Wipers and washers (Windscreen Washers): Description and operation

Windscreen Washers

The windscreen washers consist of two washer jets located on the top surface of the bonnet. Each washer jet contains two adjustable outlets which can be moved to obtain the correct coverage of the windscreen. The two washer jets are connected in series to a flexible pipe which is routed in the electrical harness to a washer reservoir. The reservoir is located inside the RH front wheel arch behind the wheel arch liner. A non-return valve is located in the feed pipe to the windscreen washer jets to prevent washer fluid siphoning back to the reservoir.

The reservoir is moulded from plastic and has a capacity of approximately 4.0 litres (1.0 US gallon). The reservoir has two ports which allow for the attachment of two washer pumps. The flexible pipe from the windscreen washer jets is connected to the forward of the two electric washer pumps. The reservoir has a filler tube which protrudes into the engine compartment. The tube is sealed by a removable cap. A filter is located in the neck of the filler tube and prevents the ingress of particulate matter when replenishing the reservoir. The filter can be removed for cleaning.

Rear Screen Washer

The rear washer uses the same reservoir as the windscreen washers. A second electric washer pump is fitted to the reservoir and supplies washer fluid, via a pipe located in the wiring harness, to a single washer jet which is fitted in the rear wiper arm. The washer jet has four outlets which direct washer fluid to each side of the wiper blade. A nonreturn valve is located in the feed pipe to the rear screen washer jet to prevent washer fluid siphoning back to the reservoir.