Windshield washer quit working, any easy solutions?

One downside of going for non-BMW oil-change/inspection, they didn't fill the windshield washer fluid. Light came on, ignored it for a bit, guess I ran it completely dry.

Refilled it and am getting nothing, front or rear. Don't hear any noise from the motor either--but not positive I could hear it before.

Already checked the fuse(s!), they are all good.

Is there any way to prime it or something else I should check before I take it in for service?

Do you hear the pump making noise? If not it's an easy fix to replace it.

The pump replacement takes 5 minutes and is a common failure point (both of mine have been replaced).

I started buying the $4 Uro aftermarket one from ecstuning. They work great and for that price I can replace 10 times more before it would make sense to buy the oem one.

Originally Posted by TheCritic

One downside of going for non-BMW oil-change/inspection, they didn't fill the windshield washer fluid. Light came on, ignored it for a bit, guess I ran it completely dry.

Refilled it and am getting nothing, front or rear. Don't hear any noise from the motor either--but not positive I could hear it before.

Already checked the fuse(s!), they are all good.

Is there any way to prime it or something else I should check before I take it in for service?

If it ran dry I would check to see if the impellers are stuck to the sides of the pump (if this is even possible). Possibly just a matter of breaking them free.

Originally Posted by x3brian

The pump replacement takes 5 minutes and is a common failure point (both of mine have been replaced).

I started buying the $4 Uro aftermarket one from ecstuning. They work great and for that price I can replace 10 times more before it would make sense to buy the oem one.

both of mine are out right now and have been out for the last 6 months or so. lol
guess i've just been too lazy or cheap to buy the replacement pumps.

how long have you had those aftermarket ones? i want to replace them before snowboard season starts.

Originally Posted by -jay-

both of mine are out right now and have been out for the last 6 months or so. lol
guess i've just been too lazy or cheap to buy the replacement pumps.

how long have you had those aftermarket ones? i want to replace them before snowboard season starts.

This is a repeat!!!!!!!!! Do a search there is tons of GOOD information to help you. Good luck
cheers
vern

Got the pumps on Ebay for $7. I went ahead and bought 2 although only 1 was bad:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230544938850...84.m1497.l2649

Both of these pumps are identical correct?
And can anyone tell me which fuses to check, I also have an 07 and the fuse diagram card was gone when the mrs bought it. Thanks

Yes the 2 pumps are identical. I didn't change them out myself I had the car in the shop for an oil change anyhow and let them do it. It didn't look that hard though.

Thanks, they looked the same just was curious. Ive already had them and the resivoir out and they r easy to remove.

Anyone with a pic of the fuse diagram or know which fuse(s) to check please help.

Originally Posted by legalfee

Got the pumps on Ebay for $7. I went ahead and bought 2 although only 1 was bad:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230544938850...84.m1497.l2649

Thanks for that link, I just ordered one myself.

That grommet doesn't have the strainer though so I picked one off Amazon.

Originally Posted by Ishniknork

Thanks for that link, I just ordered one myself.

That grommet doesn't have the strainer though so I picked one off Amazon.

Same here checked the fuses and they r all good. Ordering two pumps as we speak, thanks.

Not sure if your pumps are bad or not, but on my wife's 2006 X3 as well as my aunt's 2008 X3 i've had to replace 2 of the pumps because they started leaking. One of them so badly that all the washer fluid was gone within a week. This seems like a pretty common occurrence in these cars so i put together a page of instructions on how to pull the washer tank and replace a pump(s):

How To Replace Washer Pumps on a BMW X3

I shudder to think what the dealer would charge to replace one of these, but doing it yourself you can get both parts for $30 - $50 and fix it in under 30 minutes. It's pretty easy since the washer tank is so accessible.

Originally Posted by jvest2000

Not sure if your pumps are bad or not, but on my wife's 2006 X3 as well as my aunt's 2008 X3 i've had to replace 2 of the pumps because they started leaking. One of them so badly that all the washer fluid was gone within a week. This seems like a pretty common occurrence in these cars so i put together a page of instructions on how to pull the washer tank and replace a pump(s):

How To Replace Washer Pumps on a BMW X3

I shudder to think what the dealer would charge to replace one of these, but doing it yourself you can get both parts for $30 - $50 and fix it in under 30 minutes. It's pretty easy since the washer tank is so accessible.

I also ordered from Amazon $10.95 OEM pump with grommet shipping included. One thing you forgot to mention in your write up, The electric connection is either round or flat make sure you order the one that fits your terminal. One of the easy est fixes on the X3. Good luck
cheers
vern