Where are the Windshield Washer Pumps Located on a SUBARU?

Here are some photos showing where the windshield wiper front and rear motors are located on typical SUBARU vehicles.

Front Windshield Washer Pump Motor on SUBARU Vehicles

On SUBARU vehicles, the front windshield washer pump motor is typically located at the bottom of the windshield washer fluid reservoir near the battery.  The pump is slightly recessed into the washer fluid reservoir so it may be hard to see.

Fortunately two 10mm hex head bolts at the top of the reservoir are easily removed and the entire SUBARU washer reservoir can then be pulled upward for easier access.  Alternatively removing the battery will also provide fairly easy access to the pumps.

Rear Windshield Washer Pump Motor on SUBARU vehicles

On SUBARU vehicles, the rear windshield washer pump motor is typically in one of two places depending on model year.

1995 and Later Model Year Rear Windshield Washer Pump Motor on SUBARU vehicles

Typically on post 1995 SUBARU vehicles including Legacy, Outback, and Impreza, the rear windshield washer pump is right next to the front windshield washer pump.  In this configuration both the front and rear SUBARU windshield washer pumps draw from the same reservoir.

Typically the rear pump is the higher of the two pumps on the reservoir.  This configuration gives preference to the front windshield washer pump.  if the reservoir is low on washer fluid, the rear pump will stop working first.  The thought is that it is more critical to be able to see out the front windshield than the rear. 

Pre 1995 Model Year Rear Windshield Washer Pump Motor on SUBARU vehicles

On pre 1995 model year SUBARU vehicles, the windshield washer pump motor is located on its own separate reservoir in the left rear cargo/trunk area of the vehicle.  In this configuration the front washer pump motor draws off its own reservoir in the front near the battery, but the rear has its own separate reservoir that is filled through a small filler neck.  On the wagon body style SUBARU's, the filler neck for the rear washer reservoir is just above the left rear turn signal/brake light assembly (with the tailgate open).

How to the SUBARU washer fluid pumps work?

The pumps are driven by an electric motor.  Typically +12V is applied to the pumps when the ignition key is in the run position.  Then when actuated, the other pin on the pump motor is grounded, thus energizing the motor.  The pump then provides a small amount of pressure to the washer fluid.  The spray nozzles then make the washer fluid take on a spray pattern onto the windshield.  I would estimate the washer fluid pump applies about 10psig at the given flow.