One of my headlamp washers isn't working - it's probably got a blocked jet. Does anyone know how to get it to remain in the "out" position so that I can clean it?

TIA, John
(2008 S40 SE Lux)

 

Hi
I would try filling the washer bottle with water straight out of a boiling kettle, make sure that you have a little cold water in the bottle so it doesn't get to hot. then keep pressing the washer button, until clear. be sure its not to cold out as this might crack you windscreen. Done this many times works 80% of the time and you don't have to get your hands dirty. and you can have a brew while your at it.

 

Ayrton, I'll try that in the morning.
Problem is, I think it also needs re-aligning, and it's the sort that pops out about 6 inches, squirts, and goes back in ... so how do I work on it?

 

Try the boiling water first, while your there make sure no water is dripping from the unit or anywhere when pressing the button, might be a simple pipe off/ split. Not knowing your mechanical expertise i would follow these steps first and then go from there. good luck

 

P.S i normally use this method twice a year on any car i have ever owned, you will be surprised to how much pressure it forces to the jets.
Also i use this trick if you forget to add windscreen washer additive, and it freezes the bottle/ pump.

 

Ok, tried the hot water trick and afraid it didn't make any difference.
I really need to get my hands on it, and there must be a trick to getting it out and keeping it out.

 

I would carefully read your owners manual.

 

Thats a shame, next you need to work out if there is water being pumped to the jet, regardless of if it pops out or not.

Find the feed pipe that attaches to the jet, (most likely under the headlight you my have to remove the headlamp unit) disconnect it and press the button, if you get a good strong pumped amount of water then, jet is blocked.

If you don't then your blockage is up-line of that connection.so check every pipe back to the bottle pump, most pumps have a filter, this gets blocked from time to time, but if only one jet is at fault it most likely wont be that.

Once you can 100% determine that the jet is blocked, i think you are going to have to run a live feed to the servo/motor that enables the jet to appear. (i would use caution as if connected for a prolonged period it might burn the servo/motor out)
This is most likely to be regulated by a relay.(if so you might be able to get your live feed to power it from that connection) if its regulated by an ecu then you have a problem. i will look into it more now and try to determine what system regulates the process. brb

 

Do you have an air compressor?

 

From what i have found, if the pop out mechanism is electrical/motor driven you can supply a feed to it to keep it popped out with caution,However if it is a water fed system like with some manufacturers*(BMW) then the only way is to remove/strip and clean.or feed constant water pressure to it to keep it out long enough for you to unblock it.
I don't think there is a quick fix to this unless you find something in the owners manual as MSGTUSMC has suggested.
Failing that, take it to your main dealer and have you trousers/pants taken down past your knees by their youngest most inexperienced apprentice and take it,like only they know how to give. I don't think i need to embellish any further.
If none of my suggestions work It looks like you have to pull the part out and blow/clear it,or work out why it int working as it should.
I would however make sure it works before i refitted it.

 

First thing I did MSGTUSMC!

 

I think it's electric, not water powered. I can't seem to get to it to pull off the tube, and if I could I'd never get it back on again.

I'm thinking there must be a special knack to it, so that even "their youngest most inexperienced apprentice" must have the means to get at this part.

 

the dealer might have a means of pluging it in and send a command to the motor that controls it,

Just a thought though, if you can pop the cover off you might be able to get to the jet from the outside,
I normally use a cig lighter to put a little heat and soften the plastic/rubber pipe.or the old boiling water works and most probably safer.

, i would strip the headlight out if access is a problem.

 

Can you get to the wiring of the motor,
If you can you should be able to probe the wires to see which one is live and earth.
then make up a test lead and supply voltage. to them terminals.

 

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/volvo-wiring-diagrams
Just found this, gives you a wiring diag for you car.
From this, your jets are probably water controlled rather than motor.
As there is only one motor page 104 and 302 (part 6/104)
I would disconnect the water pump connection at the bottle. give the live a feed and the earth an earth.
A couple of metres of wire and some insulated crocodile clips is all you need.

I dont think there is any trick im afraid, unless your dealer has a better answer,
I think the trick is gonna cost.

 

I have a 08 s40 2.5 and I would like to install the headlight washing kit. Any thoughts on where I could go to get one short of finding it at a wreckers?