Windscreen Washers

alien1974 · December 11, 2014

went out tonight in her tonight decided i know i will wash the screen, pressed the washer button, the wipers wiped but no washers hmmmm the headlight ones worked ok though but no windscreen, washers and no noise, new pump then i take it, fuse ok just thought i would share my prob.

mikeyv · December 11, 2014

Frozen?

alien1974 · December 11, 2014

no the outside temp is about 7 deg

alien1974 · December 12, 2014

what is it with eastern

cars and washer pumps my old almera had the same problem too

Malc · December 12, 2014

..................... water in the main reservoir !

...... sorry to state checking the obvious

Malc

ambermarine · December 12, 2014

Matthew

There are two pumps one for screen and the other for headlight washers and the reservoir serves both. Get someone to press the button whilst you put your ear to the reservoir (remove the lid)if there is no sound the pump as probably given up on life.You will need to remove the engine undercover to get at the pump and its circuit connections water and power, make sure you have power here before moving to next step.

It might be possible to remove and replace the pump with the reservoir in situ but not having had a pump problem I cannot be sure .I do know it is possible to remove the float meter device in situ but that is located on the bottom of the reservoir .The pumps are located on the side and could be difficult to get at.

update;

Having looked at the schematic diagram of the reservoir the windscreen pump is located on the leading edge of the reservoir adjacent to the front bumper behind and underneath the headlight.

It is probable that the best way to the pump in situ is by loosening the mudguard liner at the front and easing it out of the way .If you use this method you will not have to remove the engine under cover just loosen the piece of under cover that sits below the reservoir to give you enough access.

Titch LS · December 12, 2014

Matthew, unlike you, I had the headlight wash pump fail on my Mk4 once. Like Ambermarine says, you access the two separate pumps and resovoir via the wheel-well liner. No need to take off the undertray. I replaced mine with a used pump off a scrapper (on-line breakers) for £7 three years ago, it still works fine. It's not too hard to get at or fit.

mr2lad · December 12, 2014

I concur with ambermarine and titch LS reference accessing water pump.... I've a 98 LS400 which I'm taking apart at moment and took wheel liner off to access abs sensor plug and noticed how accessible the windscreen wash bottle n pump are....

alien1974 · December 17, 2014

Can i go on record and say i am an idiot! having looked in the washer bottle i could see blue liquid in there, and the headlight washers worked too as i said earlier, so thought what the hell i will top it up anyway to the brim, and hey presto the windscreen washers now work!

ambermarine · December 17, 2014

Matthew

Thats not an idiots trick, it is quite normal we all do it.

cruisermark · December 17, 2014

Can i go on record and say i am an idiot! having looked in the washer bottle i could see blue liquid in there, and the headlight washers worked too as i said earlier, so thought what the hell i will top it up anyway to the brim, and hey presto the windscreen washers now work!

they low fluid light should of come on - if it didnt perhaps its been unplugged to overcome the common problem of illuminate the contstant low washer fluid light.

how much fluid did you ad - do you think it was empty?

alien1974 · December 17, 2014

i added just over 2 pints, no low level came on, as that didnt happen i presumed it had enough fluid in the res, plus i could see blue fluid when i looked down

Malc · December 17, 2014

..................... water in the main reservoir !

...... sorry to state checking the obvious

Malc

Ho hum ................. I did say !!!

Malc

mr2lad · December 17, 2014

Yep you are now on record as a IDIOT.... Lol but your now a happy idiot and that's all that matters 😂😂😂😂😂

alien1974 · December 17, 2014

i presume the previous owner had the sensor disconnected, ah well at least i dont have to replace the pump

n4chv · December 19, 2014

I had to get the reservoir pump motor for the screen replaced on my Mk IV LS400 after 12 years and 180,000 miles. New part was £75 from Lexus and it was an hour's labour by my local garage. Not quite as cheap as Brian's £7 DIY job but in the scheme of things, not a huge expense