Headlight Sprayer works when off!

Bopper · February 4, 2005

Just took my VW Jetta to the Car wash and pulled back into the driveway next to my 2005 Envoy. I was playing with the new Envoy and I pushed the Headlight Washer button while there was no key in the ignition. Low and behold the washer started spraying and cleaned the headlights but dowsed my Jetta. Is this a wiring problem or normal, if normal... why?

And I know the Envoy wasn't spitting on the Jetta.

Wingaman · February 6, 2005

...
Is this a wiring problem or normal, if normal... why?

And I know the Envoy wasn't spitting on the Jetta.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am wondering if you had turned the key on then off and pushed the button prior to opening the door. The recent year vehicles now keep power to some pieces equipment, such as the radio for as long as ...I think 10 minutes... after the ignition is turned off or until the door is opened... since there is no longer a backwards accessory switch on the ignition. I found this highly annoying recently as I sat outside waiting for my wife from an appointment for an hour listening to my radio.

An item such as a garage door opener maintains the power indefinitely as far as I know. I don't know where the HL washer falls into that use continuum.

BTW, I particularly like using mine to spit on the Bums as they approach to wash my windows with their spit.

Just Kidding, but its a thought..

Bopper · February 6, 2005

I just walked outside opened the door and pushed the headlight washer button and they squirt.

Seems like a strange thing to have connected straight to the battery!

Envoy Fan · February 6, 2005

I disconnected my battery when I was doing some work on my Envoy. When reattaching the positive cable, the washers "spit". Enough to get on me and the front of the Envoy (which was clean)

Later in the year my battery started to fail (didn't know that at the time though) and when first starting the vehicle the washers would "spit".

To me the washers are worthless. Ok by me if GM decides to get rid of these on their next decontent move. The travel recorder (which is now gone) was of more value to me than the washers.

Wingaman · February 7, 2005

To me the washers are worthless. Ok by me if GM decides to get rid of these on their next decontent move. The travel recorder (which is now gone) was of more value to me than the washers.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree that they are probably the most useless thing I have ever had on a vehicle. Possibly supposed to add class to it. There are other options that could be included in that package, such as assist steps or a cargo trey that would be much more valuable.

Maybe they are supposed to double as battery replacement warning devices?

Wingnut · February 7, 2005

I've never been able to figure out if those things actually do any good. I can't see how they would really help.

Of course, spitting on the odd pedestrian could prove to be entertainment for hours in the right situation.

I had a Toyota many, many moons ago, that the windshield sprayers were just little wire-like things sticking out of the cowl. You could point them in just about any direction, and they would shoot about 20 feet (if you crimped the tip just right).

Great for the motorcyclist that thought 2 bike lengths behind was a safe distance.

Chronic · February 12, 2005

Tis the same on my XUV '04. I like to pull up to anybody that has pissed me off on the road and let 'em have it with a spray or to. Until I can shoot a missile at someone for cutting me off, this will have to do.

MichEnvoyBoy · February 17, 2005

LOL I do the same thing. The headlamp washers had to have been put on the Envoy by some smart a**, road-raged, Detroit driver engineer at GM, LOL. Because thats the only "practical" use I can make of them either.....LOL.

Btw, I hate when I reach for my fog light button, right after I wash my truck or something, and accidently hit the headlamp washers. Pi**es me right off!! haha