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How to activate the headlight washers on 2014

59K views 36 replies 19 participants last post by  NetworkTV 
#1 ·
I have searched and found conflicting information on how to activate the headlight washers on a 2014 WK2 GC.

Some say it activates every 5th washing. If so, what constitutes a washing?

I have also read that it will only activate if the head lights are on and you hold the windshield washer. Seems like a waste of washer fluid to me.

In any case, I have tried turning the headlights on and holding the washer for 10 seconds or more. The only thing I have seem is a really wet windshield and spray all over the place, except on the headlamps.

The washers are in the index of the CD owner's manual, but not mentioned at all on the page listed in the index.

So, can someone please bring this mystery to light for me?
 
#3 ·
I researched this last week when I discovered I actually had them fitted on my 2012 Overland ( I thought the bumper covers were blanks!!!) Nobody tells you anything at the dealer when you buy one!!! Anyway here's how they work:-
1 Turn Ignition ON
2 Turn Headlights ON
3 MOMENTARILY Press In on the knob at the end of the multi function stalk on the steering column. (Its the same knob as the Windscreen washers but you are only MOMENTARILY pressing it , NOT holding it down as for Washers)
4 . Every 12 th Press of this knob activates the Headlight Washers. (May be different count on the 2014 model some people are mentioning 4th Press)
 
#7 · (Edited)
Well, unless you have a Summit or SRT you don't have headlight washers, at least if you are in the US. In other markets the headlight washers are standard, but not here unfortunately. That is one option I will really miss in the winter on our new Overland. I am looking into retrofitting it. It looks like it will take a new reservoir ($140), pump ($90), relay ($12), nozzle assemblies ($??), plumbing, wiring for pump, and likely a programming change in the TIPM which I am guessing would be the biggest stumbling block.
 
#8 ·
Well, unless you have a Summit or SRT you don't have headlight washers, at least if you are in the US. In other markets the headlight washers are standard, but not here.
Where were you 5 months ago when this discussion was taking place? ;)

Welcome to the Jeep Garage!

Just so you know, threads are forever. If you don't watch the dates you could be responding to somebody who is already dead and buried. :)


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#11 ·
Thanks for bringing me up to speed. Yes, I can be added to the list of people that think it is stupid to have offer HID lights without headlight washers, at least in areas where you get snow. There is nothing like going over Berthoud Pass late at night in a snowstorm and having to pull over to clean your headlights because you can't see anything because the headlights are covered with snow/ice/salt/MgCl. BTDT in my Jimmy and it isn't fun. On the other hand I have an Audi A6 with factory HIDs and headlight washers. It would be awful without them as the HIDs don't put out enough heat to melt the snow and ice. Sure, it goes through a LOT of washer fluid, but I can live with that.
 
#14 ·
#22 ·
They used to sell after-market headlight washer kits for cars. The washers would mount on the bumper just in front of the lights like a pair of deer repellers and you'd just tee off the hose leading to the hood washers for the washer supply.

There was also another company that made ones that would stick to the corner of the headlight lens. Those were less ugly than the bumper mounted ones, but didn't clear as evenly.

I have no idea if anyone still sells that stuff. With all the computer crap involved with everything now, you'd probably get an error thrown up in the EVIC if you taped into the washer supply like that these days.

I just remember a friend of mine having a big heavy Mercedes that not only had headlight washers, but wipers on them, too.
 
#23 ·
Well...I got them to activate......at least 5 seconds of windshield washer spraying...then more windshield spraying as you need to hold the sprayer on some more to keep the HL washer spraying.

I wonder if installing a switch is doable...or will it screw something up?

A push and hold button in one of the blanks would be good.
 
#24 ·
Well...I got them to activate......at least 5 seconds of windshield washer spraying...then more windshield spraying as you need to hold the sprayer on some more to keep the HL washer spraying.

I wonder if installing a switch is doable...or will it screw something up?

A push and hold button in one of the blanks would be good.
I believe the water pressure from the pump to the windshield sprayers is what opens up the headlight washers. Then when they are open all the way, they'll spray the headlights.

If you don't use your rear window sprayer, just hook the hose from the rear window pump to the line for the headlight sprayers.
 
#29 ·
Got 2 weeks on a 15 JGC Summit and no signs of headlight washers. Got small rectangle cutouts under the HID headlamps but they didn't come out and spray no matter how long I held the washer on the stalk spraying the windshield with the headlights on. Guess I'll keep holding the wife's ankles as she cleans the headlights at speed. Biatch gives me any lip and I'll let go.
 
#33 ·
I think they just power spray them. I have only had mine for two months, and I still can't figure it out. I even called Jeep direct, and they had no clue what I was even talking about (dead serious. they were nice on the phone though). From what I have gathered online, the headlights need to be ON (not auto, but rather, the manual on), and then every fourth cleaning on the actual windshield, it cleans the headlamps. I guess I need to grab a neighbor or something, because I would look like an idiot with the summit running in the driveway, and then me scrambling to the front of the car every 10 seconds.
 
#34 · (Edited)
I would think it would be the same for 14/15 and the 2016, so...

This is from the 2016 owners manual...

"HEADLIGHT WASHERS — IF EQUIPPED
The multifunction lever operates the headlight washers
when the ignition switch is in the ON position and the
headlights are turned on. The multifunction lever is
located on the left side of the steering column.
To use the headlight washers, push the multifunction
lever inward (toward the steering column) and release it.
The headlight washers will spray a timed high-pressure
spray of washer fluid onto each headlight lens. In addition,
the windshield washers will spray the windshield
and the windshield wipers will cycle.
NOTE: After turning the ignition switch and headlights
ON, the headlight washers will operate on the first spray
of the windshield washer and then every eleventh spray
after that."

I don't have my 2016 Summit yet, so I can't verify the procedure. I will definitely test it out once I get it, though.
 
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