Frt and Rr Windshield Washing Pump Quit Working

[NWCX9]

Hey, we just got our first snow of the year in Seattle area of the NW. Got pretty chilly in the last two days just before T-Day. Running in the mid teens to low 20's. Anyway, took the CX9 out for a spin in the snow after a fresh dump to check out how well the AWD works with my new tires. Awesome to say the least.....very happy. However.....I did notice that my windshield wiper washers, both front and rear quit working despite the wipers are fully funtional (noting that they are on the same circuite, front having one breaker for motor and pump and the same setup for rear). So I assumed that it wasn't a bad or blown fuse. I drove the car around for about 1/2 hr to warm up incase my washer lines are frozen. Nothing.....today its at 32deg now and still no washer fluid in front or rear....no pump noise but the wipers work fine. Obviously I checked the fluid level.....full.

WTF?? Anyone have this? I assume since its still freezing the possibility exists that the lines are still fronzen. But isn't most washer fluid resistant to freezing up to 0deg or something like that?

Any clues??

I have an 08' CX-9 Touring AWD with 50kmiles on her.

 

[NWCX9]

OK, now its working fine both front and rear washers. Temp raised to low 40's and it started working on the way home from the family gathering. That tells me the most likely cause was that the washer fluid is freezing someplace in the line before it splits off to the front and rear sprayers.

I plan to talk to Mazda about this on my next service run. I will most likely also drain my fluid out and change it myself to a higher quality fluid to see if it helps from freezing. There also may be a design flaw someplace where the fluid line is not getting enough heat once the car warms up to keep the fluid from freezing. Just a thought to consider. But, if this happens to you I would consider changing out the fluid (as Mazda dealership has been filling mine since new).

Just a thought and a experience to share with my fellow CX9'rs. (drive2)

 

[ceric]

I am glad that nothing is wrong with your CX9.
I know the pumps sit very low in the engine bay.
It may not be getting enough heat from the engine.
Try some windshield fluid with anti-freeze in it.

P.S. The reservoir has two pumps. The upper one for the rear, the lower one for the front.
Both sit at the lower portion of the reservoir.