Windscreen washer pump running on??

[Chris]

My windscreen washer pump seems to be overrunning for about 20-30seconds. Does this system work on pressure, IE a valve problem somewhere or is it a timed circuit?

Thanks for any info.
Chris

[kam-325i]

A sticky relay ???

[e30topless]

do you have intensive/ wash wipe fitted to the headlamps ? I had the same problem

[Brianmoooore]

There's no relays involved with the ordinary screenwash circuit. It's just a motor with a simple pull to operate switch.
The circuit does connect to the wiper control module, but that's just an input to trigger the wiper sequence, and can't really 'backfeed' to work the washers.
Do you have the intensive wash option (two compartment screenwasher tank) on your car?

[mhuk]

I have the wash/wipe option on my 325i SE. My motor also runs on but since the wiper motors are shot I don't know if that's why it makes the motor run on. It's not spraying water that's for sure.

[Chris]

Yes i do have intensive wash.

I would mention that the wiper motors are getting close to needing an overhaul as there starting to fail to park occasionally - but you say this circuit cant really interfere with the washers.

I didn't think there was any relays involved but there is a little Hella? gadget attatched to the washer bottle, although i believe this has more to do with the dim/dip doodah.

Chris

[Brianmoooore]

The box mounted on the washer bottle controls the headlamp wipers.
One of the headlamp wiper motors has sole control of the headlamp washer pump.
The column stalk is the only thing that controls the normal screenwasher pump.
The intensive screenwash pump is controlled by the column switch and the wiper control module in the fusebox.
Which washer pump are you having trouble with?

[Chris]

So are you saying there is 3 pumps?

The pump runs on both when pulling the stalk (normal wash) and when pressing the end in (intensive?)
And it happens every time.
I was under the impression the headlights only work every 5th wash or so? So wouldn't have thought it was that.

Am i wrong (wouldn't be the first time)

[Brianmoooore]

Unless your car is some Frankenstein mutant, there are three pumps! Easily checked by lifting the bonnet and looking under.
Which pump is running on?

[Chris]

Aha, i'll grab me torch and go check

[Chris]

Hard to be certain as the whole washer bottle setup vibrates but taking one of the wire off the intensive pump it carries on so would have to go with the normal screenwater pump.

Out of curiosity, where abouts is the headlight pump? so i can double check when it is lighter. and not so bloody cold out.

[Brianmoooore]

Headlamp washer pump is tucked away against the inner wing.
As I've already said in this thread, there is nothing on an E30 that has control of the normal screenwasher pump, other than the column stalk. If it really is the normal pump that's running on, it's either a wiring fault (shorting to earth), or an unheard of fault with the wiper control module in the fusebox, although there has been the odd case of strange behaviour, caused by something metallic getting under the wiper module and shorting pins together.
You should be able to tell by smell alone which pump is running on, as the intensive fluid has a strong smell compared to the very diluted normal screenwash.

[DAV3]

I've seen these loads of times over the years, and ever time in my experience it has been caused by a faulty headlamp wiper motor/s. When the washers are operated and power sent to the motors it has to go some where, if a motor doesn’t turn the voltage or pressure in circuit has to be discharged somewhere usually through a washer pump causing it to run on for about the same time as the H/L wiper motor would run.

Hope this helps

Dave

[Chris]

But every time i rinse? Surely that would only happen intermittantly as the headlights wash?

I should maybe point out, even though they are running on longer than needed they are not pumping water for the full time, only the standard wash time.

I think i'm gonna have to have a dig around and see what i can see.

Thanks for the info though, i never knew there were three pumps, or how they were controlled.

Cheers
Chris

[Brianmoooore]

I've seen these loads of times over the years, and ever time in my experience it has been caused by a faulty headlamp wiper motor/s. When the washers are operated and power sent to the motors it has to go some where, if a motor doesn’t turn the voltage or pressure in circuit has to be discharged somewhere usually through a washer pump causing it to run on for about the same time as the H/L wiper motor would run.

Hope this helps

Dave

I'm sorry, but the above is total rubbish!!
The headlamp washer pump is controlled entirely by one of the headlamp wipers - the pump runs for the first couple of wipes of the motors sequence.
If the motor seizes during the first part of this sequence, the headlamp washer motor will run continuously all the tine that the ignition is on in positions 1 or 2.

I should maybe point out, even though they are running on longer than needed they are not pumping water for the full time, only the standard wash time.

This doesn't make sense! If a pump is running, and there's water in the washer tank, then it pumps water.

[Chris]

I should maybe point out, even though they are running on longer than needed they are not pumping water for the full time, only the standard wash time.

This doesn't make sense! If a pump is running, and there's water in the washer tank, then it pumps water.

Aha, i knew she was possessed.

I'll have to have a good prod around in the daylight.

The wiper control relay in the fuse box. Thats the long one yes?

Cheers For your help Brian, i'll let you know how i get on.

~Chris