C5 Headlamp Washer Defective RESOLVED

[hamster99]

Hi All
Been a while but am back again..!!
My C5 needs a new MOT soon and I gave it a once over this week and everything is fine apart from one of the headlamp washers doesn't work properly.
It extends out but I don't get any water through it.
A new one from Citroen is nearly £100.....
Is it possible to strip it and check for blockages?
Any thoughts?
Cheers
Rob

[GiveMeABreak]

Here's the layout of the system in case that helps. It's possible that you nay have a blockage somewhere in the system - but usually you'll need somebody to grab the jet ram once it extends to stop it retracting in order to check the spray nozzle. These things are vicious though, and the washer jet caps are delicate, so be careful not to break them. Using the diagram, you may be able to check whether you are getting anything through the pipe to the ram or not.

Clicking on the diagram will zoom it up.

C5 2005 Exclusive Headlamp Washer System

[hamster99]

Thanks Marc
Everything else on the system is working fine, I even swapped over the ram from the other side just to be sure and it was fine.
My only thought now is whether it's possible to split the ram at the point where the main body can rotate and see if there's a problem inside the ram which I can sort out.
Rob

[GiveMeABreak]

There's a few on the bay of evil here: - part 6438 P1: for £37
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw= ... cat=174115

The only thing is - it could be the actual nozzle - which is part 6438 P5 (right) and 6438 P6 (left) and number 26 on the diagram that could be blocked.... but at least these are separate parts - how you attach them though I couldn't say, as I can't see a procedure for that part of them.

[hamster99]

The nozzles come out easily once you pull the tube out a little way but there's still no water.
Yeah, I saw those on the bay, ok price wise but coming from china could take months to get here and MOT is due in a couple of weeks.
I did think about a breakers but there is no guarantee they will work and usually no way to test them properly until you've bought them and installed them.
If anyone has a spare kicking about that they don't need let me know....!!

[WidowmakerUK]

Hi, I do have a spare set of lights that I removed from my 2003 c5 exclusive estate (Xeon units) the washers was working fine I only removed them because they had faded too badly to clean up for mot.

If you contact me I would be willing to part with the washer unit if that helps you out in any way.

[GiveMeABreak]

Hi, I do have a spare set of lights that I removed from my 2003 c5 exclusive estate (Xeon units) the washers was working fine I only removed them because they had faded too badly to clean up for mot.

If you contact me I would be willing to part with the washer unit if that helps you out in any way.

Nice of you to offer, but probably won't be any good as these are a different model C5, yours is a mark I and the OPs is a facelift Mark II. I can double check the parts in the morning, but guaranteed they are not the same.

[GiveMeABreak]

Ok, so these are different parts on your Mark I - item 25 is 6438 F3 and the jet support ram is a different design to that on the Mark II.

The jets are also different part numbers but the diagrams are too small to see what is different - but may be a different size or different internal to match the changes in headlamp design. The bumper washer caps are also a completely different shape that would support a different washer jet size as mentioned above.

[hamster99]

Thanks for the offer Widowmaker, and thanks Marc for checking the parts diagrams.

Anyway, problem now resolved

I carefully cut the front section in a few places so that I could lever the plastic up a bit and release the lugs and split the ram. Once opened I could see that the one way valve which controls the water that goes to the jets was broken and loose in the bottom of the tube. Stripped another spare ram I had, found the valve to be fine, swapped over and, after a few false starts got it working great. All now sorted for the MOT. Phew

It's really not that difficult once you get it apart and saved me nearly £100. Result.

I have taken some pics of the ram and components and will do a quick write up and post it on here in the next few weeks.

[GiveMeABreak]

Sound job!

[WidowmakerUK]

Your most welcome if there any use to another they are here sitting on a shelf in my garage, like I said the lens are very yellow but the rest of the lamps are ok I have taken the Xeon bulbs out tho as they was new so I fitted them to my new lamps.

[maximus2]

Hi.
Coming a bit late to this, but I have same problem. My driver's side ram is stuck out. Before taking apart I seem to be able to source one from China. as far as I can tell it's a 6438p1! Only one concern is it side specific ie drivers or passengers or are both rams the same. My Citroen is a 2007 facelift 2 hdi estate.
Thanks for any help.

PS. Thanks Marc for the diagram. One final question , can you do the job with bumper in place?

[GiveMeABreak]

The part (6438P1) is the ram only and these are identical for left and right hand sides. The actual jets at the end are different parts numbers though. So if it is just the rams, you are ok.

As for doing the job itself there isn't a specific guide, so it will be a matter of trial and error - you may be able to get in from the wheel arch after removing the wheel and the splash shield - but being the driver's side you will have the suspension tank and power steering gear in the way to contend with.

[maximus2]

Thanks Marc.
I shall go ahead and order the part. If I find an easy way of access I will post back. The price of part from China is cheap, let's hope it works! That said I've ordered parking sensors from China and they are OK.

[hamster99]

From memory I don't think you can get at the washer ram assembly without removing the bumper first. The body of the ram has a funny locating peg which means it needs to be removed from the front.