Headlight washers aren't working? Any ideas why?

Iggy27 · 11-14-2012, 09:55 PM

I bought my 2003 330xi. I never has a reason to use my headlight washers. But since winter is coming I wanted to test them out and see how I like them. But they won't turn on. Any main causes why they won't work?

cityjohn · 11-15-2012, 12:11 AM

Disuse could be one reason. They have a separate pump which may have gone years without being activated. Also, they can only be switched on when your wipers and headlights are on, and even then it's every 10th pull of the stalk.

mtnbound · 11-15-2012, 12:44 AM

^^^ +1. Very likely the washer pump. Very easy and cheap DIY job.

Iggy27 · 11-15-2012, 01:07 AM

The pump is the one on the front top side of the windshield fluid tank right?

jeepo23 · 11-15-2012, 06:49 AM

They come on every 6th time with your windshield wipers.

The pump is the one that is closer to the front end of the car at the washer bottle.

Easy way to test if its the pump. Have someone activate the washer and listen if you can hear the pump running. If the pump doesn't run its dead, if you can hear the pump what might of happened is the actual gear inside has failed not providing enough pressure to pop the headlight washers out.

I just had mine replaced earlier this year. I even managed to find a pump on ebay for $12 compared to what everyone else charges for these of $40+..

Ill find the link to my old post where it had a bunch of troubleshooting steps.

SamDoe1 · 11-15-2012, 08:55 AM

You're not missing out on anything by having it broken. All the headlight washers do is make a huge mess and run through washer fluid like a drunk on Saturday night.

Other people are right though, get a cheap pump and swap it out. Mine stays disconnected 100% of the time to prevent it from running.

Iggy27 · 11-15-2012, 09:10 AM

Like during the winter I think it would be nice to have them. During the summer I would unplug them. And I never heard the pump click on at all. I think my pump is dead.

jeepo23 · 11-15-2012, 09:24 AM

Here is the headlight pump troubleshooting.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...dlight+washers

Cheapest I found by quickly doing part number search is $18 on ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sop=...8377430&_rdc=1

Reason I was able to find one for $12 was because I searched an old headlight washer pump part number and it came up and was swap.

Iggy27 · 11-15-2012, 09:35 AM

Yea sounds like I need to change my pump first and are if that's the problem.

SamDoe1 · 11-15-2012, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iggy27

Like during the winter I think it would be nice to have them. During the summer I would unplug them. And I never heard the pump click on at all. I think my pump is dead.

I drive around all the time in one of the worst winters in the US. Trust me, the headlight washers do jack squat.

stingray71 · 11-15-2012, 02:23 PM

Have you checked the fuse? It is possible that it was removed by the previous owner trying to avoid the typical problems.

Kubica · 11-15-2012, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamDoe1

I drive around all the time in one of the worst winters in the US. Trust me, the headlight washers do jack squat.

Do they use liquid magnesium chloride on the roads in MN? That stuff does cake on to the headlights pretty good.

Iggy27 · 11-15-2012, 04:02 PM

Yea the fuse is still it. Just nothing is workin or clicking

jeepo23 · 11-15-2012, 04:07 PM

Wonder of the option was disabled by code. I could be a possibility

Iggy27 · 11-15-2012, 04:33 PM

I think the pump it burned out I tried to buy one today but it was way too much for a used one. Ill have to get one online

SamDoe1 · 11-15-2012, 05:51 PM

FWIW I bought mine from Pelican parts. I got the cheapest one and it was like $15 for a brand new part.

E46er75 · 11-15-2012, 06:15 PM

I'm surprised that anybody even uses the washers. I had them on my Audi and really couldn't understand why anyone would want this option. Just like headlight wipers on a Volvo, it just doesn't make sense. I wouldn't even waste my time fixing these unless you actually use them. But hey, that's just me...

jizzzoe · 11-15-2012, 06:30 PM

sub'd

11-14-2012, 09:55 PM	#1
Iggy27 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Inkom Posts: 316 My Ride: 2003 330xi View My Garage	Headlight washers aren't working? Any ideas why? I bought my 2003 330xi. I never has a reason to use my headlight washers. But since winter is coming I wanted to test them out and see how I like them. But they won't turn on. Any main causes why they won't work?

11-15-2012, 12:11 AM	#2
cityjohn Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,685 My Ride: 2001 M3 View My Garage	Disuse could be one reason. They have a separate pump which may have gone years without being activated. Also, they can only be switched on when your wipers and headlights are on, and even then it's every 10th pull of the stalk. __________________

11-15-2012, 12:44 AM	#3
mtnbound Town Clown Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Yay Area Posts: 14,184 My Ride: 330Ci Vert, 325iT View My Garage	^^^ +1. Very likely the washer pump. Very easy and cheap DIY job. __________________ ******************** Bay Area Top Dropper Orient Blue 330 Ci Vert ********************

11-15-2012, 06:30 PM	#18
jizzzoe Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 586 My Ride: is dirty View My Garage	sub'd __________________ My Steel Gray '03 330Ci MODS: Purely aesthetic… Shadowlined, Smoked and LED'd out!

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11-15-2012, 01:07 AM	#4
Iggy27 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Inkom Posts: 316 My Ride: 2003 330xi View My Garage	The pump is the one on the front top side of the windshield fluid tank right?

11-15-2012, 06:49 AM	#5
jeepo23 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: cdn Posts: 801 My Ride: 02 330 View My Garage	They come on every 6th time with your windshield wipers. The pump is the one that is closer to the front end of the car at the washer bottle. Easy way to test if its the pump. Have someone activate the washer and listen if you can hear the pump running. If the pump doesn't run its dead, if you can hear the pump what might of happened is the actual gear inside has failed not providing enough pressure to pop the headlight washers out. I just had mine replaced earlier this year. I even managed to find a pump on ebay for $12 compared to what everyone else charges for these of $40+.. Ill find the link to my old post where it had a bunch of troubleshooting steps.

11-15-2012, 08:55 AM	#6
SamDoe1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Minnesnowta Posts: 2,576 My Ride: 2004 330xi, 3 pedals View My Garage	You're not missing out on anything by having it broken. All the headlight washers do is make a huge mess and run through washer fluid like a drunk on Saturday night. Other people are right though, get a cheap pump and swap it out. Mine stays disconnected 100% of the time to prevent it from running.

11-15-2012, 09:10 AM	#7
Iggy27 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Inkom Posts: 316 My Ride: 2003 330xi View My Garage	Like during the winter I think it would be nice to have them. During the summer I would unplug them. And I never heard the pump click on at all. I think my pump is dead.

11-15-2012, 09:24 AM	#8
jeepo23 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: cdn Posts: 801 My Ride: 02 330 View My Garage	Here is the headlight pump troubleshooting. http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...dlight+washers Cheapest I found by quickly doing part number search is $18 on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sop=...8377430&_rdc=1 Reason I was able to find one for $12 was because I searched an old headlight washer pump part number and it came up and was swap.

11-15-2012, 09:35 AM	#9
Iggy27 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Inkom Posts: 316 My Ride: 2003 330xi View My Garage	Yea sounds like I need to change my pump first and are if that's the problem.

11-15-2012, 02:23 PM	#11
stingray71 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vienna, VA Posts: 5 My Ride: 2005 325xi View My Garage	Have you checked the fuse? It is possible that it was removed by the previous owner trying to avoid the typical problems.

11-15-2012, 04:02 PM	#13
Iggy27 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Inkom Posts: 316 My Ride: 2003 330xi View My Garage	Yea the fuse is still it. Just nothing is workin or clicking

11-15-2012, 04:07 PM	#14
jeepo23 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: cdn Posts: 801 My Ride: 02 330 View My Garage	Wonder of the option was disabled by code. I could be a possibility

11-15-2012, 04:33 PM	#15
Iggy27 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Inkom Posts: 316 My Ride: 2003 330xi View My Garage	I think the pump it burned out I tried to buy one today but it was way too much for a used one. Ill have to get one online

11-15-2012, 05:51 PM	#16
SamDoe1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Minnesnowta Posts: 2,576 My Ride: 2004 330xi, 3 pedals View My Garage	FWIW I bought mine from Pelican parts. I got the cheapest one and it was like $15 for a brand new part.

11-15-2012, 06:15 PM	#17
E46er75 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New England Posts: 272 My Ride: 323i Vert, 330xi View My Garage	I'm surprised that anybody even uses the washers. I had them on my Audi and really couldn't understand why anyone would want this option. Just like headlight wipers on a Volvo, it just doesn't make sense. I wouldn't even waste my time fixing these unless you actually use them. But hey, that's just me...