Just been out for a run and needed to clean windscreen. Pulled back on stalk wipers go but no water. Tried several times and nothing. Pressed button for rear window and worked fine with water spraying out. Nothing on dashboard to indicate water empty.
Got home and checked resevoir and seemed half full of water and cleaner. Tried again, again nothing after switching off ignition. Went and had tea, thought this needs a full tummy to sort. After tea topped up resevoir from half full to full and tried again and nothing. Switched off ignition and tried again wipers were going all the time during the attempts to clean screen. This time got a dribble from centre jets then after a second all 6 jets start working.
So i thought wonder if the non return valve on the windscreen jets is hammered. Left for an hour and still working fine so its a puzzle.
Where does the dashboard tell you the resevoir is empty WIS says there is a level sensor.
Pump appears to be at bottom of resevoir so why it wouldn't work when half full is a mystery.
Any ideas?
2005 95 Estate
I would say the non-return valve has failed. Level sensor will show a message (with a bong) in the SID display on the dashboard.
I knew you were going to say that LOL. Looks like a pig to replace/get at.
You have to get behind the wheel arch liner. Easier with a wheel off. The biggest problem is that the fixing on the liner will probably shear off :( Otherwise not too bad.
Thanks for the tips.
Looking at the EPC there are no non return valves in the system just a level guard on the motor. The plot thickens.
The Y branches (Items 34 & 38 on EPC) are listed as "Valve". ;)
I see 34 on the drawing but not on the parts list. 38 is in both marked as valve, they must be under the bonnet which appears to have some sort of cover, which may be easier to get too than wheel arch. Will test again in the morning.
Both 34 & 38 appear on the parts list on my copy of the EPC - the part number is 5336961
The NRVs are the Y-pieces behind the bonnet lining. (At least it was on my '98.) The diaphragm in mine had failed and water was gushing out of it and soaking through the bonnet lining. I only needed to replace one valve, but I presumed there were two and at the price it made sense to buy two whilst I was at the dealer.
This might sound silly Banger but when no water appeared could you hear the pump whizzing?? Obviously if you did then it as said the NRV's. Mine is same year as yours and I've had under bonnet sound deadening off easily - you just have to be kind to the clips.
If it is the pump not working different matter. When I got mine a year ago my headlamp washers for the xenons wasn't working so got new pump from somewhere (about £10) and set about doing the swap. I do hope you haven't got hands like dinner plates as you'll take all the skin off. I do remember spraying penetrating oil on clips and bolts under wheelarch and I'm sure that was what Will had told me. Jacked up and took wheel off then very gently undid all the clips and bolts - phew - non broke - it seems its the one right at the back that snaps. You may be lucky as well with age of car. Then the fun began...............
I had to gently pull the bottom of the bumper away to just get my hand in enough to remove the connections which were real bu99ers (my bumper is the newer Aero style with round fogs so slightly fatter) and the pump pushed up - no clips from what I remember. Replaced pump and hey presto - nothing.................doh I had got the 2 mixed up and had swapped the one that did work and not the headlamp washers pump but I had been wise to test before putting all back together. Skin off knuckles again and headlamp pump was a ba5tard but all done - I suppose 45 mins and bruised skinned knuckles - I have smallish hands.
Good luck - I hope its your NRV's
If you haven't already tried changing a nozzle, IIRC they come out and go back from under the bonnet, a bit fiddly, again IIRC the design makes it impossible to put them in from above (replaced a couple about 4 years back, so memory a bit hazy). Anyone say different?
I did mine (98) a couple of years ago and again when I broke 'Son of Saab' and further access can be gained by taking the headlamp out, 2 or 3 bolts.
Well I left it 24 hours and jets were still primed, instant water when pulling the stick. Not sure how long it is since I last used the jets but I could just about hear the pump over the thrashing in the engine pit and when I had the door open there was a slight dimming of the overhead light as if the motor was running.
About the EPC if I change to 2004 model both valves are in the list, 2005 only one is listed and in the 2004 list is says to chassis number and a number. Maybe they only fit one on 2005 model. (2010 EPC)
On the 9000 it was the back ones that stopped working for no apparent reason. Anyway going to watch and wait, think I have some 3 way NRVs in a drawer somewhere off when I replaced them on the 9000 which are new, bought a bag full at the time.