Washers won't stop

[garyp159]

Hi folks,

Weird thing happened at the weekend, out for a short run, on the way home then skooshies aka windscreen washers twice skooshed for no apparent reason, then driving into my street, went over the first speed bump and they came on and stayed on! Skoooooosh!

Got them to stop by taking a fuse out, but now no washers and no wipers.

What's the most likely cause, a relay stuck on perhaps?

Or a short, but where would the most likely culprit be?

Thanks.

 

[garyp159]

Anyone experienced a failure of the windscreen wiper control unit 8 366 381?

Is it possible this could be the culprit?

Could a partial failure in this unit cause the washers to come on and stay on without affecting the wipers?

Or if this module fails would both the washers and wipers fail?

 

[bertiejaffa]

I had this problem in the Autumn while on the scottish run... no problems at all and then while waiting to park up at Cairngormthey came on. I turned the engine off and on and they came back on. Opened the bonnet and they stopped.

Then, 20 seconds later they started again and wouldnt stop so I pulled the wire off the pump by the side of the water bottle. this sorted the spraying issue but allowed the wipers to work normally.

Now, I don't think its an issue with the stalk etc. If I put the wipers on (intermittent, normal or fast) they all work as expected. If I pull the stalk towards me they wipe for 3 runs as expected (obviously no water is sprayed as the pump is still unplugged), therefore I think its probably a loose/broken/shorting wire under the bonnet or something wrong with the water pump?

Any help appreciated as I need to get the spray fixed ASAP

 

[bertiejaffa]

Found this on the web which suggests the pump or the pump harness

windshield washer fluid cannot be stopped!

Bimmerforums is the preferred online BMW Forum and community for BMW owners. At Bimmerforums, you will find technical how-to information maintenance specifics audio advice wheel and tire combinations and model specific details not found anywhere else. Our professionals are here to help make...

www.bimmerforums.com

!

 

[garyp159]

It's not the pump on mine, the pump is working fine, spraying non stop. The relay may be stuck on, I'd check but not sure which relay, the Haynes manual is unclear. It may be a bad connection but that normally means open circuit, this is a closed circuit somewhere. Maybe the switch on the column?

 

[bertiejaffa]

disconnect the pump as I did and see if your stalk operates the wipers as expected. If it does then its not the stalk or the relays - I have ordered a new pump - £10 off ebay

 

[garyp159]

Let me know if changing the pump works

 

[Duncodin]

Would it be the pump? The fact the pump runs suggests its working OK. I mean it's not smart at least I don't think it is (ie no processor or chip) I know there's a controller but the pump itself is just two wires. Live and ground. With a volt meter it should be easy to check whether the supply is stuck on.

I'd use volt meter to check the + and also the ground side to see if they behave as expected.

 

[t-tony]

Live and earth at the washer.pump. can't see how the pump could cause this. Got to be the relay(s)

Tony.

 

[garyp159]

disconnect the pump as I did and see if your stalk operates the wipers as expected. If it does then its not the stalk or the relays - I have ordered a new pump - £10 off ebay

Did changing the pump work?

 

[garyp159]

Live and earth at the washer.pump. can't see how the pump could cause this. Got to be the relay(s)

Tony.

Which relay? I can't find it in the Haynes manual...