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Windshield washer dash warning light always on S40-V40 2003

posted by DougW on Thu Mar 28 12:00 CST 2024
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last visit: Sat Mar 29 14:15 CST 2014

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Hello all and I hope everyone is humming right along.

For a few months I have had the windshield washer light on the dash lit up, but there has always been ample fluid in the reservoir. It sprays the windshield.

Anyone seen this before? What is the most likely culprit? I have not yet used the OBD reader yet, but I will. Is it one of the fuses, I glanced at that already and it showed a couple other things on the same fuse, which were okay.

Any experience or insights on this would be great. Thanks Doug

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Windshield washer dash warning light always on S40-V40 2003

posted by B.B. on Thu Mar 28 19:30 CST 2024
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last visit: Mon Oct 6 13:15 CST 2014

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Hi Doug,

I don't have any experience with your model but will suggest that you look
at the coolant reservoir. There is likely a two wire connector to a tank switch.
The switch is in need of adjustment or replacement or
there may be some sort of float that could be broken or stuck.
Look there for your problem.
Make sure the connector pins are not shorted.

Good luck, Bill

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Windshield washer dash warning light always on S40-V40 2003

posted by DougW on Fri Mar 29 13:40 CST 2024
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last visit: Sat Mar 29 14:15 CST 2014

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Hello and thanks for the note. The reservoir on my car is a tubular vessel with a lid on top, nothing much at the top so I suspect the pump and the wiring is at the bottom of the assembly. Presumably I will have to get under the car to see any of the things I need to inspect. Any other inputs or insights to this matter? Thanks and regards, Doug

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Windshield washer dash warning light always on S40-V40 2003

posted by B.B. on Fri Mar 29 17:39 CST 2024
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last visit: Mon Oct 6 13:15 CST 2014

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Hi Doug,

A little surfing finds the Window Washer Reservoir:

https://www.tascaparts.com/v-2003-volvo-s40--base--1-9l-l4-gas/body--wiper-and-washer-components

See part 13: Level sensor 30859455

The bad news is it's NLA (no longer available from Volvo)

If you can't see and access the sensor you pull the tank:

The Good news is that you wont need to schlep under the car, the tank
slides down into clips to hold it. You pull it straight up being careful
not to damage the two wire harness to the level sensor or the rubber hose
attached to the pump. I don't know if you will need to move anything in the way to pull it up and out.

The level sensor is 1/3 the way up from the bottom and attaches with a screw on cover. Maybe the connector or wires are shorted?

More good news: FCP has the sensor $30.89 if you don't get lucky above.

While you have it apart check that the pump hose isn't cracked and starting to rot. The washer pumps crap out so you'll also pull the tank to replace a dead pump.

Report back with any good news.

It should be an easy fix. Bill

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