Hi, I have a wonderful sl500, 62k miles and trouble free, until last night. It seems that when I now put the headlights on, the head light washer turns on. The wipers are not moving, put the washer pump is pumping. The wipers are not in the same position. One is up and one is in the normal rest position. I have looked at the fuse box, and can't tell which fuse to unplug until I can get it to my local MB shop. The windshield wipers and spray are just fine. I understant that there are two pumps. Any ideas would be great.
Thanks,
Rob in Phoenix

 

the fuse is #1. the pump is the fender side of the two on the reservoir.. temporarily unplug it if needed and it will not effect the windshield washer.. if you pull the fuse it will effect other things too. if the wash arms are misaligned it can cause the pump to run continuously, that's obvious if the motors don't work. . earlier model pumps could start a fire. you're ok with a 98. so why aren't the motors working? check connections and wiring. the relay is square and is B the second from the rear in the bx behind the fuses, that relay is cheap.. unlikely to be it, but the combination relay module is tied into the system too, that is tied into #9 & #11 fuses. the middle module towards the front of the car in the same relay box, that is expensive. Try unplugging the wiper motors one at a time starting with the one cockeyed and see what happens when operating. might be the guy causing the problem, but why isn't the other motor working? let us know what it ends up being.

 

HI Brookings, I did unplug the fender side pump. I will have my indy look at it next week. But for now, all is good.

Thanks very much.

Rob in Phoenix

 

I have edited my error on what pump is where. That's what I get for relying on memory, rather than just looking. yes, that's the one to unplug.

 

Can you direct me to a drawing to hook up my washer and blades on the headlight?
Thanks
Mike

 

i had the same prob with my 94 sl. took it to mb service and we really didnt get into the problem. washer on ieadlights would run until the resivour was empty. we just unplugged the headlight washer motor. didnt really need it any...

 

My right side wiper and washer has run awry as well. I have been resetting the blade with some frequency (8 mm box end) and am not certain how it got out of synch with the other headlight washer. Last night when I started the car, the headlight wipers decided to operate when the lights were turned on. Of course the right side pumped the reservoir dry. This morning on the basis of an earlier post, I disconnected the pump (I had replaced both previously so I remember it was the fender side rather than the front. Now I'm wondering why pulling the #1 fuse (Headlight wipers) might cause other problems. I would rather hear about it than findout!

 

Gabby88- If your blades are like SL's, the blades point toward the center and the rubber on the wiper rests just above the bump on the lens.

 

if you look at the backside of your fuse cover there should be a list of what and how many systems each fuse affects.

 

My #1 fuse mentions only Headlight Wipers. I kinda like the looks when they are straight but when out of line they are like a missing or crooked tooth. When they went awry, the right one stoped half way (up or down) and sprayed the balance of the washer fluid up and on the hood. With power to the pump unhooked and fuse number one pulled, I hope everything else works. Since I don't off road, the lights stay clean anyway.