Windshield wipers AND sprayer not functioning
Discussion
Yes!
Haven't used my wipers since then.... so, it didn't occur to me right away. I had a look at the wiper schematics looking for a relay and it showed there is a ECU in the center console (connected to the back of the infotainment panel, that I failed to plug in).
Hope this might help somebody someday that makes a dumb mistake like I did.
Haven't used my wipers since then.... so, it didn't occur to me right away. I had a look at the wiper schematics looking for a relay and it showed there is a ECU in the center console (connected to the back of the infotainment panel, that I failed to plug in).
Hope this might help somebody someday that makes a dumb mistake like I did.
LTP said:
I realise that many won’t care but headlamp washers are a legal requirement with HID headlamps
Ive always wondered why as the majority of headlamp washers do eff all to clear any dirt from the lenses ..... more unnecessary gimmicks fitted to cars which if they go wrong cost a fortune to put rightmorty1961 said:
Ive always wondered why as the majority of headlamp washers do eff all to clear any dirt from the lenses ..... more unnecessary gimmicks fitted to cars which if they go wrong cost a fortune to put right
The reason is that HIDs typically have a single point output on dipped beams of over 2000 lumens. If the lenses get dirty they can scatter the light and cause dazzle to oncoming traffic, which is also why they have to have a self-levelling system. This is a EU requirement. Technically the UK lighting regs don't cover HIDs at all, meaning they are not legal in the UK but, because of membership of the EU, the UK cannot refuse a car that has an approval from elsewhere within the EU.Headlamp washers have to meet the requirements of Reg 45 Annex 4. You can read this here
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?ur...
the Annex does not specify the removal of any "eff all", but does have the requirement to clean off a laboratory contaminant made up of a specified combination of silica sand (with a particle size of 0-100 ?m), vegetable carbon dust (produced from beech wood with a particle size of 0-100 ?m), NaCMC1, sodium chloride (pure at 99 per cent) and some surfactant, all mixed in distilled water (with a conductivity of ? 1 mS/m) and then achieve a certain optical performance after cleaning.
Edited by LTP on Thursday 29th April 12:51
LTP said:
morty1961 said:
Ive always wondered why as the majority of headlamp washers do eff all to clear any dirt from the lenses ..... more unnecessary gimmicks fitted to cars which if they go wrong cost a fortune to put right
The reason is that HIDs typically have a single point output on dipped beams of over 2000 lumens. If the lenses get dirty they can scatter the light and cause dazzle to oncoming traffic, which is also why they have to have a self-levelling system. This is a EU requirement. Technically the UK lighting regs don't cover HIDs at all, meaning they are not legal in the UK but, because of membership of the EU, the UK cannot refuse a car that has an approval from elsewhere within the EU.Headlamp washers have to meet the requirements of Reg 45 Annex 4. You can read this here
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?ur...
the Annex does not specify the removal of any "eff all", but does have the requirement to clean off a laboratory contaminant made up of a specified combination of silica sand (with a particle size of 0-100 ?m), vegetable carbon dust (produced from beech wood with a particle size of 0-100 ?m), NaCMC1, sodium chloride (pure at 99 per cent) and some surfactant, all mixed in distilled water (with a conductivity of ? 1 mS/m) and then achieve a certain optical performance after cleaning.
Edited by LTP on Thursday 29th April 12:51
morty1961 said:
LTP said:
I realise that many won’t care but headlamp washers are a legal requirement with HID headlamps
Ive always wondered why as the majority of headlamp washers do eff all to clear any dirt from the lenses ..... more unnecessary gimmicks fitted to cars which if they go wrong cost a fortune to put rightRemember those Mercedes in the 90s with miniature wipers, one for each headlight? THAT was over-engineering! 
8Tech said:
Or, you could just use a sponge and soapy water! Thats how you are expected to keep licence plates clean. More Health and Safety BS.
Nonsense. Makers should come up with a system to vaporise small water and soap particles, perfectly distributed on the front AND back license plate. I have often wondered why the headlight washers don't remove road dirt.
If I ever follow a lorry spilling, 'a combination of silica sand (with a particle size of 0-100 ?m), vegetable carbon dust (produced from beech wood with a particle size of 0-100 ?m), NaCMC1, sodium chloride (pure at 99 per cent) and some surfactant, all mixed in distilled water (with a conductivity of ? 1 mS/m)', the washers should then do a perfect job.
Jon39 said:
I have often wondered why the headlight washers don't remove road dirt.
If I ever follow a lorry spilling, 'a combination of silica sand (with a particle size of 0-100 ?m), vegetable carbon dust (produced from beech wood with a particle size of 0-100 ?m), NaCMC1, sodium chloride (pure at 99 per cent) and some surfactant, all mixed in distilled water (with a conductivity of ? 1 mS/m)', the washers should then do a perfect job.
I was privileged to be invited to participate in that research group. Well I could not refuse, because the annual fee and expenses were obscene. The whole group decided after considering the remuneration, that an extremely detailed study was required, which obviously took several years. We never found out where the EU got all their money from.
Each day we were all chauffeured in a fleet of black Mercedes-Benz S class cars to various locations for study purposes. The main area for our research was the Grand-Place de Bruxelles, because there are so many lorries going though there dropping mud (think they believed us) and there are also some very good (expenses eligible) champagne bars around the square.
We tried to analyse the constituents of the mud, as best we could after an afternoon on the champagne. Interesting to discover the unusual mix which falls from lorries. Who would ever expect to find vegetable carbon dust (produced from beech wood) in the centre of Brussels. After a few years gathering the data, there followed many meetings, where Michelin star chefs cooked the lunches.
Finally the regulations to be obeyed by every member state, were drafted into law and we all went home, ready for our next assignment.
It is a great shame that the UK left the EU, because I now have to do proper work for a living.
Edited by Jon39 on Friday 30th April 16:49
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