VW Washer Pump Failure: Diagnosis & Repair Tips

Having dealt with a similar issue on my 2016 VW Tiguan, I can share my experience about washer pump problems. The symptoms were identical, no pump sound and complete system failure for both windshield and headlight cleaning functions. The core issue turned out to be corroded cable connections at the washer pump, which was causing an electrical disconnect. Despite the fuse being good, the pump wasnt getting proper power. The leak from the connection had also caused some minor corrosion around the pump housing. The repair cost was 165€ including: Cleaning the electrical connections, Replacing damaged wiring, Testing both washer systems, New seals to prevent future leaks To help diagnose your specific case, could you share: Any unusual sounds before the system failed? When was the last time the headlight cleaning system worked? Have you noticed any washer fluid leaks under the car? Did the failure happen gradually or suddenly? The Touareg system is similar but might have different access points for repair. This kind of issue often looks worse than it is, but proper diagnosis is important before replacing parts.

Had the car serviced at 65000km and everything worked fine then. The fault appeared suddenly last week with no warning signs. No leaks visible under the car, but I did notice the headlight cleaning system stopped first, then the windshield washer followed a day later. The pump makes absolutely no sound now when activated. Looking at LED warning lights on the dash, nothing unusual shows up. No fluid appears to be leaking around the pump or hose connections when checking the engine bay. Will try cleaning the electrical connections first before considering a full pump replacement.

Yes, this sequence of failures, headlight washers first, then windshield, matches exactly what happened with my Tiguan. The fact that the headlight cleaning system failed first strongly suggests an electrical fault rather than a clog or mechanical issue. In my case, after the headlight washers stopped, I ignored it since I rarely used that function. But when the windshield washer failed too, it became clear the pump itself was the common point of failure. The lack of pump noise is another clear indicator pointing to an electrical malfunction rather than a fluid delivery problem. Since you mention no warning lights, try this quick diagnostic step that helped me: check the pump connector for green/white corrosion. This specific type of corrosion often occurs where the washer fluid has seeped into the electrical connection. In my Tiguan, this corrosion created enough resistance to prevent the pump from operating, but not enough to trigger a fault code. If you find similar corrosion, cleaning the connections might solve the issue without needing a full pump replacement. However, if the connections look clean, you might be dealing with a failed pump motor, a more expensive but still straightforward fix.

Thank you for the detailed information about the electrical connections. I will check for corrosion as suggested. The timing of the fault matches your experience, which gives me hope its just a connection issue rather than a complete pump failure. I took another look today and noticed some whitish residue around the pump connector, which might be the corrosion you mentioned. Before booking a workshop appointment, I will try cleaning the connections myself using electrical contact cleaner. One quick question about the headlight cleaning system, if I get this fixed, is there a way to test both systems without wasting too much washer fluid? The Xenon headlight washers seem to use quite a lot of fluid each time they activate. Will update once I have tried cleaning the connections. If that doesnt resolve the fault, I will probably need to budget for a new pump assembly. At least knowing the likely cause helps narrow down the repair options.