P38A Headlamp washer issue

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Henrik97

Active Member
Posts
301
Hi,
Car is a 97 4.6 HSE. I have been loosing washer fluid and today discovered why. I thought I had a leaking bottle, but today after washing the windscreen in the dry, I noticed a fine mist coming over the bonnet. I pulled over and what do you know - the headlamp wipers were still running, as was the washer pump. So, it would seem that whatever controls this circuit stays latched instead of switching off after a few seconds. First question is obviously whether any of you have had the same fault and how you fixed it. Second question is whether this circuit has its own relay and timer or if it's run from the becm.
Any help would be very welcome.

Thanks!
Henrik
 
Sounds like something is earthing the pump motor somewhere. Try cleaning the connectors? Not got them on mine so having a bit of a stab in the dark. RAVE (assuming I am reading it correctly on page 168 of the 1997 electrical troubleshooting section) seems to imply the washer jet is driven from the headlamp wiper rather than direct itself. Is the headlight wiper working?
 
It could be worth checking the output from the BECM to the fuse box aswell. The ground wire for the relay in the fuse box that drivers the headlamp washer pump and wiper motors, and comes from the BECM on a Light Green/Red wire, pin 6 of C113 (10 way, Yellow connector on the front of the BECM (top row - close to transmission tunnel). This wire will be grounded when the BECM sends the command to the the fuse box to run the headlamp wash/wipe.

If this wire is shorted to ground, then it could cause it to run all the time.

I've also heard of people having problems with the park switch in the wiper motor itself. Going by the electrical diagrams, the RH headlamp wiper motor controls the power to the wash/wipe pump for the headlamps. If the park switch in the RH headlamp wiper motor has failed, then it could be causing it to keep running on and running the pump aswell.

In fact, I would look at the RH wiper motor first...
 
First and then every second activation, but only when the headlights are actually on, according to RAVE.

If they are running without the headlamps on, then I would be checking the park switch on the RH motor and the fuse box. - If it's failed in the 'run' position, then it will be permanently pumping fluid and wiping the headlamp
 
martyuk said:
First and then every second activation, but only when the headlights are actually on, according to RAVE.

If they are running without the headlamps on, then I would be checking the park switch on the RH motor and the fuse box. - If it's failed in the 'run' position, then it will be permanently pumping fluid and wiping the headlamp
Click to expand...

Either that or relay 11 is stuck closed.
 
Thanks for all the input guys,
Just to clarify: It only happens when lights are on and I intentionally activate the wash and wipe function. If I switch off ignition it stops and then doesn't happen again until I activate the washer again. I suspect it's intermittent, because the mysterious disappearance of the fluid has been quite random. I will hopefully find some time to investigate further this weekend.
 
Intermittent is always a pain.

The front bumper pops off really quick. A clip each side on the reverse, 2 E14(?) Torx bolts at the front, push down hard in the centre of the bumper where is bulges out forthe chassis rails until it drops with a clunk and then pull forward. You can see the reservoir and everything completely exposed. Maybe clamp the hose until fixed?
 
Henrik97 said:
Thanks for all the input guys,
Just to clarify: It only happens when lights are on and I intentionally activate the wash and wipe function. If I switch off ignition it stops and then doesn't happen again until I activate the washer again. I suspect it's intermittent, because the mysterious disappearance of the fluid has been quite random. I will hopefully find some time to investigate further this weekend.
Click to expand...

If that is the case i would go for relay sticking closed. Relay 11 is activated by BECM only when headlamps are on. BECM controls activation and timing. Park on R/H motor only works when power is removed so it unlikely to be that.
 
Did some investigating this weekend and the suspicion has now shifted to the rh motor park switch. The wiper does not go all the way back to where it should be, which probably keeps the lh motor and the pump running. I purchased a used one off ebay, so time will tell if we've nailed it.

Thanks!
Henrik
 
Henrik97 said:
Did some investigating this weekend and the suspicion has now shifted to the rh motor park switch. The wiper does not go all the way back to where it should be, which probably keeps the lh motor and the pump running. I purchased a used one off ebay, so time will tell if we've nailed it.

Thanks!
Henrik
Click to expand...

Washer motor is switched by R/H wiper. Can't see how R/H park switch not closing can run L/H wiper. Park switches only function when power is removed from motor.
 
You're absolutely right - I got it a little mixed up. The left motor stops as it should, the right motor stops short and the pump keeps running.
 
When I had this issue, I took the bumper & light cluster out. Then access to the wiper motor is easy. The shaft on mine was corroded. Tried cleaning it up, but real solution was replacement from ebay.

And yes, the once activated, washer pump stayed running until the wiper parked correctly.
 
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