Simple question about windscreen washers

jonnyivy · Post by **jonnyivy** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:09 pm

Maybe you already know that I'm fairly new to my X5, so I have a simple question before I go looking for a cure.
The windscreen washers,.. normally on most of my other cars I would just pull the stalk towards me to get a skoosh on the window then flick it down to wipe.
I tried that on the X5,.. pulled it towards me from the resting position but nothing came out. Pushed it forward again, then forward to the next notch,.. this washed the screen, but the rear wiper is now going back and forth as well ? Can't you just quickly squirt the front screen then quick wipe without the rear wiper working at the same time?
Simple for those who have owned for a while,.. but a bit puzzling for me,... care to share ???...

Jonny

shadrack · Post by **shadrack** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:15 pm

yeh pull towards you fast once then wipe as you say works for me

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:42 pm

Normal operation:
Front: Pull lever towards you from the 'rest position' and the pump should spray water at you and start the wipers automatically to clear the water. Usually does about three sweeps.

Rear: Push away from 'rest position' and the rear wiper will come on intermittently (constant if in reverse), push again against the rear stop and the rear washer will run as well. If the lights are on then every so many front screen wash cycles then the headlight washers (if fitted) will also fire twice.

Single front wipe: Press Lever down and release.

Auto-wipe (front if fitted) lever up one click. Intermittent wipe for non-auto wipe equipped cars

If that's not happening then you have a problem with the system.

jonnyivy · Post by **jonnyivy** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:45 pm

Must have a bad connection in the stalk somewhere then. Tried pulling it back as I thought it should, but nothing happens. Will have a more detailed look next weekend now that I know how it should work,

Thanks,

Jonny

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:48 pm

Any sound of a pump running for the fronts?

Sanj · Post by **Sanj** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:49 pm

Did you try this in the cold weather after JUST switching the car on?

They have heated nozzles but need a bit of time to thaw, if you tried immediately it could just be frozen.

Procedures mentioned earlier are correct to follow.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:53 pm

Tip - in the winter use a LOT more washer fluid concentrate and less water. Saves frozen pipes etc. You would be amazed how many people miss that little trick. Been caught by that one personally and it's very annoying to put it mildly. Heated nozzles are great, but don't thaw a pipe full of ice

I think I'm now running a 60:40 Conc:Water mix or stronger.

weirdfish · Post by **weirdfish** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:58 pm

50-50 mix is all you need to stop it freezing, also smells nice as well every time you wash and wipe.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 9:01 pm

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.........Alcohol....

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 9:32 pm

I use ultimate speed screen wash from lidl. Neat its good for -60 but I use it 50/50 which is good for -20

gchristofi · Post by **gchristofi** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 11:46 pm

[quote=""jonnyivy""]Maybe you already know that I'm fairly new to my X5, so I have a simple question before I go looking for a cure.
The windscreen washers,.. normally on most of my other cars I would just pull the stalk towards me to get a skoosh on the window then flick it down to wipe.
I tried that on the X5,.. pulled it towards me from the resting position but nothing came out. Pushed it forward again, then forward to the next notch,.. this washed the screen, but the rear wiper is now going back and forth as well ? Can't you just quickly squirt the front screen then quick wipe without the rear wiper working at the same time?
Simple for those who have owned for a while,.. but a bit puzzling for me,... care to share ???...

Jonny[/quote]
this sounds as though the rear wash motor may have been connected to the front wash piping? Maybe someone had was bottle out and reconnected incorrectly or used it as a quick fix to get through MOT with failed front wash motor?

ianmaney · Post by **ianmaney** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 7:11 am

Does it work if you push the button on the end of the stalk, should wash and wipe twice with this method?

pvw10 · Post by **pvw10** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 9:03 am

If you push the stalk in from right to left it gives a mega wash which is a totally seperate operation from the rest, its very good.

jonnyivy · Post by **jonnyivy** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 8:36 pm

It wasn't frozen,... it will work when I push the lever all the way forward,.. think I can see some water jetting up from the headlights at the same time. (so I guess the pump is okay )
I did wonder what the button was at the end of the right hand stalk,..I did press that inquisitively, but nothing happened.
Rear washer and wiper work,... but I'm not sure what I did to make them work ! hehe.
Maybe the contact in the stalk is corroded ? There's no buzz from the pump when I'm trying this original method.
Looking for a simple fix , love the car so far, don't want to spoil my image of it.....
Thanks for your in-puts..

Jonny

jonnyivy · Post by **jonnyivy** » Thu Feb 16, 2012 6:47 pm

[quote=""gchristofi""][quote=""jonnyivy""]Maybe you already know that I'm fairly new to my X5, so I have a simple question before I go looking for a cure.
The windscreen washers,.. normally on most of my other cars I would just pull the stalk towards me to get a skoosh on the window then flick it down to wipe.
I tried that on the X5,.. pulled it towards me from the resting position but nothing came out. Pushed it forward again, then forward to the next notch,.. this washed the screen, but the rear wiper is now going back and forth as well ? Can't you just quickly squirt the front screen then quick wipe without the rear wiper working at the same time?
Simple for those who have owned for a while,.. but a bit puzzling for me,... care to share ???...

Jonny[/quote]
this sounds as though the rear wash motor may have been connected to the front wash piping? Maybe someone had was bottle out and reconnected incorrectly or used it as a quick fix to get through MOT with failed front wash motor?[/quote]

Are there 2 washer pumps ? I've not had a look yet, but when I pull the lever back it only washes the rear screen.
On the other hand, when I push lever fully forward the washers for the front work okay ( along with the headlight washer too )
Control stalk can't be the problem if its activating the rear washer ?
Wires or pipes fitted wrong way round ?...or does your rear wash come on when you pull back for the front wash,.. ie. both together ?
Where is the pumps situated under the bonnet ?
Jonny

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