Windscreen washers not working

[yellow edition]

As the title suggets the windscreen washers arent working. The lights washer seems to be ok.
I can hear the pump running and the wipers move .
There is water in the tank.
Thinking about syphoning the tank out to see if there is anyhting there and trying to clean the jets.
Any advice on how to take the jets off., as i was going to try and blow the tubes back to the tank.

 

[Sparks43]

As the title suggets the windscreen washers arent working. The lights washer seems to be ok.
I can hear the pump running and the wipers move .
There is water in the tank.
Thinking about syphoning the tank out to see if there is anyhting there and trying to clean the jets.
Any advice on how to take the jets off., as i was going to try and blow the tubes back to the tank.

The Washer Jet Unit just pulls out from under the bonnet - Can be tight and you might need a small screwdriver to lever it a little bit - I always tie up the washer pipes to the wiper arm in case they disappear back inside the bonnet as pipes not always that generous

The blockage could be at the pump/bottle end depending on what screen wash you use as it becomes congealed although that's not so easy to get at so what you intend trying is probably the best place to start

 

[yellow edition]

Didnt realise i had been so long for this thread. Well tried syphoning the tank as best i could . Removed jets and made sure they were clear and blew back the pipes into the tank . Flushed the tank several times and syphoned it out..
And no joy.
Took the car into the dealers who charged me £200 to clean the in line filter as it was clogged as i hadnt used the Audi overpriced sceeen wash.
At least they gave me a new bottle of the -70degc stuff. I know it gets cold in scotland but not that bad. Any hints on dilution ratios?
Decide to use this and get rid of the halfords stuff i have.
Also need a filter for the screen wash filler tube.as audi dont wont to fit them anymore.

So looking for suggestions on where to get the screen wash and filter from. At a reasonable price

 

[JKP]

Wow, I have never used any car branded screen wash and never had a clog in the systems of my cars. Can't be related to screen wash but maybe there was something extraneous in some of the cans you've used to refill the washer fluid tank?

But I broke a pump once, when I hadn't noticed I had too watery fluid mixture in the tank when the temp went down quick and the whole line got frozen... Lesson learned.

 

[yellow edition]

Same here. Just buy whatever is on special offer at the time.
I think it is either somethinbg went into the reservoir when filling and i didnt notice. Because of no filter on the filler neck
Or there has been a build up in the tank due to something in the screen wash settling out and it finally choked the filter
Or the screen wash i was using was so bad it caused this.
I was looking at the container when i came home and it stated good for -5deg C undiluted. I was sure it used to be -10degC . So maybe not as strong as it was.
Still we live and learn and pay to much for the pleasure

 

[JKP]

Same here. Just buy whatever is on special offer at the time.
I think it is either somethinbg went into the reservoir when filling and i didnt notice. Because of no filter on the filler neck

Now that you said, some of my older cars did have a filter on top of the filler funnel. Don't remember anymore what car it was. Somehow sounds like VW Golf Mk 7.5, that car was full of small practical details and designed before the cost cuttings started to hit.

 

[KXL]

All my cars including the A3 always has a filter on the top of the filler neck. That said I only use either Autoglym Ultimate screenwash or Prestone Extreme screenwash. I once used Halfords -5 blue one it was ok, didn't cause any issues. But once I used Sonax Nano 1:100 summer only screenwash and that one if not used for awhile turns to goo in the pipes or similar. As my Ibiza was under warranty, and half the washers stopped working, the workshop cleared it with a flush and some pins to unclog the washers. I guess the Sonax would be ok if going on a road trip in summer and screenwash being used a lot, but it did clog mine.

 

[JKP]

All my cars including the A3 always has a filter on the top of the filler neck.

You mean your 8Y A3 too? Go check, mine doesn't and I can imagine it could be one of those nordic equipment pieces not necessarily put on cars for another territories. We have conditions where you have to use the windscreen wash a lot, at worst it's like you have to refill during a 400 km trip even though you did that before getting to go.

 

[yellow edition]

Could someone either measure the filter for me so i can get the correct one.
Cant think there is a lot of variation in them but you never know. Why make something a standard size.

 

[KXL]

You mean your 8Y A3 too? Go check, mine doesn't and I can imagine it could be one of those nordic equipment pieces not necessarily put on cars for another territories. We have conditions where you have to use the windscreen wash a lot, at worst it's like you have to refill during a 400 km trip even though you did that before getting to go.

Yes, mine's a 21 plate A3 8Y, when I pour screenwash too quickly it foams at the filter bit, plus one time I opened it,and there was like a small insect there, trapped by the filter. I can take a pic and show you when I next go to my car. I suppose all Nordic vehicles come standard with winter pack which includes headlight washers? Mine doesn't have headlight washers so I suppose it has the small washer fluid tank, whereas those with it, would have the larger tank. Something like 3 vs 5 litres, or that could be on my previous Seat Leon/Ibiza which had headlight washers and the 'larger' tank

 

[yellow edition]

Could someone either measure the filter for me so i can get the correct one.
Cant think there is a lot of variation in them but you never know. Why make something a standard size.

No need fpr anyone to do this. Got it sorted

 

[JKP]

Yes, mine's a 21 plate A3 8Y, when I pour screenwash too quickly it foams at the filter bit, plus one time I opened it,and there was like a small insect there, trapped by the filter. I can take a pic and show you when I next go to my car. I suppose all Nordic vehicles come standard with winter pack which includes headlight washers? Mine doesn't have headlight washers so I suppose it has the small washer fluid tank, whereas those with it, would have the larger tank. Something like 3 vs 5 litres, or that could be on my previous Seat Leon/Ibiza which had headlight washers and the 'larger' tank

Please do if that's not bothering too much. Yesterday I thought "what, of course there's a filter", went to look and there wasn't one.

All the pre-FL 8Y's do have the headlight washers here but by the facelift they turned them to a paid option! Another senseless way to try to make the car look cheaper. Like 350 € cheaper, and I think there are people who don't notice it's an option and leave them out by mistake. The last quite a few winters have been so slushy that it's just bad to drive without the headlight washers. Even though the cold isn't there as it used to be, the darkness is even worse than before when there's so much less snow to lighten the landscape, and the muddy slush blinds the headlights in no time.

I think the tank is 5 litres, it's easy to underestimate how much you need the fluid to refill.

 

[Simon50s]

I just checked and I don't have any filter visible on my 2024 model pre-facelift.

When I first got my car the thought crossed my mind regarding the 'quality' of screenwash but I decided surely that couldn't make any difference. I've been using quite alot recently due to weather conditions and have bought from my local car spares shop. It's certainly not premium but seems to be what everyone is buying.

I just did a quick web search and one if the first things I found was:

"Opting for a low-quality screenwash can lead to residue build-up and blockages, ultimately damaging these parts. Moreover, a quality screenwash contains additives that help protect against corrosion, thereby extending the lifespan of your wiper blades and even the windscreen itself."

But what would 'low quality' screenwash be? Is it the absolute cheapest you can find in a supermarket? How much should you spend? Does this apply to all modern cars?

I never gave it a thought on my ageing 2006 8P, but then again, the rear wiper did get clogged up sometime.

 

[KXL]

You mean your 8Y A3 too? Go check, mine doesn't and I can imagine it could be one of those nordic equipment pieces not necessarily put on cars for another territories. We have conditions where you have to use the windscreen wash a lot, at worst it's like you have to refill during a 400 km trip even though you did that before getting to go.

Yup, mine has the filter, knew I wasn't imagining it! The A3 was ordered in Dec 2020, received it July 2021. Maybe it was before the parts shortage? Had the joys of SOS ping and software gremlins! Though I'm pretty sure it's the same part(s) from the VAG supplies as look identical filler thing wise to my previous Seats. I 'thought' I had the headlight washers as I have the heated seats, and I can see the caps under the headlights but apparently back when I ordered, only matrix LEDs had them.

@Simon50s in regards to what is considered low quality screen wash, guess any that is made by a non automotive or 'cleaning' brand. In UK you can get screen wash at supermarket for around 2 quid for 5 liters. Me personally I stuck to actual companies screen wash like Holts, Prestone, Autoglym, RainX to name a few. Costs wise when no discounts probably 5 quid and up (need to dilute urself). Like for the petrol I put in the A3, I go to the fuel company ones, eg Shell, Esso, BP, Jet, Texaco etc. Tend to avoid supermarkets.

 

[JKP]

Interesting to see that. Surely there's a reason why they are left off from the newer cars but it's very hard to see it, considering the amount of plastic parts there are just to throw away in the delivery service. The filter looks like it costs like 0,02 € to Audi and shouldn't be hard to get either.

I see some sand grains on the bottom of it already. I think I'm always using the kind of equipment to refill the fluid tank that it shouldn't be likely to get dirt into the tank but you never know. Maybe I should try to find me a filter....

@Simon50s I use the Motonet screenwash at the moment, I found the large can of the very concentrated one the most economic. I haven't noticed any signs of it being bad quality. In these temperatures it's quite lasting, as you dilute it so much.

BTW. Does anybody have an idea if it is possible to replace the A3 cap with the one of Skoda? The one with more flexible plastic that turns into a proper funnel.

 

[Simon50s]

Interesting to see that. Surely there's a reason why they are left off from the newer cars but it's very hard to see it, considering the amount of plastic parts there are just to throw away in the delivery service. The filter looks like it costs like 0,02 € to Audi and shouldn't be hard to get either.

I see some sand grains on the bottom of it already. I think I'm always using the kind of equipment to refill the fluid tank that it shouldn't be likely to get dirt into the tank but you never know. Maybe I should try to find me a filter....

@Simon50s I use the Motonet screenwash at the moment, I found the large can of the very concentrated one the most economic. I haven't noticed any signs of it being bad quality. In these temperatures it's quite lasting, as you dilute it so much.

BTW. Does anybody have an idea if it is possible to replace the A3 cap with the one of Skoda? The one with more flexible plastic that turns into a proper funnel.

I'm also getting mine from Motonet so that's good to know. I notice that it has the German DEKRA certification so that's something at least.

Talking of funnels..... A while back I tried one of the folding silicone funnels from Motonet. It was a genuine VAG part but was too small for mine so returned it. I tried another unbranded one recently but it just didn't work well. The plastic funnels in Motornet are oversized so I gave up and found something at home instead.

 

[JKP]

I'm also getting mine from Motonet so that's good to know. I notice that it has the German DEKRA certification so that's something at least.

Talking of funnels..... A while back I tried one of the folding silicone funnels from Motonet. It was a genuine VAG part but was too small for mine so returned it. I tried another unbranded one recently but it just didn't work well. The plastic funnels in Motornet are oversized so I gave up and found something at home instead.

Thanks for the good information. I hadn't noticed the DEKRA certification but it certainly builds up some credibility which some of the Motonet products are lacking. It's a good store when you know what you're buying.

I looked for the funnel from their web site and also put the part number in Google. It all looks like it should fit to our cars, but better not to bother if you've already tried and it didn't work. I thought the pipe could be the same in A3, Golf and Octavia but looks like that's not how it is. Wouldn't be the first time Audi having their own parts.

 

[Simon50s]

@JKP I've some more information about those funnels - the devil is in the detail LOL.

This is another one of those small things which I barely gave a second thought before my new car.

Firstly, I've just realised the reason the blue VAG silicon funnel didn't fit. I found some instructions (see photo) which shows that you're meant to remove the existing windscreen washer cap first . I didn't realise the silicon version was actually a replacement which also acts as a closure cap . I just thought you use it each time for filling. So I was wrong to dismiss this. The one I purchased didn't come with any instructions so I just made a wrong assumption - user error LOL.


VAG OE-6V0955485 or 6V0955485A






I also tried this Dunlop silicon version but it was pretty useless:



I'm now using this funnel I found at home which does the job.

 

[JKP]

Ok maybe I'll give it a try then. I usually just pour the liquid from a can I've used to mix the wash fluid and water and it often spills at first. That funnel-shaped cap could be quite ideal.

 

[Simon50s]

Ok maybe I'll give it a try then. I usually just pour the liquid from a can I've used to mix the wash fluid and water and it often spills at first. That funnel-shaped cap could be quite ideal.

I was tipping the screenwash straight from the 5L container until recently, but that wasn't easy to do without spillage. Let me know your verdict on the VAG silicon funnel if you do get one. I might even try it again now I know how it should be fitted.

 

[yellow edition]

Ordered some winscreen fluid and the filter from audipartsdirect.co.uk.
Had the best prices i could find Fluid £10 /litre and filter about £12.

And......tidied out the garage and the weekend and found a container i use when making up the fluid if i had the concentrate, and there was black sludgey slime at the bottom. So i guess this might have also formed in the fluid reservoir and blocked the filter Never seen that before .

 

[JKP]

The price of a piece of plastic...!

I bought and fitted the funnel type cap today. No problems, the old one got off just by pulling and the new one by pressing enough. Feels quite handy but you must not pour too fast... Better than without but not as good as a real funnel.

 

[gaaraofthesand]

Yup, mine has the filter, knew I wasn't imagining it! The A3 was ordered in Dec 2020, received it July 2021. Maybe it was before the parts shortage? Had the joys of SOS ping and software gremlins! Though I'm pretty sure it's the same part(s) from the VAG supplies as look identical filler thing wise to my previous Seats. I 'thought' I had the headlight washers as I have the heated seats, and I can see the caps under the headlights but apparently back when I ordered, only matrix LEDs had them.

@Simon50s in regards to what is considered low quality screen wash, guess any that is made by a non automotive or 'cleaning' brand. In UK you can get screen wash at supermarket for around 2 quid for 5 liters. Me personally I stuck to actual companies screen wash like Holts, Prestone, Autoglym, RainX to name a few. Costs wise when no discounts probably 5 quid and up (need to dilute urself). Like for the petrol I put in the A3, I go to the fuel company ones, eg Shell, Esso, BP, Jet, Texaco etc. Tend to avoid supermarkets.

I have a 2021 Edition 1 and I have the SOS Ping problem. Did you ever get that sorted? What fixed it?

My car has Matrix headlights and it does wash the headlights when I use the washer.

Thanks

 

[KXL]

I have a 2021 Edition 1 and I have the SOS Ping problem. Did you ever get that sorted? What fixed it?

My car has Matrix headlights and it does wash the headlights when I use the washer.

Thanks

Yea, I still have it and intend to extend my lease (again) till 5th year. Originally it was 2 yr lease, extended to 4, hopefully they will accept. It took me 2 trips to the dealer combined of 5 full working days to update the software. Got an A5 and later A1 for courtesy car! The SOS ping was sorted after the 2nd dealer trip for software update. This was back in late 2022. So from late 2022 till now, SOS warning bliss, no pings anymore! Call your local dealer and mention you have the SOS ping error and probabLy require a software update then blag for a courtesy car.

Did you have the kangaroo edition 1.5 litre engine? Eg when it was cold it may 'kangaroo lurch' when engine was cold?

 

[gaaraofthesand]

Yea, I still have it and intend to extend my lease (again) till 5th year. Originally it was 2 yr lease, extended to 4, hopefully they will accept. It took me 2 trips to the dealer combined of 5 full working days to update the software. Got an A5 and later A1 for courtesy car! The SOS ping was sorted after the 2nd dealer trip for software update. This was back in late 2022. So from late 2022 till now, SOS warning bliss, no pings anymore! Call your local dealer and mention you have the SOS ping error and probabLy require a software update then blag for a courtesy car.

Did you have the kangaroo edition 1.5 litre engine? Eg when it was cold it may 'kangaroo lurch' when engine was cold?

Good that you got the issue fixed. I have tried calling few Audi dealers citing a "MMI issue", they always ask me to book a diagnosis which is £200. I assume yours was under warranty? I'll try citing "SOS error" next time.

My software version is 3454, do you know yours?

Actually I found my engine to be decently smooth, can't say I noticed a lurch. Its automatic.

 

[KXL]

Good that you got the issue fixed. I have tried calling few Audi dealers citing a "MMI issue", they always ask me to book a diagnosis which is £200. I assume yours was under warranty? I'll try citing "SOS error" next time.

My software version is 3454, do you know yours?

Actually I found my engine to be decently smooth, can't say I noticed a lurch. Its automatic.

I took a pic of it from Feb 2023, it was 3620. Yes when I got it sorted it was def within the 3 year warranty period. They might be able to do a goodwill one, but you can quote yours as still being on 3454 and a fellow A3 from 2021 had been updated to 3620

 

[Sparks43]

Good that you got the issue fixed. I have tried calling few Audi dealers citing a "MMI issue", they always ask me to book a diagnosis which is £200. I assume yours was under warranty? I'll try citing "SOS error" next time.

My software version is 3454, do you know yours?

Actually I found my engine to be decently smooth, can't say I noticed a lurch. Its automatic.

This was a well recognised error on the VAG cars and my 2020 model was updated in 2021/22 so they should sort that free of charge no questions asked