So I decided to test out the 06 RL's headlight washers in my driveway tonight...good thing I did!

The passenger's side cover flew off about 10 feet in front of the car and hit my garage door. I put it back on, but it keeps flying off every time the washer function is activated. I don't really see anything missing or broken, but I also can't really compare it to the driver's side headlight washer since I don't see how you can leave them fully "popped up" to compare the internal mechanisms?

The driver's side works fine, but doesn't retract all the way to be properly seated against the bumper top when it's finished spraying. It leaves a noticeable gap I'd say is about the thickness of three or four credit cards stacked on top of each other. I can press it down no problem but this is pretty annoying that it doesn't go back down to the fully seated position on its own. Is there some kind of adjustment or lubrication maybe that is required??

 

how do u get it to work without the headlights being turned on? i know when my headlights are on and when i go to use my washer the headlight washer comes on with it automatically. is there a secret button i dont know of?

 

we have headlight washers??????

 

This was with the headlights turned on. I'm not aware of any way to get them to work without the headlights on.

 

I believe it's a Canadian feature only.

 

Yes, it is only, along with ventilated seats in the 2005-7 RL (or so). Unfortunately. Like I couldn't use those in snowy Cleveland.

 

whew! i almost fell outta my chair... Well that sucks!!

 

Sounds like the nozzle is stopped up causing the pressure to blow it off.

Take a needle and compressed air to clean it out.

 

I don't need no stinking washer for my headlights, I live in Washington State ! But I would have really like the ventilated seats . . . I think Heavy_RL is on the right track, something is probably blocking the opening of the sprayer, causing it to build up pressure, you should be able to clean that out.

 

Well when I took the car to the dealer to get the rear spoiler installed (only one hr shop labour, not a bad deal) I had them check the washers and go figure the report came back "functions normally but slow to retract into bumper". According to the dealer they are not serviceable and you have to replace the entire mechanism inside the bumper.

I might just go with a note on the dash "TURN OFF HEADLIGHTS WHEN WASHING WINDSHIELD" lol....

 

I don't know why but this thread kind of makes me annoyed that US buyers got ripped on two very cool features.

 

Oh well, you guys got the factory XM, traffic with the nav, and OnStar. For what it's worth, the cooled seats are nice but not nearly as powerful in the cooling department as some other vehicles I've driven that have them.

 

I finally got around to getting some pics after detailing the car the other weekend. Here's a closeup of the washer assembly

 

have u done any mods to your car? and lets see a full pic of it, lol.

 

Just posted a few pics up in the photo gallery. Only "mods" are 50% tint and the rear spoiler.

 

I recently purchased a 2006 RL (Canadian model) which comes with headlight washers. The headlight washers automatically come on with the windshield wipers if the headlights are in ON or AUTO position. The problem is that this sucks the washer fluid dry in a few days.

Is there any way to turn the headlight washer feature off. This is more of a nuisance the way Acura has implemented this feature. I have the Lexus RX350, on which there is a separate button for the headlight washers.

 

that is a cool feature!

 

I'm not aware of any way to disable the headlight washers when the headlights are turned on. Since I am paranoid about my washer cover flying off on me, I just flick the headlights down to parking lights or "off" (for just DRLs) for the quick second or two it takes to spray the windshield.

 

I was doing that quite a bit yesterday in the early hours of the day and the drivers in front of me were getting visibly annoyed at me. I'll try tinkering around with an electrician buddy of mine to see if there is a tweat that can be done to prevent the headlight washers from coming on

 

wow u guys drive a RL and your worried about using too much washer fluid..... interesting.

 

LOL I'm not worried about excessive fluid use, its the chance of losing the painted popup cover on the bumper.

However the headlight washers do use an inordinate amount of fluid...most of the hood winds up getting a wash, and with no actual headlight cover wiper arm a la Mercedes I don't find the spray alone makes much difference.