Touringman

2011 S600. has headlamp washers, cant say I have ever noticed them work. They dont leak, windshield washers work perfectly. The inside of the little doors actually look like the plunger has hit them in the past, but I'll be damned if I can make them work. Searches here turn up theories and the way they work on '03 G models...I have tried 5 cycles, 7 cycles, 10 cycles, lights on/lights off, engine on/ engine off, in gear/ in park and nothing!! The 517 page owners manual doesn't mention them at all, anywhere that I can find. Neither does the listing of the 152 different fuses on this car.....
SOMEBODY here knows the REAL answer for the way to make these things spray on the S class. Come on...share!
Thanks in advance for your insight.
Touringman

atikovi

Always thought these were the most useless things they put on cars, especially when there isn't a wiper to clean them off.

wbrian63

What I read (somewhere) is that the headlamp washers only cycle when you have the headlamps on and you use the windshield washer 10 times. I wouldn't be surprised if you had to be in motion when using the windshield washer for the event to count against the 10 required to trigger the headlamp washers.

FWIW - don't get too excited about seeing these things work - in my experience, all they do (I had a W220 with a button on the dash adjacent to the headlamp switch, plus a 2007 LS460L that cycled the washers the first time you use the windshield washer with the headlamps on, but not on subsequent washings) is to spray windshield washer fluid onto the headlamps and also onto the hood, where it dries and leaves spots and/or streaks.

Found the info - page 278 of the 2012 S550 owners manual. "The headlamps are cleaned automatically if the "Wipe with washer fluid" function is operated ten times while the lights are on and the engine is running (seepage 285). When you switch off the ignition, the automatic headlamp cleaning system is reset and counting is resumed from 0." Page 285 talks about how to use the windshield washers...

lkchris

They are required by law in Germany on all vehicles with HID headlights ... as is automatic headlight leveling.

Of course all W221 come with HID headlights, but if, for example, you're looking at an E-class where they are optional, quickest way to tell the vehicle has HID headlights is to look for the washers. The halogen cars won't have them.

Touringman

Brian, call me a masochist, but i want then to work because they should. Owning both an S600 and a Moto Guzzi (turning riders into mechanics since 1921) I have ample opportunity to practice the wrench skills. I am blessed to have an S600 with VERY little wrong with it. I just want to know they work and so far I cant prove it...drives me crazy.
Thanks for the info, I appreciate it!
Touringman

jbarhorst

I have a 2010 S550. I think mine work after 5 wash cycles with the headlights on.

The Thomas J

I remember the 190E having the wipers. I remember thinking that's pretty cool until I saw one drive by in a downpour and they weren't on. Then I thought they were pretty useless.

steveb9771

Keep in mind that when you use the head light washers, part of the spray usually ends up on the hood of the car and deposits some of the dirt form the head lights there which can look messy until you wash your car. Ideally, you should NEVER use these washers unless your head lights are extremely dirty. Of course if you use them when it is raining, debris form over spray on the hood is not an issue.