400E's got no squirt. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

CarolinaMBZ · #1 05-31-2002, 11:01 AM

My 400E has a heated windshield washer reservoir with a pump that doesn't work. Fuse is OK and when stalk pushed in to activate, wiper does the standard 3 cycles. I cannot hear the washer motor when I do this so somehow it is not getting juice or is otherwise inoperative.

Questions: 1) Is the jet motor attached to the reservoir (in one of the external plastic tube like housings) or is it somewhere else?

2) Any tips to test (that hopefully won't involve 2 people as its just me and I can't reach wiper stalk and reservoir at same time (I do have multi tester).

3) Any known common failures for system that I could go to first before undertaking any involved disassembly/testing (it sure is tight in there with a V-8 instead of an inline 6)?

All help appreciated.

pentoman · #2 05-31-2002, 12:19 PM

Take the fuse out and use the meter to check the voltage at both the terminals (on the box, not on the fuse

). This'll let you know if you have voltage. Fuses often (esp. in MBs) corrode on the terminals, and may look okay when in fact they don't work when you put them in - better be safe and try some others.

I had a really tedious problem with wipers intermittently not working a while back, started checking all the bits and pieces before finally figuring the fuse was worth testing

Russ

aldedmon · #3 05-31-2002, 01:12 PM

There are two. One for the headlights and one for the wipers.
Turn your park lights on and see if the headlights are wet after activating the washers. If they are, just swap the tubing and the connection at the motors. That's easier than moving the motors as you have to replace the rubber grommet in the reservoir because it will tear upon removal. Becareful not to break the "spout" off the motor as they willn probably be brittle with age and wear. On second thought getting that tubing off can be a beast, so go ahead and stop by MB and get yourself a couple of those grommets(They're from .50 to $2...don't ask me, I bought 1 from 2 different dealerships and that's what I paid), remove the motor, tubing and connector in tact, replace the grommet(If it breaks and falls inside no biggie, and swap the positions of the 2 motors. Who the hell really uses those headlight washers anyway!

CarolinaMBZ · #4 05-31-2002, 02:48 PM

Thanks. Are these motors in the inset part at the front of the reservoir?

Michael · #5 05-31-2002, 03:05 PM

Al's spot-on, and yes Carolina that's them-a new motor is only like $20

#6 06-03-2002, 08:45 PM

I'm just curious where you can find a motor for $20. I thought they were like $120! I need one too.

greenacres2 · #7 06-03-2002, 10:48 PM

Just checked, supports this site also. Order the reservior grommets also, about 50 cents each. I use them often, great service and Phil's an excellent resource philip@peachparts.com or call him at 1-888-333-4642 (speed dial 3 from my office!!)

edit:Shipping to Madison WI from I'd suggest using Airborne overnight. Usually within a few $ of the Brown ground, but 4-6 days faster from the west coast to Indiana.