Freelander Headlight Washer System Dead: DIY or Repair?

Hey Mark! Had the same issue with my '04 Discovery TD4 last summer. Initially thought it was just low fluid like you, but turned out the washer pump had failed completely. The pump feeds both the windscreen and headlight washers, so when it goes, everything stops working. Had it fixed at the garage, wasn't a serious repair, just a pump replacement and system flush. The old pump had some corrosion buildup inside from sitting too long with old fluid. While they were at it, they checked the washer jets and cleaned them too since they had some mineral deposits. One tip: Before you head to a mechanic, check if you can hear the pump running when you try to use the washers. If there's no sound at all, it's likely the pump. If you hear it but no fluid comes out, could be blocked jets or a split in the hose. Hope this helps!

Hey! Yeah, that sounds exactly like what happened with my Freelander! The pump was shot on mine too, and it really was a straightforward fix. Really glad I got it sorted because those headlight washers are actually pretty important, especially in bad weather. By the way, curious how much you ended up paying for the repair? Also, has everything been working smoothly since the fix? Just asking because I know these things can sometimes lead to other issues popping up. Cheers!

Hey Mark! Glad to hear you got it sorted! Yeah, my Discovery's been running like a charm since the fix, no washer issues whatsoever. The total bill came to about 180€ for the pump replacement and labor, plus another 25€ for topping up the washer fluid which was showing low on the dashboard. Money well spent if you ask me! It's been absolutely perfect since then, going on 8 months now with no problems. You're spot on about those headlight washers being crucial in rough weather. Makes such a difference having everything working properly again. Just keep an eye on the fluid levels and maybe give the system a quick test every few weeks to keep things flowing smoothly. These pumps tend to last longer when they're used regularly rather than sitting idle. Let me know if anything else crops up, but sounds like you're all sorted now!

Thanks for all the info! Just got back from the mechanic actually. You were right about the costs, mine came to roughly the same amount. The funny thing is, when I went in, the mechanic immediately knew what was wrong just by hearing my description. Saved me a lot of diagnostic time! While I was there, they showed me the old pump, completely corroded on the inside. No wonder it wasn't working! They gave me the same advice about regular use and keeping the fluid topped up. Been testing it every few days now, and it's working perfectly. Much better experience with this mechanic than my last one. They were upfront about the costs and even showed me the replaced parts. Definitely keeping their number for future repairs! Thanks again for helping me out with this. Really made me feel more confident about getting it fixed! Cheers, Mark