windscreen washer motor

Hi all,

Just wondered if anybody has had the same problem that I'm having.
The water in the screen washer bottle ran out and after a week or so I decided to fill it up again. Now the washer motor doesn't seem to be working. If I put the headlights on and try it, they get a burst of water so I'm not sure what's happening. Are there 2 motors, one for the screen and one for the lights? Any help would be very welcome. Thanks.

There are two motors. The pump for the headlamps only works when you operate the screenwashers with the headlamps on. It is controlled by a timer so that only a short burst is given.
The screen wash is from the other pump and normally will squirt for as long as you hold the lever on. If you give the lever a quick jab the washers operate for a prolonged but timed period while the wipers also operate.

I've not had any problem with the washer motor but have one hell of a job filling the tank for the windscreen washer. It keeps getting an airlock and water will then spew back out of the pipe, even if I just leave the hose to trickle water in. Do others have this experience and, if so, is there a way round it?

think there's a wee vent (the small hole on the right of the filler) that might be blocked....mine takes it's water no problem

OK, thanks for tha, do you know where the windscreen motor is then?

I don't know how similar yours is to a 164, but after weeks of worry, I discovered that the little plastic cover to the wiper spindle had cracked and the water had got in and stopped it working. I thought it was the motor, but after taking the plastic cover off and spraying it with penitrating oil I could get it apart, and grease it all, and it has been fine ever since. I just keep it lubricated now.

I took the motor off first and it worked when disconnected to the wiper assembly and it saved me loads of money. I also have a hole somewhere in the washer line and can only fit one litre in until it leaks, the windscreen is fine and I just wipe the headlights by hand now.

I might get a 166 they sound like as much fun as a 164!

Could you tell me where that spindle is located please? And also the motor? Thanks.

I don't know for sure, as I have a 164, but;

At the bottom of the wiper arm, there is a rond bit of plastic, this covers the bolt and spindle. If it has a small hole or crack, then it will corrode and stop moving. Lift it off with a screw driver and then you should be able to see what it is.

The flimsy bit of plastic, running under the wipers is just a cover that if you roll back the rubber seal, just pops off. It is surprisingly flexable and strong, mine did not break. You may have to take the wipers off completely to do this. Then you should be able to see the wiper assembly, follow the arms and rods back to a bit that goes round in a circle. The motor should be connected to that, and be covered in a plastic or rubber casing to keep the water out.

Just make it so that it moves, clean it and spary it with lubricant safe for rubber and plastic. If you take the motor off, and you can't move anything by hand then niether can the motor. Turn it on when not attached and it should work, as they are very strong and tend to last for ever.

I was told by Alfa I needed a new motor and wiper assembly costing £250, actually all I needed was a little time and some squirty stuff!

It still works now. Well worth checking out as you can easily find out if the motor works before taking the steering covers off and looking at wires like I did!

Good luck, should be obvious what to do, but I don't know if your car is the same as mine.

Paul

Ah Paul,

Thanks for that but I think we got our wires crossed. I am talking about the windscreen washer motor, I need to find where that is. Sorry mate.

The screenwash motor/pump and the headlamp one are mounted on the bottom of the reservoir at the front RH side of the engine bay.

Access to the motor/pump units is from below. You need to remove the sump guard and the plastic panels on the inner wing.

Sorry still full of Christmas. I have had the screen wash reservoir off as well, the plastic under the wing is the hardest bit to get off!

I replaced all the rubber seals and the reservoir does not leak, but one of the little pipes to the headlights has a hole somewhere I can't get at and it still leaks!

When it used to work, I had to keep the screen washer on for a long time before it came out of the headlight bit as well, then it worked as normal until it ran out of screen wash again and I had to do it again.

Sorry for the confusion.
Paul

Thanks all. I'll have to do some tampering under the bonnet, bugger!!!!