Confused windscreen washers - Citroen C5 Mk 1 2003

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CitroenJohn
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Confused windscreen washers - Citroen C5 Mk 1 2003

Unread post by CitroenJohn »

Hi, having just made a confusing and somewhat wet investigation of the windscreen washers on my Mk 1 C5 Estate, I have come to some conclusions but could do with a bit of advice please.

Yesterday, the front washers stopped working, so that I couldn't wash the windscreen when badly needed. Today I had a look at the washer bottle and everything looked to be in order, except that on operating the front washers at the switch....the rear windscreen washers worked. On operating the rear washers at the switch....the rear washers worked.

I took the pump out of the washer bottle and tested it. It works perfectly both ways (it has a reverse flow system so that if you wire it up one way it goes one way and sends water too the front windscreen - if you wire it up the other way it sends water to the rear windscreen). For the time being I have changed the feed tubes around on the washer pump so that I have a supply of water to the front screen when I need it, by using the rear wash function on the switch.

So my conclusion is that there is nothing wrong with the pump, so there must be a short circuit or something somewhere else - either somewhere in the wiring or, more probably, at the windscreen control stalk (although it's anyone's guess why this strange fault should suddenly occur.

So am I correct in my conclusion and does anyone have a spare windscreen wiper / washer arm going spare, or know where I could get one? I am convinced that the car has done this to me because I have just been really nice and spent money on it changing the oil and filters and cleaning the EGR valve etc etc etc. Why do they always bite back and find you something else to do? MOT test due in a month :?
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GiveMeABreak
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Re: Confused windscreen washers - Citroen C5 Mk 1 2003

Unread post by GiveMeABreak »

It may be the wiper circuit in the comms unit in the steering wheel - these wear over time as the wiper stalk is moved over the track over time. The reverse wipe is still working as that doesn't use the same track to operate - only the twist of the end of the stalk, and much less frequently of course.

So this may be where the problem is, given that it's had nearly 22 years of operation.
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Marc
CitroenJohn
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Re: Confused windscreen washers - Citroen C5 Mk 1 2003

Unread post by CitroenJohn »

Many thanks for your valuable advice Marc. I shall have a look at that and report back. Twenty two years? It's only just run in then! I can't buy a new one, they don't make them any more :rofl2:
CitroenJohn
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Re: Confused windscreen washers - Citroen C5 Mk 1 2003

Unread post by CitroenJohn »

I have taken off the top and bottom covers and see that the switch assembly is a complete unit which the steering column passes through and I don't fancy interfering with that unless I have to. However....on waggling the washer control and using a bit more force the pump has begun serving both the front and back again. So maybe there is just a bit of wear or dirt between contacts when they close together? I will persevere tomorrow when I have time and see what happens.
CitroenJohn
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Re: Confused windscreen washers - Citroen C5 Mk 1 2003

Unread post by CitroenJohn »

Well I couldn't wait to get it finished and it was as all working perfectly time after time, so I put everything back together, got the car back on the floor and guess what? It's back to square one doing exactly the same thing again. At least I now know there is nothing wrong at the reservoir end. Somehow the rear washer is being activated when I try the front washers. Such a feeling of job satisfaction... not.
CitroenJohn
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Re: Confused windscreen washers - Citroen C5 Mk 1 2003

Unread post by CitroenJohn »

I am looking at these:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166742755603
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255774677113
So I guess it is more likely to be the whole unit rather than the stalk? Thanks, John.
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GiveMeABreak
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Re: Confused windscreen washers - Citroen C5 Mk 1 2003

Unread post by GiveMeABreak »

You have to be very careful when buying these, as there are literally hundreds of units, each for a specific vehicle, specific electrical architecture, comm unit and and options fitted.

There are places that provide new and refurbished units. If you have your VIN I can see which type you have. Some are available, but you may be able to get one from a an alternative supplier I have - I'll know more.... Please post your VIN in full without spaces - it will be automatically masked from public view after submitting your post & will only be visible to staff.
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Marc
CitroenJohn
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Re: Confused windscreen washers - Citroen C5 Mk 1 2003

Unread post by CitroenJohn »

Sorry Marc,

I have been very busy these past few days and only just seen your message. It seemed to me the most likely culprit (and easiest thing to replace) was the washer motor itself and so I bought one for a few quid and fitted it. The result; another wet arm but it worked! The washers now work as they are supposed to. I don't know what is wrong with the old one but presumably some wiring fault developed - water and electricity in close proximity to each other?

Anyway, Thanks for your help and I hope it stays working, so I will cross my fingers when I'm out in it tonight.

Regards, John.
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GiveMeABreak
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Re: Confused windscreen washers - Citroen C5 Mk 1 2003

Unread post by GiveMeABreak »

Ok, so just keep an eye on it and hopefully it was just a dodgy connection.
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Marc