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VFischer92

Porsche 997 Headlight Washer Problem, Help Needed

Headlight cleaning system without function

Hey there, I have a 2004 Porsche 997 where the headlight cleaning system stopped working completely. The washer jets aren't spraying at all when activated. Has anyone dealt with this issue before? What did your mechanic find and how was it fixed? Any common failure points I should look into? Thanks in advance for sharing your experience!

4 comment(s)


JWeberRacer

Hey! I've got some experience with this as I had a similar issue on my 2006 Porsche 996 (I'd say I have some experience working on these cars). Had the exact same problem with the headlight washers not working at all. Turned out it was a broken cable that controls the washer pump system. Took it to my regular Porsche specialist (been going to them for years), and they found the break pretty quickly. Total repair cost me about 155€ including labor. Since then, it's been working perfectly. What's the mileage on your 997? Also, do you hear any sound when you try to activate the washers? This might help narrow down if you're dealing with the same issue I had. BTW, if you're interested in DIY, there are some good resources for troubleshooting these systems, but given how finicky Porsche electronics can be, I'd recommend having a pro look at it if you're not super confident with repairs.

VFischer92 (Author)

Thanks for the detailed response! Mine's at 46181 KM and just had its service done recently. Yeah, I do hear a faint clicking sound when I try to activate them, but nothing happens after that. Good to know about the cable issue, that's definitely something I'll have my mechanic check out. Did you experience any clicking sounds before you got yours fixed?

JWeberRacer

Hey again! Yeah, actually that clicking sound is exactly what I heard with mine before getting it fixed! It's that distinctive little click when you try to activate it, right? My 996 had about 68000 KM when this happened, so our situations sound pretty similar. What's interesting is that the clicking noise usually means the activation switch is working, but something's preventing the system from completing the cycle. In my case, that broken cable was interrupting the signal between the switch and the pump. When my mechanic found it, you could actually see where the wire had worn through from rubbing against something over time. Since you mentioned you just had a service done, did they check the washer fluid level? I know it sounds basic, but I initially thought my problem was just low fluid before discovering the actual cable issue. Just throwing that out there since it's an easy thing to check before diving deeper. If it's making the same sound mine did, I'd bet you're looking at a similar problem. Definitely worth having your mechanic take a look at that wiring harness. Let me know what they find, I'm curious if it turns out to be the same issue!

VFischer92 (Author)

That's super helpful, thanks! Yeah, it's exactly that kind of clicking sound you described. I just checked the washer fluid level and it's completely full, so that's definitely not the issue. I'll get it into my mechanic next week and have them specifically look at the wiring harness and cable system. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, it's giving me a much better idea of what to expect. I'll update you once I find out what's causing it. Thanks again for all the info!

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