Really pleased with my new (6 month old) 280ps estate. It is FAST!

However, tiny niggle:

Not long after I picked it up, probably no more than 10 squirts, the washer fluid low warning light came on. Hmmm I though, not good, you'd think the garage would have topped the fluid up before releasing £30k's worth of car to me. Never mind, I topped up the fluid (can't unfortunately remember how much it took).

However not long after (couple of long journeys but probably no more than 10 squirts or so) it's back on again. A bit annoying since the orange light is a bit "in your face". Washers are still working fine though.

So either the washer reservoir is tiny or the sensor is malfunctioning. Of course I could take it back to a Skoda dealer but I'm the type of guy who prefers to fix things myself.

Is this a common or known fault? Is it difficult to get the reservoir out (it looks rather difficult, but I have only briefly looked at it as I'm now on holiday on the canals for a couple of weeks)? How does the sensor work, float switch or something cleverer?

On my previous car (Subaru) I had to top up the washers about twice a year so I'm not a heavy user.

Edited 13 October, 20169 yr by nicknorman

Reservoir is huge, probably takes 5 litres. Will also clean headlights every 5 ocassions when xenons are on.

Have you checked to make sure the reservoir isn't leaking? mine lasts for ages, even when using the headlight washers. 

Thanks guys.

Leakage: well no water on the garage floor. If it holds 5l I'm pretty sure I didn't fill it anything like that much.

Xenon lights: so no visible sign of washers but there are little rectangular cutouts in the bumper below the lights, do these somehow open to reveal washers?

Sounds like a problem to be cured. When I topped up as soon as the low fluid warning came on it took about 4 litres of my 5 litre canister so I'm surmising the tank has a 5 litre capacity.

Reservoir is huge, probably takes 5 litres. Will also clean headlights every 5 ocassions when xenons are on.

Mine washes the headlights every time the xenons are on and covers the bonnet in generous quantities of foamy water each time too.  Maybe there's another aspect to this algorithm and I drive less at night than you do

Thanks guys.

Leakage: well no water on the garage floor. If it holds 5l I'm pretty sure I didn't fill it anything like that much.

Xenon lights: so no visible sign of washers but there are little rectangular cutouts in the bumper below the lights, do these somehow open to reveal washers?

If it was leakage you would probably already smell the source.

Yes, those rectangular(ish) cutouts are the headlamp washers. If dipped or main beam is turned on they will pop forward to spray the lights when you wash the screen.

With screen, lights and rear window washers fitted I'm looking at between 3 to 6 months from a full tank, depending on time of year.

With screen, lights and rear window washers fitted I'm looking at between 3 to 6 months from a full tank, depending on time of year.

Thanks - well something wrong then, couple of weeks light use between warning light coming on for me.

Water level looks to use a pressure switch so no float to stick. See http://etka.cc/skoda/part_single/catalog/sk/markt/CZ/modell/SUP/year/2016/drive_standart/768/hg_ug/955/subcategory/955020/part_id/2544150/lang/e#sec_24 See also part 1 and 2,  5.5l  capacity tank. Handbook states 4.7l with headlight washers - presume that is the capacity when the low fluid level is signalled.

Water level looks to use a pressure switch so no float to stick. See http://etka.cc/skoda/part_single/catalog/sk/markt/CZ/modell/SUP/year/2016/drive_standart/768/hg_ug/955/subcategory/955020/part_id/2544150/lang/e#sec_24 See also part 1 and 2,  5.5l  capacity tank. Handbook states 4.7l with headlight washers - presume that is the capacity when the low fluid level is signalled.

Thanks for that. I wonder if the pressure switch is just on/off or whether it's a variable sender, in which case perhaps the software can be configured to switch at different pressures and maybe mine is set incorrectly?

Found this for the same part number at http://forums.ross-tech.com/showthread.php?3498-2006-A6-Avant-4F-Coding-decoding The service bulletin re washer fluid is interesting but I can't reconcile that a simple on/off switch would be affected by the density change of the fluid and hence small pressure change

 

 have the dreaded "Top Off Wiper Fluid" message, and found something I thought would maybe let me shut it off. While searching through the [17 - Instrument] coding I saw a field that mentions "washer fluid warning active" so I thought I'd change the coding to see what happened.

 

Any guidance is greatly appreciated!!

I would suggest to fix the concern, coding may not be the answer in this case. As Uwe mentioned above, this is a very simple circuit.

The G33-Windshield Washer Fluid Level Sensor is a normally open switch and will operate the K106-Low Windshield Washer Fluid Level Indicator within the cluster when the fluid level is low. 

If it is a failed fluid level sensor, the cost is less than $3.00. . . So Cheap!! - Like me... 
Should(by VIN) be part number = [7M0 919 376]

Wiring diagram and repair manual information can be found on the Ross-Tech wiki page, Official Factory Repair Information

- - Not all vehicle repairs should be made with a scan tool..  - -

Hope this helps,

drpeter


Note: Addition information found, may be applicable. 

As per Audi Technical Service Bulletin, # 2038151/3 - "Washer solvent level warning on" 

Says:

 

The sensitivity of the washer solvent level sensor (G33) can be affected by the type, concentration, and the presence of additives in the washer solvent currently in the tank.

In other words I think Audi want you to buy there fluid  

 

Found a 10 page thread at http://www.golfmk6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72581&page=10 and in summary no one has established how the sensor works - resistance/capacitance between two metal pins even optical. Near agreement that orange Rain-X fluid responsible + temperature.  Solutions drain and refill with "blue" washer fluid and clean out before with vinegar and or salt solution, remove sensor and scrape clean.  One early suggestion that it was a loose filler cap  and it needed pressing down hard was ignored but it may have some merit.  If there is a mechanical switch then filling the tank to the brim and then pressing sharply on the filler neck with the palm of your hand would send a shock wave through the fluid that may free an obstruction.

Hope it's a warranty job for the labour to replace a £6-7 part.

Found this for the same part number at http://forums.ross-tech.com/showthread.php?3498-2006-A6-Avant-4F-Coding-decoding The service bulletin re washer fluid is interesting but I can't reconcile that a simple on/off switch would be affected by the density change of the fluid and hence small pressure change

 

Found a 10 page thread at http://www.golfmk6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72581&page=10 and in summary no one has established how the sensor works - resistance/capacitance between two metal pins even optical. Near agreement that orange Rain-X fluid responsible + temperature.  Solutions drain and refill with "blue" washer fluid and clean out before with vinegar and or salt solution, remove sensor and scrape clean.  One early suggestion that it was a loose filler cap  and it needed pressing down hard was ignored but it may have some merit.  If there is a mechanical switch then filling the tank to the brim and then pressing sharply on the filler neck with the palm of your hand would send a shock wave through the fluid that may free an obstruction.

Hope it's a warranty job for the labour to replace a £6-7 part.

Thanks again Peter, this place is a mine of information! Looking at the video of the sensor it looks like some kind of resistance measurement. A pity my reservoir is at the back of the engine unlike on the Golf! I'll have to have a look from underneath, that might be the way to get to it. The car is due its first service in about 4000 miles so if I can't fix it myself I'll get the dealer to have a look (the car is only 6 months old) but as I said at the beginning, I like to find out how things work and fix them myself. As I also mentioned, we're now on holiday for 2 weeks (on a canal boat) so I won't be able to get back with any feedback for a while.

Had sensor replaced last week, was always on since a month. Have been using RainX washer fluid concentrate.

Thanks again Peter, this place is a mine of information! Looking at the video of the sensor it looks like some kind of resistance measurement. A pity my reservoir is at the back of the engine unlike on the Golf! I'll have to have a look from underneath, that might be the way to get to it. The car is due its first service in about 4000 miles so if I can't fix it myself I'll get the dealer to have a look (the car is only 6 months old) but as I said at the beginning, I like to find out how things work and fix them myself. As I also mentioned, we're now on holiday for 2 weeks (on a canal boat) so I won't be able to get back with any feedback for a while.

Hi Nick

I've got a Superb mkII Elegance and I have the same problem. few squirts and the warning light comes on. If you do fine a problem Id like to know.

 

I dont think its a leak in my, maybe its the the headlamp that use copious amount of water per squirt.

Might be worth finding out if someone local to you with VCDS can change the headlight wash function to only operate if you keep hold of the windscreen wash stalk for 3/5 seconds.  I've had this done on 3 VAG cars and it drastically reduces the amount of fluid required.