How to convert from mechanical to electrical washer pump...

When I purchased the car, the windshield washers didn't work. I wasn't excited about digging into the mechanical pump and this conversion seemed easy.
It took me less than an hour with Luis pushing the washer switch - thanks for the help! :)

Parts Needed:
  • New style washer bottle with 12v pump attached, AND the pump electrical connector


  • Vacuum hose tee - verify your hose size, and its a great time to replace the old hose - hint, hint


  • 2 conductor wire to run from the pump connector to the existing washer pump connection


  • Your favorite electrical connection accessories - electrical tape or solder or crimp connectors, etc


  • Split tube loom - I used some 1/4" and some 3/4" that I had laying around just to clean it up.


    • Click on images for full size...
    This is the original bottle - the washer hose connects to the lid.

    The new bottle - see the 12v pump mounted on the front of the bottle... The washer hose connects to the pump.

    Instructions (as I remember them, your mileage may vary!)

    1) Remove old washer bottle - 2 plastic screws

    2) Clean new washer bottle - I used steel wool. The inside of the bottle has been dyed blue from washer fluid dye...

    3) Mount new washer bottle - NOTE: I needed to remove a screw from the fender well lining that was touching the new bottle

    4) Remove washer hoses from old mechanical pump.

    5) Insert tee fitting - NOTE: By manipulating my existing hoses, I didn't need to change any hose lengths...

    6) Cap old pump connections - no real reason, but I had some caps and it looked nice :)

    7) Remove electrical connector from old pump - see diagram. With the pump switch engaged, there is 12 volt between the two connections. I expected one connection to be 12v from ground with the switch engaged, but that wasn't the case, so I extended both wires to the new pump.

    8) Extend pump switch wires to the new pump. I pulled the plastic connector off the old wires, and taped onto them. Not the best connection, but I could put the old connector back easily if I decided.

    9) Don't forget to verify polarity before connecting to the electric pump.

    10) I used some existing and some new split tube loom to hide the extended wiring to the pump.

    11) Connect the washer hose and electrical connector to the pump.

    12) Fill the bottle with washer fluid (duh..)









    Questions? Comments? Know a better way? Let me know!
    Email me at: icole at technovelocity dot com