My windshield washer dash light came on / tank full ?

[Beaumont67]

My windshield washer fluid tank is full of fluid & the squirt'er still works, on front & rear windows...but dash light came on.
- last year when nothing came out of the nozzles, a few feet of black hose was replaced / under the hood

I suspect the following OEM switch that fits in the bottom of the washer fluid tank, may be defective.
- would appreciate some opinions, before I order the part
- or maybe their is another fix

PS - My Gen3 is a 2000 4Runner SR5, v6 4x4 auto.

Toyota Part No.: 85397-35270
SWITCH ASSY,LEVEL WARNING...Your Price: $55.12
https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem/toyota~switch~assy~level~warning~85397-35270.html

 

[enapa]

My windshield washer fluid tank is full of fluid & the squirt'er still works, on front & rear windows...but dash light came on.
- last year when nothing came out of the nozzles, a few feet of black hose was replaced / under the hood

I suspect the following OEM switch that fits in the bottom of the washer fluid tank, may be defective.
- would appreciate some opinions, before I order the part
- or maybe their is another fix

PS - My Gen3 is a 2000 4Runner SR5, v6 4x4 auto.

Toyota Part No.: 85397-35270
SWITCH ASSY,LEVEL WARNING...Your Price: $55.12
https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem/toyota~switch~assy~level~warning~85397-35270.html

Huh. Guess mine doesn't have one. Never noticed any light.

That being said. I certainly wouldn't be spending $60 to replace something so trivial.

 

[octanejunkie]

For $60 I'll come to your house and short out the warning switch connector and you will never see a warning light again. :hippie:

 

[BrianK14]

Wow, $55. Before I spent that kinda money, I would try a few other options. First, pull it, inspect and clean the connections, then reseat. If that does no good, I would watch eBay for a good used replacement, and put it on my list for the next trip to the pick-and-pull. If all else fails, pull the bulb from the dash light and take your chances on running low on windshield washer fluid...

 

[Beaumont67]

For $60 I'll come to your house and short out the warning switch connector and you will never see a warning light again. :hippie:

Mike...:biggrin1:...Get my Gen3 to Los Angeles (from central Canada) for $60, and I will gladly let you work your magic !!
- only on the other side of North America, were all the good weather is
- 100 miles North of here, my brother told me / he was driving in wet snow, for a bit...just a few days ago

Cheers, Larry

 

[Scramble]

I dont think I have that light either, sever seen it.

 

[TheDurk]

I dont think I have that light either, sever seen it.

It's a Canuck only thing, eh? (Seriously.)

 

[Scramble]

It's a Canuck only thing, eh? (Seriously.)

I was thinking its because I'm a base model. I dont have an ashtray or glove box light either.

 

[Beaumont67]

Wow, $55. Before I spent that kinda money, I would try a few other options. First, pull it, inspect and clean the connections, then reseat. If that does no good, I would watch eBay for a good used replacement, and put it on my list for the next trip to the pick-and-pull. If all else fails, pull the bulb from the dash light and take your chances on running low on windshield washer fluid...

OK - There was one good video on YouTube.
Windshield Washer Sensor Replacement
- Here's how to diagnose and repair a windshield washer sensor on a Honda Accord. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvjEme7dlLU

Ripoff wrecker yards here and a used part would probably cost $30 or more...with our 13% HSTax

Washer Fluid dash light is off now...:banana:...went outside with a leather mallet after watching the video. Located the bottom of the tank, under the passenger side bumper & a little rattle-tap persuasion with the hammer, free'd up the magnet off the bottom of the switch level sensor / so it can float in the chamber again...and not keep closing the warning light circuit.
- thks all

 

[octanejunkie]

went outside with a leather mallet after watching the video. Located the bottom of the tank, under the passenger side bumper & a little rattle-tap persuasion with the hammer, free'd up the magnet off the bottom of the switch level sensor / so it can float in the chamber again...and not keep closing the warning light circuit.
- thks all

Every problem becomes a nail when your only tool is a hammer

Well done :cheer2:

 

[Beaumont67]

^^ Great quote Mike.

I got another question / unrelated of course...:shocked:

Doing my 1st oil change since purchase (2000 T4R v6) and would like to know how many grease fittings there are (?) / plus a schematic for location, would help...don't want to miss any.
- using AMSOIL racing grease / for extended intervals, on a 10,000 Km change frequency
- WIX XP Platinum synthetic media filter / the long one, as found on the F80
(from Filter1.com)
- Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5w-30, synthetic base stock made from clean Natural Gas
(from Canadian Tire in Canada, when it goes on sale for $48/5L jug)

 

[TheDurk]

^^ Great quote Mike.

I got another question / unrelated of course...:shocked:

Doing my 1st oil change since purchase (2000 T4R v6) and would like to know how many grease fittings there are (?) / plus a schematic for location, would help...don't want to miss any.
- using AMSOIL racing grease / for extended intervals, on a 10,000 Km change frequency
- WIX XP Platinum synthetic media filter / the long one, as found on the F80
(from Filter1.com)
- Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5w-30, synthetic base stock made from clean Natural Gas
(from Canadian Tire in Canada, when it goes on sale for $48/5L jug)

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/97006-drive-prop-shaft-greasing-guide.html

 

[Beaumont67]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/97006-drive-prop-shaft-greasing-guide.html

Awesome TheDurk...I'll print off the first part & use it, excellent material / knew it would be here.

Very educational...5 pages of how to grease your shaft! Amazing!! hahahaha

:lalala:...Now 7 pages, just to properly grease all the jerk-offs.

 

[Roamed YT]

It's a Canuck only thing, eh? (Seriously.)

I've got a Canadian truck... never have I had this light come on. I don't know where it would be on the dash to begin with!

 

[Jungoes]

this happened to mines this summer, pulled the lower switch which has a small float, i tested the float on the switch and found out it no longer floats! the switch was fine as i moved it up and down and had some one check the light on the dash as i moved it..
My fix:
i wrapped the old float with some new packing foam and zip tied it in place.. put it back in and no more light and the switch works!

 

[Beaumont67]

I was thinking its because I'm a base model. I don't have an ashtray or glove box light either.

^^ My 2000 SR5 is the same.

I've got a Canadian truck... never have I had this light come on. I don't know where it would be on the dash to begin with!

sorry...
I didn't take a cell photo / thought the dash light error would have been fairly common, on a older vehicle.
- if the low-fluid warning light re-appears / I'll post a photo...fingers crossed

this happened to mines this summer, pulled the lower switch which has a small float, i tested the float on the switch and found out it no longer floats! the switch was fine as i moved it up and down and had some one check the light on the dash as i moved it..
My fix:
I wrapped the old float with some new packing foam and zip tied it in place.. put it back in and no more light and the switch works!

^^ Very clever fix, I'll keep that solution in mind.
- my magnet floats if it doesn't stick to the bottom, of the switch contact / which was my problem, activating the light

 

[TheDurk]

I've got a Canadian truck... never have I had this light come on. I don't know where it would be on the dash to begin with!

I'm pretty sure it's a law or something, just like they all had DRLs going back to '96. You just never let the reservoir get empty, I assume.

 

[I_bRAD]

I'm pretty sure it's a law or something, just like they all had DRLs going back to '96. You just never let the reservoir get empty, I assume.

Farther than that. I believe DRLs started in '90

 

[alumarine]

I've got a Canadian truck... never have I had this light come on. I don't know where it would be on the dash to begin with!

Turn key to run position without starting engine.
All working warning lights should come on.

 

[Beaumont67]

Turn key to run position without starting engine.
All working warning lights should come on.

Makes sense BUT:
Just tried it tonight ^^ 7 warning lights came on (with door open) and after a few seconds, the ABS light went off / the seat belt light was the only one flashing.
- low windshield fluid warning light, did not activate / with a full tank, of -40F juice