Washer pump

The pump for the windscreen wash died yesterday (I thought).  I could hear it trying to pump water then after a while nothing.  I replaced the bottle and pump with a spare one I had lying around (this one was defo working a couple of months ago) but still no joy.  There are no other electrics in the car not working, the tubes are free of debris and so are the jet nozzles.  Any ideas?

Danny

Hey Danny,
Is your motor working now? If yes and you are still getting no water it MUST be a blockage. If you are pressing the switch and getting no noise from the bottle then it may not be the motor. I would try motor/bottle on rear wash wipe (assuming that works). If it does, then it must be the switch. This is where it gets a little tricky.

Get this far and I'll tell you what I did to fix it..

Thanks Bytor.  Can't try the rear washer cos I've got a cabbie!
All this poxy daylight saving time means by the time I get home from work its too dark to do any work outside (and its freezing at the mo).  Will investigate on saturday.

Danny

Think I may have alternator probs.  The wash only works when the engine isn't idling.  I'll check the connections tomorrow for corrosion but if they're OK does that mean I need a new alternator or am I looking in the wrong place?

Danny

Hmm - that's weird. If I were you, start the car up and put the lights on - then rev the car - if the lights get brighter, then chances are you have a dodgy alternator (the laternator should be putting out about 13.4V with no load i.e. everything switched off). Thing is, if that is the case, I'm surprised your car is going at all in this weather. Cold/damp conditions put more load on your battery.

One good thing - looks like the motor for the wiper is OK. My tip - check the alternator first, then go from there….

Hope this helps - good luck!!

Thanks for your help Bytor.  Yes - the lights do dim when I take my foot off the throttle so a new alternator it is.  
Its off the road now for a bit cos I buggered up on saturday.  Changed the plugs and leads and now the car won't start - it turns over but nothing else.  Swapped back to the old leads and plugs but no joy.  
Think I might have mucked up the order from the dizzie cap to the sparks but don't know how cos I only did one at a time.  Another fun Saturday morning with my head under the bonnet    

Cheers

Similar Probs….

My washer pump works fine as I crossed it out with a battery, but when I connect it up it will not work at all. The contacts look fine so it must be the switch in the wiper controls.

Is this a big job to sort???

Any help would be great MOT coming up Very Soon.

     

I had EXACTLY the same issue - washer bottle would not work and MOT coming up. Wasn't the motor itself, was the switch.

Way I see it you have 3 choices;

1. Buy a new switch. The switch is part of the overall steering column switch mechanism for the right stalk. I think you can still buy these for Mk1 - maybe a breakers?
2. This is what I did to get through the MOT. I ran wires from the rear bottle to the front, so that pressing the switch to clean the rear screen also cleaned the front (assuming rear screeen switch works!). Bit of a bodge but got me through the MOT.
3. Fix the existing switch. this is tricky but if you know how to use a soldering iron, the way to go. Dismantle the steering column and take out the switch. Careful here as the plastic mouldings are fragile and can easily snap when trying to extract the switch. Once free you will see the contact points that touch when you close the switch. Over the years these arc and the contact points wear off. What you need to do is put a tiny amount of solder on there. File it smooth if you need to and bingo - it works!

Good luck - keep me posted on how you go…

 

Thanks for your help.

The big prob is I have a GTI Convertable No Rear wash!!!!!

So looks Like the column is coming apart. I will have a look and see How bad things are.

Anyone out there that has a Wiper control for the 1990 GTi Convertible please contact will leave mobile number below.
I am sure a Gti tin top one is the same.

Cheers You Guys…..

     

I have a wiper stalk to fit your cab

Hi,

Thanks for getting back to me. Is the stalk in good working order?

If so I would be interested. Price delivery to Northern Ireland First Class Recorded and Give me a ring….

Gary Mob: 07968279377

Many thanks
G :wink: