Headlight washer system fuse keeps blowing

[Matty H]

And I know why it is. It's because of the cold weather and them freezing up. Trouble is there's nothing you can do about it is there? I've had to change the fuse 5 times this week already. I drive to work in the dark and come home in the dark, so naturally the headlights are on, and with all the filth on the roads you have to use the washers, but when the headlights are on the headlight washers activate automatically when you pull the stalk.

One way of getting over it is just to remove the fuse until it's milder, but you shouldn't have to do this should you?! It's been freezing for weeks. Why is it so sensitive? It blows straight away. Could there be something wrong with it? I don't think there is though because it's been fine all day today and I've drove to Newcastle and back from Bristol, so a fair old trek and its noticeably milder

Anyone else experienced this?

[Guyver1]

which fuse is it?

[Matty H]

which fuse is it?

The headlight washer system fuse. It's a 30amp one under the bonnet

[Guyver1]

take it out and wipe the blades of the fuse with emery cloth, then try again, could just be the damp causing a bad connection and then shorting out

[mat100edt]

take it, you replaced the fuse with one of the same rating?
can you get your hands on a multimeter with continuity test on it and see if the positive and negative supply lines are shorted some where. the easiest way of doing that will be to put one probe on on the positive in fuse box and the other to an earth (chassis).
if this is the case then you have a hunt on your hands to find the short.

Mat

[Matty H]

take it out and wipe the blades of the fuse with emery cloth, then try again, could just be the damp causing a bad connection and then shorting out

But it's been fine all day today and was fine on Tuesday morning, but blew again on the night when it was seriously sub zero. I'm sure it's the fact they are frozen (for a start they don't pop out of the bumper and spray) but you can hear the motor trying for a split second before the fuse goes. Each time they have been frozen up.

I'm just surprised they are this sensitive. I've never had this happen in other cars ive had with headlight washers

Will give it a try none the less. Cheers

[Matty H]

take it, you replaced the fuse with one of the same rating?
can you get your hands on a multimeter with continuity test on it and see if the positive and negative supply lines are shorted some where. the easiest way of doing that will be to put one probe on on the positive in fuse box and the other to an earth (chassis).
if this is the case then you have a hunt on your hands to find the short.

Mat

Like I said though I've done a twelve hour drive today using the washers constantly. In fact ive emptied the bottle once and had to refill it, and they've been fine all day cos it hasn't been freezing temps

[Guyver1]

not having them fitted on mine, is there a way to get them to stay out, for maintenance atall

if so, it might be an idea when you get them to thaw out, to see if they are leaking which is not helping you out when the freezing weather comes

[Matty H]

not having them fitted on mine, is there a way to get them to stay out, for maintenance atall

if so, it might be an idea when you get them to thaw out, to see if they are leaking which is not helping you out when the freezing weather comes

Good point. Never thought of that. You can pull them out manually, not sure if that's advisible though, other than that I expect there is a way to get them to stay out but I don't know it, so if anyone knows on here...... hint hint :P

[plasma]

I think i remember someone saying it uses the water pressure to push them out, rather than a motor.