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matthiasfox1

VW Transporter Frozen Washer Nozzles Need Quick Fix

Recently got an error code and noticed my washer fluid isnt spraying when its freezing outside. The windshield wipers work fine, but the spray nozzles seem frozen. Suspect the washer heater might be broken. Had a bad experience with my regular mechanic, so looking for advice on diagnosis and repair. Anyone dealt with similar issues? Car is a 2022 VW Transporter gasoline, only 10906km on it.

4 comment(s)

juliaschulz1

I faced the same issue last winter with my 2019 VW Tiguan. The washer fluid not spraying during freezing temperatures often points to two common problems. First check the washer fluid itself, make sure its rated for winter driving and has proper antifreeze properties. However, since your wipers work but spray does not, the washer motor or heater connection is likely the culprit. In my case, the washer heater cable connection had corroded at the plug due to salt and moisture exposure. The repair involved cleaning the connector pins and replacing the damaged wiring harness section that connects to the washer motor. This was a serious issue since leaving it unfixed can lead to complete system failure and potentially damage other electrical components. The fix required removing parts of the front bumper to access the connections. While this sounds complex, a competent mechanic can diagnose and repair it in a few hours. Most important is ensuring all new connections are properly sealed against moisture to prevent future corrosion. For winter driving safety, consider carrying extra washer fluid rated for extreme cold and having your washer system inspected before winter season starts.

matthiasfox1 (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience with the washer heater malfunction. This happened to me too last week with my VW Transporter. The heating element was indeed malfunctioning, plus I discovered some clogged nozzles that needed cleaning. Really glad you pointed out the corrosion issue, will keep an eye on that. Could you share how much the repair cost in your case? Also wondering if youve had any other washer fluid issues since getting it fixed?

juliaschulz1

Got good news to share about my Tiguan washer heater repair. The issue was completely resolved after visiting a mechanic, turns out the diagnosis in my first post was spot on regarding the faulty cable connection to the heating element. Total repair cost came to 95€, which covered fixing the corroded plug connection. The system has worked flawlessly through cold weather since the repair. No more issues with frozen washer fluid or clogged nozzles. The key was getting a proper seal on the new connections to prevent moisture from causing future corrosion problems. Make sure to check your fuse box too while addressing these heater malfunction issues, sometimes a blown fuse can mimic similar symptoms. The windshield wipers and washer system have been perfectly reliable since the fix, even in sub-zero temperatures. For preventive maintenance, my mechanic recommended regular checks of the washer system connections before winter sets in. This helps catch any potential issues before they develop into bigger problems.

matthiasfox1 (Author)

Thanks everyone for the help. Finally took my Transporter to a new mechanic yesterday. The washer motor needed a complete replacement due to internal corrosion. They also found the clogged nozzles were caused by debris buildup. Total repair came to 280€ including parts and labor. The mechanic showed me the corroded parts and explained how moisture had gotten into the system. He also cleaned out the fuse box connections while he was at it. The whole job took about 3 hours. Really happy with the repair, tested the washers this morning in freezing conditions and everything worked perfectly. The windshield heater is also functioning much better now. Going to make this new shop my regular mechanic since they were thorough and took time to explain everything. Will definitely follow the advice about pre-winter maintenance checks to avoid future issues with the washer system. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction.

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