Land Rover Discovery 3, Headlight washers not working.

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Ian Morrison

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Hi Everyone, I recently purchased a 2005 Land Rover Discovery 3 2.7TDV6 HSE. Everything works fine except the headlight washers. Tested the relay power wash (R139)and it’s working fine and Fuse Link 7E. I’ve also tested Fuses 28P and 62P. I’ve got the headlights on and windscreen wipers and washers operating as they should. I’m now thinking it’s either the Generic Electronic Module (D162). I know this is fitted to the Central Fuseboard. Is this a Relay or is it a processor soldered to the back of the fuseboard. Have any of you had this problem and if so how did you cure it. In next day or so will be checking the power wash pump which is the only thing I’ve not checked. Both jets and pipes are free of muck. Thanks Ian
 

Houm_WA

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...really stupid question: do you have the headlights ON when you engage the washers?
 

maxx4wd

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I would check the pumps first...I have had the headlight pump fail once (still haven't replaced it) but its not terribly uncommon. It's also probably your cheapest option to replace.
 

bbyer

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Below is a link to removing the washer tank/getting at the pumps, however as it seems your windscreen squirters work as I suppose does the rear glass squirter, that the main pump is OK.

It may be that your headlight washers are OK as well. Yes, there is a separate headlight squirter pump, but they do not squirt everytime you operate the windscreen squirter.

The spraying of the headlights is on some kind of program, (per below), where all sorts of variables have to be in place. The headlights being on is only one of them and if they were, something related to mileage and windscreen wiper on time is also involved.

Head Lamp Wash Only (No Wipe Function)

The headlamp washers are only active when the headlamps and ignition are switched on. If the washer reservoir fluid level becomes low, the instrument cluster sends a message, via the CAN bus, to the CJB, which suspends headlamp wash operation to preserve washer fluid in the reservoir.
With the ignition and lights on, headlamp wash is activated on the first operation of the wiper column control switch in the wash/wipe position. The CJB then suspends headlamp wash activation for the next 10 minutes and four operations of the wash/wipe switch.

The CJB monitors the operation of the wash/wipe switch and maintains a counter to restrict headlamp washer operation to every fourth operation of the wash/wipe switch in conjunction with a 10 minute timer. The timer prevents a second operation of the headlamp washers within a 10 minute period. Should the washer switch be activated for more than four programmed wipe requests during the 10 minute period, the headlamp washer will remain disabled. Only the next consecutive programmed wipe request, after the 10 timer has expired, will the headlamp washers be enabled. The counter and timer are reset when the ignition is switched off.

When headlamp wash is active, the CJB energises the washer pump twice per cycle. The headlamp washer pump is powered for a 0.5 second period.


https://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/replacing-washer-bottle-60402.html?highlight=washer+tank


The link below is to a 17 page LR pdf re the operation of the wiper systems.

https://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/displayimage.php?album=3801&pos=2
 

Ian Morrison

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Is the reservoir full and can you feel the pump running
Yes the
...really stupid question: do you have the headlights ON when you engage the washers?
yes headlights were on and I know about the cycle time too. I’ve brought a new pump now and will be removing the front bumper to change it.. it’s got to be the pump as everything else works as it should do.
 

Ian Morrison

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I would check the pumps first...I have had the headlight pump fail once (still haven't replaced it) but its not terribly uncommon. It's also probably your cheapest option to replace.
Yes I’ve brought new pump now and hopefully replace it this weekend. I know relay and fuses are fine so it’s got to be the pump.
 

Ian Morrison

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I would check the pumps first...I have had the headlight pump fail once (still haven't replaced it) but its not terribly uncommon. It's also probably your cheapest option to replace.
I’ve today brought a Lynx Evo and the Fault finder is saying no electricity is reaching relay or pump. Says short in cables behind battery so it looks like finding the shorted cable and re sheathing it with heat shrink or cut and repair. The Lynx Evo is great for the Discovery 3
 

bbyer

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I will be interested in the results. I am impressed that a device would be able to differentiate a wiring problem from perhaps a defective unit.

Given that it seems most of our 3's problems are wiring and connector related, a device that can determine such will be of real value.

I presume you have swaped out relay R12 in the engine compartment fuse box just to be certain it is not a relay problem? The power for the headlight washer pump goes thru that relay.

Fuse Panel description vertical a.JPG
 

maxx4wd

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I’ve today brought a Lynx Evo and the Fault finder is saying no electricity is reaching relay or pump. Says short in cables behind battery so it looks like finding the shorted cable and re sheathing it with heat shrink or cut and repair. The Lynx Evo is great for the Discovery 3

yeah I have a similar device but I've found that when the OBD port reports an open circuit it can be anywhere including within the part...not necessarily the wiring (although in our cars I wouldn't pass up that option). I was having some cold start stalling and using my OBD tool it was showing an open circuit - turned out to be a bad relay for the fuel pump so you might want to start with the relay since its super easy and worse case scenario you have a spare for next time (I doubt that this is the problem though as your main pump is still working)....I'm still guessing its your pump though...maybe a corroded electrical connector at the pump (might want to get some dielectric grease on that connector when hooking up the new pump just in case). Interested to see what it turns out to be...
 

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