NCT question, headlamp washers

helimachoptor

My 2011 a6 failed the NCT as the headlamp washers don't work :pac:

tbh no idea, if they have ever worked.

What am i looking at costwise to have these replaced?

antodeco

It could be as simple as the headlamp washer bottle needing fluid!

biko

Maybe this will help
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a4-b6-platform-discussion-34/pop-up-headlight-washers-not-working-what-could-problem-2363046/page2/

helimachoptor

antodeco wrote: »

It could be as simple as the headlamp washer bottle needing fluid!

They aren't popping out so don't think it's the washer fluid.

Fuse could be it, will need to see if it's within my capabilities to replace

dmc17

helimachoptor wrote: »

They aren't popping out so don't think it's the washer fluid.

Fuse could be it, will need to see if it's within my capabilities to replace

Mine weren't working on an older Audi and it was the pump was broken. Seem to recall it passed nct 2 years without them and failed the 3rd year :rolleyes:

ION08

Previous owner could have deactivated them through VCDS.

rex-x

helimachoptor wrote: »

They aren't popping out so don't think it's the washer fluid.

Fuse could be it, will need to see if it's within my capabilities to replace

The pop up part is powered by the washer fluid What an age we live in

mickdw

rex-x wrote: »

The pop up part is powered by the washer fluid What an age we live in

Ya my audi pop out washers are forced out by the water pressure so no power supply to the washer itself.

Seve OB

I had the very same failure. But it was not a problem, took a little explaning but got there in the end.
I drive an E Class so possibly not the same issue as you, but worth checking out.

So, he failed me cause the headlamps washers didn't squirt when he sprayed the windscreen washers. Well of course they didn't, because they were not supposed to. First of all it was daylight and he didn't have the lights on. It only works with the lights on. Secondly they only spray the headlamps every 5th go.

I told him this a try time of failure but he wouldn't believe me. So luckily I had the owners manual. I showed it to him. Still told me that as car had washers on the headlamps they had to work and I need to get them fixed. ......... But they aren't broken. He just wasn't giving in and I wasn't leaving, eventually he agreed to come out and take a look when I told him to get the manager. Have me the cert, said this time only and I will have to get them fixed for the future. I pointed at the book and said I didn't think so.

Gas thing was, that was not my first NCT in the car and I've had a few since, never an issue any other time.

mickdw

Seve OB wrote: »

I had the very same failure. But it was not a problem, took a little explaning but got there in the end.
I drive an E Class so possibly not the same issue as you, but worth checking out.

So, he failed me cause the headlamps washers didn't squirt when he sprayed the windscreen washers. Well of course they didn't, because they were not supposed to. First of all it was daylight and he didn't have the lights on. It only works with the lights on. Secondly they only spray the headlamps every 5th go.

I told him this a try time of failure but he wouldn't believe me. So luckily I had the owners manual. I showed it to him. Still told me that as car had washers on the headlamps they had to work and I need to get them fixed. ......... But they aren't broken. He just wasn't giving in and I wasn't leaving, eventually he agreed to come out and take a look when I told him to get the manager. Have me the cert, said this time only and I will have to get them fixed for the future. I pointed at the book and said I didn't think so.

Gas thing was, that was not my first NCT in the car and I've had a few since, never an issue any other time.

My audi is the same in that lights must be on and they only wash every 5th pull of the screen wash. In addition, once washer fluid starts to go low, headlight washers are disabled to save washer fluid for windscreen. A very long pull for windscreen wash will override the 5th pull and give headlight wash whenever.

friend was failed for the same on his insignia,
Same craic.lights had to be on and only happens once every 5 times or so.
Of course my mate didnt know this and had to go back to the center.
also he broke the bumper cap off one of the washers thinking it was stuck.

helimachoptor

ok will refill and try again in the dark and see if that works

the merchant

My wife’s Skoda Superb failed for this recently. I fitted a cheapo (€22) pump from eBay which sorted it. It’s not too bad of a job to fit it, just drop off the drivers side of the bumper cover and remove the fog light. I think it’s pretty much the same pump for all Audi’s and VW’s as well.

For clarification - the headlight washers activate the first time the windscreen washers are used after the dipped beams are turned on and every fifth time after that.

I can’t believe this is a failure considering most cars don’t even have this feature.

Seve OB

helimachoptor wrote: »

ok will refill and try again in the dark and see if that works

Just turn your lights on and try

mickdw

the merchant wrote: »

My wife’s Skoda Superb failed for this recently. I fitted a cheapo (€22) pump from eBay which sorted it. It’s not too bad of a job to fit it, just drop off the drivers side of the bumper cover and remove the fog light. I think it’s pretty much the same pump for all Audi’s and VW’s as well.

For clarification - the headlight washers activate the first time the windscreen washers are used after the dipped beams are turned on and every fifth time after that.

I can’t believe this is a failure considering most cars don’t even have this feature.

Headlight washers are compulsory with xenon lights. That's why it's a fail as far as I know.

Allinall

mickdw wrote: »

Headlight washers are compulsory with xenon lights. That's why it's a fail as far as I know.

This was confirmed to me recently.

Car passed, but he mentioned one of the washers wasn’t working, but not a fail as they’re not xenon.

TBH they’re something I never use. I have a cloth in the car and if it’s particularly mucky I give all the lights a quick wipe.

What’s the point in having headlight washers if you have to do the rest by hand?

mickdw

Allinall wrote: »

This was confirmed to me recently.

Car passed, but he mentioned one of the washers wasn’t working, but not a fail as they’re not xenon.

TBH they’re something I never use. I have a cloth in the car and if it’s particularly mucky I give all the lights a quick wipe.

What’s the point in having headlight washers if you have to do the rest by hand?

The washers are great. Dirty headlamps seriously effect visibility.
Quick blast of the washer while driving and it's like all new lights.

ION08

Honestly, i doubt headlight washers on an 2011 Audi are just “not working” and not doing anything because something is “broken”

Looking in VCDS to see if they were disabled would be my first port of call.

They were working perfectly on my ‘08 A4 and I disabled them as I didnt fancy half a litre of washer fluid sprayed across my bonnet everytime i wanted to wash my windscreen :rolleyes:

mickdw

ION08 wrote: »

Honestly, i doubt headlight washers on an 2011 Audi are just “not working” and not doing anything because something is “broken”

Looking in VCDS to see if they were disabled would be my first port of call.

They were working perfectly on my ‘08 A4 and I disabled them as I didnt fancy half a litre of washer fluid sprayed across my bonnet everytime i wanted to wash my windscreen :rolleyes:

I can't believe you would disable them.

ION08

mickdw wrote: »

I can't believe you would disable them.

Hate them. - So do a lot of people.

If I had a button where I could fully control them maybe it would be a different story, but hate the way the spray each and everytime (when lights are on) and then every 5th cycle

helimachoptor

So, filled up water reservoir. No dice, they won't pop out of the bumper.

Seve OB

helimachoptor wrote: »

So, filled up water reservoir. No dice, they won't pop out of the bumper.

Did you try what I said?

helimachoptor

Seve OB wrote: »

Did you try what I said?

I didn't, will do now.

That didn't work either

Del2005

Can you pull them up to check if they are stuck? It's only water pressure that works them so they should pop up easy but there could get a bit of something to make them stick down.

Another issue could be dirty lines. If you have access to a compressor try blowing air into the line from the washer end.

helimachoptor

Del2005 wrote: »

Can you pull them up to check if they are stuck? It's only water pressure that works them so they should pop up easy but there could get a bit of something to make them stick down.

Another issue could be dirty lines. If you have access to a compressor try blowing air into the line from the washer end.

Cheers, will try both.

darragh o meara

The pump is a weak point in any of the VW’s I’ve had where they didn’t work. 4 so far and all fixed with a replacement pump. OEM part is about €70 but I’ve fitted aftermarket ones got from amazon for about €18. Fitting isn’t too bad either.

My money is on the pump in this case.