Golf MkIV - Heated washers aren't

[AdrianR]

My heated washers have packed up, fuse looks OK so suggestions for what to check next please.

For starters can we confirm that these are the little black/brown wirewound resistors mounted under the jets, and that the power cable is the one that runs down near the OS bonnet hinge.

I had a wire break in the flexy cable goping to the boot electrics, possibly this is a similar thing but as it's chilly out to be fiddling with cars I thought I'd ask first.

Thanks,
AdrianR

[AdrianR]

Problem solved... the reason they aren't working is that they're not heated after all. Must just be passively warmed by the underbonnet as I've not had problems with them freezing up before this cold snap.

Does anyone with a MkIV have them? Do they work and is it worth a retrofit?

AdrianR

[koolchris99]

my normal washers warm up/defreeze and work after about 5 mins..

[MonkeyHanger]

Just use the VAG screenwash concentrate. 2 or 3 cap fulls in the tank and mine never freeze.

[koolchris99]

MonkeyHanger said:

Just use the VAG screenwash concentrate. 2 or 3 cap fulls in the tank and mine never freeze.

i just had mine filled up by a VAG dealer but it still freezes

must be cold here.

[Fourmotion]

Are you turning on the heated rear window? I think this is how they operate, which is the same as the heated wing mirrors.

[Matt_N]

Fourmotion said:

Are you turning on the heated rear window? I think this is how they operate, which is the same as the heated wing mirrors.

Im pretty sure thats right.

[AdrianR]

Yes, probably just need to up the screenwash concentration. Freezing hasn't been a problem until it got below -5, but did take a long time to defrost.

Came across this as well - frostheater.com - American so 110V but would probably run OK off one of those yellow transformers they use on building sites.

AdrianR

[marx]

Got a Mk4 R32 with winter pack - which means washers pack up in the winter (cant' see where I'm going, but can see where I've been...)