Windshield wiper nozzles wont spray? Anyone else run into this?

Johnny_5 · #1 12-16-2014, 02:36 AM

Ive been checking out the system and the spray motors are working just fine. All lines going to the nozzles appear to be fine with no issues. I did notice theres some wires with a plug going to the nozzles what are those? Do those open and close the nozzles or something? I removed and drained the hoses and tank when I was working on the engine for a few weeks and all plugs and hoses are connected. Any info on these would be great.

Thanks in advance.

Joshdub · #2 12-16-2014, 02:48 AM

The wire you are seeing are probably to the heated washer nozzles. I am not sure if it was standard on the E53 or not.

When putting in a new motor I too couldn't get fluid to come out. I blew out the lines with an air compressor to make sure they were clear. I ended up having to click the spray cycle with hose disconnected, and once fluid was squirting out of the pump, reconnect the hose quickly. For whatever reason just running the pump wasn't working. For the rear, just holding down the spray worked.

g300d · #3 12-16-2014, 04:05 AM

Or the nozzles could be plugged with crud? Have had this happen to other cars, but not the X yet.

Qsilver7 · #4 12-16-2014, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g300d

Or the nozzles could be plugged with crud? Have had this happen to other cars, but not the X yet.

Ditto...I'd start here first...its simple and easy...and costs nothing. Take a straight pin (or a safety pin if that's all you have)...and plunge it into the hole in the tip of the nozzle...which should dislodge any crud.

If this doesn't work, then move on to the other suggestions.

BTW, yes the windshield washer nozzles are heated...at least here in the USA market. In fact, every 7 & 5 series BMW I've owned (e32/e34/e38/e39) as well as the e53 have had heated side mirrors and windshield nozzles.

The 7 series (e38) even has a heated section of the lower front windshield that prevents the wiper blades from freezing to the windshield...I wish this feature was also carried over to other models...but I guess BMW kept this as a 7 series only feature. But the heated wiper nozzles operate the same on the e38/e39/e52/e53 (not sure about the e46):

upallnight · #5 12-16-2014, 06:32 AM

The grommet/filter where the motor plugs into is probably filled with crap. Remove the motor and replace the filter or just clean the filter.

g300d · #6 12-16-2014, 10:39 AM

...and now you know.

Thanks for another tech tidbit Q, I always look forward to your replies. There's always something there I never knew before.

Johnny_5 · #7 12-17-2014, 03:22 AM

Thanks for all the posts! I actually undid all the hoses and cleaned them out and made sure the fluids were going through the lines. Used it earlier today and it appears to be working now. You all rock!

kgbboris · #8 12-17-2014, 05:31 AM

I had the same prob, I ran out of screen wash in the system, filled back up and nothing came out yet the motors were working, I got a mate to pull the lever back to the washer pumps were going and put my mouth in the hole on the washer bottle and blew in and bam they worked, basically had an air lock and just required a bit of extra pressure to get it started, have worked fine ever since, wont be running it out of fluid again!

Ricky Bobby · #9 12-17-2014, 10:31 AM

FWIW, although the nozzles are heated I've found that in winter time the tank freezes up fairly easily, even with "anti frost" windshield fluid in there. When we had the artic freeze in Jersey last year I'd be going to work in single digit temps and even when the X was up to operating temp the washer tank was still frozen.

I chalk it up to the cooler engine bay because of the fan running all the time, if you turn off IHKA completely in winter you'll notice the X warms up a ton faster than if its on.