washer fluid light

**mightywolf** · Monday 24th August 2009, 23:23

Hi all. Last week out of the blue my washer fluid light started coming on every now and then when I accelerated. The washer bottle was full so I put it down to it just swishing around in the bottle. Then it started coming on more often, like every single time I put my foot on the gas the light would come on and go out when I stopped accelerating. Now its on all the time even though the bottle is full!! I've checked the easy stuff like fuses and they're fine. Does it have a sensor inside the bottle and could it have come loose or something?

**Dangerous Dave** · Tuesday 25th August 2009, 00:20

It could be gunked up. My bottle sometimes gets some algae type stuff in it, and I have to wash it out. Just unbolt it from underneath the car, and give it a good clean.

**Diesel64** · Tuesday 25th August 2009, 00:56

Yeah, give it a good wash out with boiling water/washing up liquid - perfect time/excuse to do a rad flush whilst your at it (you'll need to drain enough at least to empty the header tank, else spill it all over your engine bay)...

Also would recommend giving the terminals that plug into the connector on the header tank a rub with an emery board or some wet and dry etc- some coolants can leave a crystaline deposit when they dry if you've spilt some which could give an intermittant electrical contact...

Hope it's of use

**LeeT5** · Tuesday 25th August 2009, 01:54

Originally Posted by mightywolf

Hi all. Last week out of the blue my washer fluid light started coming on every now and then when I accelerated. The washer bottle was full so I put it down to it just swishing around in the bottle. Then it started coming on more often, like every single time I put my foot on the gas the light would come on and go out when I stopped accelerating. Now its on all the time even though the bottle is full!! I've checked the easy stuff like fuses and they're fine. Does it have a sensor inside the bottle and could it have come loose or something?

You don't need to wash the bottle out as you should have a guaze filter in the filler neck to trap any deposits. The problem you have is the level sensor. My T5 went the same way....Just replace the level sensor and your trouble's will go away. No point cleaning it as it lives in water and screenwash all it's life and the plastic parts of the sensor turn brittle and distort. They are not expensive. Get a new guaze filter why your there...about £2!

**mightywolf** · Tuesday 25th August 2009, 11:13

cheers guys!!

**mightywolf** · Sunday 6th September 2009, 19:18

just a little update. The sensor was fine. When I checked the gauze filter it was that clogged up with dirt no fluid could get through. So i was there thinking it was full because the fluid was filling up the neck of the bottle when really it was empty!! I just took the filter out, scrubbed it clean and hey presto problem solved!

**Dangerous Dave** · Monday 7th September 2009, 11:53

That filter gets horrible doesn't it. I've left mine out, as I seemed to be cleaning it every month.

**LeeT5** · Monday 14th September 2009, 00:41

Originally Posted by bomb192uk

That filter gets horrible doesn't it. I've left mine out, as I seemed to be cleaning it every month.

How come? Do you fill yours with drain water?

Get down the dealer and get a new one, there only £3.50!!

**AlanG** · Monday 14th September 2009, 00:59

Originally Posted by mightywolf

just a little update. The sensor was fine. When I checked the gauze filter it was that clogged up with dirt no fluid could get through. So i was there thinking it was full because the fluid was filling up the neck of the bottle when really it was empty!! I just took the filter out, scrubbed it clean and hey presto problem solved!

Carbon copy of my last 850....Was scratchin' my head for a couple of days till I sussed it,then felt like a real t*t when I realised. My guess is that it'll take another few years for that to happen again so save your money and forget it buddy..

**thebadger** · Monday 14th September 2009, 08:45

Algae shouldn't be an issue if you use good washer fluid concentrate, the majority of them are harmful & are made that way to kill off bacteria from the pipes & the tank.

I normally (when I can be bothered/when I have the cash) buy the RainX additive, this rates itself as environmentally dangerous! (not to be spread on the garden or poured into the pond)

The Tank in my Tank looks shiny & white inside! also the filter is pretty clean too, but I take it out once a year & rinse it in reverse!

Just a thought, but little maintenance will save loads of hassle.