2009 Mazda MX-5 Replace Windshield Washer Pump

How to Replace a Windshield Washer Pump

These days, most windshield washer pumps are mounted to the bottom of the washer fluid reservoir. Where’s that, you ask? Well, you know that spout you pour the fluid into—the one that disappears into nowhere? Well, the reservoir is actually located inside the front fender between the bumper and the front wheel.

To replace the pump, you will have to jack up your 2009 Mazda MX-5 , remove the front wheel and then remove the inner fender liner. The 2009 Mazda MX-5 in these photos is a Plymouth Grand Voyager. Since it’s a van, it has two pumps—one for the windshield and one for the rear hatch wiper. Like most other 2009 Mazda MX-5 s made today, these pumps are insert into a rubber grommet in the reservoir. If you own a Dodge Caravan/Voyager/Town & Country van, forget about finding a replacement pump in the aftermarket. This is a dealer-only item. It runs about $ 60. The worst part about it, is that you have to leave the pump in place, even if you replace it with a universal style pump. See how rusty these are? If you leave the old one in place and bypass it with a universal pump, just think how much fun you’ll have doing this job all over again when the old pump rusts completely through and you have to do this all over again.

That’s why I decided against a universal pump. This isn’t a hard job. It’s just a pain.

What makes them go bad? Running them without fluid. So stop doing that.