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Windshield Washer Fluid fluid light won't go out.

85K views 63 replies 40 participants last post by  Sacchi 
#1 ·
Had the washers stop working the other day at the tail end of a snowstorm and very cold(5 degrees during the day) weather. I didn't know if the lines froze, the nozzle, etc. I stopped and filled up the reservoir that appeared empty(although no light came on) with -25 Rain-X fluid and everything started working fine again. Next day, the washer fluid light comes on. Now whenever I start the car, the light is out, and about 3 minutes after running the light comes back on even though the reservoir is topped off to within 3 inches of the cap. I'm thinking it might be the sensor, however I have no idea where to look for said sensor to make sure that it's plugged in. I got alot of hard packed slush up in the wheel wells on my snowy drive so it could have knocked the sensor wire off, or damaged the sensor. Anyone else experienced this or have a schematic of the washer fluid reservoir, sensor, and pumps?


Thanks

ETA--The front and rear washers both work fine.
 
#3 ·
Had the washers stop working the other day at the tail end of a snowstorm and very cold(5 degrees during the day) weather. I didn't know if the lines froze, the nozzle, etc. I stopped and filled up the reservoir that appeared empty(although no light came on) with -25 Rain-X fluid and everything started working fine again. Next day, the washer fluid light comes on. Now whenever I start the car, the light is out, and about 3 minutes after running the light comes back on even though the reservoir is topped off to within 3 inches of the cap. I'm thinking it might be the sensor, however I have no idea where to look for said sensor to make sure that it's plugged in. I got alot of hard packed slush up in the wheel wells on my snowy drive so it could have knocked the sensor wire off, or damaged the sensor. Anyone else experienced this or have a schematic of the washer fluid reservoir, sensor, and pumps?



Thanks

ETA--The front and rear washers both work fine.
I had the same issue. My solution was putting the washer fluid in the washer fluid tank and not the coolant overflow ;)

You only make that mistake once!
 
#10 ·
Mine has done this the last 3 morning drives into work. The first 2 were -0 and the 3rd was in the teens. The light comes on after about 30 minutes of driving. when i leave work, no light. The reservoir is fairly full.
 
#11 ·
An interesting update on the idiot light. today was a regular heat wave adding here, made it up to 25. The low fluid has gone out and stayed off. Was 8 this morning and the light was on. Hopefully it stays off but I don't like that it seems to be cold weather related.
 
#14 ·
When the temp fell to 8 degrees, I got a fluid light and washer did not work. When it warmed up to the forties, washer still did not work. I pulled the fuse to check continuity and when fuse was plugged back in, washer worked in normal manner. Seems as if washer motor was electrically locked out until power was removed.
 
#15 ·
My washer pump is working fine. It's just the light won't say off. Seems like the computer logged it add low and won't reset. Kind of like the oil change indicator needs a reset to go out. I called customer service to see if there was a way to reset it but they didn't know. I'll have it logged at when I go in for an oil change.
 
#16 ·
I used winter Rain-X as well in very cold temps for past month. Yesterday my washer fluid light turned on so I filled the reservoir, it took about a half gallon. The light has stayed on now after a few startups. Wonder if its the rain-x?
 
#18 ·
this started happening to me only when i ran out of fluid and filled it with Rain-x for the first time. the temps are above 40 degrees and it is still happening. light is not on when i start the car but within 5 minutes of driving it comes on. i have it narrowed down to either a sensor/cpu problem with recognizing it is not empty but only after you run it empty just once vs. rain-x fluid is the problem? this is the first time i ran it empty and first time filling with rain-x so would be interested to see what your dealer says. i am avoiding dealership for now because it would be a hassle to get to my washer fluid tank due to injen
 
#26 ·
ok, definitely not the temperature. it was 67 degrees today and light still comes on. something to do with sensor and rain x. will find out once i use all the fluid and fill it with something else unless someone beats me to it.
 
#29 ·
wonder if there was anyway to reset the sensor without going to dealer?
 
#32 ·
sounds like the common thread here is that most of us ran the washer fluid tank dry, so note to others, don't let fluid level go too low.....
 
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