Headlamp Washer Defective

[citrophile]

Hi All

Been a while but am back again..!!    :)

My C5 needs a new MOT soon and I gave it a once over this week and everything is fine apart from one of the headlamp washers doesn't work properly.

It extends out but I don't get any water through it.

A new one from Citroen is nearly £100.....!!!!

Is it possible to strip it and check for blockages?

Any thoughts?

Cheers

Rob

[paul.h]

According to the parts diagrams the washer jet part at the end that moves out is a separate part to the pipe/support bit with the hose fastened to it. So possibly it justs needs removing and cleaning/unblocking. I do not know how you remove the jets, maybe you catch them whilst they are extended and twist them or something. You may need to be careful not to damage the jet covers, I vaguely remember john douglas posting something on this but he does not come on the forum now but a search might find something.

[citrophile]

Thanks Paul

It was a little confusing but i swapped front jets around and still the same so decided to dismantle the ram and then maybe use bits from the one I took off my previous C5 when I scrapped it.

I carefully cut the front section (this locates the ram under the headlight unit) in a few places where the "square" slots are so that I could lever the plastic up a bit and release the lugs and split the ram. Once opened I could see that the one way valve which controls the water that goes to the jets was broken and loose in the bottom of the tube. Stripped the spare ram I had, found the valve to be fine, swapped over and, after a few false starts got it working great. All now sorted for the MOT. Phew  :D

It's really not that difficult once you get it apart and saved me nearly £100. Result.  :D

 

 

[Databeat1]

Hello new member C5 hdi 2011 vtr+navigation. How do you test the washers, do I have them? I have the cutouts. I have tried several squirts but they don't come out, can you give any advice

Thanks Andy

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

If your car has halogen head light bulbs then you will not have the head light washers, they are just a requirement on xenon lights. The cut outs are so Citroen only have 1 part for all the bumpers.

[Databeat1]

Thanks, I'm sure I have halogen/LED lights

A

[aspire_helen]

Headlamp washers are an MOT fail for headlamps fitted with High Discharge bulbs. 

The rams (the bit that extends) is designed with a slot so that it can be held out in the extended period.  So, operate the washers and have someone "catch" the ram before it retracts. Then using a suitable fork-like tool slide it into the slot in the ram to "jam" the ram in the out position.  There is no need to every prise open the ram by the painted covers!  If you ever do, best bet is to pass 2 loops of dental floss under the cover from each side and pull evenly.

Once secure, the jet nozzle assembly (complete with covers) can be removed by releasing the two plastic tangs.  The ram and jet nozzle assembly are available on Ebay either together or separate. The nozzle comes with the plastic fork-like tool to hold open the ram.

 

Regarding failures. My washers failed last year. The rams extended but did not spray water.  There were 2 faults probably caused by freezing water damage. One of the rams had split but this was not the cause as fixing it did not solve the problem.  The prime problem was that the pump had lost power. It sounded OK and had enough pressure to extend the rams, but not enough to open the valves and spray water.  A second-hand pump solved the problem. 

 

Moral = make sure you put sufficient antifreeze(no, not the radiator stuff)  in the washer bottle.