C5 Windscreen washer issues

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Bandit12
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C5 Windscreen washer issues

Post by Bandit12 »

While messing around with my heated seats I thought I would investigate the leaky washer bottle so I removed the front bumper. Simple enough job tho the headlight washer covers were a bit tricky to remove. I found that the leak was from the level sensor and the previous owner had used sealant to bolster up the rubber seal. I also noticed that the level sensor had been disconnected. As the local dealer was shut today I used fresh sealant and reconnected the level sensor. However although the bottle is empty I thought I would quickly check all the washers motors were working. windscreen yes, headlight no? In addition the rear washer wiper now does not operate? :?

Question is any idea why the headlight washers and rear wash/wipe are now not working? Even though the bottle is empty the front screen motors can be clearly heard when switched on! I will leave the sealant a few more hours to dry properly before filling the bottle and trying again.
2002 Citroen C5 2.2Hdi exclusive estate (sadly gone) :(
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Bandit12
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Re: C5 Windscreen washer issues

Post by Bandit12 »

Scratch that guys, I've just put some water in the bottle and all washers and re wiper are working fine! very odd but I'm not complaining :lol: :lol:
Is this normal behaviour for citroens? :rofl2:

Think I've found why the level sensor was disconnected because even with 3 litres of water it still says "fluid low". Its a strange setup, instead of a float it has 2 metal contacts that just sit in the fluid. I presume it works on conduction through the fluid and they were corroded so I cleaned them up before putting it back in but would not surprise me if I need a new one (or simply disconnect it again :wink: )
2002 Citroen C5 2.2Hdi exclusive estate (sadly gone) :(
2009 Citroën C5 X7 2.0 hdi (136bhp) exclusive estate (Oh wow what an upgrade) 8-)
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Re: C5 Windscreen washer issues

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

On some cars the headlight washer will only trigger if the headlights are on, and sometimes a counter is also involved (especially if there is a mobile nozzle involved, as this can drain the screen wash very quickly). On one of my company cars there was a count of 5 involved (that is, first, sixth, eleventh, and so on throughout that journey).
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Bandit12
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Re: C5 Windscreen washer issues

Post by Bandit12 »

thanks Hellrazor, yes the headlights do need to be on for the washers to work but did not know about the timer. :-)
2002 Citroen C5 2.2Hdi exclusive estate (sadly gone) :(
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Re: C5 Windscreen washer issues

Post by jgra1 »

hmm my level low warning comes on too, after what seems like just a handful of screen wash applications.. thought/think I have a leak as well.. will look soon :)

my washer bottle does have a transparent pipe coming from it, that has been closed off by a ziptie.,, did the C5 come with a rear wash pipe even though there is no rear wiper etc on my S1 hatch?
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Re: C5 Windscreen washer issues

Post by Mdon »

Hi, can anyone tell me how I get access to the sensor, to hopefully disconnect/unplug it? It doing my head in bleeping and saying washer fluid low every time I wash the screen.

Cheers.
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Re: C5 Windscreen washer issues

Post by dnsey »

The pre-facelift models with no rear washer used a single-outlet pump as standard, rather than the one with a shuttle valve. That's not to say that they didn't run out and substitute pumps at some time, of course, but I don't know why the rear outlet would be tied off - it only squirts when the pump runs 'backwards'. I suspect that yours is a replacement, fitted by someone who didn't understand how they work. In fact, the valve block can be unclipped and swapped with care.

@Mdon - the washer bottle is behind the bumper, but you only need to ease one side away for access. I think you'll need to short out the sensor rather than disconnecting it; otherwise it can possibly be disabled via Lexia.
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Re: C5 Windscreen washer issues

Post by Clogzz »

I unplugged the sensor and stuck the plug into the top of the bottle, where there are two places to park unused plugs.
No false alarms ever again … somehow it thinks that there is no sensor. :twisted:
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Re: C5 Windscreen washer issues

Post by Mdon »

Clogzz wrote:I unplugged the sensor and stuck the plug into the top of the bottle, where there are two places to park unused plugs.
No false alarms ever again … somehow it thinks that there is no sensor. :twisted:
Did you have to remove the bumper to do that? I don't really want to take the bumper off if there's a way around it.
Current vehicle
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2002 C5 HDi 110 LX
2002 Renault laguna 1.8 16v
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Re: C5 Windscreen washer issues

Post by Clogzz »

The “bumper” is only a floppy plastic cover, with the metal bumper inside.

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... 58#p440458
dnsey wrote: @Mdon - the washer bottle is behind the bumper, but you only need to ease one side away for access.
2002 C5 2.0i AL4 230,000 km 76372389
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