Hi all, I drive a 2018 Audi A5 (B9, TDI Ultra, UK model, right-hand drive) and I’m running into a strange issue with the screen wash system.

A few days ago I got the yellow “low screen wash” warning on the dashboard. The weird thing is… the warning disappeared after I went through a car wash, even though I hadn’t topped up any fluid yet.

The same day, I properly topped up the screen wash using standard screen wash you buy from the petrol station and put it into the correct reservoir under the bonnet (blue cap). But when I try to activate the washer jets (pull the stalk), the wipers move, but no fluid comes out and I can’t hear the pump making any noise either. Now, the yellow low fluid warning has come back again even tho I’ve emptied about 5L of screen wash into the car. Can’t see any leaks from the car too

Anyone know what’s going on?

Potentially three or four possibilities. Fuse gone (or relay), water jet pump defective or it's somehow blocked at the pump, or very unlikely at the water jets, especially if its been operational. I wouldn't expect the washer pipe to have detached, given weather has been mild and we've not even had a frost.

C10 seems to be fuse location. If the fuse checks out - I'd be inclined to take a closer look at the pump, just in case it's clogged. Again, not uncommon if the tank has not been topped up with screen-wash, as you'll get algae growth. On A4 B9, the tank is on driver's side, so A5 must be the same. Wheel off, and then remove the wheel arch liner. Check the wiring, etc.

 

14 hours ago, spartacus 68 said:

Potentially three or four possibilities. Fuse gone (or relay), water jet pump defective or it's somehow blocked at the pump, or very unlikely at the water jets, especially if its been operational. I wouldn't expect the washer pipe to have detached, given weather has been mild and we've not even had a frost.

C10 seems to be fuse location. If the fuse checks out - I'd be inclined to take a closer look at the pump, just in case it's clogged. Again, not uncommon if the tank has not been topped up with screen-wash, as you'll get algae growth. On A4 B9, the tank is on driver's side, so A5 must be the same. Wheel off, and then remove the wheel arch liner. Check the wiring, etc.

 

Thank you for this- I’ll check out the fuses. Not very good with checking stuff like this with cars but should be fairly straight forward.

 

ive got the Audi approved used warranty and if it’s any of these faults I’m hoping it covers it? But the wait to actually get in the Audi garage is like a month 

Exactly what Richard suggested, but bear in mind if it is simply a blown fuse, then fuses only blow for an important reason - to protect the circuit from shorts and overloads. If you are ‘very good … checking’, then I would suggest keeping you hands in your pockets, for two reasons - you could make things worse, and you could invalidate whatever warranty you have fiddled with it!

Being on the pessimistic side of realistic, it’s quite possible the get-out clauses of your warranty will render this not covered.

If it were mine, I would be entrusting this to a trusted local garage to sort for you, and hope it turns out to be the least costly of Richard’s options.

Please let us know how you get on.

Regards, 

Gareth.