HI all,

I noticed my Window wash light came ON... I refilled with fluid, but it's still ON.
Any ideas???

thanks,

maguirre
2000, SR5, 5spd

 

you're what came on?

i didn't know that any 4runner had a warning light for low window washer fluid!

 

Maybe disconnecting the battery for a few minutes?

 

I've heard that Runners had one but I've yet to see it;I guess I'll let my fluid run out to see if mine works.

 

Wow, that is really interesting.... Would it happen to be a Canadian Model 4Runner, but in NYC???

Only reason why I am asking is because Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe Canadian Version vehicles have a Low Windshield Washer Solvent Light while the American Models do not.

I agree, disconnect the negative battery term. for a few seconds and see if that does it, if not it might be a bad sensor.

 

I have one of those warning lights on my Tacoma. I can't say I ever had this issue though.

 

Now I am wondering if my 05 Tacoma does.... I read over the owners manual and never came across it though.

 

my '99 taco has that light also, but no low fuel light, go figure

 

My experience has been that the dye that they use in the fluid (blue or whatever) tends to calcify and clog things up like the hoses, squirter nozzles and the low level switch in the reservoir. If the float style switch is in the reservoir cap make sure it's moving freely. Otherwise you may have to pull the reservoir, find the switch and make sure it's working. Finally if the switch is moving freely a quick check with a volt meter can tell you if it's not working properly and needs replacement. You could also just jump out the switch and the light would never come back on.

 

For future reference, I double checked my owners manual and one does not show up. So on the 05 Tacoma's, there is not one.

 

Not familiar with the light, but those type of sensors are typically a pair of electrodes in the side of the tank that make use of the fluid conductivity to keep the light turned off. If the fluid drops below the level of the sensor, then the light comes on. Several things can happen, one is the sensor gets disconnected, open circuit is seen as low fluid level. Or the sensor electrodes get covered in deposits of some sort and can no longer touch the fluid, a scrubbing with a small brush can clean them off. Or the fluid was changed to something lacking the conductivity needed to turn the sensor off.

 

I double checked in the owner's manual and it is the window wash fluid light.
When I read more into in it is say in parenthesis (Canada).
Does this confirm that I have a Canadian model??
Any other differences between Canadian and US models I should be aware of???

I'll try disconnecting the battery and will let you all know.
Thanks for all the feedback.

maguirre
00' SR5, 5spd

 

hi all,

I disconnected the battery and connected back and the light is still ON.
Is checking the sensor pretty straight forward???

Please advise,

thanks,

maguirre
2000, SR5, 5spd

 

Find it and decide for yourself. Never seen one so I can only guess.

 

My light in on also, and it is from Canadia.
I will be checking the items mentioned and post up what I find. Now to use the fluild up so I can removed the tank.

 

Do you have a rear window washer?, Maybe the rear is low on fluid?

 

I didn't think it had a separate tank for the rear washer?????

 

2nd gens have a sep tank IIRC, 3rd gens are the same tank under the hood.

 

My second gen 4Runner has a single tank. The rear squirter draws fluid from higher up in the tank than the front windshield squirters. That way when the rear runs out, you know you're getting low without losing fluid to the front.

 

I'm not sure either, but thought it might be a consideration.

If not, I tend to go with the sensor as the most likely source.