windscreen washers not working - any advice?
Discussion
Advice please if you may! 
There are bits and bobs in the archives about this, but I thought I'd start a new thread if that's ok.
I've got an MOT first thing tomorrow morning, and as many of you know, I work away from home without my car. I'm arriving home tonight by train at 9pm and have an hour to fix my windscreen washers..
They haven't worked for ages, but I never use them on cars so it's slipped my mind to get them fixed. Last time I was home I tried removing the pipe in the boot that feeds the jets at the front and no water was coming out when someone activated the washer control, so I guess something's blocked at the pump end of things end. Does the pump have a filter that could be blocked? If I can hear the pump whirring (which it does, very loudly), would it be still working or is there somthing inside that could break and cause a whirring without it working? One other thing that's bothering me is that I couldn't seem to get the washer bottle out between the gap between engine and bodywork - is it possible or am I wasting my time?
Any thoughts are greatly appreciated as I need the car this weekend and next. My girlfriend doesn't drive, and I'll be in trouble if the car's off the road!
oh, and it's an Elise S2 111S, '04 spec.
There are bits and bobs in the archives about this, but I thought I'd start a new thread if that's ok.
I've got an MOT first thing tomorrow morning, and as many of you know, I work away from home without my car. I'm arriving home tonight by train at 9pm and have an hour to fix my windscreen washers..
They haven't worked for ages, but I never use them on cars so it's slipped my mind to get them fixed. Last time I was home I tried removing the pipe in the boot that feeds the jets at the front and no water was coming out when someone activated the washer control, so I guess something's blocked at the pump end of things end. Does the pump have a filter that could be blocked? If I can hear the pump whirring (which it does, very loudly), would it be still working or is there somthing inside that could break and cause a whirring without it working? One other thing that's bothering me is that I couldn't seem to get the washer bottle out between the gap between engine and bodywork - is it possible or am I wasting my time?
Any thoughts are greatly appreciated as I need the car this weekend and next. My girlfriend doesn't drive, and I'll be in trouble if the car's off the road!
oh, and it's an Elise S2 111S, '04 spec.
Edited by RobM77 on Friday 21st September 09:08
That is weird! Seems strange they place it in the boot and it has to come all the way past the passenger compartment to get to the windscreen.
It could be that there is either a blockage in the pipe, the pipe has come disconnected, or the motor has come disconnected from the pump. Cant think of anything else it could be. Is there no water at all coming out of the washer jets.
Mine were blocked up, and after a good podge round with a needle, they worked fine!
It could be that there is either a blockage in the pipe, the pipe has come disconnected, or the motor has come disconnected from the pump. Cant think of anything else it could be. Is there no water at all coming out of the washer jets.
Mine were blocked up, and after a good podge round with a needle, they worked fine!
JTBUSH said:
That is weird! Seems strange they place it in the boot and it has to come all the way past the passenger compartment to get to the windscreen.
It could be that there is either a blockage in the pipe, the pipe has come disconnected, or the motor has come disconnected from the pump. Cant think of anything else it could be. Is there no water at all coming out of the washer jets.
Mine were blocked up, and after a good podge round with a needle, they worked fine!
No water at all - in fact no water coming out of the pump! I just wondered if anyone else had troubleshooted this area and had any tips. I'll have limited time tonight.It could be that there is either a blockage in the pipe, the pipe has come disconnected, or the motor has come disconnected from the pump. Cant think of anything else it could be. Is there no water at all coming out of the washer jets.
Mine were blocked up, and after a good podge round with a needle, they worked fine!
odyssey2200 said:
is there a feed to the pump when the botton pressed ( of perhaps an earth provided) to make the pumop run?
Yes. When the switch is activiated the pump whirs like mad. I wondered if there was a filter on the base of the pump or something? Could a pump that whirs be broken or does the whirring mean it works? I rung Lotus and they weren't helpful at all!
Common problem is there's a T-junction in the pipe where it splits the output to the washer jets - this often comes loose and p*sses water over the service compartment. Remove the service panels and take a look, it's a pain to do apparently but manageable...think mine may have started to do something similar
kevin ritson said:
Common problem is there's a T-junction in the pipe where it splits the output to the washer jets - this often comes loose and p*sses water over the service compartment. Remove the service panels and take a look, it's a pain to do apparently but manageable...think mine may have started to do something similar
Thanks. I'll have a look.RobM77 said:
odyssey2200 said:
is there a feed to the pump when the botton pressed ( of perhaps an earth provided) to make the pumop run?
Yes. When the switch is activiated the pump whirs like mad. I wondered if there was a filter on the base of the pump or something? Could a pump that whirs be broken or does the whirring mean it works? I rung Lotus and they weren't helpful at all!If not I suspect that the motor shaft is spinning but not attached to the rotor part of the pump. Replace the pump
If it does work remove the pipe at both ends and blow down it to check for blockage.
If there is a blockage try using an air line to clear it.
If all ok attache pipe back on washer jets and blow again to see if jets blocked.
If no blockage and the pump works you need to find the leak in the pipe as the water is being pumped somewhere other that at the screen.
odyssey2200 said:
RobM77 said:
odyssey2200 said:
is there a feed to the pump when the botton pressed ( of perhaps an earth provided) to make the pumop run?
Yes. When the switch is activiated the pump whirs like mad. I wondered if there was a filter on the base of the pump or something? Could a pump that whirs be broken or does the whirring mean it works? I rung Lotus and they weren't helpful at all!If not I suspect that the motor shaft is spinning but not attached to the rotor part of the pump. Replace the pump
If it does work remove the pipe at both ends and blow down it to check for blockage.
If there is a blockage try using an air line to clear it.
If all ok attache pipe back on washer jets and blow again to see if jets blocked.
If no blockage and the pump works you need to find the leak in the pipe as the water is being pumped somewhere other that at the screen.
RobM77 said:
JTBUSH said:
Isnt the washer bottle in s2s in the front under the inpection cover on the passenger side? Mine is!
How weird. Mine's to the right of the engine!
mines in the front, if it has water in sometimes the holes get jammed, stick a pin in and clear it.mine failed old elise failed an mot on this once, why coudlnt they just unblock it the thick t
ts..greysquirrel said:
RobM77 said:
JTBUSH said:
Isnt the washer bottle in s2s in the front under the inpection cover on the passenger side? Mine is!
How weird. Mine's to the right of the engine!mines in the front, if it has water in sometimes the holes get jammed, stick a pin in and clear it.mine failed old elise failed an mot on this once, why coudlnt they just unblock it the thick t
ts..Remove the pump from the bottle.
Usually just a press fit into the rubber seal.
There could be some crud blocking the intake.
If not connect the wires up and run the pump with your finger over the intake side to see if it sucks (oh err Mrs!)
Suspect a blocked intake or internal failure of pump.
Usually just a press fit into the rubber seal.
There could be some crud blocking the intake.
If not connect the wires up and run the pump with your finger over the intake side to see if it sucks (oh err Mrs!)
Suspect a blocked intake or internal failure of pump.
odyssey2200 said:
Remove the pump from the bottle.
Usually just a press fit into the rubber seal.
There could be some crud blocking the intake.
If not connect the wires up and run the pump with your finger over the intake side to see if it sucks (oh err Mrs!)
Suspect a blocked intake or internal failure of pump.
Thanks. Is this easy to do in-situ? I couldn't seem to be able to remove the washer bottle when I tried last weekend.Usually just a press fit into the rubber seal.
There could be some crud blocking the intake.
If not connect the wires up and run the pump with your finger over the intake side to see if it sucks (oh err Mrs!)
Suspect a blocked intake or internal failure of pump.
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