e30 headlight washers problem

Mon Feb 13, 2006 11:48 pm

hi, my 1990 320i SE has headlight washers, but only one side works, what seems to be the problem?
thanks

Tue Feb 14, 2006 12:24 am

Both washer jets are fed by the same pump, so it's either a blocked jet, or a faulty check valve (in the pipe behind the grill, about five inches from the jet). Failure of these is quite common. They're a couple of quid from the dealers.

Tue Feb 14, 2006 2:36 am

hi, i meant the wipers do not work, only one side works, the drivers side..
but the other side, the blades do not move when i operate the wipers.
any idea?

Tue Feb 14, 2006 7:12 am

I have the same problem....

Tue Feb 14, 2006 7:30 am

Sounds like a siezed wiper shaft, possibly a dodgy electrical contact though.

Check the link out for servicing tips

http://www.totalbmwmag.com/HandsOn/TechAug01.PDF

Tue Feb 14, 2006 8:58 am

ronaldinho wrote:hi, i meant the wipers do not work, only one side works, the drivers side..
but the other side, the blades do not move when i operate the wipers.
any idea?

If you want an accurate diagnosis of your problems, then please describe the syptoms correctly!!!!
If only one wiper works, the long shaft which has the blade mounted on it has probably siezed up.
Take the blade and the headlamp grill off, unscrew the three big self tappers holding the whole headlamp in, pull it forwards, undo all the electrical connectors, and remonve the two 6mm nuts and bolts that secure the wiper motor.
Unclip the rear cover, remove the crank arm, and then remove the output shaft, which will probably be seized.
When it's all out, clean the shaft and its bush thouroughly, smother it in grease and put everything back together.
That should then be goog for another ten years.
While the headlamps are out, free up their adjusters and give them a good coat of copper grease, and then repeat the whole process on the working side, as preventative maintenance.

Tue Feb 14, 2006 9:10 am

Jst had a look at the article in the link above - well written and generally accurate with good photos.
Don't know about the ref to " the E34 7 series" in the introduction, but I like the" If it's fitted,then it should work, or you really should be driving a Ford". My sentiments exactly!