VW Eos Washer System Dies Despite Full Reservoir

I had almost the same problem with my 2004 VW Golf last winter. The dashboard light for the washer fluid kept showing even though the fluid level was fine. After checking the fuses like you did, I took it to my regular workshop. Turns out the wiper fluid sensor was faulty and needed cleaning. There was some buildup causing false readings. The mechanic also found a small clog in one of the washer fluid lines. The total repair took about 30 minutes and cost 25€ for cleaning plus a system check. Much better than replacing parts unnecessarily. The windshield cleaning system has worked perfectly since then. Before suggesting more specific solutions, could you share: Does the pump make any noise when activated? Have you checked if the windshield washer fluid nozzles are blocked? Did you recently refill the washer fluid reservoir? Are there any other electrical issues with the car? This information would help determine if your issue is similar to what I experienced or if it might be something else.

Just had my 90000km service last month. Thanks for the detailed response. The spray jets look clean and I can actually see the washer fluid inside them when looking closely. When pressing the stalk, I hear absolutely nothing from the washer motor, complete silence. The wiper system itself works fine, just no fluid comes out. I did refill the washer fluid about 2 months ago with the proper winter mixture. No other electrical problems with the car at all. Given your experience, I might check the sensor first since the dashboard light seems to be the first sign something was wrong. Would you know if the sensor cleaning requires removing the entire washer fluid reservoir?

Based on your description, this sounds different from my Golf case. While the warning light issue might be similar, the complete silence from the pump points to a possible pump failure rather than just a sensor problem. The fluid level sensor on these VW models can usually be accessed from the top of the reservoir without full removal. However, since your pump makes no sound at all when activated, I would first check the pump wiring. In my case, even with the sensor issue, the pump still made noise. After my initial sensor repair, I actually had the pump die a few months later, completely silent like yours. The mechanic found the pump motor had failed. The spray jets still had fluid visible like yours, but no pressure could build up. The pump replacement was straightforward, costing around 90€ including labor. Much better than the 300€+ quoted for a full system replacement. Since then, no more warning light issues and the windshield cleaning system works perfectly. Given these symptoms, I suggest having the pump checked first. The sensor might still need attention, but a non-responsive pump usually indicates a failed motor or electrical connection to the pump itself.

Thanks for the insights. Your pump failure situation seems exactly like what I am experiencing. The complete silence when activating the system really matches your description. I will have my mechanic check the pump first since that seems the most likely culprit. 90€ for a pump replacement sounds much more reasonable than replacing the entire wiper system. Good to know the warning light might be a separate sensor issue that can be dealt with later if needed. At least now I have a better idea what to expect. The spray jets and washer fluid lines seem fine, so focusing on the silent pump makes the most sense. Will book an appointment to get this sorted before winter really hits and report back on what they find. Again, really helpful to hear from someone who went through a similar repair path with their VW. Saved me from jumping to more expensive solutions right away.