Rear Windshield Washer Not Working

[MortnCyn]

If you think about it, the wiper will work fine when driving on wet roads. You get more than enough moisture to wipe the window. If it is dry and dirty, you need to clean your windows.

[mack1a]

Originally Posted by MortnCyn

If you think about it, the wiper will work fine when driving on wet roads. You get more than enough moisture to wipe the window. If it is dry and dirty, you need to clean your windows.

Good point. But somewhere built into the price of the vehicle is the convenience of washing the rear window on demand while driving and staining the back of the vehicle with the blue window washer fluid. If it's there, it should work.

After all, if the weather is nice I could roll down the window and make a turn signal by hand but I prefer not to do that. If I was a European owner I could manually fold my mirrors like North American owners do but I would prefer to use the motor driven function available to them.

I guess my thinking on this can be that if you as an owner are willing to accept one operationl defect it is just that much easier to rationalize why you can live with the 2nd and then the 3rd operational defect. Then you trade the car in at the same dealer who didn't fix things and he jabs you in the eye with a sharp stick because some things don't work on your trade in.

Enough, I was just playing with the premise of what happens when we accept workarounds instead of getting things fixed.

[MortnCyn]

Originally Posted by mack1a

Good point. But somewhere built into the price of the vehicle is the convenience of washing the rear window on demand while driving and staining the back of the vehicle with the blue window washer fluid. If it's there, it should work.

After all, if the weather is nice I could roll down the window and make a turn signal by hand but I prefer not to do that. If I was a European owner I could manually fold my mirrors like North American owners do but I would prefer to use the motor driven function available to them.

I guess my thinking on this can be that if you as an owner are willing to accept one operationl defect it is just that much easier to rationalize why you can live with the 2nd and then the 3rd operational defect. Then you trade the car in at the same dealer who didn't fix things and he jabs you in the eye with a sharp stick because some things don't work on your trade in.

Enough, I was just playing with the premise of what happens when we accept workarounds instead of getting things fixed.

In my post I started to state that I will make them fix it. I agree with you. If they say it is a feature then it should work. I certainly will make them fix it. Have been in contact with Cadillac Customer Relations regarding the washer, seat belt buttons, electronic/electrical gremlins, battery problem, CD initializing, rear door handle problem, etc. So far they have fixed a very loud wind noise problem (right front door) we had early on and they did it the first time. Also fixed the problem with the power outlets not shutting down after the ignition is off ten minutes. The problem for the dealers is that Cadillac has no fix for the electronic/electrical gremlins. Our build date is 11/19/03.

[mack1a]

Originally Posted by MortnCyn

In my post I started to state that I will make them fix it. I agree with you. If they say it is a feature then it should work. I certainly will make them fix it. Have been in contact with Cadillac Customer Relations regarding the washer, seat belt buttons, electronic/electrical gremlins, battery problem, CD initializing, rear door handle problem, etc. So far they have fixed a very loud wind noise problem (right front door) we had early on and they did it the first time. Also fixed the problem with the power outlets not shutting down after the ignition is off ten minutes. The problem for the dealers is that Cadillac has no fix for the electronic/electrical gremlins. Our build date is 11/19/03.

Sorry to hear about all of those issues. Even when things get fixed I doubt that Cadillac really understands the inconvenience and the loss of credibility that accompany the incident. At least it sounds like they got your front fenders, hood, grill and front doors on straight.

[Flash]

Originally Posted by MortnCyn

If you think about it, the wiper will work fine when driving on wet roads. You get more than enough moisture to wipe the window. If it is dry and dirty, you need to clean your windows.

[caddycruiser]

This tends to be a very common problem with rear wiper/washer setups. Case in point, our 2004 Suburban. No, not a SRX, but the same issue. Truck was built in 08/03 and sat on the lot until we bought it in June '04 and we still never even tried the back washer until this January--so it had a long time to just sit there. So, as expected, the washer didn't work. Took it to the dealer and the receipt said "clean clogged nozzle". So in essence, not being used for all that time allowed debris to build up in there, and will probably happen again, since it never gets dirty enough to use the sprayer!

[Package]

Count me in as our new 2004 V8 AWD has the same problem. Will look at it tonight with the suggested fix/fixes. Not a big deal in my mind and it does not take away from how much we like this car.

[Terpnut]

Mine has never worked either. Just curious--is there ANYBODY who bought an SRX where the rear wiper/washer worked right the first time?

[samidj]

Mine did work upon purchase in June'04. Didn't use it for months, and when I did try again (approx 2-3 months later) it was not working. However, It was fixed and has been fully operational since.

[Noreaster]

Mine has worked from the get-go. And darned good thing too - things can get sloppy in winter up here.

[magredoak]

Filled the washer reservoir to the top - rear washer still does not work.

[BANK]

I'll give the full reservoir trick a try. Like the vehicle, but dealer's attention to detail is not likely to get better.

[magredoak]

I fixed mine myself. The little shroud over the nozzle just lifts off, and swings out of the way. The nozzle pulls out with pliers. I ran the pump to flush the line, and blew out the nozzle. Oily stuff came out of the line, and now it works.

[louisn]

Originally Posted by magredoak

I fixed mine myself. The little shroud over the nozzle just lifts off, and swings out of the way. The nozzle pulls out with pliers. I ran the pump to flush the line, and blew out the nozzle. Oily stuff came out of the line, and now it works.

Could you go into a little more detail. How did you get the shroud off. Mine won't just lift off.

[magredoak]

I pulled up on the right side, and it swung up and to the left. it is hinged on the wiper arm.