Why the windshield washer pumps fail for everyone
 

So we have a 2001 X5 and a 2002 325 wagon, in one month four out of five of the washer pumps failed. The dealer brought the first one to our attention when the 325 was in for service and said $140 to fix. I said no thank you. You can get the pumps on eBay for $15 each with free shipping--the ones in the X5 don't even need any tools to replace and is literally a 3 minute job. So afterward I smashed open one of the broken pumps and much to my suspicion I found that it was rusted to all hell. So basically the pumps fail because the seal between the motor and the pump area eventually leaks with age and rusts out the motor and then no more windshield washing fluid goodness. The SA actually told me "washer pump electrode loop was indicating a fault"--I think he tried to scare me away from doing a DIY repair because he knew how easy it would be.

Scare tactics and fancy wording is what scares away most people. Fuel transfer technicians in Oregon use these tactics to get the ladies :)

Have you had any issues with the eBay pump?

None. As far as I can tell, the pumps on eBay are the exact same as the OEM pumps. They look identical.

I think I need to replace the windshield washer pump on my 02 x5. Could you give a little DIY explanation on how to remove the old pump and put the new one in, Do i need to remove the washer tank? Thanks!

Without pics, here goes:
No tools required. No need to remove the washer fluid tank. My car is a 3.0 so I'm thinking the 4.4 has the same washer tank and in the same spot. The tank is big and white and if you are looking at the car from the front with the hood up, it will be on the left in the back. I think the cap is marked with a big 7.8L. The pump is on the back side. When you remove and replace the pump, some washer fluid is going to leak from the tank during the time it is all disconnected. It's only a little mess but you should do the repair in the driveway and then mop up any spills when you are done. It's really only going to be a couple ounces of washer fluid.

1. Remove the wiring harness from the pump--I think it's just a squeeze and pull connector. The pump is just held on to the tank with giant clips molded into the tank.

2. Look at your new pump--you will see two places for water connections--at the very bottom of the pump and the little spigot shooting off to the side.

3. Remove the hose from the spigot on the old pump--just wiggle and pull. At this point washer fluid will begin to come out of the spigot.

4. Then pull the pump straight up to remove it from the tank--now the washer fluid will be leaking from the tank where you removed the pump.

5. Put the new pump in by simply just pushing it in to the tank where the old pump was.

6. Put the hose on the spigot--push and wiggle it on.

7. You're done.

Hahaha...should that go along with the blinker fluid actuator diagnosis line too?

The best is when they tell you that "your piston return spring needs to tightened".

Hey guys, on this topic, is there a separate washer pump for the rear window? My front works but the rear does not.

Rear window
 

To continue hijacking the thread in the same vein as rlabair my rear flid dispenser puts out washer fluid but it doesn't mist over the window, just runs down in one stream. I always assumed I would need to replace the nozzle at the end because it must have been damaged but after reading this thread I wonder if it is possibly being caused by inadequite pressure from the pump? Sorry for the ongoing hijack, carry on...