S40 (New) General : - Driver's side headlamp washer not spraying

StatusRed · Nov 19th, 2017, 12:13

This has been an ongoing seemingly intermittent fault for quite a few months, the driver's side headlamp washer is not working properly, but the passenger side one works fine.

I've stood outside the car while using the washers to see exactly what is going on, the washer extends probably and has all the same movements as the washer on the passenger side but it's just not spraying, there's some bubbling but no actual spray.

Over Christmas I'm going to be back at my parents where all my tools are but before then it would be nice to try and diagnose exactly what I need to do to fix this.

Has anyone else had this problem? Is the tube maybe just blocked or is there some kind of pump that needs replacing?

Cheers!

Sysyphus · Nov 19th, 2017, 12:35

Pretty sure that there’s just one pump that supplies both washers, so I would be inclined towards the blockage theory.

StatusRed · Nov 19th, 2017, 12:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sysyphus

Pretty sure that there’s just one pump that supplies both washers, so I would be inclined towards the blockage theory.

That was my thinking too, do you know how hard the washer is to get to? And if any tools are required to take off the tubes etc to clear out?

Cheers.

Proghound · Nov 19th, 2017, 19:03

Sounds like a blocked washer jet to me. I had a dribbly one once on one side on the old C70. The washer tube is sprung so as to extend under pressure from the pump, and you need to hold it extended to get the jet off. I don't remember exactly how that was fixed, but it didn't need anything fancy, or I wouldn't have been able to do it. It might even have been just a tight push-fit.

Be careful with the cover plate for the hole in the bumper. IIRC it just clips on to the washer tube, but the clip and the rod it's on the end of are somewhat fragile-looking. You can get under the cover with fingernails and lift and pull it gently up and forwards to extend the tube, but it may be best to grab the tube itself while the washers are activated. If you've not got someone to pull the washer stalk for you it can be quite fun to get there in time (you may get soaked

).

StatusRed · Nov 19th, 2017, 20:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proghound

Sounds like a blocked washer jet to me. I had a dribbly one once on one side on the old C70. The washer tube is sprung so as to extend under pressure from the pump, and you need to hold it extended to get the jet off. I don't remember exactly how that was fixed, but it didn't need anything fancy, or I wouldn't have been able to do it. It might even have been just a tight push-fit.

Be careful with the cover plate for the hole in the bumper. IIRC it just clips on to the washer tube, but the clip and the rod it's on the end of are somewhat fragile-looking. You can get under the cover with fingernails and lift and pull it gently up and forwards to extend the tube, but it may be best to grab the tube itself while the washers are activated. If you've not got someone to pull the washer stalk for you it can be quite fun to get there in time (you may get soaked

).

Haha cheers, I'll give it a go over Christmas then, I'll also take a look at my VIDA laptop to see if it says anything about it.

So what exactly did you do? Just pulled the tubes off and reconnected or poked a pipe cleaner down it or what?

Thanks again!

Proghound · Nov 20th, 2017, 09:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by StatusRed

Haha cheers, I'll give it a go over Christmas then, I'll also take a look at my VIDA laptop to see if it says anything about it.

So what exactly did you do? Just pulled the tubes off and reconnected or poked a pipe cleaner down it or what?

Thanks again!

After I got the jet off the end of the tube, I think I just poked around inside it, blew it through backwards, and put it back on. It's not like the windscreen washer jets, it's more of a diffuser and you can see if there's anything in there that shouldn't be.

You can check the tube isn't blocked by using the headlamp washers without the jet on the end (but not when there's anyone coming!)

StatusRed · Nov 20th, 2017, 17:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proghound

After I got the jet off the end of the tube, I think I just poked around inside it, blew it through backwards, and put it back on. It's not like the windscreen washer jets, it's more of a diffuser and you can see if there's anything in there that shouldn't be.

You can check the tube isn't blocked by using the headlamp washers without the jet on the end (but not when there's anyone coming!)

Thanks prog I appreciate the advice, I'll make this a little project when I'm back over Christmas then!

Nov 19th, 2017, 12:13	#1
StatusRed Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 19:28 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Glasgow	Driver's side headlamp washer not spraying This has been an ongoing seemingly intermittent fault for quite a few months, the driver's side headlamp washer is not working properly, but the passenger side one works fine. I've stood outside the car while using the washers to see exactly what is going on, the washer extends probably and has all the same movements as the washer on the passenger side but it's just not spraying, there's some bubbling but no actual spray. Over Christmas I'm going to be back at my parents where all my tools are but before then it would be nice to try and diagnose exactly what I need to do to fix this. Has anyone else had this problem? Is the tube maybe just blocked or is there some kind of pump that needs replacing? Cheers! __________________ 2009 S40 SE Lux 2.0i \| 2022 Suzuki V-Strom 650 \| 2002 Audi TT 225 Previous: C70 Coupe 2.4i \| Saab 9-5 Aero \| Daihatsu SporTrak

Nov 19th, 2017, 19:03	#4
Proghound Volvo and Audi owner Last Online: Apr 22nd, 2024 12:33 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Leighton Buzzard	Sounds like a blocked washer jet to me. I had a dribbly one once on one side on the old C70. The washer tube is sprung so as to extend under pressure from the pump, and you need to hold it extended to get the jet off. I don't remember exactly how that was fixed, but it didn't need anything fancy, or I wouldn't have been able to do it. It might even have been just a tight push-fit. Be careful with the cover plate for the hole in the bumper. IIRC it just clips on to the washer tube, but the clip and the rod it's on the end of are somewhat fragile-looking. You can get under the cover with fingernails and lift and pull it gently up and forwards to extend the tube, but it may be best to grab the tube itself while the washers are activated. If you've not got someone to pull the washer stalk for you it can be quite fun to get there in time (you may get soaked ). __________________ Current: 2012 C70 D3 SE Lux Solstice Geartronic, Caspian Blue. Also: 2002 Audi A2 TDI SE, Crystal Blue Previous: 2008 C70 D5 SE manual, Flint Grey.

Nov 19th, 2017, 12:35	#2
Sysyphus Senior Member Last Online: Apr 22nd, 2024 02:05 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Suburban Philly	Pretty sure that there’s just one pump that supplies both washers, so I would be inclined towards the blockage theory.

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