Hi Guys, New to the forum, my name is Jean and i´m posting from Bogota, Colombia. Ive been reading for a while but this is the first time im posting. I´m on my 4th mini now, just bought a 2012 JCW with 30k miles on it, black body black roof, beige interior its beatifull. I´m having a problem with the windshield washer, when I pull the lever i get nothing, so heres what ive checked so far:

1. pump doesn´t turn on when i pull the lever so its nos clogged
2. pump does turn on when connected to 12v
3. hooked up a multimeter to the connector that goes to the pump, pulled the lever and got nothing.
4. wiper and light levers work just fine, only problem is washers, headlight, windshield and back window, none of them work
5. checked obvious fuses, they´r all fine,

Any ideas?

 

I would replace the fuses first - checking them is not enough.

 

If you check them with a multimeter, it’s good enough.

 

I did, they all tested ok for continuity

 

Since you said it does not turn on when you flip the lever - then you need to either fix the lever or replace it.

 

I do t think it's the lever, I mean everything else works and even headlight washers worked yesterday and when I pull the lever I can hear a clicking sound in the passenger footwell fuse box, but that can just be the wiper relay clicking. I don't want to spend 300 + on the whole cluster to find out it wasn't the lever

 

If you replace the whole cluster it does cost some, my guess is to find one at a junk yard and just swap out the lever, the clusters are marked for auto wiper and non auto wipers, so find one that has the same year and options.

 

I belevie it's a whole part, I've seen them on ebay for relatively cheap, I juato don't want to go through hassle of making the swap and then find out it was just some relay that no one knows about

 

I tried to get the headlight washers to activate, pull the lever, only wipers turn on then try again then turn car off and on, pull the lever, suddenly I hear the pump, two bursts, I couldve sworn it was the headlight washers, turns out it was the rear window window washer, it squirted 2 times for a second each and that's it.

 

Sounds to me like dirty/corroded contacts in the wiper/washer switch.
I'd try a little electronic contact cleaner in there first.
By the way, the headlight washers only work in conjunction with the headlights &/or wipers - I wouldn't worry about them for now.

 

I see its a whole part, https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/e.../SV91/61_2304/ do you know if it can be opened up to clean it? about the headlight washers, i find it very odd that the rear window washer acts like the headlight washers.

 

Yes, it's odd about the mixed-up washers. You might have some damaged contacts.
I'd try the switch cleaner, gently, a few times before you get a $400+ switch.
Just squirt anywhere you can see a gap - don't flood it!
If you can get to them, I'd also check & clean the plugs (2 3 4 & 5) for corrosion or bent pins.

 

I ordered a used headlight washer pump and a new windshield washer pump, took everything apart and I really cant remember but when I was putting everything back together it seemed to me that the connectors where inverted, but im not really sure, anyway, everything is working now. I was lurking around bmw forums and stumbled upon a windshield washer pump problem where it said that if one pump goes, the other wont work, I guess that was my problem, the headlight washer went so the other one didnt work on the caro but did work when conected to a directv 12v source.

 

Jean - someone else can correct me if I'm wrong, but....

The headlight wiper/washer is quite separate from the front & rear windshield wiper/washers.
It has it's own pump & tank. I believe it only works, automatically & from time-to-time if the main windshield wipers and the headlights are on as well. There is no separate switch or way of making it work.

The front & rear wiper & washer switches are on the stalk. There is one pump that magically changes to the front or rear, depending on what you select with the stalk switch.
The main tank, on the right side close to the windshield, holds about 1/2 a gallon & in my experience doesn't last long!
The rear washer nozzle often clogs up.

 

I had that problem on my 2009 model, turned out to be a pinched line when the hood was closed. It would be worth double checking that.

 

Mine has 2 pumps on the same tank located in the engine bay.

 

Thanks for the update!