"BMW X5 - Washer System"

By Ron Stultz

25 May 2010

Background:

BMW X5, 4.4i, model year 2000.

Has washer fluid spray nozzle(s) on rear hatch, windshield and headlights.

Washer system:

Washer system consists of:

    - washer fluid tank.

    - 3 pumps (2 identical).

    - washer fluid level sensor.

    - Various spray nozzles and tubing.

    - Steering column mounted, washer control switch.

Pumps on rear of tank:

The 2 pumps on the rear of the washer tank are identical.

The hose for the windshield comes off the pump on the driver's side (USA), goes through a hole in the firewall and then up to the windshield spray nozzles.

The hose for the rear hatch glass comes through the firewall, is routed under the tank and is connected to the passenger side pump via a hard plastic elbow.

To me, it appears there was a disconnect between the design of the washer tank and the 2 pumps located on the rear of the tank. As seen above, the tank has tabs in it and the pumps have tabs on them and one would think that the pump tabs should fit into the tabs on the tank, but if you do that, the pump is not down into the tank grommet far enough to not leak. Thus the pumps have to be pushed all the way down and are loose in the tank mould channels.