Dead Washer Pump Silences Smart Forfour Cleaning Systems

Had the same fault on my Smart Fortwo 2012 gasoline last winter. The pump silence points to an electrical issue rather than a clogged hose system. In my case, the fault was traced to corroded cable connections at the washer pump connector. Water had seeped into the wiring harness near the pump, causing connection issues. The mechanic found the pump itself was functional when tested directly with power. The repair involved: Cleaning the corroded terminals, Replacing the wiring connector, Resealing the connection point, Testing both washer systems The headlight cleaning system shares the same pump as the windshield washers, which explains why both stopped working simultaneously. This is a common weak point in these models, especially after 100000 km when water exposure starts affecting the connections. Not a major repair in terms of components, but accessing the pump location requires some disassembly. Would recommend having a professional handle it to ensure proper sealing of the new connections. The system should make an audible sound once repaired. Worth checking if washer fluid is actually reaching the reservoir before assuming pump issues.

Thanks for sharing that experience with the washer pump malfunction. I was considering going to my usual mechanic but wanted more opinions after reading this. The symptoms sound exactly like what I am experiencing, complete silence from the system and no washer fluid reaching either the windshield or headlight cleaning nozzles. Definitely makes sense about the water damage to the wiring, especially given the age and mileage. Would you mind sharing what the repair ended up costing? Also curious if you have had any issues since getting it fixed? Want to know if I should expect the new connections to hold up long-term.

After visiting the mechanic last week, the washer pump fault got resolved completely. Total cost came to 165€ for fixing the faulty cable connection, exactly what I suspected based on the symptoms. Both the windshield washer and headlight cleaning system are now working perfectly. The pump makes a proper sound when activated, and fluid sprays strongly from all nozzles. No issues since the repair. The mechanic confirmed water had damaged the pump relay connections over time. They cleaned the corroded parts, installed new connectors, and properly sealed everything to prevent future moisture problems. The system fault indicator is now gone from the dashboard. For longevity, they applied additional protective coating on the new connections. Given the thorough repair approach, this fix should last many years before needing attention again. The headlight cleaning performance is actually better than it was even before the fault developed. It was worth paying a professional to handle it rather than attempting DIY repairs on the electrical system. Proper sealing is crucial to prevent the same issue from recurring.

Finally got the washer pump issue sorted. Took it to a different mechanic this time who really knew what they were doing. They found the exact problem you mentioned, corroded wiring near the pump connector. Total repair came to 180€, bit more than yours but included a full system flush. The mechanic showed me the old corroded parts and explained how water had leaked into the connection over time. Makes total sense why both the windshield and headlight cleaning systems failed together. The repair took about 2 hours. They cleaned everything, installed new wiring connectors, and added extra waterproofing. Now both systems work perfectly, strong spray and the pump makes a proper sound when activated. Really glad I asked here first before going back to my regular shop. Saved me from getting the whole pump replaced unnecessarily. Been using it daily for the past week with zero issues. Good to have properly working washers again, especially for cleaning those xenon headlights.