My windscreen washer stops washing the screen after a few tweaks but continues to wash the headlights :x
Windscreen washer problem Z4 e89
- Thread starter Newboy1946
- Start date
I had this problem a few weeks ago and it turned out to be a blocked filter on the screen washer pump.
Assuming it isn't a failed screen wash pump (check power across plug when operating washer) nor frozen pipes check the screen wash tank for sludgy deposits.
I found numerous discussions on this topic and discovered the problem is likely a result of a reaction between BMW screen wash fluid and other brand screen wash fluid. This in turn blocks the pump filters
I tried the Steradent trick, but it had little effect. I ended up pumping out the contents of the screen wash tank, removing the pumps, disconnecting the wash fluid level sensor, extracting the screen wash tank and cleaning it out thoroughly.
The screen wash pump filter (located on the rubber seal) is smaller and lower in the tank than the lights pump filter, so as a consequence was blocked by a gooey blob of gunk. Using an old toothbrush and spraying water into the tank removed all the sludge
Hope it's as easy for you as it was for me. Took me about an hour in all.
Cheers!
Andy
Assuming it isn't a failed screen wash pump (check power across plug when operating washer) nor frozen pipes check the screen wash tank for sludgy deposits.
I found numerous discussions on this topic and discovered the problem is likely a result of a reaction between BMW screen wash fluid and other brand screen wash fluid. This in turn blocks the pump filters
I tried the Steradent trick, but it had little effect. I ended up pumping out the contents of the screen wash tank, removing the pumps, disconnecting the wash fluid level sensor, extracting the screen wash tank and cleaning it out thoroughly.
The screen wash pump filter (located on the rubber seal) is smaller and lower in the tank than the lights pump filter, so as a consequence was blocked by a gooey blob of gunk. Using an old toothbrush and spraying water into the tank removed all the sludge
Hope it's as easy for you as it was for me. Took me about an hour in all.
Cheers!
Andy
Ok guys thanks for the advice will act on it asap
Question how do you remove the washer fluid level censor from the main reservoir don’t want to break it 
I now have a windscreen washer Code A6D3 Signal or Value Below Threshold !!!
Reservoir all cleaned out no blockages pump working intermittently
What’s the solution please
Reservoir all cleaned out no blockages pump working intermittently
What’s the solution please
Here's a couple of threads when searching that code.
https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/windshield-washer-not-working.736132/
This one has a fault trail to follow
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=124599&p=1786548
Seems to be pointing to pump failure
Can you clear the code and see if it returns?
I'm sure an expert will be along shortly
https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/windshield-washer-not-working.736132/
This one has a fault trail to follow
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=124599&p=1786548
Seems to be pointing to pump failure
Can you clear the code and see if it returns?
I'm sure an expert will be along shortly
I had this problem too, windshield washer motor just stopped working or worked very intermittently without rhyme or reason and yet headlamp washers work fine. I had tried the usual wash and clean of the bottle and filters. No joy. I had it fixed under BMW extended warranty. £100 excess.
They had changed the motor twice and it kept coming back. They traced the wiring and buzzed it all out. All fine. There is a controller that not only controls the washers but many other peripheral things on the car. The output cct on that for the washer had gone kaput. £1400+ VAT had I not had the extended warranty. Now works perfectly.
Selling it in spring time. I get loads of complements about it.
They had changed the motor twice and it kept coming back. They traced the wiring and buzzed it all out. All fine. There is a controller that not only controls the washers but many other peripheral things on the car. The output cct on that for the washer had gone kaput. £1400+ VAT had I not had the extended warranty. Now works perfectly.
Selling it in spring time. I get loads of complements about it.
I would have thought neat fluid too strong? Doesn't it harm the paintwork?
Just had this problem with my E85. Took the reservoir out and gave it a good clean, including the filter. Put it all back in and nothing!! :headbang:
I made sure to clean the filter and I could hear the motor so knew it wasn't an electrical issue.
Left it for a couple of hours while I did more reading. Decided to give it another try and like magic it started working!!
So if it happens to you after cleaning. Just leave it a while. May just need a while to flow through pipes or something :wink:
I made sure to clean the filter and I could hear the motor so knew it wasn't an electrical issue.
Left it for a couple of hours while I did more reading. Decided to give it another try and like magic it started working!!
So if it happens to you after cleaning. Just leave it a while. May just need a while to flow through pipes or something :wink:
I recently found my filters blocked again when I was checking the car out ready for the MoT. Even though there wasn't any major slime contamination in the washer fluid, some had been left behind in the underside of the top of the reservoir. So, I took the reservoir out and cleaned the blocked filters and reservoir again.
However, a few days later I noticed that the washer fluid level was dropping
It turned out to be the rubber seal for the screen wash pump filter wasn't sealing very well, possibly damaged by the repeated removal of the pump and aged rubber that has lost some of its flexibilty, so I collected replacements for both filters from the local BMW dealer.
While the reservoir was out I thought I'd have another go at getting the slime out completely. I threw some hot water into a large bucket and submerged the reservoir into it along with a few dishwasher tablets.
I left it in there for 24 hours and it came out completely clean with just a few remnants of the slime stuck to the inside. These were easily removed with a flexible bottle cleaner that could be bent to reach the entire inside of the reservoir.
I gave it another rinse in hot water to remove any last traces of dishwasher tablet and the reservoir is pristine. A much better result than steradent or hose pipe with the added bonus of cleaning the entire inside and outside of the reservoir for very little effort
Cheers!
Andy
However, a few days later I noticed that the washer fluid level was dropping
It turned out to be the rubber seal for the screen wash pump filter wasn't sealing very well, possibly damaged by the repeated removal of the pump and aged rubber that has lost some of its flexibilty, so I collected replacements for both filters from the local BMW dealer.
While the reservoir was out I thought I'd have another go at getting the slime out completely. I threw some hot water into a large bucket and submerged the reservoir into it along with a few dishwasher tablets.
I left it in there for 24 hours and it came out completely clean with just a few remnants of the slime stuck to the inside. These were easily removed with a flexible bottle cleaner that could be bent to reach the entire inside of the reservoir.
I gave it another rinse in hot water to remove any last traces of dishwasher tablet and the reservoir is pristine. A much better result than steradent or hose pipe with the added bonus of cleaning the entire inside and outside of the reservoir for very little effort
Cheers!
Andy
Mine was so gummed up when I bought it, I ordered a new pump, filter, and reservoir bottle. Works like new now, and the bottle white is a nice clean look compared to the yellowed sludge original.
Like you did, I was considering replacing the reservoir when I first noticed the fluid level had dropped. When I saw it was just the rubber seal, where the screen wash pump is pushed into that was leaking, I wondered if I could clean the reservoir to completely eliminate the slime and just replace the pump filter with the rubber seals.
Then I remembered being told that putting parts in a dishwasher is a great way to clear grime off them... just don't tell the other half about doing that :lol:
I didn't think it would help in cleaning the inside of the reservoir if put into a dishwasher, so I tried submerging it in the bucket of hot water with the dishwasher tablets to see if that would be effective. It worked better than I could have hoped for, so while the plastic looks a little off white it seems to be spotlessly clean.
Let's see if the new filters and seals do the trick for me, otherwise it's time to replace the entire reservoir, and possibly the pump too.
Cheers!
Andy
Then I remembered being told that putting parts in a dishwasher is a great way to clear grime off them... just don't tell the other half about doing that :lol:
I didn't think it would help in cleaning the inside of the reservoir if put into a dishwasher, so I tried submerging it in the bucket of hot water with the dishwasher tablets to see if that would be effective. It worked better than I could have hoped for, so while the plastic looks a little off white it seems to be spotlessly clean.
Let's see if the new filters and seals do the trick for me, otherwise it's time to replace the entire reservoir, and possibly the pump too.
Cheers!
Andy
