9-3 (05) headlamp washer failure
Discussion
Car just failed MOT due to headlamp washers not working. 9-3 / 05 with the fixed high pressure heads.
Plenty of water in tank, no loose pipes / no water on the floor (i.e. no leakes), fuse (number 15) is OK. I am assuming a pump failure, anyone got any other idea’s before I buy a new pump?
Any help appreciated.
Plenty of water in tank, no loose pipes / no water on the floor (i.e. no leakes), fuse (number 15) is OK. I am assuming a pump failure, anyone got any other idea’s before I buy a new pump?
Any help appreciated.
Thanks for reply.
Since writing at lunchtime I have swapped (have 2 x 9-3) fuse and relay, fault stays with car, so my option looks like a faulty pump.
My wife who drives this car 99% of the time was unaware that the car had head light washers, so working on that principle they haven't been used for a while, so your diagnosis of a seized pump is looking likely.
My only other worry was the fact that the signal from the stalk appears to go to relay 14 via the ECU
Since writing at lunchtime I have swapped (have 2 x 9-3) fuse and relay, fault stays with car, so my option looks like a faulty pump.
My wife who drives this car 99% of the time was unaware that the car had head light washers, so working on that principle they haven't been used for a while, so your diagnosis of a seized pump is looking likely.
My only other worry was the fact that the signal from the stalk appears to go to relay 14 via the ECU
My 9-5 went and looks like the same area for fitting, inner wheel arch off and pop the new one in. Not being an ebay user myself I found out that there was a common GM part (or at least appeared to be so) and went to the local Vauxhall dealer who wanted an arm and a leg so tried the local factors that had an after market around 35 notes. No idea if the part is the same one you need though.
When you replace the pump (specially if DIYing it like me) don't be alarmed when you fit the new one and it doesn't work straight away, as it works in small but powerful blasts it takes a couple of cycles to fill the tubes up with fluid so it can actually come out the end.
tbh, being the pump it's the best possible thing to go as they're so easy to fit.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-SAAB-9-3-HEADLAM...
tbh, being the pump it's the best possible thing to go as they're so easy to fit.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-SAAB-9-3-HEADLAM...
Thanks to you all for you input.
I am lucky (in this instance) that I own 2 x Saab 9-3.
I have just come in from swapping the pump from my car to the wife's, so that means I can get hers re tested (MOT) within the allocated 10 days, leaving me a little longer to fit the new pump when I buy it to mine (no rush this time of year!).
Still a little peeved that a car can fail an MOT on an optional extra, or something not fitted to all models. Driving along the motorway to London today I saw about 5 x '05' rag tops, and only 1 had head light washers. Apparently new MOT testing has been brought in in the last few months saying that they are fitted they must work? Still doesn't seem fair, as the wife didn't know they were fitted, which is probably why the pump has seized, as it hasn't been used for ages!
Thanks to the last contributor with the e-bay link. I was getting a little concerned as several people have told me the pumps are the same for the headlights as for the windscreen. They certainly look the same, but the original pumps fitted are left and right handed with regards to the water outlet, the picture on the previous e-bay link is the correct orientation for the headlamps.
A tip for anyone doing this is to not totally remove the plastic inner wing, just undo a few screws round the front, plenty of flex in it to swap the pumps over. Only learnt this after taking the whole thing out to remove the 1st pump!
Thanks again
I am lucky (in this instance) that I own 2 x Saab 9-3.
I have just come in from swapping the pump from my car to the wife's, so that means I can get hers re tested (MOT) within the allocated 10 days, leaving me a little longer to fit the new pump when I buy it to mine (no rush this time of year!).
Still a little peeved that a car can fail an MOT on an optional extra, or something not fitted to all models. Driving along the motorway to London today I saw about 5 x '05' rag tops, and only 1 had head light washers. Apparently new MOT testing has been brought in in the last few months saying that they are fitted they must work? Still doesn't seem fair, as the wife didn't know they were fitted, which is probably why the pump has seized, as it hasn't been used for ages!
Thanks to the last contributor with the e-bay link. I was getting a little concerned as several people have told me the pumps are the same for the headlights as for the windscreen. They certainly look the same, but the original pumps fitted are left and right handed with regards to the water outlet, the picture on the previous e-bay link is the correct orientation for the headlamps.
A tip for anyone doing this is to not totally remove the plastic inner wing, just undo a few screws round the front, plenty of flex in it to swap the pumps over. Only learnt this after taking the whole thing out to remove the 1st pump!
Thanks again
Glad you've sorted it..
Chances are the car has xenons (if its an aero it will) so headlight washers are a legal requirement and have to work. If it had halogens with washers that didn't work it should pass.
You're correct about them being handed. Although I replaced mine with another windscreen pump as it was the only one available at the time. I had to cut a very small pointless lug of plastic from the bottle and it went straight in. No issues with wires or tubing.
Chances are the car has xenons (if its an aero it will) so headlight washers are a legal requirement and have to work. If it had halogens with washers that didn't work it should pass.
You're correct about them being handed. Although I replaced mine with another windscreen pump as it was the only one available at the time. I had to cut a very small pointless lug of plastic from the bottle and it went straight in. No issues with wires or tubing.
Phil, thanks for the link for replacement pump, it arrived today, so both cars now has clean headlights. The company needs to look at its description of shipment and delivery time, it was described as taking a total of 5 days due to despatch time and using 2nd class post. I ordered it Thursday, they shipped it same day 1st class, excellent service!
Strange having owned 3 Saabs that I never noticed that mist coming over the bonnet before??
Strange having owned 3 Saabs that I never noticed that mist coming over the bonnet before??
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