Re: Headlight washers, where is the switch? (archive)

Thanks for the info Wayne. I have no intensive cleaner. The wiper stalk doesn't move in/out like the OBC switch. Perhaps the windshield washers have always worked and the previous owner thought not and just let the resevoir run dry? I'll mess around with it.

I've got the telescopic steering column and the one-touch sunroof controls. What's this about the glove box?

Thanks-jg

I am not totally clear on the subtleties but:
1) depending upon whether your 735iL washer system is arranged like the 735i or like the 750iL, your intensive fluid reservoir should be 1 liter and found in one of two locations:
- 735, then your fluid reservoir should have two flip top caps; the large one being the main fill and the smaller one towards front is the intensive fill
- 750, then the intensive reservoir is attached to the rear of the main reservoir
2) pushing the wiper/washer lever from the end along its axis towards the steering wheel (the same way you get the OBC info onto the dash) activates the intensive cleaner pump as well as the main pumps. Pulling the stalk towards you activates the normal windshield washer cycle with main pump only in operation.
3) the headlight washer system is activated...
- when you activate the main winshield washer system,
- only when the headlights are in use and,
- not every time...from what I've read it is every fifth time. What I haven't figured out is how the 5 times is counted; e.g. must be five times in one on sequence of the lights (not likely) or, five times regardless of how many washes done without them on in between (likely), etc., etc.

Anyway, the hide and seek game with the features of this fine beast is half of the fun of owning it. For example, I have owned mine for 10 months now and while looking under the dash two weeks ago found that I had telescoping steering, more recently one-touch action on the sunroof switch and before that the drop down feature of the glove box and on and on it goes. It is like having Christmas every month!

'88 750iL

I have a '92 735iL and was told by the previous owner that the headlight washers haven't worked in a long time. I've put 12volts across the pump motor and got plenty of water spraying the headlights. The tubes and pump are fine.

Blasted if I cannot find a THING in the owners manual about the headlight washers. I can't find an interior switch either! Am I as dumb as I look? Is the windshield washer switch supposed to activate the headlight washer pump too?

AND while on the topic of the owners manual...it shows and "intesive" cleaner, which my car doesn't have. I assume that this is a second "stronger" cleaner used on the windshield.

AND ALSO, there isn't a thing in the manual abouty the rocker switch below the ashtray that is labelled EDC, S, K. Electronic Suspension? Sport? Komfort?!? Please inform the uninformed.

PS: I should just about pass next week's pilot test. I am clear on "trip computer 101" and am working on "intermittent wiper programming 201" That wiper programming is VERY handy. Once I understand EDC, it'll be cake! ;-]

thanks-Jeff

Follow Ups:

Glove box Wayne McKay 10:16 7/09/2001 (0)
Glove box feature Ekkehart Rackete, Bochum Germany 09:20 7/09/2001 (1)
- It's definitely a "designed" feature . . . Jason Ferguson 18:51 7/09/2001 (0)

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