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2009 S550 AMG sport pckg. 2014 Ford F-150 Lariat Supercrewcab
Windshield washer fluid low warning but reservoir is full
Hi Everyone,
So lately the warning light that says windshield washer fluid low has been on when I know I just filled up the reservoir and I thought it was because the sensor might have gone bad. But I also read a TSB that the conductivity of the fluid can also be the problem. The sensor is just an electrical switch whose circuit closes when theres a conducting solution. So deionized water will cause a false reading. I started using Rain X and was wondering if anyone knows of Rain X could contaminate the sensor somehow or should not be used. I switched back to regular fluid and it hasn't turned off yet but maybe it takes a bit? Before I go to the dealer and cough up money I was wondering if anyone knows if theres a trick to getting it to work again. If not there might be a diy on how to remove your reservoir/change your level sensor and possibly wiper fluid motor
2009 S550 AMG sport pckg. 2014 Ford F-150 Lariat Supercrewcab
Thnx again for the info! A friend of mine who's a mercedes tech told me to try cleaning the sensor first because it may just have some depositing on it and if it doesnt work then get a new one. I definitely need a new pump though the jets are weak and little fluid actually gets onto the windshield
The Walmart special works well lol. Don't sweat the washer fluid. Just make sure you adjust the jets so no fluid puddles on the hood/ a-pillars. Some fluids will stain the paint if left for long periods of time- holds especially true for SUVs and rearwiper jet that might puddle on rear bumper.
2009 S550 AMG sport pckg. 2014 Ford F-150 Lariat Supercrewcab
Originally Posted by alx
The Walmart special works well lol. Don't sweat the washer fluid. Just make sure you adjust the jets so no fluid puddles on the hood/ a-pillars. Some fluids will stain the paint if left for long periods of time- holds especially true for SUVs and rearwiper jet that might puddle on rear bumper.
Google 'Rain-X washer fluid sensor problem' or similar and you will find all kinds of documented problems with it, especially their new formula. Especially bad with VW sensors but many brands report issues. Best to avoid it.
2009 S550 AMG sport pckg. 2014 Ford F-150 Lariat Supercrewcab
Wow i got some pics to show. Rain x straight gunked up the whole system. Yeah i can confirm DO NOT use rain x in your reservoir. It contaminated everything. Cleaning it with some brakleen. Gonna do a write up by later today
2009 S550 AMG sport pckg. 2014 Ford F-150 Lariat Supercrewcab
Ok problem solved. The sensor was heavily coated in rain x residue.
Tools needed:
Flathead screw driver
10mm socket/wratchet
Tiny hands
A beer
A lot of swearing
Make sure the reservoir is empty or you'll have a mess everywhere. Pop the hood and locate the 10mm nut holding the reservoir
Next remove the engine cover and air duct on the reservoir side
Next unclip the heat exchanger hoses and disconnect and move them out of the way.... DO NOT unhook the rubber hoses from the aluminum or you will drain tour engine coolant. The engine coolant runs through these to warm the fluid.
Last edited by Nickthegreek; Mar 9, 2015 at 05:10 PM.
Good work. Rainx to the windshield washer system is what is slick 50 to the engine. Garbage resulting in sludge and malfunctions lol. It does wonders to the nozzle pump (impeller) too...
2009 S550 AMG sport pckg. 2014 Ford F-150 Lariat Supercrewcab
Originally Posted by alx
Good work. Rainx to the windshield washer system is what is slick 50 to the engine. Garbage resulting in sludge and malfunctions lol. It does wonders to the nozzle pump (impeller) too...
Im contenplating whether or not to replace that too but iam going to try a trick to try and clean out the system using a detergent if not ill replace the hoses and impeller
2009 S550 AMG sport pckg. 2014 Ford F-150 Lariat Supercrewcab
Next start pulling up on the reservoir. There will be a plastic emissions hose and the hose that connects to the washer fluid pump that will impede it coming out move the emissions hose over a bit then remove the washer hose. They really need to have made it longer so it can be taken out easier.
Pump hose is disconnected
Disconnected. Once you disconnect this hose the reservoir should start coming out
2009 S550 AMG sport pckg. 2014 Ford F-150 Lariat Supercrewcab
Now disconnect the electrical connections of the two pumps and the sensor. I never knew that there were two pumps. If anyone knows what each pump is for let me know. To disconnect the connections on the pumps you have to press down on the plug but pry up on the tab and then youll hear a snap and it will come right off
Then the connector for the sensor will be different. Push down on the plug then push on the tab instead and it will come right off. Now you are left with this
The pumps were taken out. The pumps are easy to remove. There is just a spout that fits into a grommet/seal. The sensor is what is left on the reservoir
2009 S550 AMG sport pckg. 2014 Ford F-150 Lariat Supercrewcab
Ok now we remove the sensor. The sensor is seated in ther good so youll need a flathead screwdriver to pry up on the edge just a bit. If the plastic starts to bend, ease ofd and go in another spot. It should slowly raise up a bit. Then once you can start wiggling it it should wiggle right out. Do not try to rotate it theres a locking tab that you may break
2009 S550 AMG sport pckg. 2014 Ford F-150 Lariat Supercrewcab
Now remove the sensor. Mine was caked in rainx and had an orange layer of slime over it. I cleaned it with brakleen and it got it back to bormal
Before.
Before. It doesnt look like theres much on it but if you were to run your finger up and down the sensor it is a slippery slimy layer blocking conduction
After. No more slimy layer used brakleen and a paper towel
2009 S550 AMG sport pckg. 2014 Ford F-150 Lariat Supercrewcab
I tried wiping out as much of the slime from the reservoir and heat exchanger as well. For the heat exchanger i used brakleen and got it as clean as possible. The reservoir had tons of caked on slime. I figured out a trick. Powdered Tide works as a mild abrasive and an emulsifier. I poured dry tide into the reservoir and scrubbed it and as i rinsed it it came right out with the water. Got it as perfect as i could
2009 S550 AMG sport pckg. 2014 Ford F-150 Lariat Supercrewcab
Ok now time to put everything back
Pretty simple. Put the sensor back on.Put both pumps back on. One will have a hose the other wont.
Heres where it gets a little tricky. Put the reservoir back in place but not completely and leave some room for your hand so that you can attach the lower hose back onto the washer pump
If you have the hands of a 9 year old asian bky this should be no problem. Then tuck the tubing/ wiring under the radiator crossmember
2009 S550 AMG sport pckg. 2014 Ford F-150 Lariat Supercrewcab
Ok now youre on the home stretch. Seat the reservoir and then put the heat exchanger back in. Itll take some finagling but itll go in pretty easy. There is a nozzle that fits into a dimple in the reservoir. Make sure this seats into it.
This nozzle goes into the dimple in the reservoir shown below.
The dimple at the bottom. Couldnt get the reservoir as clean as i wanted but itll have to do
Now seat it in and replace the cap and reclip the hoses. Then pour in the correct windshield washer fluid
Nice write-up! I have a feeling that the cause of the build-up is the de-icing agent in the fluid. It's probably best to use wiper fluid that does not include a de-icing agent in it. There are several that use that agent, so be careful in the one you choose to use.
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