Washer jets not working any pointers.

Hi Gos,
F11 30A in the front power distribution box supplies the power wash pump via a relay. If the fuse is good then check the relay which is R18 also in the front power distribution box.

Hope this helps.

Jim.

Thanks Jim

Will look at it tomorrow and let you know

Gos

It could be the dreaded gunge in the washer bottle, mine had the same problem and I was convinced that it was either the pump or a wiring fault. It turned out to the gunge stalling the pump motor, pulled the pump which can be accessed from under the front N/S wing after removing the wheel arch liner. Flushed out the bottle cleaned the pump and it was sorted.

I'll second what Trickey says. Before you statr struggling to get to the little pump get a high pressure water jet, bung it in the bottle filler hole and give it a good blasting for 5 minutes. Check the fuse is OK, pin down the nozzle holes, and see what happens.
Cheap additive causes the gunge build up.

I am using wurth screen wash, bit expensive but used in the right dilution very effective and will go down to minus plenty well odd without freezing and no gunge problems since I started using it, even smells good.

Another one that has worked for me in the past is use a low pressure air line or even a bike pump to 'back flush' the washer system from the pipe join to the nozzles. On some cars the washer pipes even thread straight into a schrader valve fitting on the bike pump.

Just take care to remove any non-return valves it fitted!

Steradent tablets in the reservoir once in a while will work to keep it all clean too.

Mike Stype said:

Steradent tablets in the reservoir once in a while will work to keep it all clean too.

Click to expand...

Take care with additives that alter the pH, they can lead to corrosion in the system (pump parts?)

Look at this paper (Figure 8), Steradent corroded medical grade metal in 20 minutes!

Didn't know that.
They tested two tablets in 500ml of hot water, but just one in a whole washer bottle should be fine. You could also use Milton tablets, as used for cleaning baby bottles but probably the same as Steradent? It just prevents the algae building up.

does the pump work if someone stands under the bonnet listening for it?
I had no fluid coming out - just stuck a pin in the outlets - sorted.check the easy things first as someone above says

Thanks for all the interesting replies guys some really good stuff, just a question my water bottle is on the drivers side is the pump on the drivers side also on the S type?
Again can it be accessed by removing the inner front wheel are lining

Gos

Mike Stype said:

Didn't know that.
They tested two tablets in 500ml of hot water, but just one in a whole washer bottle should be fine. You could also use Milton tablets, as used for cleaning baby bottles but probably the same as Steradent? It just prevents the algae building up.

Click to expand...

As you say, the risk is probably mostly theoretical at washer bottle dilutions, but just thought I would point it out.

By-the-way, Milton's is similar. I put some in an aluminium Sigg bottle to clean it once. It's a great way to check for breaks in the internal lacquer - the aluminium corrodes and makes big white blooms of oxide where the Milton's gets to it!

Hi Guys

Thanks for the replies, hadn't looked at the problem as yet as just returned from Spain late last night. My son and I are going to look at the problem tomorrow, will keep the forum posted on how we get on.

Cheers Gos

I had my washers stop working on my old S-Type, it was the dreaded loom rot in the front bumper harness.

Hopefully it's a simple fix for you because it was a bitch to find!

Thanks guys for all the replies and pointers.

My son and I had a look yesterday and hopefully will look at it again tomorrow when the weather is better.

Swopped the Fuse F11 and Relay R18 in the front power distribution box - Didn't cure fault
Put a hose pipe in the washer jet bottle and gave it a good flush for at least 5 minutes, trickle of water then started to come back through the water jets on the wiper arms - Didn't cure fault.
Going to attempt (as a novice) to remove the near side front wheel and wheel arch liner to access the pump. Does anyone know what the pump looks like and were is it bolted to?
Also were i am confused that the washer bottle is on the drivers side and been told pump on the near side is this correct?
So next step is to find the pump remove and clean. The car is due for a service at JagAuto's shortly but would like to save money by us having ago ourselves

Thx Gos

Got nowhere today. Managed to get the pump out of the bottom of the water bottle. On inspection of the pump i couldn't see were the filter was so i just rinsed the pump out. Gave the bottle a thorough rinsed too. When trying to refit the pump back to water bottle i had difficulty, it didn't seem to clip so now i am loosing water and getting a low wash level alarm, i tried twisting it to get it to lock in but just couldn't do it, has anyone experienced this?
What i have also noticed is when there is no water in the water bottle the wipers don't start when pressing the washer jet button. Looks if a new pump is needed anyone else got any other idea's on refitting the pump.

Cheers Gos

Just wondering can i not connect the pump because the filter may have dropped in the bottle?

I have recently changed the pump on mine....I too lost water after refitting the pump, the reason being was that on refitting when pushing the pump into place I accidentally push the rubber sealing grommet into the bottle. Then I had to take the bottle out and turn upside down to retrieve it. His involved loosening the bumper A 30 min job into 3hrs

I hope this helps

Oh the joy in getting that bottle out............been there, seen it, done it. Much profanity.:twisted: