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Old Oct 30, 2020 | 06:38 PM
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Question windshield washer level sensor

i have a 2004 mercedes cl600 and even though the windshield washer reservoir is full and i have a brand new level sensor installed i still get a check windshield washer fluid level every time i start, or shut the car off. i thought that maybe there is something wrong with my existing wiring, so i purchased a used windshield level sensor that included 4 inch lengths of wiring. i believed that is i connected the two lengths of wire together and connected it to my level sensor that it would read full all the time and i could refill the reservoir myself as needed. makes sense to me..problem i still get a check windshield wiper reservoir message everytime i start, or stop the car. i can't understand why this is still happening. anyone have any ideas, or suggestions.
thank you for any and all replies.
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Old Oct 31, 2020 | 11:14 PM
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What kind of wiper fluid is in the reservoir now? What is the brand and where/when was it purchased?
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Old Nov 1, 2020 | 04:57 PM
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Fluid brand or where it was purchased have nothing to do with this issue. It's probably your coolant level sensor the one that is having an issue. The windshield washer level sensor(S42) and coolant level sensor(S41) are wired in line. They report directly to the right fron SAM control unit (N10/7). Pin 16 and 19 of connector 3 at the SAM. I used to have W210 that would show low coolant but it was the W/W fluid that was low.
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Old Nov 1, 2020 | 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by MBENZTECH
Fluid brand or where it was purchased have nothing to do with this issue. It's probably your coolant level sensor the one that is having an issue. The windshield washer level sensor(S42) and coolant level sensor(S41) are wired in line. They report directly to the right fron SAM control unit (N10/7). Pin 16 and 19 of connector 3 at the SAM. I used to have W210 that would show low coolant but it was the W/W fluid that was low.
thank you for your knowledgeable response. i will try to answer all your questions. the level sensor is oem mercedes, not aftermarket. the fluid i am using is filtered water. i just ordered a multipack of resistor values. should get it in a few days. i am going to see my mercedes mechanic tomorrow about some other issues and will ask him about installing the proper resistor into the oem level sensor. if you happen to know the actual resistor value i need for the level sensor to work it would be extremely helpful.
thank you again for your valuable input.
the best, harv
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Old Nov 3, 2020 | 12:41 AM
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S41(coolant level) Coolant level full should be 110 Ohms and <5 Ohms with level empty. S42(Windshield washer) Washer full should be 160 Ohms and <5 Ohms empty.
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Old Nov 3, 2020 | 01:40 PM
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thank you for this information. it is very helpful. one more question how do i determine if i have an S41, or an S42 windshield washer bottle. my car has the heated bottle and it is a 2004.
thank you again, really appreciate your knowledge.
the best, harv
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Old Nov 3, 2020 | 02:09 PM
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Two different sensors: S42 = windshield washer fluid level sensor that you already replaced, S41 = coolant level sensor @ coolant reservoir.




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Old Nov 3, 2020 | 05:23 PM
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thank you. this information is very helpful.
the best, harv
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Old Nov 9, 2020 | 11:05 AM
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thank you, got the coolant level sensor installed with the with the proper resistor and no more check windshield wiper fluid message. i do have one more resistor type problem. the wiring harness in my trunk for the check license plate lights had a break in one of the wires. i attached the cut wires with a connection fitting. based on my experience with the windshield wiper reservoir resistor, i am guessing that i need to put a resistor wire between the connection fittings that i used. would the resistor wire be the same size as the resistance wire for my coolant level sensor which is 110 Ohms is this correct size to solve my trunk license plate fault code? i would believe it is, but would love verification of the resistance size wire needed for the trunk wiring connection. again my car is a 2004 mercedes cl600
again thank you for any feedback.
the best, harv
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Old Nov 10, 2020 | 07:54 PM
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Just curious....
Any tie over or connection to old Daimler Chrysler days? I know Chrysler sensors don’t like the yellow/orange and purple washer fluids, they are known to “coat” the sensors to failure...

Looks like you’ve solved the problem here!

(Not sure in your license plate light, but, my MY2005 w203 had a TSB to add an inline resistor to stop the lights from popping...)
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