DIY: Windshield Washer Pump Replacement

[fwardell]

Are you losing windshield washer fluid with that pesky warning light brightly lighted on the dash? It's probably a leaky or broken washer pump - could be either the windshield or headlight (if you have it) washer pump. To check, remove the 10mm bolt on top of the washer bottle in the engine compartment. Lift the bottle and look at the pump - it's the black cylindrical device near the bottom. If you see blue washer fluid or crystals around the pump base, it's the pump! It's really easy and fun to replace! Price of pump is $43 ($72 for headlight pump) at dealer, so check out BavAuto or other parts company - much less.

With the engine off (!), remove the wiring connector and rubber hose from pump, and pull the pump up and out. Suggest cutting about 1/2" from the rubber hose to produce a nice, new hose end. Pop in the new pump and reconnect the hose and wiring. That's it! Pat yourself on the back and enjoy your clean windshield and dark dash. Now for your next project . . .

[Alekm]

I bought my pump on ebay for $18.

[Dexm]

I'm doing this fix tomorrow. It looks easy enough. And it'll be a lot easier cleaning the windows on the fly, then having to use paper towels and sprayway:buttrock Got the pump from Pelican for $18 -- Siemens OEM.

[Thesfactor]

Hey fwardell, do you have any pics to supplement this DIY? Thanks so much for your write up. Also how do I know if it's either the pump or the rubber tube that is bust? The pump looks ok but the tube seems to be leaking and hence my reservoir is completely depleted. Could you please help? Also, where can I find the parts for cheap? What keywords should I search for...

[Dexm]

I have no pics but it was a 15-20 minute job tops, and that was because I cleaned up the reservoir and surrounding area. I got that little filter with rubber grommet for an extra $3 or so, from Pelican and replaced that. The rubber grommet was starting to deteriorate. Might as well throw that in there while everything else is being done.

[FL 325i]

Just did mine. Ten minutes tops. Really. My kids would vouch for me because they have to help on the 1 hr jobs that last 3 hrs!

[deadman911]

i have this problem i think...my reseviour holds water fine but i cant get it to spray the window..

[delmarco]

Hey fwardell, do you have any pics to supplement this DIY? Thanks so much for your write up. Also how do I know if it's either the pump or the rubber tube that is bust? The pump looks ok but the tube seems to be leaking and hence my reservoir is completely depleted. Could you please help? Also, where can I find the parts for cheap? What keywords should I search for...

http://www.bmw330ci.net/maintenance/washer.php

[mightymouse777]

yea mine wont spray either. im gonna attempt the pump change and see if that works!

[stoble]

Same here, no leak and no light on the dash. It just won't spray anything.

[Sublime Ace]

I have a 2004 M3 and am having problem accessing the windshield water pump. Any help would be appreciated.

[Erronr]

I have a 2000 323i. I had no light, no level light on the dash. But wouldn't spray. My pump was located on the corner of the tank. If you stand ont he passenger side of the car and look at the tank, top left lower corner. Its a small black cylinder.

I called autozone and they had a replacement for $14. In stock, had the job done in about 15 mins. If anyone needs the autozone part number let me know.

[mracinginc]

2000 323I - got the part off ebay from directauto for the $17.99 (free shipping) which included the rubber grommet (not the screened type though) had it in 4 days and took about 15 minutes to swap out (EASY)

TY Delmarco for the instructions - very similar to my car

[bmacisso]

This fix also helped my headlight washers. All it needed was a new pump. I went ahead and replaced both pumps and gromets too.

[bevo323]

I just replaced my pump as well, great DIY..thanks for the write-up.

[gil64]

if the spraying doesnt work you need a pump, and replace the grommet. If the pump works just replace the grommet.

[this3is4me]

if the spraying doesnt work you need a pump, and replace the grommet. If the pump works just replace the grommet.

Mine sprays fine, but leaks... what do I need to do ?

[gil64]

Mine sprays fine, but leaks... what do I need to do ?
pull the pump off then the rubber grommet under it pull that out with needle nose pliers, insert the new grommet and then insert the pump it should be good, the grommet costs like 2 bucks at the dealer.

[Richwm]

I have a 2000 323i. I had no light, no level light on the dash. But wouldn't spray. My pump was located on the corner of the tank. If you stand ont he passenger side of the car and look at the tank, top left lower corner. Its a small black cylinder.

I called autozone and they had a replacement for $14. In stock, had the job done in about 15 mins. If anyone needs the autozone part number let me know.


Yeh, so what is the autozone part number?

[Phatrician]

Mine sprays fine, but leaks... what do I need to do ?


Hi Guys, just wanted to come in here and post an even easier fix. I've had this problem on 2 of my 3 series, and fixed it both times (the last time was tonight, actually) with Teflon tape, like the kind you would use on plumbing.

Wikipedia, if you don't know what this stuff is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thread_seal_tape

Anyway, so I pulled out the plastic tub, pulled the connections off the level sensor and pump, pulled the pump out of the tub, and filled the tub with water to check for leaks. The only place water came out was where the pump went in , and I noticed that the male portion of the pump was not creating that great of a seal around the female rubber grommet, but it was not leaking any where else.
All I had to do was make the male portion of the pump a little thicker with the Teflon tape, literally just wrapped Teflon tape around the shaft of the pump like 10 times, then stuck that back into the female grommet, and no more leaks!

I didn't take pics because I went right from testing to reinstalling, and since it is only one 10mm screw, it is so easy to take out and reinstall.

So save yourself 14-35 bucks and use some 2 buck plumbers tape. You should already have some in your garage if you own a home ;)

[bogthebasher]

Hi Guys, just wanted to come in here and post an even easier fix. I've had this problem on 2 of my 3 series, and fixed it both times (the last time was tonight, actually) with Teflon tape, like the kind you would use on plumbing.

Wikipedia, if you don't know what this stuff is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thread_seal_tape

Anyway, so I pulled out the plastic tub, pulled the connections off the level sensor and pump, pulled the pump out of the tub, and filled the tub with water to check for leaks. The only place water came out was where the pump went in , and I noticed that the male portion of the pump was not creating that great of a seal around the female rubber grommet, but it was not leaking any where else.
All I had to do was make the male portion of the pump a little thicker with the Teflon tape, literally just wrapped Teflon tape around the shaft of the pump like 10 times, then stuck that back into the female grommet, and no more leaks!

I didn't take pics because I went right from testing to reinstalling, and since it is only one 10mm screw, it is so easy to take out and reinstall.

So save yourself 14-35 bucks and use some 2 buck plumbers tape. You should already have some in your garage if you own a home ;)

I am definitely going to try this.

[slowlanemcvane]

So what you're saying is that the male had to be thicker to fill up the female enough so it wouldn't leak fluid everywhere?

That's awesome.

[Motorverks]

I have 06 330ci and WS washer pump is not working. Checked fuses and put meter on wire to pump - no power. I jumped pump from battery and pump works. So problem is with switch or relay, if there is one. Where is relay and how do I identify it and check it?

[Motorverks]

All these posts refer to replacing the pump - that's fine, but my pump works when I put 12 volts to it. It is just not getting the 12 volts from the steering wheel stalk switch. So I am wondering whether anyone knows where I go from here. Surely I can't be the only one with an E46 whose windshield washer pump is inoperable due to some fault in the electrical (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=24133089#) feed to the pump. Also, my headlight washer is not working either. Must be stalk switch or relay. My bet is relay but I don't know where it is - any help would be appreciated.

[woody1686]

I have a problem where I can hear the headlight washer pump activating for 2 sprays but nothing comes out..does this mean that the pump isn't strong enough and needs to be replaced or could there be another issue? The tank has also leaked a few times and emptied all of the fluid

[Suki]

First: Unplug the squirter's hose up near the washers to see if fluid comes out when operating the squirts.
Nobody on this thread has mentioned that there is about a 90% chance the nozzle is gummed up!
The lines were pinched near the hood and the nozzles sealed shut with build-up in my '00 323ci.
Replace any old hoses and clean the nozzle out with the nylon bristle from a brush. The nozzles pop off the hood for cleaning. Soak them in CLR if they are REALLY cruded up. After it is cleaned and rinsed, make sure you can blow water or air through the nozzles and tubing. Some windshield squirts have nozzles that can even be re-aimed slightly, like a minature jacuzzi jet nozzle. While parked, the spray should hit the upper 2/3rds of the windows, so it hits at least the bottom 1/3rd when at speed, but doesn't tag the motorcyclist behind you at the stoplight. :eek:

What if the pump is leaking ABOVE where it plugs into the container? That seems to be the problem on my '04. I lost a gallon of new fluid in 1-2 days. There is a little rectangular hole there, at the narrower 'waist' area. Water drips out, or at least it is all wet there and it drips off the bottom.

Has anyone taken one of these little pumps apart to know if they are repairable? Have an old one they could cut open (or X-ray?) lengthwise and post a picture of? :chainsaw


I would hate to spend $20 of my hard-earned gas money for a new wiper pump when something simple could fix it, such as cleaning off build up inside with a dropperful of CLR, poking it in just the right spot with a bristle, etc. I just don't want to mistakenly damage any little flapper-parts, etc. inside.

[ryansser]

I would hate to spend $20 of my hard-earned gas money for a new wiper pump when something simple could fix it, such as cleaning off build up inside with a dropperful of CLR, poking it in just the right spot with a bristle, etc. I just don't want to mistakenly damage any little flapper-parts, etc. inside.

LOL... $20 is cheap for anything BMW! Mine wasn't working, so I bought one on Ebay for $8!

[usamove]

I have a 2004 M3 and am having problem accessing the windshield water pump. Any help would be appreciated.
It seems the 2004 M3 coupe is has a different location for the washer fluid resovoir than other 3 class BMW's because I had to figure this one out for myself. The pump is attached to the washer fluid resovoir which is under the passenger headlight. Removing the headlight is not necessary. For access jack up the car or put it on ramps. Always use jackstands. Remove the underpanel next to passenger front tire. The pump can be located on the resovoir to the far right near the tire. Disconnect the power connection and remove the pump by sliding it upward. If there is washer fluid in the resovoir(and there will be) lift the pump just a little and have a bucket ready. When the washer fluid finishes draining remove the hose connected to the pump. It's a good idea to purchase a new strainer when changing out the pump. This does not come with the new pump and needs to be ordered seperately. Barring a new strainer, remove the old one off your old pump, clean it and slide it on the new pump. Installation is the reverse of the removal. This will take approximately an hour or so to do and you will need an 8mm socket and/or box wrench as the screws near the passenger tire have limited room.

[firstOrlast]

had to do this twice already in 20k miles :lol of course the first replacement pump came off a parts 745... I was worried it was the wiring both times, but nope... 12V at the pump and nothing happening