How to Replace the Windshield Washer Reservoir in a Pontiac Grand Am

Introduced in 1973 and discontinued in 2005, the Pontiac Grand Am has undergone many changes. If you have one, you want to keep it looking new and keeping your windshield clean helps. Use your windshield washer fluid to assist you. However, if you've filled your windshield washer reservoir and found you don't have any fluid, check for a leak and fix or replace the reservoir.

Instructions

1

Select a new windshield washer reservoir--the part number depends on the year of your Pontiac Grand Am. Order it from the dealer or online or get it from a salvage yard. Having the part before you begin, saves you time later.

2

Choose a place to work on your Pontiac Grand Am. Put the car in park, turn it off, engage the emergency brake and open the hood by pulling the hood release.

3

Find the auxiliary release latch by reaching under the center of the hood and pulling it or twisting it to open the hood. Raise the hood and use the prop rod to hold it securely.

4

Inspect the windshield washer reservoir for a leak. The reservoir in the Pontiac Grand Am is the black-capped reservoir located in the engine compartment behind the front bumper, right behind and below the driver's side headlamp assembly.

5

Disconnect the battery's negative cable, to avoid any electrical shocks. If your Grand Am has air bags, wait 90 seconds before starting to work.

6

Remove the headlamp assembly on the driver side by unscrewing the two large plastic screws with a screwdriver and lifting the headlamp assembly out of your Grand Am.

7

Undo the front bumper by first taking off the inner clip pin using a pry tool and then the other clips running along the top of the bumper. Next, unscrew the screws that run along the bumper in front of the wheel opening and wheel well. Finally, free the shoulder bolts in the center of the bumper to gain complete access to the windshield washer reservoir.

8

Locate all the leads to your reservoir and dismantle them. This includes undoing the washer hose and three fasteners. To remove the reservoir from your Pontiac Grand Am, you need to take it out through the fender opening.

9

Take off the washer pump and install it in the new windshield washer reservoir. Then, put the reservoir back in place and reconnect the bolts, wires and hoses. Replace the seals; don't reuse the old ones.

10

Reattach the bumper and put the headlamp assembly back together by reversing the order in Steps 7 and 6. After that, reconnect the battery and fill the new reservoir with windshield washer fluid.