Washer pumps not running

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TriggerFish
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Location: Aylesbury, Bucks

Post Fri Jul 15, 2016 8:07 pm

Hi all,

I've got a problem with the washer pumps on my car not working. The windscreen wipers move though (although the headlight motors do not).

This used to work before I disconnected it all, but does not work now. The car has headlight washers/intensive wash, as well as heated washer jets.

I've wired up all the headlights (just to rule out the suggestion I'm using the wrong plugs), and there's six free plugs (plus the one to the headlight wiper motor). One goes to the headlight washer control unit on the tank, three go to the washer pumps. There's two plugs (one blue, one yellow) coming to/from the bonnet loom - one for heated washer jets, the other for?? (One of pins of the second bonnet plugs has snapped off so that's not connected)

Any ideas why it's running the wiper motor, but not a single one of the pumps or headlight washers, regardless of if I use regular or intensive wash? I've not checked for 12v anywhere, as it seems highly unlikely all three pumps would fail simultaneously just for being stood for a few months...

Cheers :)
Joe
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TriggerFish
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Post Fri Jul 15, 2016 8:35 pm

Oh, all fuses are intact too. I haven't tested the stalk/relay, but I guess that's OK if the wipers move?
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TriggerFish
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Post Fri Jul 15, 2016 8:39 pm

Some more Googling found this (the post with the diagram) http://bmwe30network.net/forums/read.php?3,7445

Is this still valid with headlight washers fitted?
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Brianmoooore
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Post Sat Jul 16, 2016 9:41 am

That diagram is still valid with all the extra bits fitted - the entire extra package connects in between the original plug for the screen washer pump and the pump itself.
The full wiring diagram is in the Haynes manual for the E30/34, 1948, which is available on line somewhere.
The power feed for the system is through the plug for original screen washer pump, so start your checks by confirming (with a bulb) that 12 volts is present on the purple/black wire here.
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TriggerFish
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Post Tue Jul 19, 2016 9:13 pm

Thanks, Brian.

I've got it fixed today. I found some weird things with a multimeter that can wait until another day for the plugs coming out of the intensive wash control unit.

I tried one of the plugs (with a yellow connector) that wasn't plugged into anything, and tada! That was the one for the regular washer pump. Why it had got a yellow connector on it I don't know, but as it didn't fit, I've removed it for now. I'll worry (maybe!) about the intensive/headlight washer pumps in the future once it's got an MOT.

So user error was the problem!
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