Can you hear the washer pump when you pull the stalk? 

I had a similar problem with mine shortly after I bought it (no sound of pump trying to do anything) and it required a replacement pump.  Pump was cheap enough, as I recall, but there was an hour or so of labour as the washer bottle and related bits are housed between the inner and outer wings and I think they had to get at it from under the wheel arch.

I think I've seen other comments here that make it appear like a relatively common problem.

If you can hear the pump, then its probably a blocked pipe from the bottle to the nozzles.  If there is no dribble of water from any nozzle, then its further towards the bottle, before the pipe splits to the nozzles.

As with mine, this kind of problem doesn't happen when its warm and dry!

Have you checked the fuses?  I got a hire car delivered to my door last winter which didn't have working screen washers cos the numpty that delivered it to me kept the pump running when the water bottle was frozen and blew the fuse due to the motor over revving.  Should have charged the Hire company for the new fuse!

On a similar note has anyone else noticed that if they fill up the E39 washer bottle right to the top of the cap it then starts to empty itself out thru a little hole in the front bumper immediately in front of the offside front wheel?  Only noticed this when my feet got wet when filling the washer bottle.

No wonder the main $tealers charge you for screen wash as the bottle will never ever be full so they will pour more in only for it to come out again.

There must be some form of overflow pipe for some reason.

Andrew

Nick_Baldev wrote: alright fellas, need a little help with my water pump on my e39. basically i pull the lever towards me to squirt water on my windscreen, although the wipers move, no liquid comes out of the washer. by the way the washer liquid has been topped up. any ideas?????

Nick, what month/year is your car?

Pre July 97 models had pumps on them that were prone to premature failure.  After Jul 97, they changed the pump manufacturer, which also meant a change of harness.  Old style pumps can still be bought, but you can only use the new style pump if you buy a new harness which costs about €80.  Mine failed on me this time last year.  I have a Feb 97 car.  Replaced the pump in 1 hr myself and bought one from Conlans for €36.

Basically, you remove the front right wheel, remove the wheel arch liner (about 10-12 screws) and the pump is located right on top of the washer bottle.  Replace pump and put all back together, remembering to test first before you re-assemble.

However, lets just hope it's just a fuse or blocked pipe.

Toxic wrote: Pre July 97 models had pumps on them that were prone to premature failure.

That fits, mine is a December '96 build, Jan '97 reg...