Where is the windscreen washer bottle?

[Oldiebut goodie]

My dogs are Border Collies so have never had any trouble with them.
My money is on something was disturbed during the switch placement though rather than the motor deciding to go West at the same time. I gave up trying to get my bottle out as the bolts just turned and didn't want to come free. I then found that it was the switch that was faulty on mine and the motor was fine.

[Sleedale]

So if I can get it to the garage they should be able to check if there is power from the switch? Using the magic multimeter? Without having to remove the tank? Which I'm sure will happily remove from the vehicle with no traumas

That spray bottle really is looking like first choice....best go dig it out of the shed and wash the weed killer out of it......

[Oldiebut goodie]

The garage should be able to check the switch out no trouble, the only problem with the spray bottle is if you should get pulled by the plod.

[Sleedale]

Might be a bit difficult to explain.....have to hope for two weeks of sunshine, no road spray and lots of places to stop and wash the screen. Hoping the garage can fit in a quick look at the very least, he is really, really busy but I know will try his best, and to be fair it wasn't him who did the radio switch thing, it was an auto electrician that works with him sometimes. Sadly not full time so won't be there! However, if he can check the switch see if there is at least power from it it's a start.
Thanks for all your time and chat it is very much appreciated

[Oldiebut goodie]

It's a pity you aren't a bit closer, I am sure that I could have tracked it down for you. (and I don't charge!)

[Sleedale]

It's a pity you aren't a bit closer, I am sure that I could have tracked it down for you. (and I don't charge!)

That is very kind of you, and even though I can't take up yur offer, it means a lot, after today....

Mind you, if I do get a multimeter thing, you are first on my list for instructions in words of one syllable

But for now, after this day, this week, this month, I hope my garage can at least find half an hour to look, and I can hope for dry weather too.

Thank you

[what2do]

Has it a
Ready been mentioned that you'll need a 'doughnut'? It's a sealing ring that sits on the neck of the reservoir and will prevent liquid from gushing out underneath the van, however, it won't stop it from gushing into the footwell if you over fill it!

About this time last year my washers stopped, I undid the bottle which is a 5 minute job, and used a spare car battery to put a current through the motor to check that it worked - it did. Can't remember exactly what I did next but it was with the guidance of the good folk on here that I bypassed the washer switch (stalk) with a bit of wire to see if the pump would work - it did and from this process of deduction I found that it was the stalk that was faulty. I dismantled it from the steering column (another easy job) and found that one of the brass connectors had fractured.

None of this took great skills or much time, I'm sure you could manage this with the required help that is offered on here. All you will need is a few bits of wire, screwdrivers and a socket set to remove the washer bottle and the steering wheel if need be. Good luck.

[sternal]

Had the same thing about 18 months ago in the end after trying all the above mentioned I took the steering cover off and it was lots of dirt between the contacts on the stalk... once cleaned with an ear bud no problem whatsoever.

[nevill3]

When my horn was very poor I found that the earth wire that attaches to a spade connector at the foot of the steering column had almost come off, I don't know if this also earths the washer motor just a thought and an easy check. Brown wire attaches just above where the steering column goes through the floor.

[jrt]

Had the same thing about 18 months ago in the end after trying all the above mentioned I took the steering cover off and it was lots of dirt between the contacts on the stalk... once cleaned with an ear bud no problem whatsoever.

Yes, same here, worth a quick look.
David

[Oldiebut goodie]

When my horn was very poor I found that the earth wire that attaches to a spade connector at the foot of the steering column had almost come off, I don't know if this also earths the washer motor just a thought and an easy check. Brown wire attaches just above where the steering column goes through the floor.

The washer earths near to the bottle it is all live wiring to and from switch.

[parkero]

HI,

My washers were not working prior to the last MOT. All the electrics were ok so I pulled the motor out of the washer bottle and turned it a few times with a pair of long nose pliers to free it up and now its working fine. I think sometimes the motors seizes up or gets gummed up from lack of use.

Ollie

[Sleedale]

Thank you for all these ideas, I did clean the switch but will go back and try again. I will check earths where I can and at some point, if I can't get it working any other way, may well try to remove the bottle and turn the motor, but I think it may have to wait until after we have been away. My biggest fear is that I undo things and then can't redo them, leaving the van unusable and my OH's two weeks holiday off, ruined. We've just managed to get the van in order after much work on the cooling system, which now seems not to be leaking, losing or using water etc.

I am hoping my garage might have five minutes to test the switch later today, Oldie has suggested I get a multimeter, which again might be something for me to learn in the future, but again, time is limited.

I have grass to cut now, before it gets too hot....we have lots of grass, then I might have another play until I phone the garage after lunch.

In the meantime, I've dug out a wicked spray bottle......

Thanks again for all your ideas, advice and likeminded tales of screen washer woes. It's good to know I'm not alone

[what2do]

Thank you for all these ideas, I did clean the switch but will go back and try again. I will check earths where I can and at some point, if I can't get it working any other way, may well try to remove the bottle and turn the motor, but I think it may have to wait until after we have been away. My biggest fear is that I undo things and then can't redo them, leaving the van unusable and my OH's two weeks holiday off, ruined. We've just managed to get the van in order after much work on the cooling system, which now seems not to be leaking, losing or using water etc.

I am hoping my garage might have five minutes to test the switch later today, Oldie has suggested I get a multimeter, which again might be something for me to learn in the future, but again, time is limited.

I have grass to cut now, before it gets too hot....we have lots of grass, then I might have another play until I phone the garage after lunch.

In the meantime, I've dug out a wicked spray bottle......

Thanks again for all your ideas, advice and likeminded tales of screen washer woes. It's good to know I'm not alone

If you have ten minutes to spare, you could try removing the reservoir and testing the motor with 2 wires to the battery. This is the 'least invasive' for a novice and it doesn't matter if you don't put it back in place thee and then as your wipers are non-functioning at the moment anyway!!

[Sleedale]

Well, for information and the joy of it, took it to my lovely garage man who removed the tank and pump and said, you operate it and I'll bray it a bit. So that's what we did and it started working

It needs a new grommet. But the bolts came out easily and it all went back together quite simply so I will order a grommet, maybe a new pump just to be safe and attempt it myself.

Then I got in and drove it home and tested the washer......and yes they worked but I did wonder if it had been worth all the upset.......and they are still working.

So, a productive day, first two night site booked, grass cut - that was two hours worth, and working washers, then collected OH and his bike from work as it was raining stair rods as he finished.....drove literally 3/4 mile down the road and not a drop more was seen. They did say localised heavy showers

Thank you lovely forum people for helping, responding and sharing ideas, hints and tips. You really are all just lovely.