Vantage head lamp washer query

[Tom_GGG]

Ive got an AM v8 vantage, 09 plate, convertible, with head lamp washers (not sure if these are standard or not)

When you use the wind screen washer the head lamp washers also activate which on my vehicle cover the entire car up to about half way down the roof in water / screen wash. This has the unfortunate consequence of covering the body work in washer / screen wash especially after the car has just been cleaned.

a) is it standard for the head lamp washers to be so powerful and coat the rest of the car in their spray (this happens at about 20 mph.. i havnt tried it at stand still

b) is there a way to disable the head lamp washers from the rest of the wind screen washer stalk so they dont come on at the same time ?

[V8V Pete]

a) Yes

b) Turn the headlights off and the washers don't activate when cleaning the windscreen.

[Manx V8V]

You can also pull the fuse for them which is what I did, it's in the engine bay fuse box, can't remember which fuse number but it's listed in the handbook.

[john ryan]

I think it may be an MOT fail if the headlamp washers do not work when HID headlamps are on - at least that is what I think my MOT man said.

[Frances The Mute]

john ryan said:

I think it may be an MOT fail if the headlamp washers do not work when HID headlamps are on - at least that is what I think my MOT man said.

Correct. If washers are fitted in conjunction with HIDs then they have to work. A fuse pull is by far the easiest method for the OP.

[M5MarkM]

Remove fuse and replace it before MoT. It is bloody annoyiong to get front half the car covered in wash everytime!

[V8V Pete]

Frances The Mute said:

Correct. If washers are fitted in conjunction with HIDs then they have to work. A fuse pull is by far the easiest method for the OP.

What, easier than turning the lights off?

[davek_964]

john ryan said:

I think it may be an MOT fail if the headlamp washers do not work when HID headlamps are on - at least that is what I think my MOT man said.

On my (56 plate) Vantage, the headlight washers only work something like every 10th windscreen wash. I'd be pretty surprised if the average MOT man knows this and is using my windscreen wash 10 times with the lights on to make sure they work (and in fact, I know they don't because the car doesn't come out of the MOT with the wings covered in screen wash!).

[V8V Pete]

I think it's a time delay rather than a number of presses and I think it always does it first time (presumably since ignition off).

Let's not forget why it is an MOT failure. Because HIDs are bright and dazzle if dirty. Also, if needing to clean screen repeatedly then the car is going to need washing anyway - no?

And before anyone asks I'm not advocating turning your lights off at night.

[Markv8v]

I had the same frustration, removed fuse in previous Vantage V8 no issues with MOT.

I have now done the same with my new V8 again no MOT issues plus lets be honest our cars arent neglected, if my lights get that dirty to need washers I would need to wash the whole car!

[Cold]

Markv8v said:

I had the same frustration, removed fuse in previous Vantage V8 no issues with MOT.

I have now done the same with my new V8 again no MOT issues plus lets be honest our cars arent neglected, if my lights get that dirty to need washers I would need to wash the whole car!

That's great, but I'm not going to stop part way through a journey just to get the bucket and sponge out.

[macdeb]

Oh dear, that's not a good look.

[Cold]

Some like to look at their cars, some like to drive them.

[Gday2]

Some do both 😂

[Markv8v]

Nice to see a car being used in all weathers I use mine as well only avoiding ice and snow or when they have dropped tons of salt on the road.

Mine is no garage queen.

[triple5]

Mines just failed its MOT for headlight washers not functioning, pump had failed.

[Markv8v]

Did you get Aston dealership to organise the MOT or did you just take it to a local tester?

[triple5]

Markv8v said:

Did you get Aston dealership to organise the MOT or did you just take it to a local tester?

Main dealer.