Operation; Removal; Removal - Except Diesel Engine; Wipers/Washers - Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual

DR
WASHER RESERVOIR (Continued)
Fig. 14 Washer Reservoir - except Diesel Engine
1 - TOP TAB
2 - HOOK FEATURE
3 - CAP
4 - RESERVOIR
5 - TROUGH
6 - HOSE
7 - LOCK FEATURE
8 - WASHER FLUID LEVEL SWITCH
9 - WASHER PUMP/MOTOR
10 - BOTTOM TAB (2)
reservoir cap. The most visible component of the
washer reservoir is the filler cap unit, which is
secured to and hinges on a hook feature that is inte-
gral to the filler neck near the top of the reservoir.
The bright yellow plastic filler cap snaps over the
filler neck opening and seals the reservoir opening
with an integral rubber gasket. The filler cap is
labeled with an International Control and Display
Symbol icon for "Windshield Washer" and the text
"Washer Fluid Only" that are molded into it and
highlighted in black against the yellow plastic cap for
visibility.
There are dedicated holes near the bottom of the
rearward facing side of the reservoir provided for the
mounting of the washer pump/motor unit and the
washer fluid level switch. A snap post receptacle
molded into the reservoir allows for mounting of the
washer pump without the use of fasteners. The res-
ervoir also features an integral hose routing trough
on its rearward facing side. Except on models with a
diesel engine, the washer reservoir is secured to the
cooling module radiator shroud with three integral
tabs, two at the bottom and one at the top. The two
bottom tabs are inserted into two slots near the bot-

WIPERS/WASHERS

tom of the shroud, while the upper tab slides into an
integral channel-like slot near the top of the shroud.
A molded lock feature on the forward facing surface
of the reservoir engages a molded depression on the
rearward facing surface of the radiator shroud when
the reservoir is fully seated on the shroud, locking
the unit securely in place. On models with a diesel
engine, the washer reservoir is secured with two
screws through integral mounting tabs to the left
vertical member of the radiator support. On many
models, a molded plastic coolant recovery container
or a coolant pressure container must be detached
from the top of the cooling module and moved aside
to access the washer fluid reservoir for service. This
may be accomplished without opening or draining the
engine cooling system.

OPERATION

The washer fluid reservoir provides a secure,
on-vehicle storage location for a large reserve of
washer fluid for operation of the washer system. The
washer reservoir filler neck provides a clearly
marked and readily accessible point from which to
add washer fluid to the reservoir. The washer/pump
motor unit is located in a sump area near the bottom
of the reservoir to be certain that washer fluid will
be available to the pump as the fluid level in the res-
ervoir becomes depleted. The washer pump/motor
unit is mounted in the lowest position in the sump.
The washer fluid level switch is mounted just above
the sump area of the reservoir so that there will be
adequate warning to the vehicle operator that the
washer fluid level is low, well before the washer sys-
tem will no longer operate.

REMOVAL

REMOVAL - EXCEPT DIESEL ENGINE

(1) Unlatch and open the hood.
(2) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(3) Remove the fasteners securing the coolant
recovery container or the coolant pressure container
to the top of the cooling module and move the con-
tainer aside. It is not necessary to open or drain the
engine cooling system. (Refer to 7 - COOLING/EN-
GINE/COOLANT RECOVERY
REMOVAL) or (Refer to 7 - COOLING/ENGINE/
COOLANT RECOVERY PRESSURE CONTAINER -
REMOVAL).
(4) Disconnect the reservoir washer hose from the
barbed nipple of the inline fitting at the engine com-
partment washer hose in the right headlamp and
dash wire harness and allow the washer fluid to
8R - 15
CONTAINER -