Euro Headlight Wash/Wipe Troubleshooting - Revision history

Tig: Add wash/wipe discussion tips from t=37798 (control unit, 4-lead motor, interval unit)

2026-08-13T22:06:02Z

Add wash/wipe discussion tips from t=37798 (control unit, 4-lead motor, interval unit)

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:06, 13 August 2026
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	The service wash squirts a short burst of undiluted wash from the small reservoir nearest the cabin, then a longer squirt of diluted wash from the larger reservoir next to it, with the windscreen wipers. Then it squirts diluted wash on the headlights and runs the headlight wipers.		The service wash squirts a short burst of undiluted wash from the small reservoir nearest the cabin, then a longer squirt of diluted wash from the larger reservoir next to it, with the windscreen wipers. Then it squirts diluted wash on the headlights and runs the headlight wipers.

	The headlight wash/wipe only works with the headlights on. Headlights off, you only get windscreen wash. Some cars fire the headlight cycle every third press. Try five cycles with about 10 seconds between them before you assume it is broken.		The headlight wash/wipe only works with the headlights on. Headlights off, you only get windscreen wash. Some later cars fire the headlight cycle every third press; earlier cars (including Tusker's) do it every press. Try five cycles with about 10 seconds between them before you assume it is broken.

	'''Fuses.''' The wash/wipe system shares a fuse with the horns. If the horn works, it is not the fuse.		'''Fuses.''' The wash/wipe system shares a fuse with the horns. If the horn works, it is not the fuse.
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	# Remove the wiper blades, front grilles, and headlights. You can leave each motor on the headlight frame for testing.		# Remove the wiper blades, front grilles, and headlights. You can leave each motor on the headlight frame for testing.

	~~The right-hand~~ motor ~~(facing the car)~~ has 3 leads (R, BL, BR)~~. The left~~ has 4 (~~R, BL, BR,~~ and ~~an extra BL~~).		One motor has 3 leads (R, BL, BR) and the other has 4 (extra blue). Sources disagree on left vs right when "facing the car"; go by the extra blue lead. That blue wire is the washer-pump trigger — when the wiper hits a point in its rotation it puts 12 V on blue and the headlight washer squirts. The pump does not run the whole cycle; it pulses (every other rotation or so). The FAQ author later thought it was a timed burst rather than pulses.

	* Red — 12 V momentary		* Red — 12 V momentary
	* Black — 12 V constant		* Black — 12 V constant
	* Brown — ground		* Brown — ground
	* ~~Blue on the left motor~~ — output ~~signal~~ to the washer pump		* Extra blue — output to the washer pump

	To test a motor: fused lead from battery + to the '''black''' lead, ground the '''brown'''. Touch the '''red''' lead with another fused + for 2–3 seconds only. The motor should cycle about 30 seconds and shut off. The connector is awkward; a scrap of matching loom helps you avoid shorting pins.		To test a motor: fused lead from battery + to the '''black''' lead, ground the '''brown'''. Touch the '''red''' lead with another fused + for 2–3 seconds only. The motor should cycle about 30 seconds and shut off. The connector is awkward; a scrap of matching loom helps you avoid shorting pins.

	To test the washer-pump output on the ~~left~~-~~hand~~ motor ~~(the one with the extra blue lead)~~: meter between the '''blue''' lead and ground, then repeat the motor test. Voltage should rise from 0 V for a second or two.		To test the washer-pump output on the 4-lead motor: meter between the '''blue''' lead and ground, then repeat the motor test. Voltage should rise from 0 V for a second or two.

	A dead motor is easiest to replace (part #s 61631369105 / 61631369106).		A dead motor is easiest to replace (part #s 61631369105 / 61631369106).
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	'''Service-wash switch.''' Remove the lower steering-column cover and unplug the stalk connector. Pressing the button should connect '''TS''' (BR/BL) and '''PS''' (BR/GY). Resistance should drop to zero. You do not need to pull the stalk or the wheel to test. If it fails, replace it (part # 61311369932 from 09/85).		'''Service-wash switch.''' Remove the lower steering-column cover and unplug the stalk connector. Pressing the button should connect '''TS''' (BR/BL) and '''PS''' (BR/GY). Resistance should drop to zero. You do not need to pull the stalk or the wheel to test. If it fails, replace it (part # 61311369932 from 09/85).

	'''Wash/wipe interval control unit.''' Big black box at the top of the fuse box. ~~If the~~ windscreen ~~wipers~~ work~~, this~~ is ~~unlikely — but not impossible~~. ~~The only practical~~ test is ~~swapping~~ a known-good unit~~. A~~ failure ~~here would usually take out the windscreen washers too~~.		'''Wash/wipe interval control unit.''' Big black box at the top of the fuse box. Regular windscreen washers can still work with a bad unit — the intensive / headlight circuit is separate inside it. A US-spec (non-euro) interval unit plugs in and lets you test everything except headlight wipers and intensive wash. Swapping a known-good euro unit is the other test. Tusker's own car still failed after a known-good interval unit; the fault was the headlight-cleaner control unit on the washer bottle (a very common failure — he and others went through more than one bad used unit).

	If every test above passes and it still does not work, walk through it again.		If every test above passes and it still does not work, walk through it again.
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	[[File:E28 Wiper Washer ETM.jpg\|thumb\|500px\|none\|ETM wiper/washer and heater washer jets.]]		[[File:E28 Wiper Washer ETM.jpg\|thumb\|500px\|none\|ETM wiper/washer and heater washer jets.]]

			== From the discussion ==
			The published FAQ is a single post. Extra failure modes and the left/right motor clarification are from Tusker's earlier [https://forums.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=37798 Headlight wash/wipe troubleshooting (fixed)] thread ([[rs4pro3]], [[cgraff]], [[DRP535]], [[Rich Euro M5]]). The actual fix on that car was a replacement headlight-cleaner control unit.
	[[Category:Tech FAQ]]		[[Category:Tech FAQ]]

Tig: Add Euro headlight wash/wipe Tech FAQ from forum t=56570

2026-08-13T21:57:39Z

Add Euro headlight wash/wipe Tech FAQ from forum t=56570

New page

By [[Tusker]], Wed Dec 10, 2008

Original thread: [https://forums.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=56570 Euro Headlight wash/wipe troubleshooting]

'''Problem:''' My Euro headlight wash/wipe doesn't work.

'''Cause:''' Could be a number of things. The common failures are the headlight wash/wipe control unit and the headlight wiper motors.

'''How to fix:''' Working headlight wash/wipe systems are the exception. They are not well documented, so they often go unfixed and the moving parts get worse. This is a troubleshooting guide. Fixing generally means replacing failed parts.

If you have not done electrical troubleshooting before, read the Bentley for general tips. The tests below were checked; not every one was needed on the author's car.

__TOC__

== Rule out the simple things ==
'''Operator error.''' Ignition on, headlights on, press the button on the end of the right-hand column stalk. That is the service wash.

The service wash squirts a short burst of undiluted wash from the small reservoir nearest the cabin, then a longer squirt of diluted wash from the larger reservoir next to it, with the windscreen wipers. Then it squirts diluted wash on the headlights and runs the headlight wipers.

The headlight wash/wipe only works with the headlights on. Headlights off, you only get windscreen wash. Some cars fire the headlight cycle every third press. Try five cycles with about 10 seconds between them before you assume it is broken.

'''Fuses.''' The wash/wipe system shares a fuse with the horns. If the horn works, it is not the fuse.

== Approach ==
After the obvious, split the system into three:

# Downstream of the headlight wash/wipe control unit — motors and the wiring from the control unit to the motors
# The control unit itself
# Upstream of the control unit — service-wash button, wash-interval control unit, and associated wiring

Study the wiring diagram near the end of this page first.

== Downstream of the control unit ==
The control unit is fastened to the washer-fluid container in the left front of the engine bay.

[[File:E28 Headlight Wash Control Unit.jpg|thumb|none|Headlight wash/wipe control unit on the washer bottle.]]

Disconnect the wiring connector. Testing is easier if you unscrew the unit from the bottle. The connector diagram on the unit shows terminals on the unit itself — that is the '''mirror image''' of the wires when you look down on the connector.

[[File:E28 Headlight Wash Control Connector.jpg|thumb|400px|none|Connector terminals, looking down on the harness side.]]

To run the motors: with the usual care, connect a fused lead from battery + to terminal '''53''' on the connector. Then touch terminal '''53a''' with another fused lead from battery + for 2–3 seconds only. That should run the headlight washer pump and cycle the headlight wipers for about 30 seconds, then shut off.

If that works, skip to the upstream checks. If not, test the motors and pump.

To operate the system manually forever, wire it this way with a toggle switch in the 53a lead.

=== Motors and pump ===
# Remove the covers over the headlights in the engine bay.
# Disconnect all connectors to the headlights and headlight wiper motors.
# Remove the wiper blades, front grilles, and headlights. You can leave each motor on the headlight frame for testing.

The right-hand motor (facing the car) has 3 leads (R, BL, BR). The left has 4 (R, BL, BR, and an extra BL).

* Red — 12 V momentary
* Black — 12 V constant
* Brown — ground
* Blue on the left motor — output signal to the washer pump

To test a motor: fused lead from battery + to the '''black''' lead, ground the '''brown'''. Touch the '''red''' lead with another fused + for 2–3 seconds only. The motor should cycle about 30 seconds and shut off. The connector is awkward; a scrap of matching loom helps you avoid shorting pins.

To test the washer-pump output on the left-hand motor (the one with the extra blue lead): meter between the '''blue''' lead and ground, then repeat the motor test. Voltage should rise from 0 V for a second or two.

A dead motor is easiest to replace (part #s 61631369105 / 61631369106).

To test any pump: disconnect it, + to one terminal, ground the other. It should run. The headlight washer pump is the same part as the intensive-wash pump and the windscreen washer pump (part # 61661368589).

If motors and pump work, the fault is wiring. Clean connectors and check for breaks against the diagram. Reassemble and repeat the 53 / 53a test at the control-unit connector. Then try the service-wash button. If that still fails, there is another fault.

== The control unit ==
Without a known-good unit to swap, simulate the feed from the wash/wipe interval control unit (ignition and headlights on) by grounding the connector with the '''BR/GY''' wire on the intensive pump. That should trigger a headlight wash/wipe cycle.

If not:

# Confirm the intensive-wash pump works
# Check wiring and clean connectors between the pump and the control unit

If that still fails, the control unit is likely dead. Replacing it is the practical option. Part # '''61311367391'''. Dealer price was about UK£60 when this was written; good used units were about UK£10 and often untested.

== Upstream of the control unit ==
'''Service-wash switch.''' Remove the lower steering-column cover and unplug the stalk connector. Pressing the button should connect '''TS''' (BR/BL) and '''PS''' (BR/GY). Resistance should drop to zero. You do not need to pull the stalk or the wheel to test. If it fails, replace it (part # 61311369932 from 09/85).

'''Wash/wipe interval control unit.''' Big black box at the top of the fuse box. If the windscreen wipers work, this is unlikely — but not impossible. The only practical test is swapping a known-good unit. A failure here would usually take out the windscreen washers too.

If every test above passes and it still does not work, walk through it again.

== How the system is supposed to work ==
[[File:E28 Headlight Wash Wipe Wiring.jpg|thumb|400px|none|Euro headlight wash/wipe wiring.]]

References are to that diagram. This is a working model of the control units, not a factory description of what is inside them.

* Terminal '''PS''' on the service-wash button is connected to the intensive-cleaning-fluid pump (7) and goes to ground via '''TS''' to run it.
* That ground via TS is through the wash/wipe interval control unit (16). A timer there holds the earth on PS long enough to run the intensive pump.
* Current through the intensive pump triggers the headlight-cleaner control unit (1), which then:
*# Follows the intensive wash by switching on screen wash for a timed interval (earthing 85)
*# Switches on the headlight wipers
*# Which triggers the headlight wash

== Related links ==
E24 threads with similar electrics (different mechanisms): [http://bigcoupe.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2107 bigcoupe t=2107], [http://bigcoupe.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2247 t=2247].

MyE28 threads: [https://forums.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=3778 t=3778], [https://forums.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=41268 t=41268], [https://forums.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=10370 t=10370], [https://forums.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=12596 t=12596], [https://forums.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=13179 t=13179].

US ETM wiper/washer (no headlight wash/wipe):

[[File:E28 Wiper Washer ETM.jpg|thumb|500px|none|ETM wiper/washer and heater washer jets.]]
[[Category:Tech FAQ]]