Citroen C5 windscreen washer problem.

[Petroldrinker]

Greetings all. I'm new to the forum and Citroen ownership.

I've just bought this C5 and the windscreen washers do not work. When the stalk is pulled back the wipers sweep a couple of times as they should but I get no water. I can't hear a pump whirring. Does anyone have any suggestions for fault finding? It may be unrelated but on the same stalk the trip computer button doesn't work.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Lighty]

If you can hear it buzzing, it won't be the stalk that's faulty.
Most likely that the impeller has fell off the pump & you will need a new pump, it's under the front o/s of the bumper.
Probably worth having a look at the pipe work, this emerges under the bonnet by the o/s bonnet hinge, and occasionally gets trapped or squashed. There should be a joint here that you can separate and check for water flow before the washer jets (just in case they are blocked)

[Petroldrinker]

Hi.
It wasn't buzzing at all. However this morning, for one glorious moment, the washer bottles worked on demand as they should. However they only did it that once and now it's back to the same, the wipers sweep but no pump. Perplexing.

[Stickyfinger]

Hi...I have a problem with my present car (I also had it with the last one), that I would not get water out on a pull. I split the joint under (on) the bonnet and I blow hard down the pipe to the bottle until I hear bubbles, this clears some airlock or resets a non return valve (well something in there)....washers then work again....strange to get exactly the same problem on both cars.....Try it it may work

[Petroldrinker]

I will try it. It will give my kids a laugh if nothing else. Thank you.

[Petroldrinker]

Well I haven't taken anything apart but for some reason they seem to have started working just fine. A car that fixes itself?! I have always wanted one of those.

[Stempy]

Mine does something similar, sometimes it works then sometimes it doesn't. Haven't found the cause yet but suspect the electronics that the stalks control. Rear windows are the same, sometimes work sometimes don't.

[SaabC5]

A car that fixes itself?! I have always wanted one of those.

Don't worry, it will break itself just the same as it fixes itself. Welcome to the £500 C5 club.

[NickW]

Hey SaabC5, is that the £500 purchase price or the £500 per repair club?

[Petroldrinker]

Ii'm sure it will never go wrong again

[mickgall]

Hi all

I've got the same problem. Is this an easy fix or does it need the attentions of a garage?

Mick

[qprdude]

Could the system be drawing air somewhere.

[BX]

If it fails again Loosen the front bumper at the right hand side disconnect the plug from the washer pump and connect in a 12v light bulb or test lamp. Turn on the ignition and operate the wiper stalk to wash. The lamp should light (and probably will) whilst the stalk is being operated. Washer pumps regularly fail.

[rckrech]

Hi Everybody, had same problem with newly aquired C5 year 2004, winscreen washer pump faulty. Bought one of ebay for about 8 quid, installed it this morning by following the above advice. Took me about 1.5 hours, inluding completely removing front bumper, no problems encountered. Pump is (obviously) after-market - original Citroen would have probably been about 5-6 times more expensive - but it works just fine.

Happy it wasn't anything more serious, like computer (suggested by other posts).

All I needed were a torx bit (T25, I believe) and a flat screwdriver. And some WD40

Thanks to all the posters for their helpfull tips & suggestions.

Rob