The windshield washers work fine.


The rear window washer and headlight washers don't. I hear the pump, but no liquid.


What's the fix? My shop manual really doesn't help much.

 

I am new to Minis so forgive me for what may seem the obvious questions:
Are the rear and headlight washer nozzles fed from the main washer fluid tank or does one or both use a separate tank? Is one or more of the tanks empty or have a leak?
I would think the headlight and rear washers do use separate pumps from the windshield unless there is some 3-way type valve that uses one pump, but diverts the fluid to whichever nozzle you have chosen.

 

Front and rear are fed from the tank on the pass side. The headlight washers are fed from the driver side tank and only when the headlights are on. And only the first time and every third time after that until you restart the car

 

+1 for checking BOTH washer fluid tanks.....

 

Now There's some info I didn't know for sure, thanks.

Well, they're both holding fluid and the windshield washers work fine. I did find a coulple of drops of water on the rear wiper, so, I'm leaning towards some type of obstruction in the lines.

I'll turn the headlights on tonight and try the washers again.

Thanks for the responses.

 

Here is for the pump and info.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...m-failure.html




Thanks

 

The rear squirter is semi famous for getting clogged if not used regularly....if it drips, sometimes a pin will unplug it...road grime get caked on the works...then corrosion starts..
If it was slightly later in the year (colder) I would wonder if it had non-freeze resistant cleaner.....
One tip...if you have been using "summer" washer fluid or water, run it dry once you get it working...will prevent damage to the tanks and lines from freezing....just refill with the winter washer fluid of your choice.
If neither squirts....you might have a pump issue....just always eliminate the simple cheap easy stuff first!!

 

Hey, thanks for all the info! I'll be fixing them this weekend!

 

If you have drips at the rest it is likely that the top of the sprayer is clogged. Try to unclog it with a straight pin. Otherwise you will need a new quiet motor for the rear. The tip is not purchasable separately.

 

I'm guessing you're right. The PO told me he practically NEVER used the rear sprayer.

 

You are welcome traildog.

 

HEY HEY! The headlight washers DO work........

 

Sounds like you got them working . Does the rear washer work ?

 

Yea, all I had to do was TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS.........DUH....

I haven't poked the back one with a pin yet, but, I'm betting that's what it needs since a drop or three is coming out.

 

All squirters functioning properly now! The rear window squirter was stuffed with some brown stuff, so I pulled the cap off and flushed it until it ran clear.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

Great , glad it was ok, and just some small issue.

 

Hey, thanks. Now for the exhaust rattle..............

 

Cooper or Cooper S , what year ?

 

2004 s

 

Sorry, production month/year as 2004 was a big year split on the hangers, find it on the door jam near the VIN plate.

Thanks

 

I'll get that when I get home. I bet you're thinking the same thing I am. Rubber bushings in the hangars worn out?

 

And, while we are at it, the button on the emergency brake rattles annoyingly as well.....

 

Lots of people suspect that the rubber supports on the center pipe are shot but mine ended up being sort of the opposite. While the rubber was fine, the two studs that come off the exhaust that sit in the rubber hangers had rusted away from the exhaust itself and the rattle was the studs (while stuck in the rubber hangers) rattling against the exhaust pipe.

No matter what the situation, I suggest smacking your hand against the pipe to reproduce the sound and then trace it back to the source.

 

I plan on crawling around under the car this weekend. I'm a bit confused as to where to position the stands though.

Is it OK to Jack and put the stands where the factory Jack goes?

 

Yes, you can jack on the factory jack points. I put the stand under a solid piece of frame slightly in board of the jack point.