No Headlamp washer's

[Steve440]

My headlamp washers dont work on my 2004 Aero, the windscreen washers work as they should.

I had a poke about today and there seem to be only one pump on the washer pump.

Where is the other pump so I can check it works or is it a shared pump with a solenoid somewhere?

With winter coming up it would be good to get them working if possible.

Thanks

Steve

[sgould]

There should be a separate pump in the washer bottle for the headlamp washers.

How are you testing them?

They only work if you pull the washer switch for more than half a second.  The screen washers work with a touch.

They only work if the headlamps are on.

They only work every six pulls of the washer switch or every two minutes, whichever is sooner.

The headlamp washers will not work if the washer bottle is less than around 1/3 full.

If they still don't work check the valves.  The headlamp washers open spring loaded valves.  These stop the water running through the pump and the valves and draining the bottle.

You have got washer jets under the covers?

[Steve440]

I will have another look at the weekend for the other pump, maybe I was not looking in the correct place?

I have a 2002 Aero ( that I am selling) that works as you say but this 2004 even if I have the switch pulled in for 5 seconds does not bring them on.

I did not know the bottle needed to be over a 1/3 full so I might try that first in case that is the problem.

Yes there are jets under the covers, that was my first thought.

Maybe the system is seized up through lack of use as the guy I bought it from did not drive at night due to poor night vision apparently.

Yes I did know the lights had to be on.

Steve

[dave225]

Just done mine 2005 Aero. The screen pump is on the back of the bottle but the headlamp pump (same Part No) is on the LHS. I dropped the bottle to get at it (easy, 3 screws/nuts) but others have skinned their knuckles squeezing past the bumper. My advice would be to drop the bottle.
Assuming the pump has gone, it's about £34 new.

[Steve440]

Thanks for that Dave, I had presumed it would be next or at least near to the other pump.

Sounds like good advice to remove the bottle.

Steve

[sgould]

If never used, I would suspect the spring valves.  They are unique to the jets.  I'm not sure where they are in the circuit, or whether they are part of the jets.  Might even be on at the pump before the tee.

They close the pipe so that the water doesn't drain through the pump and jets as they are lower than the bottle.  The pump pressure opens them,  but the valve sticks if not used.....

I'll check the parts list to see what and where.   

I had one of these valves go on another car.  It was winter and I didn't see the water dripping out of the jet for ages.  i wondered why the bottle was always needing filling.