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      01-28-2015, 03:02 PM   #1
hyde
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Low Washer Fluid warning even with full tank

I am not getting any washer fluid from the rear, not to mention I get Low Washer Fluid error on dash. I drained the previous washer fluid that was in there, and filled it up with a gallon of new stuff, but while it is spraying and cleaning fine on windshield, I am getting nothing on rear window.

Thread title edited, the reason it's not spraying in the back is because of Low Washer warning, despite having near full tank of fluid.
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      01-28-2015, 03:10 PM   #2
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Have you tried to run it for a bit longer?
Maybe there is some air in the line since you just drained the tank.
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      01-28-2015, 04:20 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by r33 View Post
Have you tried to run it for a bit longer?
Maybe there is some air in the line since you just drained the tank.
Will try again, I ran it for a while but I was afraid of overheating the pump.
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      01-28-2015, 04:38 PM   #4
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New stuff is the anti freeze variety, I presume. Very strange.
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      01-28-2015, 07:59 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MattBianco View Post
New stuff is the anti freeze variety, I presume. Very strange.
Yes, and there is no freezing.

Upon return to vehicle right when I started up, I held the sprayer and it sprayed, no problem, no sputter or anything, I thought it finally got to rear washer.. but then suddenly it stopped and I got the Low Washer warning again. So obviously there is a problem somewhere. When I held the sprayer down, it is not making any noise that I can hear, as if It stops spraying because it thinks there is no fluid in the reservoir. I think the pump is not pumping because it doesn't want to pump dry. We are all sure there is only one tank, right?

There is something wrong with it definitely.
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      01-28-2015, 11:19 PM   #6
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hyde , sounds like there is a leak to the rear sprayer.
Did you see a puddle under the car after doing that?
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      01-28-2015, 11:34 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hyde View Post
.....We are all sure there is only one tank, right......
"All washer nozzles are supplied from one reservoir." pg 78.

Perhaps what @r33 said.
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      01-29-2015, 07:59 AM   #8
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I think the rear washed stops working when the low washer fluid warning comes on. Had it on mine recently with nothing frozen and as soon as the low washer fluid warning came on the rear washer stopped working. Couldn't even hear the pump running so it wasn't air in the line.

Went to wash the front window and it worked fine so it sounds like it must be deliberately like that.
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      01-29-2015, 08:29 AM   #9
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i use the rainx orange and from time to time its freezes.. this morning front windshield i was able to spray but not the rear..
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      01-29-2015, 09:21 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nyalpine90 View Post
i use the rainx orange and from time to time its freezes.. this morning front windshield i was able to spray but not the rear..
Makes sense. Thin tube is going away from the warm engine would freeze, and fluid won't melt easily with driving as engine heat won't reach it.

That stinky BMW fluid is good for something!

Try methyl alcohol in the washer. About 1/4 to 1/5t ratio. Pour only and only when engine is cold.
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      01-29-2015, 09:32 AM   #11
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If the low fluid light is on, then the rear will not work. I added more and started working. You'll be surprised how much it takes. I think I added almost two gallons.
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      01-29-2015, 10:10 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MattBianco View Post
Makes sense. Thin tube is going away from the warm engine would freeze, and fluid won't melt easily with driving as engine heat won't reach it.

That stinky BMW fluid is good for something!

Try methyl alcohol in the washer. About 1/4 to 1/5t ratio. Pour only and only when engine is cold.
this morning it was 19 degrees, i will try that
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      01-29-2015, 10:49 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nyalpine90 View Post
this morning it was 19 degrees, i will try that
wait...won't the methyl eat away at the plastic? I thought all ethers will degrade plastic
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      01-29-2015, 11:04 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eyeloveteeth View Post
wait...won't the methyl eat away at the plastic? I thought all ethers will degrade plastic
Even at near 100% purity methyl alcohol/methanol is sold in plastic bottles. And, you would be diluting it. It is indeed the key ingredient in most antifreeze washers. You can try rubbing alcohol (larger molecule size, slightly less anti-freeze) as well; it also works.
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      01-29-2015, 11:21 AM   #15
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Hyde

you should try using the rear spray now..if it doesnt work then theres a problem.

I checked mine and it work so the line def froze. its 25deg
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      01-29-2015, 11:44 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NPickles View Post
I think the rear washed stops working when the low washer fluid warning comes on. Had it on mine recently with nothing frozen and as soon as the low washer fluid warning came on the rear washer stopped working. Couldn't even hear the pump running so it wasn't air in the line.

Went to wash the front window and it worked fine so it sounds like it must be deliberately like that.
This sounds like the reason, but I don't understand how could it still be low after adding a whole gallong of stuff..


Quote:
Originally Posted by coolmex200 View Post
If the low fluid light is on, then the rear will not work. I added more and started working. You'll be surprised how much it takes. I think I added almost two gallons.
Ok, this makes sense, better go buy another gallon and dump it in there, in fact I was surprised with a whole gallon it never overfilled (I kept waiting for it, did not happen)

Quote:
Originally Posted by nyalpine90 View Post
Hyde

you should try using the rear spray now..if it doesnt work then theres a problem.

I checked mine and it work so the line def froze. its 25deg
No freezing, like I said, it sprays at first when I run the engine, then it stops the moment Low Washer warning comes on. So what coolmex200 said might be the reason.
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      01-29-2015, 11:46 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MattBianco View Post
Makes sense. Thin tube is going away from the warm engine would freeze, and fluid won't melt easily with driving as engine heat won't reach it.

That stinky BMW fluid is good for something!

Try methyl alcohol in the washer. About 1/4 to 1/5t ratio. Pour only and only when engine is cold.
No, I am sick and tired and a more nauseous from that super stinky fluid that smells like nail polish remover. The stuff I got is the new rain-x that works down to -25F so it is definitely not frozen. It sprays just fine when engine starts. I am going to be adding another gallon to see if it finally resets the low washer warning.. Also I think I need to replace these wipers, why would they switch to old style wipers, I don't understand, they don't have enough pressure I get streaks on passenger side, but Rain-X does a much better job than BMW fluid with half the amount of fluid washing the salt away.
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      01-29-2015, 12:05 PM   #18
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Hyde Wrote:
This sounds like the reason, but I don't understand how could it still be low after adding a whole gallon of stuff..

For my X3 the reservoir has an air hole at the top. When I parked on a steep incline, it would leak out on passenger side between door and qtr panel. But there was still plenty of fluid remaining.

As R33 said maybe puddle/leak
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      01-29-2015, 02:57 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by r33 View Post
hyde , sounds like there is a leak to the rear sprayer.
Did you see a puddle under the car after doing that?
I missed this sorry. I'll have to try again. You mean leak when I try to spray the rear?
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      01-29-2015, 03:09 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hyde View Post
I missed this sorry. I'll have to try again. You mean leak when I try to spray the rear?
Well, if you have a puddle under the car, that's mean there is a leak or damaged hose in that area.
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      01-29-2015, 07:11 PM   #21
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There is no puddle, I dumped nearly another gallon into the reservoir filled up to right below cap.
It's still spraying normally in the back right after engine start, and immediately stops when I get the low washer warning. No pump noise or anything. Will report back after driving tomorrow.
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      01-29-2015, 08:43 PM   #22
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hyde , maybe NPickles is right. Once the warning is on, the rear washer will stop spraying. It could be a safety reason also, since you will need the front windshield to be clean more than the rear glass.
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