I know this may be a simple question, but I am asking it anyway. I just recently purchased my first MB and decided to look underneath the hood, and noticed that there is windshield washer tank and fluid, and finally located the spouts (as you can see, I am also new at automotive repair and restoration). So, I say to myself, "I must be able to spray my windshield with washer fluid." I didn't know I had this technology on my car. I looked in the Owner's manual and found no information except that I should make sure that the tank should be filled.
So, here's the question: How do I operate my windshield washer fluid in a 1975 450 SEL? I realize that I may have to get a new pump, but if I don't know how to operate it, then I wouldn't know what needs to be replaced. Thanks!
roseynose,
Since you car is a 75 your windshield washer should be foot operated. Look for a large button on the foot rest where you would rest your left foot, once you push it water will spray out of the nozzles and the wipers will cycle a few times.
Tks,
Joe
jbrasile,
Thanks for the help! I turned the engine on at idle, pushed the left foot button and it worked! Well, kind of...it only sprays up to the wipers and that is about it. It might work better if I am traveling, but we'll see. Worst case scenario, I might need a new pump, but then again, I want to replace all of the fuses first (they're all beginning to get corroded with age). If that is one of the problems other than the doors not locking at the same time, gas door and trunk (boot) not locking up and a need for a paint job (original color of course), and replacing the weather stripping on the doors, I'd say that I got a good deal!
Thanks again!
Cheers,
roseynose
Hi roseynose,
If water is coming out of the nozzles you don't need a new pump. You may have a partially clogged nozzle or they need adjustment or both. To clean it just insert a tailor pin in the hole and try it again. If they still only spray in the lower portion of the windshield you need to adjust them.
There are two phillips screws that attach the nozzles to the cowl, loosen them slightly and move the nozzles just a little towards the front of the car. Try and see if you get a spray that is vertical and hits the glass about 3/4 of the way up. You may have to bend the nozzles just a tad too, do it carefully not to break anything.
Door locks not working are most likely a vacuum issue, there is a lot of information here about how to diagnose and fix the problem. For starters you will need a vacuum pump and patience... removing the door panels is probably the trickiest part, they DO NOT COME OUT BY PULLING ON THEM!!! Once you loosen up everything YOU LIFT THEM UP! Otherwise you will brake the hooks that hold the panels to the door.
Good luck and let me know,
Joe
Mine was in the same shape and some compressed air through the hoses cleaned the gunk out. The pump is easy to get to because the reservior just lifts out.
OT, but has anyone ever had a VW that used the spare tire to power the washer?
spare tire :o how would that work?
My grandmother had a beetle with that setup. There was a small hose that attached to the valve stem of the spare tire at one end, and the screw-on cap of the washer reservoir at the other. I guess you had to detach the hose at the tire before opening the reservoir to refill.
The washer control was typical German implementation, as I remember, you pulled back on the wiper control stalk. That would actuate an electric valve that would allow the water to flow.
30+ psi provided a very nice flow of water to the windshield.
Quote from: jbrasile on 11 April 2011, 05:56 PM
Since you car is a 75 your windshield washer should be foot operated. Look for a large button on the foot rest where you would rest your left foot, once you push it water will spray out of the nozzles and the wipers will cycle a few times.
I loved this feature in my 1976 W114!! I forgot all about it until now. I wonder if anybody has modified a W116 to have a foot-operated windshield washer??
Think my 114 had a foot operated pump. Not a switch but literally a pump.
koan
Quote from: koan on 29 April 2011, 01:42 PM
Think my 114 had a foot operated pump. Not a switch but literally a pump.
Hmm, I'm pretty sure mine had a motor controlled by the pedal, but it's been a long time. I'm pretty sure it was a pedal though, not just a button.
Quote from: Raptelan on 30 April 2011, 12:04 AM
I'm pretty sure mine had a motor controlled by the pedal, but it's been a long time. I'm pretty sure it was a pedal though, not just a button.
Yes, you're right, I remember going to an independent dealer who sold me secondhand gears for the pump for a couple of dollars, the drive gear in my pump had split in two.
Must have been thinking of some other vehicle.
koan