So, it's been really cold here in Wisconsin, so wondering if something is frozen. Cleared any snow or anything out of the way, but still don't hear the pump kick in.

I wasn't sure if this car had heated washer nozzles or not, but turned on the side mirror heat button as I figured that might be wired to same circuit?
Also, if that's also on Fuse #20, then it's not a blown fuse, because mirror heat switch lights up.
If it's not, I'll climb under dash and check the fuse.

I'm just wondering if these are supposed to be heated. It's when the temps are really lousy and there's snow on the road when I really need the washer to work properly.

 

Check Fuse #20, because if i remember right, the mirror heat switch isn't associated with it.

Fuse #20 - rear view mirror auto dim, mirror tilt in reverse feature, washer washer fluid, memory seats

 

Do you have winter fluid in there? If not its probably frozen.

 

Why would they be heated? They're never heated.

A good quality washer fluid is supposed to be just fine up until -40C.. I doubt you're in weather that cold, even in Wisconsin.

Moral of the story: you either have shitty fluid in there, that froze (), or, there is something wrong with the system itself. Is there any audible sound when you hit the washer fluid switch?

 

You didn't just put normal water into your washer fluid reservoir, did you?


Hey... I gotta ask.

 

This!

 

Should I put winter air in my tires? I bought the car in December. Not sure the previous owner switched to winter air?

 

Check your TPMS pane on your MFD; it will tell you what the pressure is on all four of your tires. If one or more tires are low, fill them up.

 

It is a good idea to check the pressures when the temps drop, yes.

 

I guess the sarcasm didn't work. ��

 

I was suspecting of it.

 

Mirror defog is on fuse #30, so the OP needs to check fuse #20, especially if you can't hear the pump run. He probably blew #20 because the fluid was frozen. You can confirm it's blown if the green light in the rear view mirror is out and the power side mirrors won't adjust.

And IIRC, there is a TSB to change #20 to a 10A fuse..

Edit: Yep, TSB B05-033.

 

Thanks, fuse #20 is fine as mirrors and auto dim work fine. Can't get any fluid out of the washers. It's been in single digit temps here, so haven't investigated further, but fear there might be some crappy fluid at the bottom of the tank and it's all frozen up. I haven't torn into the engine covers so I can hopefully see what's going on yet. If that's the case, I'll probably have to take to a shop for warmth so I can get unfrozen and hopefully, just drain and refill tank. Hopefully hasn't killed the washer pump. The cold weather also killed my front hood shocks. I picked one up last night to swap out so hood will stay up, while I investigate this further.

My Audi has heated washer jets which get triggered on when the rear defrost is activated. This also activates the side mirror defrost.

I'd also like to try the trick that others have discussed where you hold the washer stalk back for a full min or two. Some have reported that it's kicked back in, but I want to confirm the fluid in the tank / lines isn't frozen before I do this to avoid damage to the sprayer pump. I'll also pull fuse #13 for the wiper relay so I don't score windshield while it's trying to get fluid.

 

In Canada we have winter wash amd summer wash.... The summer wash will freeze and it has happened to me before. I believe it was the ram 1500. Driving it for a while amd letting the emgine warm up the engine bay worked... Maybe drive it a round a bit an them take it to a heated wand wash facility.... But top it up with some winter rated fluid first....

 

Is winter air the same as nitrogen?

 

Good old "Air" is already 78% nitrogen.

 

Had it parked in a warmer underground parking facility last night, then drove it home and engine heat I'd think would have unfroze it. So, I pulled fuse #11, which is the wiper, and then proceeded to hold back the stalk for 1-2 minutes to see if that trick would bring the washer back to life. No dice, unfortunately.

Just too cold to do work on it myself and the bottle is pretty buried down there. Looks like it will be going to the dealer next week to let them sort it out. Possibly the pump failed due to freezing. I bought the car from the west coast (mild climate) so who knows what the previous owner had in there.

 

Yup, I filled my tire with HOT AIR in winter to keep them nice and warm!!’ As for washer fluid I heated it up to operating temp and it is good to go!!!!
there you go!!!

 

Like I said before, if you don't hear the wiper motor cycling, then either a fuse is blown or the motor is bad....

I also seem to remember that there is a TSB to replace the wiper motor?? If you haven't already had that TSB done, then you may get a new motor for free....

Edit: Meh, NVM, that safety recall only applies to 04-05 TL...

 

A couple of years ago I bought an old car in California in January and drove it back to New Hampshire. It never occurred to me to check the wiper fluid, and it froze solid before I even got across Nevada; the washer system finally thawed out in late March. After that I used winter washer fluid year-round and never had an issue with that car again.

 

So again... does any car have heated nozzles? It seems absolutely retarded for them to be so. That's what proper washer fluid is for. Also, if they're heated, you'd have steam evaporating off your windshield every time you use it. Doesn't seem exactly safe, or something the Transportation safety board would be keen on having put on cars.

 

Off the top of my head, the only heated nozzles I *think* I have ever heard of are for headlight washers.

 

I think BMWs have heated windshield jets.

 

Just one more thing to go wrong in a BMW

 

I don't recall having had heated jets on either of my BMWs; maybe that's why they were so reliable.

 

:p

 

My 330xi does not have heated washer nozzles as far as I know, then again if it did I wouldn't know as I live in s. Fl.

 

 

Many cars and my Audi had heated washer nozzles. No steam, just makes sure the nozzle itself isn't frozen and no ice blocking it. Works fantastic.
Comes on with the rear defrost I think.

 

My wife's Pilot came from Arizona. Apparently the washer fluid was not designed for winter use. It froze, and killed both of the pumps. Dealer wanted $80 a piece. Found them on eBay for $12.

 

Only the euros with the cold weather package would have them.

 

But... why??


I just bought washer fluid from Costco, rated to -45C (-49F). Four jugs for $9.99. Seems way cheaper, with less shit to fail, than what the euro brands are doing...

count on on the Germans to throw in completely unnecessary tech into their cars

 

Turned out to be fluid completely frozen in bottom of reservoir and seized up pump. The dealer left it in warm shop all day and thawed it out, replaced the fuse, and I'm back in business!

Never would have thought about fluid as I don't think they sell anything that's not rated to -40 deg here in Wisconsin, but I bought the car from a warm climate where they don't have those issues.

 

^^^^^ Imagine that..