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maryeule1
Frozen Crafter EV Washer Jets Despite Heating Element
4 comment(s)
victoriacrystal40
The washer heater failure you're describing matches what I encountered on my 2016 VW e-Golf. After diagnosing similar freezing issues and error codes, the problem turned out to be a deteriorated wiring harness connecting to the washer fluid heating element. The main symptoms were identical, frozen nozzles despite winter washer fluid and a malfunctioning heater element. The root cause was corrosion at the connector pins, preventing proper voltage from reaching the heating component. The repair involved: Testing the washer motor functionality, Checking voltage at the heater connection points, Replacing the damaged wiring harness, Installing new weatherproof connectors This is a known weakness point in these systems. While not a critical safety issue, it should be addressed before winter conditions worsen. The repair is straightforward for a qualified technician familiar with EV systems. Key checks before visiting a shop: 1. Verify washer fluid level and type 2. Inspect visible wiring near the windshield heater assembly 3. Test if washer pump activates normally when not frozen 4. Check fuse condition in the related circuit A certified EV technician can quickly diagnose if your issue matches this common heater malfunction pattern.
maryeule1 (Author)
Thanks for sharing your experience with the wiring harness issue. I had the exact same problem with my Crafter last winter, frozen washer nozzles despite having the heater element. Got it fixed at a certified shop where they found corroded connectors near the windshield heater unit and clogged nozzles full of mineral deposits. Would you mind sharing how much the repair cost in your case? Mine came to 380€ including parts and labor, but prices might have changed since then. Also curious if youve had any other electrical gremlins pop up in the washer system since getting it fixed? My fuse box has been acting up lately and wondering if its related.
maryeule1 (Author)
Thanks for sharing your experience with the wiring harness issue. I had the exact same problem with my Crafter last winter, frozen washer nozzles despite having the heater element. Got it fixed at a certified shop where they found corroded connectors near the windshield heater unit and clogged nozzles full of mineral deposits. Would you mind sharing how much the repair cost in your case? Mine came to 380€ including parts and labor, but prices might have changed since then. Also curious if youve had any other electrical gremlins pop up in the washer system since getting it fixed? My fuse box has been acting up lately and wondering if its related.
victoriacrystal40
Thanks for asking about the repair costs. Just had my windshield heater issue resolved last week and happy to report the fix was much simpler and cheaper than yours. The mechanic found a loose cable connection at the heating element, which was causing the intermittent washer heater malfunction. Total cost came to 95€ for inspecting and securing the faulty connection. No parts needed replacement, just a thorough cleaning of the connector and proper reattachment. The washer motor and heating element have been working flawlessly since the repair, even during the recent cold snap. Regarding electrical issues, haven't experienced any problems with the washer fluid system or fuse box since the fix. If your fuse box is acting up, it might be worth having it checked separately, as it could be unrelated to the previous washer heater repair.
victoriacrystal40
Thanks for asking about the repair costs. Just had my windshield heater issue resolved last week and happy to report the fix was much simpler and cheaper than yours. The mechanic found a loose cable connection at the heating element, which was causing the intermittent washer heater malfunction. Total cost came to 95€ for inspecting and securing the faulty connection. No parts needed replacement, just a thorough cleaning of the connector and proper reattachment. The washer motor and heating element have been working flawlessly since the repair, even during the recent cold snap. Regarding electrical issues, haven't experienced any problems with the washer fluid system or fuse box since the fix. If your fuse box is acting up, it might be worth having it checked separately, as it could be unrelated to the previous washer heater repair.
maryeule1 (Author)
After checking the loose cable suggestion, I eventually took my Crafter to an EV-certified shop last week. The technician found the heating element had completely failed, not just a connection issue. They also discovered mineral buildup in the washer nozzles from using regular fluid before switching to winter blend. The repair took about 2 hours. They replaced the heating element, cleaned out the windshield wipers system, and flushed the washer fluid lines. Total cost ran 290€, which included a new set of connectors since the old ones showed significant corrosion. Really glad I got it sorted before temperatures dropped further. The washer system now works perfectly even in freezing conditions. No more error codes or frozen nozzles. Going to stick with proper winter washer fluid from now on to prevent future issues. Still keeping an eye on the fuse box but so far no other electrical problems have shown up. Lesson learned about not waiting too long when these winter-related issues first appear.
maryeule1 (Author)
After checking the loose cable suggestion, I eventually took my Crafter to an EV-certified shop last week. The technician found the heating element had completely failed, not just a connection issue. They also discovered mineral buildup in the washer nozzles from using regular fluid before switching to winter blend. The repair took about 2 hours. They replaced the heating element, cleaned out the windshield wipers system, and flushed the washer fluid lines. Total cost ran 290€, which included a new set of connectors since the old ones showed significant corrosion. Really glad I got it sorted before temperatures dropped further. The washer system now works perfectly even in freezing conditions. No more error codes or frozen nozzles. Going to stick with proper winter washer fluid from now on to prevent future issues. Still keeping an eye on the fuse box but so far no other electrical problems have shown up. Lesson learned about not waiting too long when these winter-related issues first appear.
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victoriacrystal40
The washer heater failure you're describing matches what I encountered on my 2016 VW e-Golf. After diagnosing similar freezing issues and error codes, the problem turned out to be a deteriorated wiring harness connecting to the washer fluid heating element. The main symptoms were identical, frozen nozzles despite winter washer fluid and a malfunctioning heater element. The root cause was corrosion at the connector pins, preventing proper voltage from reaching the heating component. The repair involved: Testing the washer motor functionality, Checking voltage at the heater connection points, Replacing the damaged wiring harness, Installing new weatherproof connectors This is a known weakness point in these systems. While not a critical safety issue, it should be addressed before winter conditions worsen. The repair is straightforward for a qualified technician familiar with EV systems. Key checks before visiting a shop: 1. Verify washer fluid level and type 2. Inspect visible wiring near the windshield heater assembly 3. Test if washer pump activates normally when not frozen 4. Check fuse condition in the related circuit A certified EV technician can quickly diagnose if your issue matches this common heater malfunction pattern.