Xenon Headlight washer sticking - help!

[Saulmac]

Hi guys.
The headlight washer on the drivers side of my 2007 A4 has started to stick in the rectracted position after spraying. The stem can be pushed back in most of the way easily enough and the spring seems to still be strong enough. I've lubricated the washer piston but that seems to have made no difference. I may have to take the bumper off soon to replace some parking sensors so was wondering if anyone has replaced or repaired the washers?
In addition am I correct in saying that a different water pump is used for the headlights? If this is the case what number is the fuse for this pump or where do I locate it?

Thanks guys.

[warp_speed]

Actually before you take the bumper off I have the same issue with my washer jet. The problem I found was the washer jet cover, which is clipped onto the sides of the jet, was too wide and sticking on the housing for the washer jet. I think someone has taken the cover off before and has caused the cover clips to bend outward causing them to stick on the housing. Either heat the cover clips with a heat gun and press them together again to close the gap or apply some grease to the side of the cover to help smooth it back into place.

Hope this makes sense, its difficult to describe how the cover is clipped into place, but when you take it off you will see the two holes that keep the cover onto the jet. The plastic which has these two holes is the problem in my case. Best of luck

[Saulmac]

I've had a closer look at the problem washer and it seems that the washer piston body is being pushed out of its housing on each wash. I'm not sure how the washer is held in place but on each wash the piston extends and its housing seems to pop out by an 1" or so.
I'm going to try and resolve the problem today or at least try and disable the washers.

[Saulmac]

Actually before you take the bumper off I have the same issue with my washer jet. The problem I found was the washer jet cover, which is clipped onto the sides of the jet, was too wide and sticking on the housing for the washer jet. I think someone has taken the cover off before and has caused the cover clips to bend outward causing them to stick on the housing. Either heat the cover clips with a heat gun and press them together again to close the gap or apply some grease to the side of the cover to help smooth it back into place.

Hope this makes sense, its difficult to describe how the cover is clipped into place, but when you take it off you will see the two holes that keep the cover onto the jet. The plastic which has these two holes is the problem in my case. Best of luck

Right, I've had it with the drivers side washer as it keeps popping out on each wash and won't retract. The fact it wont retract means that it's continually dripping water and using up the reservoir supply. This will likely become an issue this winter, so I want to rectify it now. As I can live without the headlight washers and indeed a massive repair bill from Audi, does anyone know how to disable these things?

Thanks

[El Guapo]

Hi what happened with this as mine has started sticking although it does retract fully in the end but something is not right? Anyone else had the issue and how was it resolved? Cheers!

[Saulmac]

Hi what happened with this as mine has started sticking although it does retract fully in the end but something is not right? Anyone else had the issue and how was it resolved? Cheers!

No I never got it resolved and nobody managed to give me a sensible answer either. I tried lubricating the piston but to no avail.
I now just try and avoid holding the washer stem in for prolonged periods which activates the headlight washers. If the washer is stuck in the out position then It needs retracted otherwise you'll find it will leak and you'll soon be running on a low washer resevoir. So for now I just use short blasts on the washers..........

[El Guapo]

Hi thanks for getting back to me. Did you go to Audi or a garage to see what it was and how much it would be to fix? Anyone else had a similar issue?

[Saulmac]

Hi thanks for getting back to me. Did you go to Audi or a garage to see what it was and how much it would be to fix? Anyone else had a similar issue?

Bumper off job and new washer jet unit as the seals have failed apparently. I didn't even ask for a price as the bumper off would have cost me a fortune alone!!!

[El Guapo]

Ok thanks for the info. I had a look at it today and with the help of my neighbours lad (he wanted to work the jets!) I was able to see it better. There was a lot of dirt etc when the jet came out so cleaned it up a bit before the jet went back in. As I said it does go back in but very slowly. Would WD40 help maybe? If not I will have to use my charm at my local Audi dealer! lol

[warp_speed]

Ok thanks for the info. I had a look at it today and with the help of my neighbours lad (he wanted to work the jets!) I was able to see it better. There was a lot of dirt etc when the jet came out so cleaned it up a bit before the jet went back in. As I said it does go back in but very slowly. Would WD40 help maybe? If not I will have to use my charm at my local Audi dealer! lol

Yeah, I had this problem a while ago . Originally I thought that the washer cover was sticking however after loads of WD40, silicon grease, etc. It was ceasing even more. I found out how to remove the bumper for a closer look. Turns out the cylinder is sticking, which doesn't fully retract when the pressure is released. After some research you will need some kind of water proof grease/oil to reapply to the cylinder and seal inside the washer to fix.
I had an oil called krytox oil worked like a dream to fix it. You can remove the washer cylinder and prise off the bottom of the cylinder to see the seal that’s sticking, I broke one of the retaining clips removing it but it still works to this day. Saved about £60 for the price of the washer cylinder, however my other one is stick now as well :-(