Warninglight washerfluid

Quadrablast · Jan 20, 2015

Hey all!

So, normally i have my car in my garage. But now its been parked outside for 2 Days becuase i´m respraying some Wheels and haven´t used the car during these Days.

Tonight when i took it for a spin, the warninglight for low washerfluid lit, and the mfd said "Top up washerfluid". So, i opened the hood and started filling, but could only get like 0,5L in.. Felt like "this is odd".. So i started the car and it still says the same, "top up washerfluid" and the light is on..

Why is it like this? Happened to anyone else?
Here its about 0 degrees C so i suspect something might have frozen, due to the fact everything worked fine when the car had been in a heated garage, but i don´t know..

kazand · Jan 20, 2015

Quadrablast said:
Hey all!

So, normally i have my car in my garage. But now its been parked outside for 2 Days becuase i´m respraying some Wheels and haven´t used the car during these Days.

Tonight when i took it for a spin, the warninglight for low washerfluid lit, and the mfd said "Top up washerfluid". So, i opened the hood and started filling, but could only get like 0,5L in.. Felt like "this is odd".. So i started the car and it still says the same, "top up washerfluid" and the light is on..

Why is it like this? Happened to anyone else?
Here its about 0 degrees C so i suspect something might have frozen, due to the fact everything worked fine when the car had been in a heated garage, but i don´t know..

one of three - 1. frozen, 2, washer fluid too strong causing issues with sensor, 3. dirty or malfunctioning sensor.

Quadrablast · Jan 20, 2015

Thanks for your answer.

I don´t belive the mix to be to strong, its mixed to -18c, which is normal in sweden during Winter.

Something might have frozen, but the washers works normally, havent tried the rear though.

If the sensor is broken, is it a big job to change it?

Quadrablast · Jan 21, 2015

Okey, problem solved.
I flushed 2liters away and refilled with stronger fluid, and now it works

kazand · Jan 21, 2015

Quadrablast said:
Okey, problem solved.
I flushed 2liters away and refilled with stronger fluid, and now it works

Well done, good thing too as I've ni idea how you'd get to the sensor.....

Daniel M · Jan 21, 2015

I didnt think they had a washer fluid sensor? Or is this only on the facelift?

Quadrablast · Jan 21, 2015

Haha.. I spoke to the head of the vehicledepartment at my company today.. We drive skoda at work and he told me that the sensor connection might cause the problem. I'm not sure if that whats caused my issues though.. But hey, now its working so

Quadrablast · Jan 21, 2015

Daniel M said:
I didnt think they had a washer fluid sensor? Or is this only on the facelift?

Dont know if its only on facelift or not..

Daniel M · Jan 21, 2015

My 2003 A3 has a sensor for the washer fluid and it drives me crazy beeping all the time when the fluid is low. Glad my FR doesn't have one.

Speed-FReek · Jan 21, 2015

My understanding is that a washer fluid level sensor is only installed on cars with headlamp washers.

Quadrablast · Jan 21, 2015

Speed-FReek said:
My understanding is that a washer fluid level sensor is only installed on cars with headlamp washers.

Might be true, i've got headlamp washers.

Quadrablast · Jan 24, 2015

Okey, problem not completely solved, but i do know now whats causing it -ish..

The problem came back when the car had been parked outside over the day. Took it in the garage over night and problem gone.

So, the cold is causing it to warn, but what might be the real problem? The connector or the sensor?

Can i somehow see/feel the connections for the sensor from the enginebay or from underneath?

Dopedpanda · Jan 25, 2015

Most likely wiring problems. Could also be a bad connection in the sensor, but i doubt it.

The sensor is only installed on cars with xenon as its a requirement.

Quadrablast · Jan 25, 2015

Dopedpanda said:
Most likely wiring problems. Could also be a bad connection in the sensor, but i doubt it.

The sensor is only installed on cars with xenon as its a requirement.

Yes, i have xenons..

I think it might be the connection since it only happens when the car is cold.. And metal shrinks when cold.. So if i could get hold of the connection i could try clean it to see if it makes any difference.
If it doesnt work then fine, but i would like to try since its so annoying..

Daniel M · Jan 25, 2015

Speed-FReek said:
My understanding is that a washer fluid level sensor is only installed on cars with headlamp washers.

Mine has headlight washers but has no warning when the fluid is low.

Speed-FReek · Jan 25, 2015

Daniel M said:
Mine has headlight washers but has no warning when the fluid is low.

OK, must only be on the bi-xenon headlamps then as mentioned by Dopedpanda where it is a legal requirement to have working headlamp washers and fluid in the washer tank.

Daniel M · Jan 25, 2015

Yeah I don't know why mine has headlight washers as it has reflector headlights.

Speed-FReek · Jan 25, 2015

Does yours have the winter pack? Maybe they were part of that (?)

Daniel M · Jan 25, 2015

Does that include heated seats?

Speed-FReek · Jan 25, 2015

It does if you have leather seats. Not sure about on non-leather ones though. Someone else might know.

Warninglight washerfluid

Active Member

Is powered by Medtronics

Active Member

Active Member

Is powered by Medtronics

Blackbelts & Chickenheads

Active Member

Active Member

Blackbelts & Chickenheads

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

"Old" Hardcore Ford Fan

Active Member

Blackbelts & Chickenheads

Active Member

Blackbelts & Chickenheads

Active Member

Blackbelts & Chickenheads

Active Member

Similar threads