GL Class (X166) 2013-2015 after facelift became GLS (X166)

Headlight washers

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Old Nov 1, 2014 | 02:35 PM
  #1  
LIRS6's Avatar
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From: Long Island
'14 GL550 , '79 911SC
Headlight washers

How do they work - or are they dummies?

I can't find anything in the manual, and when I spray the windshield with the lights on (automatic mode), they do not function.
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Old Nov 1, 2014 | 03:06 PM
  #2  
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2014 GL350
Originally Posted by LIRS6
How do they work - or are they dummies?
Dummies in the US.
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Old Nov 1, 2014 | 04:07 PM
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From: Concord, MA
2013 GL450
Originally Posted by LIRS6
How do they work - or are they dummies?

I can't find anything in the manual, and when I spray the windshield with the lights on (automatic mode), they do not function.
Every fifth washing of the windshield causes them to spray. Odd, but true.
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Old Nov 1, 2014 | 07:05 PM
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From: Long Island, NY / Mississauga, Ontario / Changhua, Taiwan
11 S550V4
Originally Posted by Steve Maislin
Every fifth washing of the windshield causes them to spray. Odd, but true.
+1
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Old Nov 2, 2014 | 06:37 AM
  #5  
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2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
Originally Posted by Steve Maislin
Every fifth washing of the windshield causes them to spray. Odd, but true.
Correct! On the first GL ( 2007) the washer system had the option of manual activation .....it was gone by the time I got my 2011. Dumb!
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Old Nov 2, 2014 | 11:02 AM
  #6  
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15 GL550
I believe they are dummies on 2014 US GL's. The 2013 manual discusses the "headlamp cleaning system". No mention of it in the 2014 manual (USA at least).
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Old Nov 4, 2014 | 09:09 PM
  #7  
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2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
Originally Posted by 43221B
I believe they are dummies on 2014 US GL's. The 2013 manual discusses the "headlamp cleaning system". No mention of it in the 2014 manual (USA at least).
Interesting, here's what my 2013 manual states:

Headlamp cleaning system
The headlamps are cleaned automatically if
the "Wipe with washer fluid" function is
operated five times (Y page 136) while the
lights are on and the engine is running. When
you switch off the ignition, the automatic
headlamp cleaning system is reset and
counting is resumed from 0.
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Old Nov 5, 2014 | 09:44 PM
  #8  
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From: Houston, TX
2015 GL63; 2012 750Li; 2016 Nissan Titan XD; 1989 F150
I tested this out on my 2015 GL today since it was raining. I repeatedly pushed the windshield washer button and on the 5th time, the headlight washer also activated.
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Old Jun 11, 2016 | 10:14 PM
  #9  
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Mine don't work. I cannot get the washers to function. With the car in park, engine running, lights manually turned on... Pushing 5x, even 25x on the wash button does nothing.
Maybe the car needs to be drive, or it has to be dark, or it needs to be raining?!

MB should just put a button on the dash or turn stalk!
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Old Jun 13, 2016 | 05:57 PM
  #10  
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15 GL550
Originally Posted by Surge
Mine don't work. I cannot get the washers to function. With the car in park, engine running, lights manually turned on... Pushing 5x, even 25x on the wash button does nothing.
Maybe the car needs to be drive, or it has to be dark, or it needs to be raining?!

MB should just put a button on the dash or turn stalk!
Chastylr has a GL63. Other 2015s just have dummies. You can lift up the cap if you get your finger nail under it. There was another thread discussing this. Good old fashioned value engineering.
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Old Sep 23, 2016 | 10:36 AM
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You're right, I just have dummy caps, no washers
Oh well...
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Old Aug 21, 2020 | 08:30 PM
  #12  
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2010 GL450, 2002 C32 AMG
No dummy

So I know this thread is old but I was trying to figure out how they worked also. I had an Audi that worked anytime the headlights were on and sprayer was in for more than like 2 seconds. I had to replace the airmatic compressor today and poked the trap door open from behind. I have a nozzle and a hose supplying it. I’m sure I hit the windshield washers at least 5x but maybe lights need on manual and not auto? 2010 Gl450
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Old Aug 21, 2020 | 08:35 PM
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2014 GL350
Originally Posted by 100mhz
So I know this thread is old but I was trying to figure out how they worked also. I had an Audi that worked anytime the headlights were on and sprayer was in for more than like 2 seconds. I had to replace the airmatic compressor today and poked the trap door open from behind. I have a nozzle and a hose supplying it. I’m sure I hit the windshield washers at least 5x but maybe lights need on manual and not auto? 2010 Gl450
As I understand it they are deactivated in the USA for appearance reasons. I don't know the difficulty, or possibility, of re-programing them for normal operation.
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