Not every problem needs to be solved with the first idea that comes to mind.

The other day, I hit a pothole. Nothing unusual there. We’ve all been there. But right after that bump, my windshield washer fluid light lit up on the dashboard. It wasn’t a big deal at first, until I noticed something else.

That light was now blocking my trip meter. And for some reason, that really bugged me.

So what’s the obvious thing to do?

Just add more windshield fluid, right? That’s probably what most people would try. But that’s not what I did.

Curiosity First

Before jumping into a fix, I wanted to understand what was actually going on. That’s where real troubleshooting begins.

• Was the washer fluid actually low?
• Were the wipers still working?
• Was there still water in the reservoir?
• And why on earth would hitting a pothole cause this in the first place?

That question stuck with me. Something didn’t add up. I started thinking maybe it wasn’t the fluid at all. Maybe it was a sensor. Maybe a connector came loose from the impact. Could I reach it? Could I fix it myself?

A Hands-On Investigation

So I did what any curious person would do. I got under the car to take a look.

Sure enough, I found the sensor. But like most car parts, it wasn’t exactly easy to get to. I would have to remove the underbody mat to see more clearly, and that meant dealing with those tiny plastic pins that tend to snap unless you’ve got extras. I didn’t have any on hand.

I took a good look at the sensor and its wiring. Everything looked intact, although the reservoir was slightly cracked. I tried adjusting the connector wire a bit. Still, I topped off the fluid just in case. Nothing changed. The light stayed on.

At that point, I was pretty confident the sensor had gone bad. Maybe it was already wearing out and the pothole just gave it a final nudge. Either way, it wasn’t reading correctly.

So I went to a local shop and had them disconnect it for now. The light disappeared and I got my trip meter back.

More Than Just a Fix

Here’s the thing. I didn’t actually fix the root issue. But I understood what caused it. And that was enough.

For me, the value wasn’t in pouring more fluid or replacing the sensor right away. It was in breaking down the problem and thinking it through step by step. That’s what good troubleshooting looks like.

It’s not about throwing a quick fix at the issue. It’s about asking the right questions, ruling things out, testing a few theories, and getting to the root of what’s really going on.

The Takeaway

Whether it’s a broken build, a leaky pipe, or a warning light on your dashboard, the mindset is the same.

Start by being curious. Not rushed.
Don’t assume. Investigate.

Because when you take the time to understand the problem, the solution usually finds its way to you.

Next time something goes wrong, don’t just fix it. Ask why it happened in the first place. That one question can open up a whole new way of seeing the world — and maybe even make you enjoy the problem-solving process a little more.