974.md?page=2)