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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums General 5-Series Sedan and Wagon (F10 / F11) Forum Windscreen washer not working
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      05-15-2011, 08:22 AM   #1
DNA_42
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Windscreen washer not working

I ran out of water in the windscreen washer, filled it up with tap water but now it only comes out at a trickle, doesn't even reach the screen.... any suggestions?

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      05-15-2011, 09:54 AM   #2
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electrical washer pump is malfunctioned ?
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      05-15-2011, 10:27 AM   #3
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clogged nozzle? I don't think tap water's recommended for washer system depending on how hard the tap water is at your area. I play safe and use distilled water & BMW washer fluid. love that lemon-y smell...
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      01-29-2014, 04:54 PM   #4
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Sorry for resurrecting an old thread, but the exact same thing has now happened to me: was at a gas station, ran out of windshield washer and filled with water until I get home, now only a trickle of water comes out).

If it is a small thing and I can avoid taking it to the dealer for this, I would prefer that.

Any ideas?
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      01-29-2014, 05:31 PM   #5
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The gas station didn't sell windshield washer???????
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      01-29-2014, 07:21 PM   #6
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I wouldn't fill with water... If the water is hard (has mineral deposits), it could clog the system.
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      01-30-2014, 12:17 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The X Men View Post
The gas station didn't sell windshield washer???????
Lottery tickets, smokes, milk, beer, rib sandwiches for $1.79 ... Sells everthing under the sun, but windshield washer? Noooooooo!
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      01-30-2014, 12:24 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ezmaass View Post
I wouldn't fill with water... If the water is hard (has mineral deposits), it could clog the system.
The water is of good drinking quality, and definitely not hard enough to cause any damage in a couple of short days. ( i use distilled water for cooling system) but in this case I would suspect damage to pump motor due to running it dry a few times (as the fluid level was getting down) more than i would suspect damage from the water.

Perhaps there is air trapped in somewhere. I will try looking at it again, and take to dealer if needed. Just looking to see if anyone else has seen this behavior.
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      01-30-2014, 02:05 AM   #9
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Did some searching and it seems like perhaps washer fluid residue over time might be gradually clugging the filter.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=472258

Will keep this thread updated with my results later.
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      01-30-2014, 06:13 AM   #10
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Great timing on the thread. Mine actually stopped working yesterday. Haven't had the chance to investigate yet. Will check the obvious first of course. Hopefully it just needs fluid, but I am thinking my the light would have come on the dashboard if that was the case.
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      01-30-2014, 07:18 AM   #11
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I am guessing that when you completley run out of fluid, and the pump has nothing to pump, it ends up damaging the impeller. (likely spins too fast because there is no longer a resistance of the fluid). If that impeller doesnt have a tight fit, you won't get enough pressure to squirt the fluid out like it normally does.
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      01-30-2014, 10:22 AM   #12
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If the system running dry could cause permanent damage, I'd be surprised. I'm pretty terrible at refilling my washer fluid on-time. I usually let it run dry, and the last few pulls result in a dry pump each time. Granted, my experience is all on the 325 and 335 - I've yet to let the 550 run dry (still too new!). However, it never caused any damage. Usually the light just came on, and sometimes I'd drive around for several days without refilling. So, unless BMW has really started skimping on their washer systems here, I'd be surprised if this alone was the cause... seems like one of those common use cases you'd need to guard against. And if a few dry pump attempts brakes the system, there's a quality problem IMHO.
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      01-30-2014, 01:26 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ezmaass View Post
If the system running dry could cause permanent damage, I'd be surprised. I'm pretty terrible at refilling my washer fluid on-time. I usually let it run dry, and the last few pulls result in a dry pump each time. Granted, my experience is all on the 325 and 335 - I've yet to let the 550 run dry (still too new!). However, it never caused any damage. Usually the light just came on, and sometimes I'd drive around for several days without refilling. So, unless BMW has really started skimping on their washer systems here, I'd be surprised if this alone was the cause... seems like one of those common use cases you'd need to guard against. And if a few dry pump attempts brakes the system, there's a quality problem IMHO.
You could be right, hard to believe that running dry would really cause any damage............but cannot think of any other theory for the reduced pressure that some are seeing. This is a mystery.
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      01-30-2014, 01:34 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ghueser View Post
You could be right, hard to believe that running dry would really cause any damage............but cannot think of any other theory for the reduced pressure that some are seeing. This is a mystery.
Yeah, a few pumps on a dry system just seems like it's bound to happen and would need to be a core test case for BMW. If it's systemic, perhaps just a weak part somewhere that's failing prematurely? Or maybe a tendency to clog somewhere along the way? I don't know. I'd be curious to hear what happens.
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      07-12-2019, 06:48 PM   #15
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2014 M528I PUMP is dead

check light and shows malfunction. Prob ran dry and it failed , was using orange Rain X washer solution.

I will test the fuse and the pump motor, i believe the fuse box is located on passenger side dash by door.

Unfortunately to test the pump i will have to remove front pass wheel, remove the inner plastic wheel well splash guard. Because the pump is on bottom side of tank and tank is bolted to chassis.

$12-$120

VDO brand on my Porsche is $20 for F10
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Last edited by Vanosman; 07-12-2019 at 07:06 PM.. Reason: photo
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      01-13-2023, 10:22 AM   #16
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Washer fluid pump?

Purchased a pump but can’t find where it’s located on my 2011 BMW 550i
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      01-13-2023, 02:50 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Deb Garvey View Post
Purchased a pump but can’t find where it’s located on my 2011 BMW 550i
The windscreen washer pump is installed on the washer fluid reservoir. Fluid reservoir is in the passenger wheel arch
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      07-05-2023, 04:06 PM   #18
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Washer jets quit working on me... I'll try cleaning them out by blowing air, but if that doesn't work, digging into the car and getting the assembly out. FWIW neither the windshield nor the headlight washers are working... are they the same motor or two different ones? I have a motor in my FCP cart ready to go!
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      07-05-2023, 04:22 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StradaRedlands View Post
Washer jets quit working on me... I'll try cleaning them out by blowing air, but if that doesn't work, digging into the car and getting the assembly out. FWIW neither the windshield nor the headlight washers are working... are they the same motor or two different ones? I have a motor in my FCP cart ready to go!
There should be two pump.
67637217792 for headlamp
67126934160 for windscreen

Might not be the pump if both are not working
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      07-05-2023, 04:29 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoa View Post
There should be two pump.
67637217792 for headlamp
67126934160 for windscreen

Might not be the pump if both are not working
Thank you, thought there were two! Strange that they both aren't working, but maaaaybe the filter is plugged and it has a common supply of fluid for both? We're on vacation right now, so I haven't been able to really get into it, but initially didn't hear any noise coming from pumps. One more issue on this car... it never ends!

Any insight as to the fuse #?
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      07-05-2023, 07:16 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StradaRedlands View Post
Thank you, thought there were two! Strange that they both aren't working, but maaaaybe the filter is plugged and it has a common supply of fluid for both? We're on vacation right now, so I haven't been able to really get into it, but initially didn't hear any noise coming from pumps. One more issue on this car... it never ends!

Any insight as to the fuse #?
Hope this helps
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      07-05-2023, 11:37 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoa View Post
Hope this helps
THANKS! Next project up is (probably) digging into this to figure out the issue!
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