Windscreen washer not working

[matthewb]

Hi all

Hoping you chaps can shed some light on my windscreen washer problem. Driving home this evening from JZ Machtech (the car's been in for 10 days having just about everything electrical/mechanical/suspension related replaced) I realised that the washers didn't spray. No problem at the time 'cos it was peeing down but obviously not desirable.

This happened a couple of times over the winter and I assumed the pipes had frozen. Now I'm not so sure. I can't hear the pump running - possibly masked by the wipers but I don't think so.

They've always started working again (but not yet this time).

Intermittant electrical problem? Broken wire? Aaaaargh! When the pump works, it works just fine - I think it's OK.

Anyone else had this problem?

BTW- I'm not in any way suggesting JZ Machtech are responsible. Apart from the windscreen washers, the car is now brilliant. So different from what it was like before (it damn well ought to be after £11k) that I had to learn how to drive it again, if you know what I mean. Much firmer. My poor spine

Cheers
M

P.S. See you (some of you, anyway) on Sunday

 

[carrerasport]

column stalk can fail occasionally, check that and the fuses first,also check for pump noise with the engine off and standing outside of the car working the switch! .pump failure uncommon.
regards C

 

[jdpef356]

Don't discount the pump - mine failed. This can be caused by mixing the washer fluids. ie If your car has been for service at a PC and they have used the standard Porsche screen wash and then you fill up the washer concentrate with another standard brand the two just dont mix![].
You will finish up with a thick gunk in the bottom of the reservoir and in the motor pump.[X(] My advice since your is still working is to empty the reservoir and then run several flushes of clean water through the system - otherwise its off with the inner wheel arch to get to the tank.

 

[dommorton]

I didn't know pushing the stalk forward operated the HL washers [:-]

If the pump is making a noise then chances are it's blocked jets and/or pipework.

Pop out the nearside headlamp and you can access the pumps. Firstly double check it is making a noise when operated. If yes then the power is getting to the pump. The next step would be to take the bottle out which requires removal of the front arch liner. Once out you can clean it out and bench test the pumps. Blow the pipes clear and then refit.

 

[matthewb]

Thanks all.

If the headlamp washer runs off the same pump as the windscreen washer, then I think we're looking at a broken column stalk - the headlamp washer works fine (Dominic - the headlights have to be on for the washer to work).

I have been using the headlamp washer to get (a little) water on the screen - but this doesn't work unless you're doing about 40mph !!

I'll let you know how this pans out.

Cheers
Matthew

 

[Mark Elder]

£11k!! - Would be interersting to hear what you had done!
Yes - see you on Sunday (tomorrow already and I'm still in Glasgow)

 

[matthewb]

Does anyone know ...

1. If there're two water pumps, one each for headlight washer and screen washer, or just one pump, shared by both headlight washer and screen washer?

2. If there's a loose connector to the steering column stalk (causing my previous intermittent screen-washer problem) could it have been encouraged to come off completely? - I'm asking this because I've just had a new steering rack fitted. Go on - guess how much that cost?

Cheers
Matthew

 

[matthewb]

I'll bring the invoice with me

 

[dommorton]

There's two pumps and they're easily accessible once you pop the headlamp out.

I'd get an assistant to work the stalk while you listen down front to see if the screen pump is activating.

 

[matthewb]

Many thanks Dominic - you confirmed what JZM told me about 5 mins earlier

I popped out the n/s headlamp, found the washer-pump and the pulled-off the power connector. Hooked-up an avo to the connector and got my assistant to play with the steering column stalk. Result - power was getting through when stalk was pulled but no reaction from pump - therefore strongly suspect the pump is at fault. While I was in there I noticed that the headlight connector socket was broken - did a running repair. New washer pump and headlight connector ordered.

I hope this fixes it.

Cheers
M

 

[dommorton]

Nice one.

If it were mine I would whip the bottle off and clean it out fully then clean and bench test the pump as it may just be clogged with crud.

Even if it is dead it's worth ensuring a clean bottle so the new pump operates 100%

 

[matthewb]

Good point - how difficult is it to do this? actually, how do you do this? I'll have a look on p-car

 

[clyde]

You don't actually need to remove the tank to flush it through. Take the two pumps off and run hose through the filler (outside preferably unless you want a very wet garage floor []).

Watch what pump you order as I don't think they make the 993 version anymore. The 996 version is identical except it has a different electrical connector. A replacement connector (not an adaptor) is available to convert your wiring over to suit the 996 pump. I replaced mine a couple of months ago but dismantled the old connector to retain the metal parts of the plug to save the hassle of soldering new pins on within the confines of the headlamp opening - a recipe for disaster if ever there was one [8|]

 

[sue11sam]

ORIGINAL: clyde

You don't actually need to remove the tank to flush it through. Take the two pumps off and run hose through the filler (outside preferably unless you want a very wet garage floor []).

Watch what pump you order as I don't think they make the 993 version anymore. The 996 version is identical except it has a different electrical connector. A replacement connector (not an adaptor) is available to convert your wiring over to suit the 996 pump. I replaced mine a couple of months ago but dismantled the old connector to retain the metal parts of the plug to save the hassle of soldering new pins on within the confines of the headlamp opening - a recipe for disaster if ever there was one [8|]

Ditto all the above (you beat me to it !!) pop the pumps, flush out the tank with a hose (but do it outside the garage) a couple of times , and the pumps, refit /refill, I think the Porsche stuff is the best anyway, but whatever you use STICK to it because when you start to mix these products they always seem to goo up. Porsche cut both the hoses and wiring very short, so things can be pretty tight in there.

 

[matthewb]

Hi all

First - many thanks for all your help.

The pump was knackered so I've fitted a new one. I flushed the tank as you described and got a lot of limescale crud out - impressive! I only removed the screen-washer pump, not the headlight-washer pump.

I'll be using distilled water from now on. I only use Porsche screen wash.

I've also got a new headlight-module connector socket - I'll fit that later.

Cheers