I know some of you are good with cars so I'm looking for you, but first a quick back story. Passed my test about a year ago and currently driving my Grandmas old car, which is an 04 plate Ford Ka. Now I haven't driven it for over 6 months because, well, London. When it was MOT'd nearly a year ago it had to have a fair bit of work done after it initially failed. Basically, it is a bit of banger, at least it feels like it. Anyway, I now need to use it this weekend and after jumping it a few times and running on my drive a few times (20 - 30 mins at a time) it still won't start on it's own. Further to that, the windscreen washers are doing absolutely nothing and this is the most troubling thing for me. I know I need to drive around to get the battery charged, that's fine, but I don't know if there is anything I can do about the washers without going to a garage. I'm pretty sure the pump has gone because there is absolutely no noise from it. I've topped up the fluid so I know it's not that. Do I just need to take it to a garage or is there anything else I can check?
Most places will do a battery test for free in hope of you buying a new battery, Halfrauds usually do.
Washer pump probably has packed up, I don't think they like being sat and not used for long periods. Shouldn't be too expensive for a garage to do, the actual pumps are only ~£10 ish, but knowing modern cars you've probably got to take the bumper off to get at it. Still only an hour max really I'd have thought. If you can get at the washer pump, which is on the side of the washer bottle at the bottom, you could disconnect the plug and if you've got a multi-meter check to see if power is reaching the pump, but it's not really necessary. If you know how to hold a spanner and screwdriver you could probably change the pump yourself, they're just push fit into the plastic bottle with a rubber seal, hardest bit is probably getting the washer bottle out in the first place.
Doesn't matter they hate being sat. I bought a brand new battery for a car I owned in the past and then had a license issue so it sat for about 8 months, dead battery. However as the guys have already said, be sure to get it tested. If it's not the battery it's the alternator and if it's that there's no point in spending £x on a battery if it's just going to run dead and then not charge.
For the KA I believe the washer bottle is accessible with the arch liner out rather than bumper off... Given how easy it is I'd just take it to the nearest garage - they'll sort it in 30 minutes. Might be worth checking the fuses first, but I doubt it's that.
Other cars are known to get gunked up in the washer bottle if left for a period of time, I don't know if this affects the KA particularly but it'd be worth flushing it out as much as possible. I'd stuff the garden hose right to the bottom and blast it.
If you've not put screen wash in the water, that can contribute to washer failures. It's not just soap and anti-freeze in there, there's also anti-algae and corrosion inhibitants - all help keep the pump clean.
Thanks all, I'll just take it to Halfords for a battery check and then to a garage for the washers. Seem like the only sensible options.
First thing I'd check with the washers would be the fuse - could be as simple as that. And agree go to Halfords for the battery check
Your alternator might be knackered, which would stop charging the battery. You know what FORD stands for right? Fix Or Repair Daily
The battery is running down because of...wait for it... the dash clock. I had the same problem and found a 90's Ford clock pulled enough juice to kill the battery in a week. Once a battery is almost completely drained about 3 times, they stop taking a charge. -fun. I learned that from my van with 100+ dome lights. Washer pump is likely gunked up. I did what ElThomsono said to do to 'fix' my Mom's Ford washer.
I know that the battery has charged a bit because the first time I tried to start it, there was absolutely nothing when I turned on the ignition or tried to start the engine. However, now dash lights come on and when I try to start the engine something is atleast trying to do something.
It's not worth bothering to do anything with that battery, even a few days at or near flat will completely ruin a lead-acid battery and the damage is irreversible.
My sister's car battery kept going flat - turned out it was the interior light in the boot that was not going off which was causing it. The little switch had stopped working so it was on all the time.
