Stock Problems/Issues Discussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

Windshield Wiper Fluid Empty?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 02-14-2012, 08:59 PM
06_Mini_Blue's Avatar
06_Mini_Blue
06_Mini_Blue is offline
1st Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Saint Joseph, Michigan
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Windshield Wiper Fluid Empty?

Hello Everyone,
I posted not to long ago that my windshield wiper fluid empty light is flashing indicating that I need to refill the fluid, I did that and still the light is flashing and nothing is happening when I try to use the wiper sprayers. I can hear the motor trying to pump it, but nothing. I called the dealer and the mechanic said that the 2006 models have two tanks for fluid, so where is the other one? I found the one on the passenger side that goes into the fender. Can someone please help me?
 
  #2  
Old 02-14-2012, 09:00 PM
Squirlz's Avatar
Squirlz
Squirlz is offline
6th Gear
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Okemos, Michigan
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
The other one is in the same place on the drivers side. Have you found michiganmini.org yet?
 
  #3  
Old 02-15-2012, 06:57 AM
06_Mini_Blue's Avatar
06_Mini_Blue
06_Mini_Blue is offline
1st Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Saint Joseph, Michigan
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Squirlz
The other one is in the same place on the drivers side. Have you found michiganmini.org yet?
Thank you I will check this out when I get out of class. And I checked out michiganmini.org, very nice! I will register for that soon here. I am actually creating my own forum as well! I am in the design stage now!
 
  #4  
Old 02-15-2012, 07:13 AM
mdsbrain's Avatar
mdsbrain
mdsbrain is offline
OVERDRIVE
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Bowie, MD
Posts: 9,390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by 06_Mini_Blue
Hello Everyone,
I posted not to long ago that my windshield wiper fluid empty light is flashing indicating that I need to refill the fluid, I did that and still the light is flashing and nothing is happening when I try to use the wiper sprayers. I can hear the motor trying to pump it, but nothing. I called the dealer and the mechanic said that the 2006 models have two tanks for fluid, so where is the other one? I found the one on the passenger side that goes into the fender. Can someone please help me?
There is one on each side of the car one in each fender. The passenger side I believe is only for the Headlight washers.
 

Last edited by mdsbrain; 02-15-2012 at 07:18 AM. Reason: spelling
  #5  
Old 02-15-2012, 07:55 AM
Braminator's Avatar
Braminator
Braminator is offline
OVERDRIVE
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Wherever she takes me.
Posts: 7,242
Received 50 Likes on 35 Posts
Divers side tank is for headlights and passenger side for windshield.
 
  #6  
Old 02-20-2012, 05:52 AM
zamfield's Avatar
zamfield
zamfield is offline
3rd Gear
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I did the sme thing... Had the mini two days and needed to fill up due to the flasher.
Thought I'd filled it up - bit realizing there's two bottles to fill... Headlight & windshield, one either side! LOL!
 
  #7  
Old 02-20-2012, 09:05 AM
dannyhavok's Avatar
dannyhavok
dannyhavok is offline
6th Gear
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Vancouver Island, Canada
Posts: 3,334
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
The caps have pictures of a headlight and a windshield, respectively, in case you forget which is which.
 
  #8  
Old 02-20-2012, 09:08 AM
alwzopn's Avatar
alwzopn
alwzopn is offline
3rd Gear
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This is also in the manual.
 
  #9  
Old 02-24-2012, 07:34 AM
06_Mini_Blue's Avatar
06_Mini_Blue
06_Mini_Blue is offline
1st Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Saint Joseph, Michigan
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by alwzopn
This is also in the manual.

I still have not figured out the issue. I can not find another tank either.. My car did not come with a manual :/
 
  #10  
Old 02-24-2012, 07:39 AM
Spooled's Avatar
Spooled
Spooled is offline
3rd Gear
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If your car doesn't have headlight washers, you probably won't have the second tank. You may have a faulty sensor in the passenger side tank. I do find it odd, however, that the tank is full and you can hear the motor running, but no fluid sprays onto the windshield....
 
  #11  
Old 02-24-2012, 07:59 AM
Capt_bj's Avatar
Capt_bj
Capt_bj is offline
OVERDRIVE
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Melbourne, FL
Posts: 7,040
Received 281 Likes on 237 Posts
Originally Posted by 06_Mini_Blue
I still have not figured out the issue. I can not find another tank either.. My car did not come with a manual :/
2006 owner's manual

http://www.minimania.com/pdfile/2006_MINI.pdf
 
  #12  
Old 02-24-2012, 10:12 AM
zamfield's Avatar
zamfield
zamfield is offline
3rd Gear
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ho about getting a pic of the engine bay, showing the sides too... that way we can check if you have one or two filler spouts.

Also, have you filled the fluid up to the marker... to the top?


Originally Posted by 06_Mini_Blue
Hello Everyone,
I posted not to long ago that my windshield wiper fluid empty light is flashing indicating that I need to refill the fluid, I did that and still the light is flashing and nothing is happening when I try to use the wiper sprayers. I can hear the motor trying to pump it, but nothing. I called the dealer and the mechanic said that the 2006 models have two tanks for fluid, so where is the other one? I found the one on the passenger side that goes into the fender. Can someone please help me?
 
  #13  
Old 02-24-2012, 08:21 PM
ZippyNH's Avatar
ZippyNH
ZippyNH is offline
6th Gear
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southern NH
Posts: 12,605
Likes: 0
Received 32 Likes on 32 Posts
Originally Posted by 06_Mini_Blue
I still have not figured out the issue. I can not find another tank either.. My car did not come with a manual :/
Had your car for 2 years and about 30,000 miles according to you signature....
And haven't had to add washerfluid?!
if equipped, second filler is the same spot on oposite fender.
 
  #14  
Old 03-05-2012, 07:23 AM
06_Mini_Blue's Avatar
06_Mini_Blue
06_Mini_Blue is offline
1st Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Saint Joseph, Michigan
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by ZippyNH
Had your car for 2 years and about 30,000 miles according to you signature....
And haven't had to add washerfluid?!
if equipped, second filler is the same spot on oposite fender.
Thats the thing. I have added fluid and it worked find up until now... :/ I am at the dealership right now getting the oil changed at the Mini dealer. There is only one tank they said and I am not going to have them look at it right now because they are going to charge me $80 just to tell me what is wrong with it. Even if the sensor was bad wouldn't it still push fluid to the nozzles? UGH this is so frustrating! Neither the front or rear is spraying.

Can anyone think of anything else I can try? I will post pictures later on after I leave "The Sharpe Collection" dealership in Grand Rapids, MI.

Thank you everyone for your support and thoughts so far!
 
  #15  
Old 03-05-2012, 07:31 AM
06_Mini_Blue's Avatar
06_Mini_Blue
06_Mini_Blue is offline
1st Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Saint Joseph, Michigan
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Alright so the dealership just me that the fluid tank is cracked!!! How in the heck does that happen! Well at least I know what it is now... Thanks everyone!
 
  #16  
Old 03-06-2012, 02:37 AM
ZippyNH's Avatar
ZippyNH
ZippyNH is offline
6th Gear
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southern NH
Posts: 12,605
Likes: 0
Received 32 Likes on 32 Posts
Based upon the time of year, it sounds like the tank had some summer fluid in it...froze, and cracked....
 
  #17  
Old 03-29-2012, 08:01 PM
06_Mini_Blue's Avatar
06_Mini_Blue
06_Mini_Blue is offline
1st Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Saint Joseph, Michigan
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Anyone know of a good place to get a replacement that isn't to steep in price?
 
  #18  
Old 03-29-2012, 09:40 PM
ZippyNH's Avatar
ZippyNH
ZippyNH is offline
6th Gear
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southern NH
Posts: 12,605
Likes: 0
Received 32 Likes on 32 Posts
Originally Posted by 06_Mini_Blue
Anyone know of a good place to get a replacement that isn't to steep in price?
If you are gonna diy it, you can get a used one from someone parting out a car...waymotorworks does this with wrecks sometimes....so often it is a goodway to get some parts cheaper than the dealer...he can get new too cheaper than dealer prices too.
 
  #19  
Old 03-29-2012, 10:56 PM
DICKS GARAGE R53's Avatar
DICKS GARAGE R53
DICKS GARAGE R53 is offline
6th Gear
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: North Denver Colorado
Posts: 2,836
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
I will have one up for sale as soon as I pull the A-panels off. Probably about a month from now.

The pumps also like to leak (Atleast on the 2 MINIs Ive had) the tank will drain itself all because of a stupid O-ring.
 
  #20  
Old 03-30-2012, 07:28 PM
WayMotorWorks's Avatar
WayMotorWorks
WayMotorWorks is offline
Vendor
iTrader: (10)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 10,557
Received 757 Likes on 618 Posts
Originally Posted by 06_Mini_Blue
Alright so the dealership just me that the fluid tank is cracked!!! How in the heck does that happen! Well at least I know what it is now... Thanks everyone!
Most of the time they are just filled with water, freeze and crack.

I may have a used one off a wreck, call the shop on Monday and we'll see if we got one for you.
 
__________________


HOTCHKIS | DDM | CRAVEN | AKRAPOVIC | NM ENGINEERING | MEGAN | FORGE | IE | OS GIKEN | POWERFLEX and more
  #21  
Old 11-27-2012, 06:39 AM
inthefad3's Avatar
inthefad3
inthefad3 is offline
Neutral
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have a somewhat opposite problem. While the empty light does not turn on and I just added winter version of wiper fluid, no fluid comes out. I too have only one tank since my Mini does not have headlight wipers. I thought that I may have a leak but I have not noticed any leaking.

Does anyone know what else could be causing the problem?
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
patsum
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
26
05-29-2021 06:29 PM
Hobine
Stock Problems/Issues
6
10-07-2015 04:52 PM
nomar116
Electrical
2
09-20-2015 10:26 AM
bobbi.steines
R56 :: Hatch Talk (2007+)
3
09-10-2015 11:31 AM



Quick Reply: Windshield Wiper Fluid Empty?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:08 AM.