Headlight washers

swompster · 31st October 2007, 14:33

Hi all
Do you have to hold the windscreen washers on for a length of time before the headlight washers kick in as i have had the lights on and tried the windscreen washers but the headlight washers didn`t do anything

Thanks

Raistlin · 31st October 2007, 14:37

Headlight washers activate once every 5 cycles of the windscreen wash, assuming the lights are on

Simon · 31st October 2007, 20:14

If still no joy after a few attempts then the washers and/or pipe work could be blocked. A green sludge builds up over time in the washer bottle and this can break apart and block the pipe work.

First course of action would be to poke the washer nozzles with a fine toothpick or similar to try and unblock them. If this doesn't to the trick then allow the water bottle to run almost empty and then add very hot water into the bottle and run the washer jets using this very hot water to try and clear the pipes. If this fails to solve the problem then you will have to remove the front bumper to gain access to the washer tank so you can remove it to clean it out properly.

Whilst the front bumper is off you should check the pipes are secured properly to the bottle and check the pumps (be listening to them) are working correctly.

stocktake · 31st October 2007, 20:36

Hi Swompster,

As Raistlin says minimum dipped headlights and every fifth use of the wash wipe activates the headlight washer pump for two one second blasts. Power to pump is constant and the circuit is made by way of connecting the negative every fifth action.
When I got my 75 they did not work and it turned out to be the washer pump. On your washer bottle you will have two pumps, the larger and higher up the bottle is the headlight washer pump. After I replaced my pump a second problem was indeed blocked jets at the headlights. It is possible to remove and clean these by just taking the chrome grill and horns off for the main beam jets. Beware, you can actually push back on the jets and then pull them forward to release them from the connecting pipe but when you want to push them back on to the hose you need to support the hose with your hands, hence removal of grill and horns ( and double jointed fingers) dipped beam jet pipes can be reached from wheel arch inspection covers if I remember correctly.

Hope that helps

swompster · 1st November 2007, 09:00

Thanks Guys i`ll give it try over the weekend

Cheers

Tatts · 1st November 2007, 09:23

What I've found with mine is; when I start the car, turn the lights on and pull the wash lever to clean the windscreen, the headlight washers also operate, then they go into the 5th activation cycle.

Alex30013k · 1st November 2007, 16:51

I have not read the whole post so if its been mentioned im sorry,

But The two pumps are at different levels on the tank,

So if you got a full washer bottle both will work fine,

but if you run down to low the past the position of the pump for light washers, it wont work, but there is still enough for a few squirts for the windscreen washer.

:lol:

31st October 2007, 14:33	#1
swompster Newbie ZT-T Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Coseley,Bilston Posts: 22 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Headlight washers Hi all Do you have to hold the windscreen washers on for a length of time before the headlight washers kick in as i have had the lights on and tried the windscreen washers but the headlight washers didn`t do anything Thanks

31st October 2007, 20:36	#4
stocktake Vis Whiz Rover 75 2.5 auto Saloon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEEDS Posts: 20,591 Thanks: 2,057 Thanked 3,056 Times in 1,621 Posts	Hi Swompster, As Raistlin says minimum dipped headlights and every fifth use of the wash wipe activates the headlight washer pump for two one second blasts. Power to pump is constant and the circuit is made by way of connecting the negative every fifth action. When I got my 75 they did not work and it turned out to be the washer pump. On your washer bottle you will have two pumps, the larger and higher up the bottle is the headlight washer pump. After I replaced my pump a second problem was indeed blocked jets at the headlights. It is possible to remove and clean these by just taking the chrome grill and horns off for the main beam jets. Beware, you can actually push back on the jets and then pull them forward to release them from the connecting pipe but when you want to push them back on to the hose you need to support the hose with your hands, hence removal of grill and horns ( and double jointed fingers) dipped beam jet pipes can be reached from wheel arch inspection covers if I remember correctly. Hope that helps __________________ Dave... Lost a few stones and a Gall Bladder and part of a bile duct and all of my dignity in the suppository incident Last edited by stocktake; 1st November 2007 at 07:07..

1st November 2007, 09:00	#5
swompster Newbie ZT-T Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Coseley,Bilston Posts: 22 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks Thanks Guys i`ll give it try over the weekend Cheers

1st November 2007, 09:23	#6
Tatts This is my second home MG6 TL Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tarn Posts: 5,269 Thanks: 2 Thanked 46 Times in 37 Posts	What I've found with mine is; when I start the car, turn the lights on and pull the wash lever to clean the windscreen, the headlight washers also operate, then they go into the 5th activation cycle. __________________ http://www.wcgsig.com/115562.gif

31st October 2007, 14:37	#2
Raistlin Banned 75 CDT Connoisseur SE Auto Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Wolverhampton Posts: 8,450 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Headlight washers activate once every 5 cycles of the windscreen wash, assuming the lights are on

31st October 2007, 20:14	#3
Simon Banned - Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: - Posts: 10,318 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	If still no joy after a few attempts then the washers and/or pipe work could be blocked. A green sludge builds up over time in the washer bottle and this can break apart and block the pipe work. First course of action would be to poke the washer nozzles with a fine toothpick or similar to try and unblock them. If this doesn't to the trick then allow the water bottle to run almost empty and then add very hot water into the bottle and run the washer jets using this very hot water to try and clear the pipes. If this fails to solve the problem then you will have to remove the front bumper to gain access to the washer tank so you can remove it to clean it out properly. Whilst the front bumper is off you should check the pipes are secured properly to the bottle and check the pumps (be listening to them) are working correctly.

1st November 2007, 16:51	#7
Alex30013k Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon 2.0 CDTi Conn Se Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ashford Kent Posts: 1,560 Thanks: 17 Thanked 29 Times in 21 Posts	I have not read the whole post so if its been mentioned im sorry, But The two pumps are at different levels on the tank, So if you got a full washer bottle both will work fine, but if you run down to low the past the position of the pump for light washers, it wont work, but there is still enough for a few squirts for the windscreen washer. :lol: