As a car brand, Volvo is known for being a luxury car manufacturer. The Swedish automaker was founded in 1927, and since then, it has expanded to become one of the world’s largest car manufacturers. Volvo cars are mostly sold in North America, Europe, and Asia. It is also a popular brand in Australia and New Zealand.
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Some of the most notable Volvo models include the Volvo S60, S80, V70 and XC60. The XC60 is a compact crossover SUV that was first launched in 2008, and then followed by a second generation launched in 2017. It is a great choice for aspiring car owners who put a lot of value in its safety and luxury features.
Today, we will discuss the issue of the rear washer not working on the Volvo XC60. The washer is located on the back of the vehicle, and it has a hose that connects to a rear nozzle that is connected to a pump. If you are having this issue, you should know that there are a few potential causes that can be causing this problem.
What is a Rear Washer in a Car?
A rear washer is a device that sprays water onto the rear bumper of the vehicle. It helps to prevent corrosion on the vehicle, and it also cleans the surface. A rear washer helps to protect the vehicle from rain, snow, and ice.
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Common Causes for a Rear Washer Not Working on Volvo XC60
This issue can be caused by a number of factors, but it is generally caused by a faulty component in the unit. If you have this issue, you should know that there are many possible causes for this problem.
1) The electric pump is experiencing a failure
The electric pump is responsible for pumping the water out of the rear washer nozzles. If the electric pump is not working, then it will not be able to provide enough pressure to spray water onto the bumper.
You can check if the electric pump is working by making sure your XC60 is parked, turning on the ignition, and then turning the windshield washer on. Listen for a whirring sort of sound. If you don’t hear it, that means the pump is not working.
If the pump does not work, then you should check for a power source that is causing it to stop working. You may need to replace the electric pump.
2) The spray nozzles are clogged
If the electric pump is not working, then you should check for clogged spray nozzles. If the spray nozzles are clogged, then it will be unable to provide enough pressure to spray water onto the bumper.
Modern cars are fitted with so-called fan nozzles or micro-emitters, whose job is to produce a wider and finer spray jet. In many situations, as you pump washer fluid, larger areas of the washer become wet more efficiently. On the downside, finer nozzles tend to clog faster.
A clogged spray nozzle can be caused by dirt, debris from the vehicle, dead insects, and other foreign matters. Either way, you should remove the spray nozzle and use a hose to rinse it out.
3) The washer pump has a blown fuse
A blown fuse can cause the washer pump to stop working. In most cases, this is caused by a loose connection in the electrical system.
The motor that pumps the windscreen washer on the Volvo XC60 needs electricity to operate. In the event that a fuse is faulty, the pump is cut off and the pump cannot work.
To check the fuse, pull it out of the fuse box of your XC60, using a fuse puller or needle nose pliers, and hold it against the light. Make sure to refer to the owner’s manual of the XC60 so you can figure out the right location for this. If the metal strip is broken in the middle, it is likely that a fuse has blown. You must replace it with a fuse that has the same amount of power and color.
4) The hose is blocked or leaking
If the electric pump is not working, then you should check for a blocked or leaking hose. If the hose is blocked, then it will be unable to supply enough pressure to spray water onto the bumper. In some cases, this can be caused by a leak in the washer hose itself.
To check for a leak, you should disconnect the washer from the rear nozzle and examine it for holes, cracks, or just a lessening of the elasticity. This can happen from rodent bites, for example.
Furthermore, it is possible that a dirty or pinched hose on the Volvo XC60 is responsible for windscreen washer system malfunction. On an SUV that has the washer nozzle, open the hood and pull the end of the hose out of the washer nozzle and turn on the washer.
You should see the fluid that is flowing out of the hose. If there is only a very small amount of flow, and the pump is working, there is probably a blockage in the hose somewhere. Examine the entire hose, and clear away any blockages.
5) There are frozen washer fluid
If the pump is not working, then you should check for frozen washer fluid. Frozen washer fluid can prevent the pump from working properly. Frozen washer fluid is something that can accumulate if your car commonly goes through locations with extremely cold weather.
If this happens, then the pump will not be able to provide enough pressure to spray water onto the bumper.
To check for frozen washer fluid, you can also remove any washer fluid from the car’s reservoir. Turn on the windshield wipers and check if they work properly. If they do not work, that means there is a blockage in the system somewhere and it is preventing the pump from working properly.
As a whole, you may be able to fix this single problem by just storing your car in a place with a warmer temperature for a while, and wait for any excess liquid to melt. However, if you think there is a more serious blockage in your XC60’s system, then you should take your car to a mechanic who can clean out all of the system components and replace any damaged parts.
Max Anthony
Max is a gizmo-savvy guy, who has a tendency to get pulled into the nitty gritty details of technology and cars. He attended UT Austin, where he studied Information Science. He’s married and has three kids, one dog and a GMC truck and a Porsche 911. With a large family, he still finds time to share tips and tricks on cars, trucks and more.
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