juliusstar1
Audi S5 Windshield Washer System Complete Failure Fix
4 comment(s)
juliusstar1 (Author)
Thanks for the detailed breakdown of your A7 repair experience. My S5 seems to be showing identical symptoms with the persistent warning light and dead washer system. Good point about the mineral buildup, I had been using cheap wiper fluid which might have contributed to the issue. Did you remember approximately how much the full repair cost? Also curious if the washer system has given you any trouble since getting it fixed? The pressure test suggestion makes a lot of sense. I will get that done first before replacing any parts to make sure the fluid level sensor and lines are working properly.
romymoon6
Thanks for asking about the costs. I just had this fixed last week for my A7. The pressure test confirmed the wiper fluid level was simply too low, triggering the dashboard light. The mechanic topped up the system properly and reset the warning. Total cost was just 25 Euro for the service and fluid. Much simpler fix than I initially thought, no need to replace the washer motor or clean the jets. The system has been working perfectly since then with no warning lights. The key was having enough fluid pressure to reset the sensor. The mechanic did recommend using better quality washer fluid going forward to prevent any mineral deposits from forming in the system. Makes sense to spend a bit more on good fluid than risk damaging the washer motor later. Your S5 might just need a proper fluid level adjustment too, since the symptoms match what I experienced. Always better to start with the simple fixes first.
juliusstar1 (Author)
I took my S5 to the mechanic yesterday after getting advice here. The diagnosis matched what many suggested, my washer motor had failed completely and needed replacement. The wiper fluid level was fine but the warning light kept showing because the system had no pressure. Total repair included: New washer motor installation, System flush and pressure test, Cleaning of spray jets, Warning light reset Final cost came to 280 Euro including parts and labor. More than I hoped but worth fixing for proper windshield cleaning. The mechanic showed me the old motor which was pretty corroded from low quality washer fluid. The system works perfectly now and the warning light cleared immediately after repair. Already switched to premium wiper fluid to avoid future issues. Thanks for the helpful advice that pointed me in the right direction before the shop visit.
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romymoon6
Had the same issue with my 2015 Audi A7 3.0 TFSI. The warning light persisted despite proper fluid level, and no water would spray from the spray jets. The problem turned out to be a combination of issues. First, the washer motor had failed due to mineral buildup from using poor quality windshield washer fluid. Second, the spray jets were completely clogged. The repair involved: Replacing the windshield washer pump unit, Cleaning all spray jets with a special solution, Flushing the entire system, Clearing the stored warning light code This was not a serious mechanical issue, but leaving it unfixed could lead to dangerous visibility situations. The washer motor failure is fairly common on these platforms after 100000km. Would suggest having the system pressure tested first. A blocked line or clogged spray jets might be causing the washer motor to overwork and fail. Always use quality washer fluid to prevent premature pump failure. Important to note that even after filling the fluid level, the system needs proper pressure to reset the warning light.