Windshield washer dash light on

[wang]

I recently filled the windshield washer tank with distilled water. The dash light came on.

What did I do wrong? 1999 Boxster.

Thanks,

Bob

Edited November 28, 2007 by wang

[Loren]

could be a dirty sensor - could be you have a leak?

[White987S]

Bob, why distilled water? Are you sure you added it to the right place?

[wang]

could be a dirty sensor - could be you have a leak?

Hi Loren,

Thank you for your help. I put two quarts of distilled water in the tank. No leaks. nothing on the carpet inside or under the car.

I use distilled water instead of chemical laced washer fluid. At 70 MPH I'm concerned about the top and "bleach marks."

A dirty sensor? Where and how? Could the sensor be reading the difference between washer fluid and water?

Thanks,

Bob

[wang]

Bob, why distilled water? Are you sure you added it to the right place?

Hi,

I use distilled water because I'm concerned about chemicals in the washer fluid at 70 MPH. I do not want bleach marks on the top.

I put the water in the correct hole and screwed the cap on. In July it will be 10 years old. Maybe I should break down and see a dealer.

Or walk over to White's Mortuary and lay down. Thanks for your help.

Bob

[Loren]

The sensor is in the side of the tank (item 14) - they have been known to go bad.

[paulv]

Please disregard what I mentioned earlier -- I think my wife dropped a stupid pill in my cereal this morning -- my whold day at work has been a disaster also.

Sorry for the bogus info.....

Regards,

paul...

Edited November 29, 2007 by paulv

[ZY971]

I recently filled the windshield washer tank with distilled water. The dash light came on.

What did I do wrong? 1999 Boxster.

My espresso maker advises not to use distilled water because the sensor operates on

the electrical conductivity, and indeed I sometimes have seen it indicate "empy" when

full. I throw in a cup of tap water, and hey, presto! it is off and running. Is there a

chance Porsche uses a similar sensor?

[wang]

I recently filled the windshield washer tank with distilled water. The dash light came on.

What did I do wrong? 1999 Boxster.

My espresso maker advises not to use distilled water because the sensor operates on

the electrical conductivity, and indeed I sometimes have seen it indicate "empy" when

full. I throw in a cup of tap water, and hey, presto! it is off and running. Is there a

chance Porsche uses a similar sensor?

I have more information regarding the ww dash light problem. I crashed the car in July and got it

back in August. I was doing pre winter maintenance in November and did not think the accident

had an effect on the ww dash light. When I picked up the car in August I checked lights, doors,

top movement, trunk levers, etc. I did not check the ww fluid level. I filled the reservoir spout

with 2 quarts of water and the light came on. Took off for Mexico, San Diego, Palm Springs, and

Las Vegas for 2 months. Returned home and after the local temp got above 50 I looked at the problem

again. I noticed the hoses and electric connections go through the side next to the drivers front

fender. I drained the ww tank by holding the lever. The tank was empty - no water hitting the ww.

I heard the pump laboring. Let go of the activation lever and the dash light went out. I put one quart

of water in the tank. Started the car and the dash light came on. Drained the tank again and the light

went out. My questions: Does one remove the plastic type composite material shroud that forms the

wheel well to gain access to the ww reservoir tank? Or does one have to remove the fender? I think the

repair shop will deny they are at fault. Also is it possible the make the electrical connection backwards

so that the polarity is reversed. Empty tank = light out. Full tank = light on.

Thanks for your help,

Bob

[Loren]

Normally, you remove the wheel well liner to access the washer tank.