Rear washer fluid won’t spray

2019 4Runner. Washer fluid sprays in the front, but not in the back. Back wiper works. Window is all the way up. Tried rolling it down and rolling it back up, but that didn’t work. No water comes out at all.
I would appreciate any advice! Does anyone know why it isn’t working? If there is a disconnect in the line, where do I look?

 

Welcome.

The first thing to check is to make sure that the washer fluid reservoir is full. Sometimes if it's low, then it won't go to the rear.

The second thing that I would check, is to make sure that the washer pump is working for the rear. Just have someone turn the switch handle for the rear fluid and listen, with the hood open and near the washer fluid reservoir area.

If the fluid is full and the pump is working, then there is a clog, kink, or break in the line somewhere.

 

Yeah, quick search says that all the fluid comes from the same resivoir.

Other suggestions from that thread include:

1. Check that the nozzle isn't clogged with dust/dirt/mud
2. If the resivoir ran low or hasn't been used in a while, hold the button down for a little while because it's being pumped from the resivoir in the front all the way to the back through the lines and can take a bit to refill the lines

If the nozzle is clean, pump sounds like it's working, and after a minute or so it doesn't spray, I would check for leaks. There is a thread somewhere (this site or the other) with a diagram where the tubing is run from front to back to know where to check for leaks but you will have to search for that - I don't have it off hand

 

Back runs out first by design so you have a reminder to fill the tank before the front stops working.

 

.. and rotate the knob up will make it spray until you let go

 

If there’s a leak to the rear you’d probably see a puddle on the ground after a minute of operation.

If it’s a clog at the pump: should be the same setup (dual pumps) as my 2021. Pulling a pump to check the pump intake for a clog is a PITA as the pump housings are a tight fit into a grommet on the fluid reservoir housing. Have to be careful as you can damage the electrical socket/pump, a twisting-pulling action is what’s needed…you cannot pry these off, you’ll break the pump housing or damage the seal.

 

Lol, it's low on the fluid. Op is too embarrassed to update.

 

Don't be embarrassed, I'm sure it will help somebody else, for example I never ran out of fluid but I didn't know that on low fluid read pump stops working when front pump still works. Now I know : )

 

If not used in a long time, I think some of the alcohol in the washer fluid near the nozzle can evaporate or dilute. Then if you get a hard freeze, it can turn to ice right there.