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R60/R61 Stock Problems/IssuesDiscussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for R60 AND R61 MINI Cooper and Cooper S MINIs.
Searched the forums and read some posts but couldn't find anything that I knew applied to my 2014 R60.
Both of my headlight washers have not worked at all this winter season. Fuse is just fine and relay is working. Figuring that both washer jets didn't just fail at the same time, what else systemic could be going wrong?
Yes, both front and rear window washers are working just fine. There are no other signs of anything being wrong.
I've seen references to a separate fluid reservoir for the headlight washers, but I think that was for older generation post-2000 MINIs. I thought the R60 had one reservoir for both headlight and window washers?
1) The sound of the washers spraying twice when the headlight washing system usually activates is completely absent. This is what led me to believe it was an electrical problem, especially since both don't work.
2) I've read other posts saying having the headlights on is necessary, which makes sense. I rarely drive with the headlights off. However, I do currently have a license plate lamp malfunction error due to a bad bulb. Is there a chance that not satisfying general system lighting checks is enough to cause the headlight washing system to not work? I can easily replace license plate bulbs and try the headlight washers again and report back.
I'd trace the spray hose back to the pump (its a short run) and see that the line hasn't been disconnected or blocked. If necessary a little bit of compressed air injected into the hose from the pump end may help clear any blockage.
From what I gather, around 2011 or so, the headlight washers no longer just came with the Xenon lights like they did in the earlier years. Since that was only mandatory overseas, I believe US MINIs still have the washer doors on the lights, but often no hoses, ect running to them.
Have they ever worked for you? You mention, this season so I kind of assume they have, but wanted to throw it out there.
From what I gather, around 2011 or so, the headlight washers no longer just came with the Xenon lights like they did in the earlier years. Since that was only mandatory overseas, I believe US MINIs still have the washer doors on the lights, but often no hoses, ect running to them.
Have they ever worked for you? You mention, this season so I kind of assume they have, but wanted to throw it out there.
Yes, they are on my car and they used to work just fine. Hard to pinpoint exactly when they stopped working, but remember thinking a few weeks ago "hey, I haven't seen them work in a while". Now I pay close attention and they've definitely stopped working.
Originally Posted by mikey_t
I'd trace the spray hose back to the pump (its a short run) and see that the line hasn't been disconnected or blocked. If necessary a little bit of compressed air injected into the hose from the pump end may help clear any blockage.
So this is where I'm having trouble finding accurate information because of similar but not equal systems on other model/generation MINIs. Is there one pump for both washers mounted somewhere in the engine compartment? Or does each washer unit within the headlight assembly have its own pump? I'll need to explore under the hood (though it's been below or close to zero degrees in MN for a while so poking around under the hood isn't a whole lot of fun these days!)
FYI I had the Left washer dribbling out and the right washer spraying correctly. I thought there was a clog in the left line or nozzle. I just so happen to manually draw the right one out after drawing out the left one to inspect and possibly use some compressed air to clear it and found that the nozzle itself broke off and was missing. I didn't realize that was something that should have been there ( check it out on ECS tuning). I thought the nozzle was more deeply integrated in spray arm.
And yes the R50, R53, R52 are completely different. The R55 , R56 etc are similar to the R60 and R61 but you don't have to remove the headlight to replace the sprayer arm since there is much more space.
Last edited by tommydoo66; Dec 12, 2022 at 09:22 AM.
I just noticed this same problem with both my washers. It happened at the same time too, which seemed weird. I guess after too many uses they become dislodged and fly off?
Did you fix this yourself? Do you/can you replace just the nozzle or do you need to buy the entire spray arm?
I did not even bother fixing it. I believe you would need to replace the entire spray arm . Ebay had a left and right set pretty cheap at the time. What is good about the Countryman /Pacman R60 R61 vs the Reg cooper is that I think you can get away with not removing the headlight assembly ( at least of the left side from what I saw). Maybe you can find a used one and take the nozzle off or just buy the new and just use its nozzle. Again not sure if it snaps right on and off. I assumed it was broken but now you have me thinking. Good luck
I did fix it myself, super easy on the R60 as there is more space to work at least on the left headlight. Got it on ebay super cheap . Think $15, works great.
