Are you aware there are two pumps (at least on mine) - one for the windshield and one for headlight covers. For me, the one on the backside of the reservoir stopped working and then nothing worked, as there was no longer juice to the front pump. Replaced the rear one and now the windshield squirters work. May have to replace the front one also, as the original front pump doesn't seem to provide enough pressure to push out the headlight squirters.

 

I didn't think about that, I just replaced the rear one. I'll try testing the other one. Thanks.

 

I tested the front washer motor with a 12V source and it worked, so apparently it is not a pump problem. When I turn on the ignition and pull the wiper lever I can hear the motor run twice but no fluid comes out. When I try to pull it again the motor doesn't run. Does anyone else have any ideas on stuff I should check out to find the root cause of the fluid not spraying?

Thanks!

 

Two thoughts for this particular problem (keep in mind you're getting what you pay for here) - just because you hear the front pump running doesn't mean it's working. With mine still attached to the reservoir I pulled the hose off (the one leading to the headlights). While I could hear the pump spinning, no fluid was coming out of the pump itself. The gear inside must be stripped. Ordered a new one on ebay for under $12, incl shipping. Obviously not oem

Second thought/intermittent operation - pretty sure your headlight washers only work when your lights are on. Also possible they only work two out of three times you pull to wash your windshield as headlights don't need to be cleaned as often. This is how the Germans would think, even 12-15 years ago. Would probably never enter American minds!

Also - two pumps with different operations, best to specify which one you're talking about.

Hope this helps.

 

I tested the front washer motor with a 12V source and it worked, so apparently it is not a pump problem. When I turn on the ignition and pull the wiper lever I can hear the motor run twice but no fluid comes out. When I try to pull it again the motor doesn't run. Does anyone else have any ideas on stuff I should check out to find the root cause of the fluid not spraying?

Thanks!

 

If the pump is working, then it's probably the telescopic sprayers or nozzles. Mine are not working, and I replaced both pumps. Sometime this week I'm going to do the nozzles and telescopes, I'll let you know if that cures it. I'm doing this DIY: http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1757442-DIY-E46-Headlamp-Washer-Replacement

 

Great, thanks for the link. Please keep me updated, I won't have time to mess with it until next week.

 

Also- I disconnected the hose from the jets on the hood and tried it but no fluid came out, so it doesn't appear they are clogged. I also blew into the hose and the air came out of the reservoir, so it doesn't seem to be blockage in the hose either.

 

I just replaced my nozzles and telescopes, still no dice. I'll check out the electrical pieces tomorrow.

If you do the DIY above, make sure you pay attention to the orientation of the telescope, there's a notch that goes into the nozzle. Also, get new O-rings for where the hose goes to the nozzle, mine was leaking before I swapped it.

 

Since it has some voltage with no load (pump disconnected) and the voltage goes to zero with a load (pump connected), it sounds like a connection issue. A corroded or otherwise bad connection has more resistance than the pump, so it is dropping most of the voltage when you connect the pump.

Try connecting a test light to the pump plug and see if it lights up at all.

Trace back the wiring and check the fuse and fuse plug.

 

My 04 330i is having this problem. There appears to be some "sediment" at the bottom of my reservoir so i'm hoping this caused a clog. Going to tear down part of the system now to eliminate the easier and cheaper fixes.

Anyone updates from others having this problem?

 

When I bought mine 5 years ago very little fluid came out of the jets, same as you, sediment in the tank. I removed the tank, removed the pump and pressure washed it out. Been fine since.

 

Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics, but this is what was in the bottom of my reservoir. once i drained the the tank, it appears to be some type of algae. Unfortunately it was not the cause of the problem.

Ordered a cheapo pump for now. ~$20 with shipping.

Going to clean my lines and sprayers while I wait for the part to arrive.

 

Subscribed! this is the only thing so far that I have found not to work on the new to me Touring.

 

I have this exact problem, did anyone figure it out?

 

Yes. Pump does. Replace it. With a quality unit.

 

Be sure you're using a genuine BMW pump. I've tried all sorts, including VDO and had issues. The only ones that seem to cure the issues are a genuine BMW pump. No idea why, and theoretically the VDO pump is the same. Go figure.

 

Have you checked the screen on the intake to the pumps? As for the sequence, the headlight washers will spray on every 5th cycle.

 

Removed bottle cleaned it, replaced pump with one from autozone, eliminated headlight washer system from the car completely, replaced wiper/ washer switch. Turn key to on, grab the the lever 2 squirts and then nothing, cycle the key and it will do the same thing every time with a key cycle.

 

Well holy crap...

I wasn't able to check the car last weekend because we went out of town for a long weekend, but after two weeks of additional driving, all monitors are ready (although OBD Fusion says it's not, even though I have no codes either - perhaps it's because the SES light is on because the car is not running).
Everyone says the SAP is the first monitor to set. It was the last for me. I'm guessing there are a number of cold start cycles it must go through before setting.
Thanks for the tip on the O2 sensors.-Geo31

Oh cool, so the new precat O2 sensors solved it for you as well? It was jfoj who tipped me off to that years ago. -BaliDawg

either one or two of us are confused.

 

George posted in the wrong thread. Not sure if he knew, so I replied with an answer. Feel free to ignore them.

 

Ok figured it out, previous owner had the headlight washer wiring pigtail taped up, pump was no good I assume that's why. So the windshield washer pump was cracked so I figured that was the problem with it, well that was a problem but the reason for the 2 squirts and then nothing is the pigtail that was connected to the wiper pump was actually for the headlights, now that it has the correct wiring going to it, all good sprays like crazy!