Headlight Washers Not Working

Arctic · 24th December 2011, 12:33

Hi on the 30th Dec my MG ZT 190 as got to go in for it's MOT but the headlight Washers are not working is this a MOT fail or does this not come in till the new year all opinions welcome. Arctic

Rabett_Rover · 24th December 2011, 13:19

Not too sure about the MOT element my self. But I am 90% sure the problem will lie with the powerwash pump, located on the washer bottle. As when the level of the water drops although the screen wash pump will continue to work, it will be below the level of the powerwash pump, which will run dry and burn itself out.

MisterTomez · 24th December 2011, 13:24

I'm pretty sure it's not yet a requirement for MOT, even if you have xenons. Grey area though. When the washer fluid warning flashes up the system stops the headlight washer pump from operating, or should, to stop it burning out.

Greeners · 24th December 2011, 13:55

Not part of the MOT, usually suspects are

Headlights not on
Low washer fluid
Not on 5th cycle....(It only works one in every 5 squirts)

Arctic · 24th December 2011, 18:42

Thanks for the replies since i have had the car the level as never been low but as i saved the car from being broken i do not know much about it, only i had to do the clutch new tyres all round new exhaust, so over the next few days i will have to get the bumper off and see, also try the every five times squirt

cheers Arctic.

Arctic · 16th February 2012, 19:24

Finaly got round to checking the headlight washer pump today while i had the bumper off to fit the shannon tube, change a side light bulb.

The pump makes a noise but will not pump so it must be caput as anyone used this pump as a replacement, as the one that is fitted is a BMW pump pics to follow Arctic.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-1-Ser...cAAOSw1BlZSpeE
Hopefully the above one swaped over for mine below, will do the job the connection looks a bit different ?

PS the pump in the link worked a treat.

Phill_190 · 6th March 2017, 16:24

My headlight washers have suddenly stopped working... the low wash level light is not on and I cant here the pump for the the headlight washers running. The bumper has been removed so could it be that a connection has come apart? Or is their a fuse i could check?
Cheers
Phill

first-things-first · 6th March 2017, 19:32

In the passenger compartment, fuse no. 44 (30A) is listed as "power washer" in my facelift owner's manual. Probably is it.

Also, there is a wiper/washer (again 30A) in position 10 in the engine compartment fuse box.

If these have gone and go again once replaced, it is most probably a short. Check the wiring to the pump for fraying or the most probable candidate is the wires leading to the headlamp as these are known to chafe on the chassis legs they run over.

I replaced my non working headlight washer pump in August 2014 with this - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390655396258. Still working fine. I found it leaked using the original connector - would not seal properly - fixed using aquarium shop tube and a right angled connector. Been great ever since - powerful jets and no leaks.

Phill_190 · 6th March 2017, 19:59

Cheers mate!
Will investigate

im sure its something simple as it was fine I think before bumper came off so probably just come unplugged or blown a fuse maybe. Is the pump attached to the fluid bottle? The headlights all work fine so guessing the wiring is ok, unless it has a wire from headlights to pump so they only spray when they are on.
Cheers
Phill

first-things-first · 6th March 2017, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phill_190

Cheers mate!
Will investigate

im sure its something simple as it was fine I think before bumper came off so probably just come unplugged or blown a fuse maybe. Is the pump attached to the fluid bottle? The headlights all work fine so guessing the wiring is ok, unless it has a wire from headlights to pump so they only spray when they are on.
Cheers
Phill

You're welcome. Pump is in the higher position on the bottle. Just pushes into rubber grommet (to make the seal). Lower position is for the windscreen pump.
Usually, if the headlight wires are frayed, it will cause all sorts of funnies in the electrics.

I don't think there is a physical connection between lights and pump. Probably the BCU (body control unit) detects lights on and triggers headlight washer pump when needed (only every 5th squirt of windscreen washers to save fluid).

24th December 2011, 12:33	#1
Arctic Give to Learn Freelander 2 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: West Midlands Posts: 18,697 Thanks: 1,155 Thanked 6,407 Times in 3,874 Posts	Headlight Washers Not Working Hi on the 30th Dec my MG ZT 190 as got to go in for it's MOT but the headlight Washers are not working is this a MOT fail or does this not come in till the new year all opinions welcome. Arctic __________________ Arctic Givology Learn to Give Everything is Achievable ad altiora tendo. Check out our Nano meet dates http://www.midlandsnanomeets.co.uk/ http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/index.php?thepage=howto " You do the work , we supply the expertise "

24th December 2011, 13:24	#3
MisterTomez Gets stuck in '00 BMW 535i Auto M-Sport, '99 Rover 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE Auto Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Midlands Posts: 733 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 2 Posts	I'm pretty sure it's not yet a requirement for MOT, even if you have xenons. Grey area though. When the washer fluid warning flashes up the system stops the headlight washer pump from operating, or should, to stop it burning out. __________________ ` [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] "Trimmed like a first class cabin on the Titanic...before it sank." ---------- "The LPG'd, civilized psychopath."

24th December 2011, 13:55	#4
Greeners Moderator MG-ZTT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 19,798 Thanks: 161 Thanked 1,249 Times in 1,036 Posts	Not part of the MOT, usually suspects are Headlights not on Low washer fluid Not on 5th cycle....(It only works one in every 5 squirts) __________________ *David* Impecunity is the mother of ingenuity Useful how to's for common problems Car Of The Month Jan 2014 [SatNav Power Down] [Coolant Level] [SatNav Repair] [Diesel Non Starting] [Paint Codes] [Rear Light Seals] [Reversing Light Switch] [Bleeding Brakes][Sunroof Drain] [Early ZT's][Instrument Pack Diagnostics][ATC Diagnostics]

24th December 2011, 18:42	#5
Arctic Give to Learn Freelander 2 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: West Midlands Posts: 18,697 Thanks: 1,155 Thanked 6,407 Times in 3,874 Posts	Thanks for the replies since i have had the car the level as never been low but as i saved the car from being broken i do not know much about it, only i had to do the clutch new tyres all round new exhaust, so over the next few days i will have to get the bumper off and see, also try the every five times squirt cheers Arctic. __________________ Arctic Givology Learn to Give Everything is Achievable ad altiora tendo. Check out our Nano meet dates http://www.midlandsnanomeets.co.uk/ http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/index.php?thepage=howto " You do the work , we supply the expertise "

16th February 2012, 19:24	#6
Arctic Give to Learn Freelander 2 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: West Midlands Posts: 18,697 Thanks: 1,155 Thanked 6,407 Times in 3,874 Posts	Finaly got round to checking the headlight washer pump today while i had the bumper off to fit the shannon tube, change a side light bulb. The pump makes a noise but will not pump so it must be caput as anyone used this pump as a replacement, as the one that is fitted is a BMW pump pics to follow Arctic. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-1-Ser...cAAOSw1BlZSpeE Hopefully the above one swaped over for mine below, will do the job the connection looks a bit different ? PS the pump in the link worked a treat. __________________ Arctic Givology Learn to Give Everything is Achievable ad altiora tendo. Check out our Nano meet dates http://www.midlandsnanomeets.co.uk/ http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/index.php?thepage=howto " You do the work , we supply the expertise " Last edited by Arctic; 15th November 2017 at 09:48.. Reason: Photo & spelling editing

24th December 2011, 13:19	#2
Rabett_Rover This is my second home Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: - Posts: 5,895 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Not too sure about the MOT element my self. But I am 90% sure the problem will lie with the powerwash pump, located on the washer bottle. As when the level of the water drops although the screen wash pump will continue to work, it will be below the level of the powerwash pump, which will run dry and burn itself out.

6th March 2017, 16:24	#7
Phill_190 Gets stuck in MG ZT Saloon Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Kent Posts: 653 Thanks: 36 Thanked 97 Times in 74 Posts	My headlight washers have suddenly stopped working... the low wash level light is not on and I cant here the pump for the the headlight washers running. The bumper has been removed so could it be that a connection has come apart? Or is their a fuse i could check? Cheers Phill Last edited by Phill_190; 6th March 2017 at 16:42..

6th March 2017, 19:32	#8
first-things-first Posted a thing or two MG ZT Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Hornchurch Posts: 1,255 Thanks: 176 Thanked 352 Times in 272 Posts	In the passenger compartment, fuse no. 44 (30A) is listed as "power washer" in my facelift owner's manual. Probably is it. Also, there is a wiper/washer (again 30A) in position 10 in the engine compartment fuse box. If these have gone and go again once replaced, it is most probably a short. Check the wiring to the pump for fraying or the most probable candidate is the wires leading to the headlamp as these are known to chafe on the chassis legs they run over. I replaced my non working headlight washer pump in August 2014 with this - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390655396258. Still working fine. I found it leaked using the original connector - would not seal properly - fixed using aquarium shop tube and a right angled connector. Been great ever since - powerful jets and no leaks.

6th March 2017, 19:59	#9
Phill_190 Gets stuck in MG ZT Saloon Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Kent Posts: 653 Thanks: 36 Thanked 97 Times in 74 Posts	Cheers mate! Will investigate im sure its something simple as it was fine I think before bumper came off so probably just come unplugged or blown a fuse maybe. Is the pump attached to the fluid bottle? The headlights all work fine so guessing the wiring is ok, unless it has a wire from headlights to pump so they only spray when they are on. Cheers Phill

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