Windshield washer fluid low warning won't turn off

[michaelalex17]

Hello, I filled my windshield washer reservoir to the top, but I am still getting the windshield washer low warning. Any idea how to fix this?

Thank you

[Fake News 2017]

Is the tank still full? This happened on my wife's X3 once. BMW topped off the tank but didn't seat the cap fully. All the fluid evaporated due to the heat of the engine.

[michaelalex17]

Originally Posted by Fake News 2017

Is the tank still full? This happened on my wife's X3 once. BMW topped off the tank but didn't seat the cap fully. All the fluid evaporated due to the heat of the engine.

I filled it up fully and got in the car and it still said it was low so I don't think it evaporated that quickly, good thought though

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by michaelalex17

I filled it up fully and got in the car and it still said it was low so I don't think it evaporated that quickly, good thought though

Drain the tank and add some distilled water. Maybe it'll dissolve some crud that's causing the level indicator to stick.

[Fast4d]

yeah, might be sensor is stuck. same thing happened to my E90. filled it to the rim with water and disappeared a day later.

[milk242]

On my old Audi, the sensor would gunk up if I used rainx windshield washer fluid

[michaelalex17]

Thanks all I have a dealer apt on Friday so will see

[michaelalex17]

I filled the tank up with the blue fluid and the light was still on. I brought the car to the dealer and they said that it was filled with the orange fluid and it needs a new tank because the orange fluid breaks the sensor. I didn't fill it with orange stuff it must have been the previous owner, but even if I did it doesn't say anywhere that I can't fill up with the orange stuff. Should this be covered or am I missing something? Thank you

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by michaelalex17

I filled the tank up with the blue fluid and the light was still on. I brought the car to the dealer and they said that it was filled with the orange fluid and it needs a new tank because the orange fluid breaks the sensor. I didn't fill it with orange stuff it must have been the previous owner, but even if I did it doesn't say anywhere that I can't fill up with the orange stuff. Should this be covered or am I missing something? Thank you

Nope. If the orange stuff isn't typical washer fluid then no. It's really no different the filling your tank with bad gas.

[michaelalex17]

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

Nope. If the orange stuff isn't typical washer fluid then no. It's really no different the filling your tank with bad gas.

The orange stuff is Rain-x and is sold at all automotive stores

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by michaelalex17

The orange stuff is Rain-x and is sold at all automotive stores

And it is known to cause this issue. Just because some cars don't have a problem doesn't mean your car also shouldn't have a problem and that it's a warranty issue if it does.

FWIW I use rainX but the product applied on the windshield.

I'd ask RainX to reimburse you.

[kingofqueenz788]

the sensor in the bottom of the bottle is probably the cause of this

[heckyeahbro69]

Originally Posted by kingofqueenz788

the sensor in the bottom of the bottle is probably the cause of this

The washer fluid level sensor is a contactless capacitive sensor. The use of a “non-approved” washer fluid (silicone-based fluid) can cause the low fluid warning light to come on even when the reservoir is full.

[623baller]

would it do anything if you just put straight water without any cleaning solution?

[heckyeahbro69]

Originally Posted by 623baller

would it do anything if you just put straight water without any cleaning solution?

it will grow algae and clog the strainer which causes the pump to run dry and fail.

[623baller]

Originally Posted by heckyeahbro69

it will grow algae and clog the strainer which causes the pump to run dry and fail.

oh lord, but serious question though. i just rather do water only since my windsheild is always sealed or waxed so no real need for any cleaning solution besides water. i just dont want it to throw any warning code over something so simple