Windscreen washer squirter problem

[reamann@yahoo.com]

Hi, drive a c220 cdi coupe 2003. the windscreen washer won't squirt unless pressed 3 times, not 1 or 2 always on the 3rd push. heard its not an uncommon problem but has anyone any ideas on how to resolve it??
thanks

 

[dave.robbo]

I may be barking up the wrong tree here, but....

I think (!) that the headlamp washers only operate every 3rd press of the windscreen washer. So, would it be possible that your main windscreen pump is knackered, and the previous owner swapped the pipes over to get the water to the screen using the headlamp pump?

Just a thought, really.......

 

[television]

I may be barking up the wrong tree here, but....

I think (!) that the headlamp washers only operate every 3rd press of the windscreen washer. So, would it be possible that your main windscreen pump is knackered, and the previous owner swapped the pipes over to get the water to the screen using the headlamp pump?

Just a thought, really.......

Dont think that I would have ever worked that out , but that does sound like the answer

 

[britnordic]

Reamann

certainly a common problem with mine, It does help to "flush out" the washer reservoir, I used a hose connect to the hot water tap, cured the fault for about 6 months, but it's back now! Incidentally, it's good practice to flush out at least once a year even with col

Tony

 

[reamann@yahoo.com]

Thanks boys. the headlamps don't have washers so don't think pumps would have been switched. i'll give Tony's suggestion a shout this weekend/ Thanks again

 

[tikw2124]

Hi Raymie, have similar problem with my 270 Cdi (2002, 203). Headlamp wash has its own switch (next to main light control) and operates fine but, w/screen will not work on 1st attempt, will give a small squirt on 2nd attempt then on 3rd all is good. This happened on the Vectra i used to own and i found there was a non return valve (NRV) in the system to prevent fluid returning to reservoir. I replaced this and it worked a treat. However, i am not sure if my 270 has a NRV cant see one on EPC breakdown. Good luck.

Keith

 

[Vince......]

washers

I have the same problem on 2002 220CDI. I replaced the pump and washer bottle a month ago after they started leeking. After working fine for two weeks the problem has re-appeared. I think it is electrical. You can hear the pump very briefly work then stop, until second or third push when it works fine - and usually continues to work first push until engine is stopped and re-started. Of couse it's intermittent and sometimes works fine anyway. I have heard these cars have "multiplex" wiring i.e. the live feed to most electrical devices is permenently conected, when you use a switch it sends a digital pulse through the wiring loom which is recognised by a particular device which recognises it's signal to operate. I think the silicon is latching as happens sometimes in PCs. Question is, how to make it return to normal?

 

[delboy777]

Could be the stalk switch, a common problem apparently

 

[rf065]

It usually means the water is leaking or the non return valve is letting it run back to the reservoir bottle. That's why it takes 2 or 3 presses before any water reaches the nozzles.

Russ

 

[tikw2124]

Hi Russ, re my #6, do you know whare abouts the NRV is? as i believe this is the problem.

It usually means the water is leaking or the non return valve is letting it run back to the reservoir bottle. That's why it takes 2 or 3 presses before any water reaches the nozzles.

Russ

 

[rf065]

Hi Russ, re my #6, do you know whare abouts the NRV is? as i believe this is the problem.

Someone else had the same problem recently & it was posted that the NRV is integral with the nozzles, maybe Malcolm has a diagram that could confirm that or show it in another place?

Russ

 

[canute]

Same problem here, and it is the last of the little niggles I need to fix (except my missing floor mat fixture that I will one day get round to turning out of nylon to Malcolm's specs).

Seems to me like a non return valve problem also, question is, where is it?

I'm tempted to make a cut at a convenient point roughly halfway between bottle and jet and put a new NRV in, my theory being that the water won't have so far to travel.

Anyone any further ideas?