VW Up Washer System Dead: No Pump Sound or Fluid Flow

As a hobby mechanic with some experience, I had a similar issue with my 2012 VW Polo. The washer system malfunction showed identical symptoms, no pump sound and complete failure. After checking fuses and fluid levels like you did, my workshop discovered a faulty cable connection at the pump relay. The system failure was indeed connected to the headlight cleaning mechanism, as they share the same pump circuit in many VW models. The clog wasnt in the lines, but rather an electrical connection issue. The repair involved accessing the pump assembly, replacing corroded wiring, and installing a new relay. Total cost was 165€ including parts and labor. Since the fix, both the windscreen washer and headlight cleaning systems work perfectly. Before suggesting specific solutions, could you share: Any warning lights on the dashboard? When did the headlight cleaning system start acting up? Can you hear any clicking sound when activating the washer stalk? Is the malfunction constant or intermittent? This information would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced with my Polo.

Thanks for sharing your experience. My Up has 59294km and had its last service 3 months ago. After reading your reply, I checked again and noticed a faint clicking sound when using the washer stalk, which I missed before. No warning LEDs on the dash. The headlight system fault started about 2 weeks ago, working intermittently at first before failing completely. Your relay suggestion makes sense, especially since both systems are affected. The clicking but no pump action points toward an electrical fault rather than a leak or mechanical issue. I will have the pump assembly and wiring checked based on your experience. Did your repair involve removing the front bumper to access all components of the system?

The repair on my Polo did require partial front bumper removal to properly access the pump assembly and wiring harness. The clicking sound you describe is exactly what I experienced, its typically the relay attempting to engage but failing to activate the pump. The access procedure took about an hour, and the complete fault repair needed around 3 hours total. The headlight cleaning system components are mounted close to the washer fluid reservoir, making simultaneous inspection of both systems practical. Given the similar fault progression, intermittent headlight cleaning fault followed by complete system failure, and that telltale relay click, your issue sounds identical to what I encountered. My repair included: Complete pump assembly removal, Cleaning of all electrical contacts, Replacement of corroded wiring sections, New relay installation, System leak check, Full function test of both washer circuits The repair has lasted 2 years without any recurring issues. If you plan to have it repaired, ensure they check the entire wiring harness while the bumper is off, as partial fixes often lead to repeat failures.

Thanks for the detailed service history. All symptoms match perfectly, from the headlight cleaning issues to the clicking relay sound. This definitely helps narrow down the diagnosis. After comparing systems on both cars, I believe the repair approach will be similar. The front bumper question is important since access differs between models. Will schedule a workshop visit next week to have them check the pump assembly and wiring. Your feedback about inspecting the entire harness while the bumper is off makes practical sense. No point doing partial repairs that might need redoing. Two years without issues shows it was worth doing properly the first time. Just to confirm, the complete repair I should expect includes: Pump assembly inspection, Full wiring harness check, Relay replacement, Testing both washer system circuits Looking at around 3-4 hours labor time based on your experience. The clicking sound really helped confirm the electrical nature of the problem rather than a clog or leak. Thanks for walking me through your repair process, saved me from testing the wrong components first.