How To Fix Windscreen Washer Jets When They Stop Working + Pics

[Simon72]

Seeings Winter is with us again, I thought I would bring it to everyones attention that it is a known problem that if you accidently flick the front or rear windscreen washer when the water bottle is frozen then you will 99% of the time blow the fuse. This is due to Citroens mad idea of putting a timer on the pump so that it runs for 3 seconds. The problem with this is that if the water and pump are frozen then excess current is then drawn by the pump and blows the control fuse. Grrrrrrr

Solution For MK1 C2s (MK2s Pictures also shown)

Anyway here goes.

1. Open bonnet.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Washer%20Fuses/SA402293.jpg

2. Pull off the Front cover from the Battery this allows better access to the Fuse box to the right of the battery.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Washer%20Fuses/SA402296.jpg

3. On the left hand side of the fuse box unclip the clip (easy if you use a 10p piece)
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Washer%20Fuses/SA402295.jpg

4. Once cover is off you will see a row of small micro spade fuses, the fuse you need is a RED 10amp located far right (IDENTIFIED AS F14 MK1 OWNERS) or (F3 FOR MK2 OWNERS)
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Washer%20Fuses/SA402297.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Washer%20Fuses/SA402298.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v355/VTR_D55/Other%20Random%20Stuff/img016Medium.jpg
MK2 OWNERS (FUSE 3)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v355/VTR_D55/Other%20Random%20Stuff/img017Medium.jpg
(Scanned Pictures Curtousy Of Dave 'Bump')

5. Go to glove box and on the lid of the interal fuse box you will see the extractor tool. Use this to remove the fuse from under the bonnet.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Washer%20Fuses/SA402291.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Washer%20Fuses/SA402301.jpg

6. Go to Halford and get a new one or two or three (Citroen don't supply a spare)
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Washer%20Fuses/SA402292.jpg

7. Replace fuse (Don't put a larger amperage fuse in or you may either burn the washer pump motor out or in worst case set the wiring loom on fire)
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Washer%20Fuses/SA402302.jpg

8. Replace all covers in reverse order.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Washer%20Fuses/SA402293.jpg

9. Allow washer bottle to defrost before using the washers again.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Hope that helps.

[Roachie]

I think this has happened to mine, hasn't worked in 3 days. Will check this out 2moro. Cheers simon!

[Simon72]

I think this has happened to mine, hasn't worked in 3 days. Will check this out 2moro. Cheers simon!

Picture of the fuse added, location pictures to follow tomorrow.

Common Fault Every Winter

Had to do my wifes C3 today, her's does the same evfery year aswell.

Fuses are only 10p each ish, Citroen even carry them in stock about same price.

[MRHBLUE2]

Had to do mine twice since owning the Furio....

Now to sort the other slightly more annoying fault.......

[Reyyyyy]

Got a mate in the parts departmet in my local citroen il tell him about this and see if he'l chuck me a handful of free 1s

[elniniol999]

good info si,

this keeps the pump good but i had a thought the other day when i was driving barely able to see out the windscreen due to dirt as my bottle was frozen.

is there enough space round the water bottle to insulate it and try to prevent it from freezing in the first place? because lets face it, the majority of the time you actually need it its when its cold and frost, hence frozen! or am i missing a trick in terms of keeping the fluid from freezing??

[Simon72]

good info si,

this keeps the pump good but i had a thought the other day when i was driving barely able to see out the windscreen due to dirt as my bottle was frozen.

is there enough space round the water bottle to insulate it and try to prevent it from freezing in the first place? because lets face it, the majority of the time you actually need it its when its cold and frost, hence frozen! or am i missing a trick in terms of keeping the fluid from freezing??

Best option is to use the pre-mix washer fluid (the 5ltr bottler that are premixed) they seam to be able to take temperatures down to about 5degC below

[elniniol999]

thats what i use and it still freezes lol, oh well. when its dry i might take the bumper off and see if its do-able and see if it makes a difference or whether its just too much of a pain in the a55 to do

[chilun73]

cant you put a lil bit of anti freeze in it?

[Simon72]

Bad idea to put Anti-freeze in, Anti-freeze isn't very good for the paint.



????????? COULD THIS BE MADE A STICKY ;-) ?????????

[Bump]

Mk2 fuse box's are laid out differently as you suspected Simon, I shall try and get a picture tomorrow to suplement this thread :)

[c2ology]

good lil guide there si, well done mate!

[Simon72]

Excellent cheers Dave :-)

[Bump]

edited

[Simon72]

Cheers Dave, Excellent, will edit my text and if you like move pictures to top.

[Bump]

edited

[Simon72]

Done Dave, pictures moved to top (With Credits to you added ;-) )

So you can now tidy thread, thanks again.

[dave1]

very good information Haynes!

[c2stew]

Simon is god.

[chambers]

If there are 18 fuses on the under bonnet glove box on both the mk1 and the mk 2 is thgere any drop down fuse box inside the mk2 that I havent noticed or is there just the one fuse?

[chambers]

Scrap that, just found the drop down bit in the footwell

[Simon72]

Scrap that, just found the drop down bit in the footwell

;-) We will make a detective out of you one day ;-)

[chambers]

lol thanks mate, still no further forward unfortunately, knida hoping you can help with in the towbar electrics thread

[Advikaz]

was i the only person who didnt get a spare fuse on mine lol? It beggers belief a brand new car iv had my windscreen wash go & my manifold in 2 months :O

[jnc90]

I seem to have this problem! Thanks a lot mate! :)

[jnc90]

Is this what I need?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_21 1926_langId_-1_categoryId_165562

[Fryer]

dont think so mate but i cant really tell from tha pic. you need the 10 amp mini fuses mine went the other day and halfords in ponty were sold out so had to go to parts world for the mini 10 amp fuses. well you only need one its easy to change once you've done it

[Fryer]

there you go mate here's the link for the correct fuse

linky (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_21 8592_langId_-1_categoryId_165562)

cant see the fuse on its own just in the assorted pack

[jnc90]

okay cheers mate!
Didnt realise u were local! U planning to go to south wales cruise 8.
If so we're goin in convoy from J33
http://www.c2club.co.uk/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=21240

[Advikaz]

You would think citroen would try and wrap the water tank to stop it freezing really theres plenty of room for it, mine freezes everyday not had the chance to put windscreen wash in it. try & let the engine run for a while get some heat into it before you use it. the 3 second timing is good if your lazy but blows the fuse alot

[Fryer]

okay cheers mate!
Didnt realise u were local! U planning to go to south wales cruise 8.
If so we're goin in convoy from J33
http://www.c2club.co.uk/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=21240
if its in march/april mite not have my c2 then as think i'll have a polo. yeah live in pontypridd but i'm a mountain ash boy at heart lol even tho never lived there lol. but not 100% sure as i work shifts mate and work sats etc. but closer to the time maybe. just to tell u it takes like 10mins tops took me 10 mins as forgot to take the back of the battery cover off too busy arguing lol

[jnc90]

okay cheers mate!
Didnt realise u were local! U planning to go to south wales cruise 8.
If so we're goin in convoy from J33
http://www.c2club.co.uk/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=21240
if its in march/april mite not have my c2 then as think i'll have a polo. yeah live in pontypridd but i'm a mountain ash boy at heart lol even tho never lived there lol. but not 100% sure as i work shifts mate and work sats etc. but closer to the time maybe. just to tell u it takes like 10mins tops took me 10 mins as forgot to take the back of the battery cover off too busy arguing lol

haha, okay cheers mate! U can still come along with ur Polo mun, but if ur working then fair enough!
haha, how come ur a mount boy at heart then if u never lived there? lol

[Fryer]

raised there mate went to school there and mates are from there etc. well if i come in the polo it not modded. as its been a "family car" for the last 3.5yrs lol. neither is the c2 aint modded except for the rear arch is slightly wider on the one side lol. and aint modded as just aint got the cash well i have and haven't etc. any problems with fitting the fuse give us a shout

[jnc90]

ah right!
Okay cheers mate, will do! Thanks a to, I'll pop in tonight to one of the halfords in Cardiff! Thanks again! :)

[jnc90]

Getting the fuse box cover off is one of the hardest things I've ever done!
Probs just my car but it WOULD NOT un clip even using a screwdriver and I couldn't even break the clip lol (who said Citroen's ain't well made haha)

Ended up making some kind of leverage device with a pliers and pen knife lol, got it off, then found out the tool was missing from the inside fuse box and couldnt get into the fuse boxes of either of my parents cars to nick the tool but turned out Halfords had sold me the wrong one nehow!

Don't think they got the right ones, so where can I get them?

[Roachie]

Just put it in with your hand..

I also couldnt get mine off, but i did mange to break the clip lol. Also scratched all the top of the cover getting it out as i tried to be clever and not remove the battery cover lol

[jnc90]

haha, I couldn't get the old one out without the tool lol,but they sell the tools for like £2 in halfords so I'll get 1 tomoro!
But still not sure where to get the fuse? Any ideas?

Thanks again! :)

[JonnyW]

Sorry to be a pain..

Is there a fuse that needs replacing in the glovebox too?

Or just the one in the bonnet?

I went to Halfords and got the wrong fuses but am driving over 100 miles tonight so need to fix it in the dark :lol:

[Fryer]

only in the bonnet mate

[JonnyW]

Okay, thankyou very much mate.

Now i've just got to find a Mini Fuse.. I got the wrong ones, and Halfords doesn't have any! :roll:

[chambers]

can get the fuses from halfrauds but you got to get a pack and thats if they are in stock, most good motor factors will sell thme individually. Also the easiest way I have found of getting fuses out is simply using a pair of long nose pliers

[Fryer]

yeah halfords are shite for lil fuses lol. and they dont even know what ones u need. i reckon we should up date the topic to say you need the 10amp mini blade fuse. i bought mine in a multi pack and i aint gonna even use the other 3 lol. unless next time my fuse blows chuck 15amp fuse init

[JonnyW]

Halfords didn't have any when I went.. Useless place :roll:

Luckily one of my technicians here had one in his toolbox :D

[Mike_89]

F3 10 amp! cheers! ive sold my C2 but my mate has a C2 and this happened to him, couldnt remember what fuse it was that it blew! like me he has a mk2 06 and he and myself got the mk1 hand book. citroen are so so so shite!

thanks simon!

[Willsta_GT]

Quality description mate cheers, this happened to me before the car went into the garage and the cranks never thought of changin a fuse for me when they quite clearly would have realised it was neeeding changed :-@

Il do it 2moro :)

[pel1308]

na mine stopped workin i changhed the fuse. took it to some electrical garage and the cable ends had burnt cost me 80 quid

[RuthHarrison_]

Thanks for the help, it looks like the same happened to mine... I'm going to attempt to change the fuse this evening... that's if I can even get into this fuse box

:(

[Greg]

It's easy Ruth, it's located next to the battery and the lid simply unclips.

[RuthHarrison_]

It's easy Ruth, it's located next to the battery and the lid simply unclips.Thanks Greg, do I need to buy some of those long pliers or will my girl fingers be able to reach it?!

I think i'm going to have to do this every day for the rest of bloody winter! I never know when the water has defrosted!

I'm going to have a bash at dinner, but i reckon the water will be frozen again, so if I try it will just give up... should i use a 10 fuse thing then? i only have a 25 with me now :(

[Greg]

Yeah I'd just swap the 10 over, there's a tool in the glove box fuse compartment to remove them, but if you've tiny girl hands, like me you can grab them.

I'd get some screen wash too, as that won't freeze.

And I know how you feel having to do it every day! Pain in the arse really.

[RuthHarrison_]

Ah, okay, i'll have a look in there as well, I feel like such a divvy not knowing how to change a fuse... I was so excited aobut my new car and now it just seems to be making me sad. :(
x

[Greg]

LOL, it can be complicated. Go into Halfords and ask them to do it, flutter your eyelashes and I bet one of them does it, just write down which fuse it is in the box so they know.

When did you get it?

[RuthHarrison_]

i got it on New Years Eve and i only drove it yesterday because my insurance ocmpany was closed, so obviously with the salt and show and slush my windscreen gets pretty dirty pretty quickly, and without being able to wash them meant I was pulling into the hard shoulder of the M6 ever 10 minutes to pour water on my screen!

I only have a regular garage near work, so I will ask on of them, but I'm going to jneed to know for the next time it flipping happens!

How can citroen make something so badly?
x

[Wickedredc2]

all cars break just some more than others lol

[RuthHarrison_]

well im going to nip to the car shop now for the fuse... so will update you when i get back...

[RuthHarrison_]

Got the fuse, got more screenwash, can't get the flaming cover off now. noone will help me. fantastic.
x

[Wickedredc2]

if i lived near i would lol

[RuthHarrison_]

if i lived near i would lol

aww, bless you... I dont actually know anyone around warrington! what a nightmare! x

[Wickedredc2]

do you not have a local halfords ect???? or autosave or that??. . .just go round looking for somone that has a c2 and ask them lol

[RuthHarrison_]

we do have a halfords yeah, but I used to work in halfords and i know they charge through the nose to do stuff like that! I might just call in on my way home from work and bite the bullet.
xx

[Wickedredc2]

na lucky if they charge u a fiver

[Greg]

we do have a halfords yeah, but I used to work in halfords and i know they charge through the nose to do stuff like that! I might just call in on my way home from work and bite the bullet.
xx

Haha, I am onto my second stint there, the only job I could get after uni :cry:
Surely if you used to work there they'd do it free, I do it for people, including audio fitting :P

[sweep]

Hello All,

New owner of a 08 VTS 1.6 HDi,

As u all know a very cold snap recently and tried to use washers, suprise suprise they didnt work. Turns out that citroen fill the wahsers with water when re-selling a car not a specialist solution, typical!

Read this post and found the fuse to be blown and replaced it with one from Maplin.

Tried again and they still dont work!!! do you need the engine running for them to work? as the wipers go but still no sound from the motor and the fuse hasnt blow again.

Any suggestions of any other possible fuses that have gone?

My fuse board in the glove box only contains one fuse and doesnt look anything like the manual does. Ive got it booked in for tomorrow but id rather replace another possible fuse somewhere for 50p than have to possibly pay citroen £9 to change a fuse!

Cheers

Tom

[smartly]

Is it still frozen?

[sweep]

Well ive opened the bottle top and its luke warm so isnt frozen and the rubber pipes are soft not hard but either way if they were the pump should of still tried to run before blowing another fuse unless something else is playing up!

[Orta]

The pics on this thread are v useful! Guna attempt this tomorrow morning in the light. I'm hoping I've still got the lil' fuse removing tool in my glovebox !!!

[smartly]

Did you sort yours "Sweep"? Only my son's C2 has the same problem, I've replaced the fuse and still nothing. Fuse is not blowing but pump not making any noise.

[ecostorm2]

can you not put a bit of vodka in to stop it freezing? its not sticky or bad for paintwork and alcohol doesnt freeze. suppose you would get done for drink driving tho if someone noticed the smell!

just dont try sambuca, unless you want a flame thrower!!

[C2Gavi]

can you not put a bit of vodka in to stop it freezing? its not sticky or bad for paintwork and alcohol doesnt freeze. suppose you would get done for drink driving tho if someone noticed the smell!

just dont try sambuca, unless you want a flame thrower!!

Why not just put antifreeze screen wash in? if you mix it right it works upto like -9 degrees.

& for anybody interested you can get the fuses off ebay for like x10 of them delivered for £2!
plenty of spares for those stupid french electric Winters!

[jensenc2vtr]

U Life saver!!! why does the handbook say its under the dash then!!



ohwell many thanks :)

[gemmiella]

thanks for this, it really helped me =D

and ruth, it took me a while to get it off cause of the stupid french layout... oh well :p

x x x

[TheBling]

Excellent I'll give this a try!

[hotphil85]

this happens to both my c2s every time there is a hard frost and i try to use the jets. carry a bag of spares for after it thaws out but would a higher rated fuse help having to replace the fuse?

[andy brookfield]

thanks pics very helpfull
spoken to mechanic mare pump gone
slowly going off the french

[RuthHarrison_]

Oh and here we are again... blown fuses have once again reared their annoying ugly heads. :'(

[Bump]

PSA seem to realise the fuse blows too easily and now recomend a 15amp fuse, and the latest PSA cars have this fitted (happened to be checking the works 308SW today with an identical fusebox to my C4 and it has a 15a in)

[JimmyDee]

I registered to this forum just to say thanks for everyone's input on this! I coudn't see what the problem was with my windscreen washer after the recent extremely cold weather but after realising the motor wasn't even making any noise realised it was probably the fuse.

Replacing the fuse was a pain in the backside! Tried doing it without taking the battery cover off but didn't have any luck. Was worried that the battery cover had to be unclipped or something but then find out it just pulls out nicely if you stop thinking you're going to snap something.

Also, getting the fuse box open under the bonnett was a pain. The clip was holding on for dear life until I managed to get a long flat end screwdriver behind it.

Replaced the fuse and everything seems to be working perfectly now.

Thank you everyone!

[nextmick]

Well my washers stopped working during the winter as I only drive the car occasionally I thought I was just out of washer liquid which I was. No that I've refilled the tank I've discovered that the washer is not working at all. I've checked all the fuses and everything is fine. Both front and back washers are out of action. Any help in getting the washers working would be greatly appreciated.

M

[Todd]

Can u hear the washer motor trying to work?

[SimonJones]

I've been having the same trouble with the washer jets not working and no motor sound.

I've opened the fuse box under the bonnet and found that the layout is different to my car manual. Looks like I have the wrong manual to my car! The layout is the same as the pic posted in the original thread so I assume I have a mark 2 Citroen C2. It's a 55 reg.

I've found that the fuse in the 14 position on the diagram is green and marked 30 on the actual fuse so i was just wondering do I need a 30 amp fuse?

[Todd]

Yea lad, if your not too sure, just go into any local place that would sell single fuses and ask for one the same, then replace it in the same spot you took it from

[SimonJones]

I've just read the original thread with the diagrams and it 's a 10 amp fuse I need - it's marked F3 in the box and 3 on the diagram.

[wazman]

ive searched forum and no wiser,the wifes just failed mot due to this not working,i have checked fuse its ok,but cant hear the pump,managed to unclip connector and tested with multimeter but am only getting a reading of 4v when i try wash back windscreen,should i be getting at least 12v when i do this?if its the pump thats a fault i do i change it ie does it screww to the water bottle or is it a push in one,plus is there no relay aswell on this circuit?any help much appreciated ty .