C8 Screen Washers Stopped Working.

[BigBruv]

Hi all

 

I have a 54 plate 2.2 HDI.

The screen washers have all of a sudden packed in, The rear one never worked since i got the car, i could hear the pump but no water ever came out.

Now the front has stopped. I checked fuse number 14 under the bonnet and it had blown, replaced it and it still doesnt work.

Is there another fuse that could be related to the pump or is it the pump itself??

 

Any help would be welcome as i need it working for the MOT.

 

Cheers.

 

BB.

[Johndouglas]

When you try the pump for the front windscreen, can you hear it running?

[BigBruv]

Nope. I belive the pump does both front and rear.

It spins each way to pump to the front or rear.

[Johndouglas]

You're right. - It goes one way for front and other way for rear. I would try a new pump in it. Go on ebay and you'll get one for a fiver:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citroen-C5-Front-Rear-Twin-Outlet-Windscreen-Window-Washer-Pump-Replacement-/351083068541?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Model%3AC5&hash=item51be2e7c7d

 

On my C5 the pump is situated behind the front wing. Yours is probably in a similar position. Maybe you'll get to it by removing the wheel arch liner but I did mine by dropping one side of the front bumper.

[BigBruv]

Thanks for your input.

I think I will go for a new pump, for the sake of a fiver. The new fuse cost a quid! I think I will go in under the wheel arch. I had to remove the bumper just to change the offside headlight bulb, the clip fell off so I had to take the whole light fitting out to retrieve it. Nightmare!

Thanks again.

BB.

Edited September 25, 2014 by BigBruv

[Simple]

I had the same issue and having replaced the fuses with no joy, here is what I have done:

 

1- Raised the car, removed the driver side wheel and wheel arch under cover.

2- Unscrewed the water tank (actually I was able to remove one clip, so I left it dangling but I had access to the pumps) point 1 and 2 are not necessary if you know where every thing is.

3- Disconnected the water hoses and tested for operation (you need assistant for this part)

4- Unplugged the faulty water pump

5- Disassembled (click open, no screwing, be careful)

6- Using a bicycle pump, blew the rubber toggle valve out (could not pick it out due to sediment) cleaned, greased.

7- Replaced the rubber toggle valve back and tested for "toggle" operation (blowing by mouth, did not work due to having overgrown!!, for some unknown reason)  

8- Filed it shorter by about "0.75" mm, replaced and tested again. It worked.

9- Reassembled all back, testing at every stage. All is well.

I also found hose (behind the back light, driver side) disconnected and water spraying inside the body (common fault), just reconnected.

This took a couple of hours (I was learning my way through) the alternative was 75 euro per pump!!

[Coffeejohnny]

Hello wonder if anyone can help on this, I have replaced a washer pump now the bus keeps blowing so it is disconnected for now. Anyone had any experience with this problem?

[paul.h]

I do not understand what you mean by 'now the bus keeps blowing'

[Coffeejohnny]

Sorry, fuse keeps blowing.

[paul.h]

Did the fuse fail with the old pump and why did you replace the old pump ?

Is the new pump the same Citroen part or a pattern one that may have a higher current draw ?

 

Next things to consider are:

- damage to the wiring so it is touching the bodywork and shorting to earth,

- a blockage in the washer piping so the water is not going anywhere,

- the possibility the new pump is faulty.

[Coffeejohnny]

Replaced due to failing after being left while waiting to fix the split bottle. So it had dried up and needed replacing.

 

Two things happened between the pump going and the new one being replaced.

 

the starter motor issue had resulted in the changing of the fuse plate. Also the starter was replaced.

 

Would too high an amperage fuse off the battery allow to great a load being drawn as you mention? Anyway I will check the pump, however, the garage that fitted it are pretty good on this. They did trace all the wiring for the earth as that was there instinct.

 

I am wondering if it was the wrong fuse off the battery allowing too high an amperage through as you can tell I am aa total novice, but this car is teaching me. 

[paul.h]

If the fuse did not blow on the old pump then the wiring is probably ok unless it was damaged during the pump change.

 

What fuse rating are you using, a look in a C8 handbook gives 10 amp which will be to protect the wiring rather than the pump. The pump itself will take whatever current it needs to run, whether or not the wiring can take it and if more than the fuse rating, the fuse will blow. You could try a higher rating fuse than 10 amps but then risk the wiring melting.