Long story short, My husband accidentally put windshield washer fluid in the coolant reservoir of my car. I didnt realize this for about a week when I was completely out of washer fluid. Any damage to the car? Can I leave it or do I really need to have it flushed.

Its not the end of the world as we know it.
You could probably take the tank off and clean it out and go on.
The only down side is the solvent will dilute the coolant, but not that much.

either the sending unit is faulty or the float is stuck at the bottom of the reservoir

It basically depends up on ,what is your car model and year.But the fluid is located in reservoir. The power steering fluid reservoir is located next to the coolant overflow tank and the windshield washer fluid reservoir. The location of reservoir can be different or some car model ans year.
Thanks.Helpmech.

Open the engine hood.

There will be several fluid reservoirs under the bonnet. If the car / truck has power steering, one of them will hold about 150-300ml of fluid that should be a red color. If you put some on your hand it is very slippery.

The other reservoirs will hold water for the windscreen washer, and one connected to the radiator to hold coolant.

Check that the reservoir you intend to put the power steering fliud in is not connected to the radiator and does not contain water.

Take the cap off to check.

If you can't see in to the bottom, roll up some kitchen paper towel and feed that in until you get some fluid on it - red, you hope!

There will be marks (horizontal lines) on the side of the reservoir showing "Min" (minimum) and "Max" (maximum or full). Slowly pour in replavcement fliud until the tiop of the fluid is between the marks.. Put the cap back on, close the engine hood, drive for a short distance (2 km?) and check the levels again.

Top up the reservoir to just under "Max". Replace the cap.

Check the level after a short period of normal driving - a couple of weeks, If it is still going down a mechanic needs to check the power steering seals.

good luck.

why were you adding fluid? could be a leak causing your overheat issue.

Hi, coolant goes into the reservoir pictured below. There is a different reservoir for the windshield washer fluid. There is also a much smaller reservoir for the brake fulid. That one is in the right rear of the engine compartment, just in front of the driver. Be careful not to put coolant in the brake or washer fluid reservoir. Thanks for using FixYa.

coolant reservoir:

head gasket is blown

the pump motor likely is bad. get a used washer fluid reservoir at a pick n pull yourself or at car-part.com. page with * is lowest cost.

Pump and Reservoir, Windshield Washer Removal

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable (14301).
   
2. Raise and support the vehicle.
   
3. Remove the RH wheel (1007).
   
4. Remove the RH front fender splash shield (16103). Refer to Section 01-02 for the removal procedure.
   
5. Remove the windshield washer reservoir top bolt.
   
   
6. Disconnect the windshield washer reservoir fluid level sensor electrical connector.
   
7. Disconnect the rear window washer pump electrical connector from the rear window washer pump.
   
8. Disconnect the windshield washer pump electrical connector from the windshield washer pump (17664).
   
9. Place a suitable drain pan under the windshield washer reservoir (17618) and drain the washer fluid.
   
10. NOTE: The rear window washer hose end is color-coded, matching the connector on the rear window washer pump. Match the colors to ensure proper installation.
    
    Disconnect the washer hoses from the windshield washer pump and the rear window washer pump on the windshield washer reservoir.
    
    
11. Loosen the two windshield washer reservoir side bolts.
    
12. Remove the windshield washer reservoir by sliding it out of the side slots.
    
13. Remove the windshield washer pump.
    
    Installation

To install, reverse the removal procedure. Tighten the lug nuts (1012) to 98-118 Nm (72-87 lb-ft).

You can no problem ! The pump is installed in or at the reservoir.

Reservoir —Windshield Wiper

Removal

1. Remove the RH wheel; refer to Section 204-04 .

1. Position RH splash shield aside.
   1. Remove six screws.
   1. Remove three pin-type retainers.
   1. Position RH splash shield aside.

1. NOTE: Windshield washer fluid should be collected in a container after the windshield washer hoses are disconnected.
   Disconnect the electrical connector and washer hoses.

1. Remove the upper reservoir bolt.

1. Remove the windshield washer reservoir.
   • Loosen the two lower reservoir bolts.

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