Fixing windshield washers that have stopped spraying is one of the easiest fixes a DIY’er can take on. Usually the fault is with the pump motor attached the fluid reservoir. Just put your ear near it when the washers should be on and you should hear it buzzing. If it doesn't then chances are the motor is burnt out and just needs replacing.
Before spending needless money, it’s worth double checking a few things. If your car has two motors, try swapping their power wires and see if the failure swaps with it. The E53 BMW X5 has two identical pumps - one for the rear window and one for the front. If you had no rear but the front worked and now have rear working and no front after the swap then you can be sure the motor is at fault. Some other models like the E38 7-Series also have two up front pumps - one regular and one reserved for "intensive wash."
Multimeter testing
If you only have one pump then it’s worth checking if voltage is reaching the pump - just look for around 12V at the cable end using a multimeter. It doesn't actually matter which way you around you attach the probes - whether it says +12V or -12V you know it’s good. If it reads 0V, then it is most likely the motor is good and instead you have a blown fuse or a deeper electrical issue.
Many washer jets include a heater element
So what if you have a voltage, and you hear the motor buzzing but still have no spray? Most likely the spray jet itself is blocked or worst case it has collapsed internally and will need replaced. Many washer jets include a heater element and sometimes this can fail and lead to melted plastic inside the jet unit. At your own risk, you can use a thin strong piece of metal to try and clean out the jet - an electronics resistor or capacitor is exactly the right size and strength!
If that fails to improve the situation then unfortunately it’s time to remove the spray nozzle to examine it in detail and most likely order a replacement. In most cases the nozzle is held in via a plastic clip under the hood.
About the Author: Bryan McPhail
Bryan is a longtime BMW enthusiast in Florida.
