Washer Fluid Resevoir Sensor

[mholhut]

My fluid level sensor has been shot for the past year or so, and the display always says "low washer fluid" which means that even though there's fluid in the resevoir and the fluid will spary, the wipers won't come on... because the car thinks there is no washer fluid.

The only way to buy the sensor, is to buy the whole resevoir... for $80. Made an attempt to buy one from a guy who was parting out 3 LS's on Ebay, which failed epicly. So, I'm wondering if there's a way to trick the sensor into thinking there's always fluid in the resevoir. I know some older-style sensors you could just ground one of the wires and it would do the same thing. Not sure if that would apply to the LS.... might need a resistor?

Suggestions?

 

[joegr]

I believe that if you just unplug the connector to the sensor at the reservoir, the low fluid indication should go away. According to the 2004 service manual, the sensor is just a switch that closes to indicate low level. Open indicates okay. Unplugging the switch is the same thing as it being open.

 

[tonyd]

i had the same problem, just ran all the fluid out through the wipers and the sensor went off on its own. haven't had a prooblem since. let me know.

i did like 10 second intervals.

 

[warthog5]

The only way to buy the sensor, is to buy the whole resevoir... for $80.

Not true. I bought the censer from my local dealer. This was about 3 weeks ago. It came out of the warehouse in Atlanta. It was about $17 list price.
I paid $13 and change.

I dropped the washer jug out the bottom. I used a razor knife to cut the original silcone seal and removed the old one. I did this so as not to put a lot of stress on the jug.

I then took the new unit complete with the new silicone seal and lubed it with silicon spray and popped it in.

No more message on the display center.

I can't find the ticket to give you the pt #. Sorry.

 

[mrzeee]

I do not see the sensor as a separate part...the motor and pump is avail for that price.

Max

 

[warthog5]

Sorry. The one I got fit a '98 MK VIII.

I thought I was posting in the MK VIII section and I see now this is for a LS.

 

[mholhut]

... which is why I unplugged it. Problem solved