7 replies to this topic

[AWLangdon]

Hi I have a flat battery after limited use. I'm trying to gain access to the battery but I'm not sure how to disconnect the power lead from the screen wash bottle. There are metal clips at either end of the connector, and one on the side, but I'm frightened of doing damage. Do you push the clips in; pull them out or what. I've tried searching using "screen wash bottle" but no success. Many thanks Wayne

[Cookies220]

Are you just going to charge the battery? If so, you don't need to remove the washer bottle, just slide it out. That'll give you plenty of access space to get to the + & - terminals on the battery.

[Sutol]

Are you just going to charge the battery? If so, you don't need to remove the washer bottle, just slide it out. That'll give you plenty of access space to get to the + & - terminals on the battery.

I would disconnect the bottle. Its a finger & thumb pincer movement pulling down iirc. Wriggle it around and it will come loose, it can be stiff. This way you won't put any strain on the small wires and the bottle can be kept well out the way.

[AWLangdon]

Thank you both for your quick replies. I am amazed at how good this forum is. I had to remove my screen wash bottle due to the way my heater control cable and other wires are configured. I managed to pull ot the whole washer motor unit using the twist and pull technique. It was still a bit of a struggle to pull out the bottle, and I noticed that removing the motor caused some screen wash to spill onto the battery from the bottom (motor entry point). I stored the bottle on its side to minimise wastage of screen wash fluid. I then connected my 20 year old battery charger and after about an hour the car started first time. I also noted that the power input to the motor can be disconnected separately: the '3 clips' I originally mentioned is in fact one wrap around clip which fastens the small power wire connector to the top of the motor. I should have unwound the clip - tricky as you cannot see it all - then simply pull off the connector holding the small wires. Then washer bottle AND the motor unit can be removed together thus preventing any leaks. The only downside in doing this is that the bottle has to be stored somewhere in the front bay as it is now still connected to the car. Anyway I am not going to attempt to change the battery yet. I suspect I will have to disconnect a load of things first - although my current battery does have a handle on the top! In any case thanks again for taking time to reply to my post. It was very much appreciated. Wayne

Edited by AWLangdon, 28 June 2008 - 10:29 AM.

[mandarinvx]

It's worth changing the battery now tbh - once it's given up once it won't be long until it does it again It's not too hard to do, just a bit fidly, you have to turn it a couple of times to be able to get it out, and the same when putting the new one in

[ukgulf]

Buy one with a handle.

[Baron Von Scubadaddy]

[krambulle]

I searched but I can't seem to find anything regarding this:

I hate my screen washer bottle. I hated it since the first time i saw it, I really hated it the first time I changed my battery, and I hate it even more now when I changed my battery and the bottle doesn't seem to want to fit flush any more.

I would like a smaller bottle, I don't need 2,2 L of washer fluid, I hardly, if at all, ever use the washer. Thought about removing it all together but would like to keep it, but with a smaller bottle if possible. Does anyone know if there are any smaller bottles that would fit (in the bracket but also with the pump)?

Also thought about possibly reshape, or cut up and 're-weld' it at about half the size with a heat gun. Any one who thinks this would work?

//Johan