Audi A4 Washer Systems Dead: Troubleshooting Guide

Had the same malfunction last year on my 2004 Audi A6 2.0T. The symptoms matched exactly, complete washer system failure affecting both headlight and windshield washers. Root cause turned out to be two issues: a damaged hose connection near the washer pump and a corroded relay connection. The Xenon headlight washer system shares the same pump as the windshield washer, making diagnosis tricky. When the pump fails or loses connection, both systems stop working. The fix required: Replacing the main washer pump, Installing new hose connectors, Cleaning relay contact points, Testing electrical connections This was not a major repair job, but accessing the components took time since the front bumper needed partial removal to reach the headlight washer components. The system now functions perfectly with no leaks or electrical issues. Worth checking the fuse box first, there are separate fuses for the washer pump and LED washer level sensor. A blown fuse is the simplest potential fix.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Had almost identical washer system problems with my A4. The headlight washer hose was cracked and a clog in the main line killed both systems at once. Got it fixed but I have been wondering about the total cost, do you remember roughly what you paid for the repair? Also curious if everything has stayed working properly since then or if any new issues came up with the washer components? My repair was about 6 months ago and so far no leaks or problems have returned.

Good to hear you got it sorted. Since my repair last year, zero headlight washer faults or leaks have occurred. The fix was actually less expensive than expected, paid 165 Euro for diagnosing and repairing a faulty cable connection at the pump and relay. Much simpler than initially feared when the Xenon headlight cleaning system first failed. The mechanic found the root cause quickly, it was purely an electrical fault rather than component failure. This saved considerable cost compared to a full pump replacement. The system has worked flawlessly since the repair with no electrical issues or washer system problems. The key was finding a shop that properly diagnosed the actual fault instead of just replacing parts. Many would have swapped the entire pump assembly unnecessarily.

Fixed my washer issues and wanted to update. Took it to a local German car specialist after getting advice here. Total repair cost came to 320 Euro, they found multiple problems including a cracked hose and clog in the main washer line. The mechanic showed me where the hose had split near the washer pump, causing both systems to fail. They also cleared a nasty clog that had built up, likely from dirt getting into the system through the crack. While checking everything, they found and fixed a loose electrical connection that could have caused future issues. Work took about 3 hours since they had to partially remove the front bumper to access the Xenon headlight washer components. Money well spent though, both systems now work perfectly with no leaks or malfunctions. Much better than my previous repair experiences where shops just replaced parts without finding the real problem. For anyone else facing similar washer system issues, definitely worth getting it properly diagnosed rather than just throwing parts at it.