Windscreen Washer Bottle Assembly Renovation

I'm just in the process to sorting out a few little bits on my 1985 Mondial QV, thought I would share some photos where I am trying to put right a DIY disaster done by the previous Swiss owner of my car.

The windscreen washer bottle and assembly such as pump, level sensor, bracket were far from perfect....

Previous owner didn't bother replacing the washer pump when it failed, so took it out and filled the motor hole in on the bottom of the tank. Then drilled a hole in the tank near the top, then put a hose through to the bottom and stuck an inline generic pump in place. Also I noticed the sensor was completely corroded, missing the float and rod. The tank metal frame bracket which holds it to the car was also badly rusted, where the tank has been leaking and detached from the chassis.

So I bought a donor car washer tank from eurospares, with a pump. Also a brand new float sensor and a new tank bracket from Ferrari.

After some cleaning of the donor tank, the assembly looks a lot better than before. Ready to be refitted back.

Strangely though the washer light still comes on, on the centre console warning light array by the gear shifter. The car had a brand new fuse board and some rewiring done before I bought it, so not sure if it's a wiring issue somewhere as I know the sensor is branch new... another little job to do at some point.
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Thanks Alden for the advice, I will give it a try later in the week.

No I didn't disconnect the battery, but had the ignition off. Yes I will in future disconnect the battery,

I will report back later just the week if the reset worked.

 

Great diagram and keeps it simple - thank you. I disconnected everything on the washer motor and level sensor end - the light still stays on on the centre console. Plus I did the reverse i.e. the washer bottle sensor upside down so it closes the circuit and motor plugged in.

I also disconnected the battery and put both terminal leads together for 10seconds, to perform a reset and no joy.

So I would assume there is a wiring fault further up the chain.

However it would not surprise me as the previous owner had a replacement upgraded fuse box fitted and there is evidence of a lot of wiring being modified....

My next test is to work out which of the several wires from the 3 plugs, which go into the centre console is the feed to the sensor and trace back...

 

**Solved**

AFTERBURNER - Using your very useful diagrams I was able to trace the fault and confirmed some of the following in the process :-

(1) Orange wire on pin 2 of the bottom red plug from the centre console unit, is the corresponding feed to the terminal where the washer bottle float switch plugs into

(2) Using a multimeter the wiring was confirmed to have no break from the plug end of the washer bottle float switch plug lead to pin 2 on the console connector

(3) From one of the fuse box plug terminals, where the same orange wire goes into, to the same washer bottle float switch plug end = Wiring is fine. Also from fuse box to centre console = Wiring is fine

(4) Doing a test from the centre console terminal 2 to the other end of the float switch terminal, with one end of the sensor switch plugged in to loom (i.e. float sensor switch is in series) = Circuit is closed when float switch is full/adequate liquid level detected. When bottle is empty the switch is open

(5) So with the other ground (Negative) end of the washer bottle float switch, wired directly to the car chassis (bypassing) final end of the wiring loom = Bingo.

Conclusion between the final part of the circuit from the washer bottle float switch to negative ground of the chassis= there is a break in the wire somewhere .

Facts I clarified too=

(1) Unplugging the washer bottle sensor from the loom, opens the circuit permanently and the centre console light will always be on
(2) The centre console light will only turn off when the circuit is closed i.e. float switch is closed when adequate liquid level is present
(3) No fancy electronics involved for the washer bottle liquid level, just basic on/off switch and indicator lamp.

Thanks for all the help AFTERBURNER & ALDEN. Final warning light to sort out is the brake warning light, on my other thread....

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I also have a fully restored 1956 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 Coupe (V8, 5.3ltr 324 cubic inch) and the electrics are so easy to work on, i.e. no complex electronics.

Meanwhile my other car is a 2010 Maserati Gran Cabrio = That is seriously packed with electronics, sensors and gadgets everywhere. Including electronic suspension and electronic exhaust gate valves... That would be something would need a laptop to diagnose/fix/repair.

It's funny seeing the vast differences in electrical/electronic usage between my Oldsmobile, Ferrari & Maserati....

 

Some photos of the finished work. Cheers
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