2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER Service Repair Manual

CHECK VALVE
DESCRIPTION
A single washer system check valve is standard
equipment on this model, and is installed in the
washer system plumbing (Fig. 4). The check valve is
integral to the washer plumbing fitting located on
the underside of the cowl top panel behind the rear
of the hood panel opening in the engine compart-
ment. The check valve consists of a molded plastic
body with three barbed hose nipples, one at the inlet
side of the valve body and two at the outlet side. The
check valve cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if
faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.
OPERATION
The check valve provides more than one function
in this application. It serves as a plumbing connector
fitting between the engine compartment and washer
nozzle sections of the washer supply hose. It prevents
washer fluid from draining out of the washer supply
hoses back to the washer reservoir. This drain-back
would result in a lengthy delay from when the
washer switch is actuated until washer fluid was dis-
pensed through the washer nozzles, because the
washer pump would have to refill the washer plumb-
ing from the reservoir to the nozzles. Such a drain-
back condition could also result in water, dirt, or
other outside contaminants being siphoned into the
washer system through the washer nozzle orifice.
This water could subsequently freeze and plug the
nozzle, while other contaminants could interfere with
proper nozzle operation and cause improper nozzle
spray patterns. In addition, the check valve prevents
washer fluid from siphoning through the washer noz-
zles after the washer system is turned Off.
When the washer pump pressurizes and pumps
washer fluid from the reservoir through the washer
plumbing, the fluid pressure unseats a diaphragmfrom over a sump well within the valve by overriding
the spring pressure applied to it by a piston. With
the diaphragm unseated, washer fluid is allowed to
flow toward the two washer nozzles. When the
washer pump stops operating, the spring pressure on
the piston seats the diaphragm over the sump well in
the valve and fluid flow in either direction within the
washer plumbing is prevented. The check valve can-
not be adjusted or repaired and, if faulty or damaged,
it must be replaced.
REMOVAL
(1) Unlatch and open the hood panel.
(2) Disconnect the washer hoses from the three
barbed nipples of the check valve unit (Fig. 5).
(3) Remove the check valve unit from the under-
side of the cowl top panel.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the check valve unit to the underside
of the cowl top panel (Fig. 5).
(2) Reconnect the three washer hoses to the
barbed nipples of the check valve unit.
(3) Close and latch the hood.
WASHER FLUID LEVEL
SWITCH
DESCRIPTION
The optional washer fluid level switch is a single
pole, single throw switch that is integral to a unique
version of the washer pump/motor unit, located rear-
ward facing side of the washer reservoir, which is
located in a dedicated hole on the top of the sump
area near the back of the windshield washer reser-
Fig. 4 Check Valve
1 - INLET NIPPLE
2 - CHECK VALVE
3 - OUTLET NIPPLE (2)
Fig. 5 Check Valve Remove/Install
1 - COWL HOOD SEAL
2 - CHECK VALVE
3 - HOSE TO WASHER NOZZLE (2)
4 - HOSE FROM WASHER PUMP
VAWIPERS/WASHERS 8R - 7

voir on the right front fender wheel house in the
engine compartment. Only a molded plastic nipple
with a clear vent tube are visible near the top of the
washer pump/motor unit that is equipped with the
optional fluid level switch when it is installed in the
reservoir. The vent tube is routed to and retained in
an integral clip located behind the reservoir filler cap
near the top of the reservoir. This version of the
washer pump/motor unit also has a third terminal
pin in its integral connector receptacle. The washer
fluid level switch cannot be adjusted or repaired. If
faulty or damaged, the entire washer pump/motor
unit must be replaced.
OPERATION
The washer fluid level switch monitors the level of
the washer fluid in the washer reservoir. When the
fluid level in the washer reservoir is at or above the
predetermined minimum, the switch contacts are
open. When the fluid level in the washer reservoir
falls below the predetermined minimum, the switch
contacts of the normally open switch close. The
washer fluid level switch is connected to the vehicle
electrical system through the washer pump/motor
unit take out and connector of the vehicle wire har-
ness. The switch receives a path to ground at all
times through another take out of the vehicle wire
harness with a single eyelet terminal connector that
is secured under a ground screw located near the
right headlamp in the engine compartment.The switch is connected in series between ground
and the washer fluid switch sense input to the Elec-
troMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC). When the
switch closes, the EMIC senses the ground on the
washer fluid switch sense circuit. The EMIC is pro-
grammed to respond to this input by illuminating the
washer fluid indicator. The washer fluid level switch
input to the EMIC may be diagnosed using conven-
tional diagnostic tools and methods.
WASHER HOSES/TUBES
DESCRIPTION
The washer plumbing consists of a small diameter
rubber hose that is routed from the barbed outlet
nipple of the washer pump/motor on the washer res-
ervoir to the check valve just below the cowl top
panel behind the rear of the hood opening in the
engine compartment (Fig. 6). The other two barbed
nipples of the check valve are connected to two short
lengths of hose that each terminate at a molded plas-
tic elbow that passes through a rubber grommet from
the engine compartment to the outside of the cowl
top panel near each wiper pivot. The two washer noz-
zle hoses are then connected from the elbow fittings
on the outside of the cowl top panel along the under-
side of the wiper arms to the two washer nozzles.
Washer hose is available for service only as roll stock,
which must then be cut to length. The molded plastic
Fig. 6 Washer Plumbing
1 - WASHER SUPPLY HOSE 4 - ELBOW FITTING (2)
2 - CHECK VALVE 5 - WIPER ARM WASHER HOSE (2)
3 - WASHER NOZZLE HOSE (2) 6 - WASHER RESERVOIR
8R - 8 WIPERS/WASHERSVA
WASHER FLUID LEVEL SWITCH (Continued)

washer hose fittings cannot be repaired. If these fittings
are faulty or damaged, they must be replaced.
OPERATION
Washer fluid in the washer reservoir is pressurized
and fed by the washer pump/motor through the
washer system plumbing and fittings to the two
washer nozzles. Whenever routing the washer hose
or a wire harness containing a washer hose, it must
be routed away from hot, sharp, or moving parts;
and, sharp bends that might pinch the hose must be
avoided.
WASHER NOZZLE
DESCRIPTION
The two washer nozzles have integral mounts with
snap features that secure them near the tops of the
two wiper arms on the windshield. The lower surface
of the washer nozzle has an integral barbed nipple
that connects to the washer hose, and three nozzle
orifices are oriented to dispense the washer fluid on
the windshield glass throughout the wiped area of
the glass (Fig. 7). The washer nozzles are constructed
entirely of molded plastic. The washer nozzles cannot
be adjusted or repaired and, if faulty or damaged,
they must be replaced.
OPERATION
The two washer nozzles are designed to dispense
washer fluid into the wiper pattern area on the out-
side of the windshield glass. Pressurized washer fluid
is fed to each nozzle from the washer reservoir by the
washer pump/motor through rubber hoses, which are
attached to a barbed nipple on the underside of each
washer nozzle below the wiper arm. The three ori-
fices of each nozzle causes the pressurized washer
fluid to be emitted generously in several streamsthroughout the travel of the wiper arm to more effec-
tively cover a larger area of the glass to be cleaned.
REMOVAL
(1) Using hand pressure, unsnap the washer noz-
zle from the wiper arm (Fig. 8).
(2) Disconnect the hose from the barbed nipple of
the washer nozzle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Reconnect the hose to the barbed nipple of the
washer nozzle (Fig. 8).
(2) Using hand pressure, slide the washer nozzle
onto the wiper arm until it snaps into place. Be cer-
tain the nozzle snap feature is engaged in the locator
hole on the wiper arm.
WASHER PUMP/MOTOR
DESCRIPTION
The washer pump/motor unit is located in a dedi-
cated hole on the top of the sump area near the back
of the windshield washer reservoir on the right front
fender wheel house in the engine compartment (Fig.
9). A small permanently lubricated and sealed elec-
tric motor is coupled to the rotor-type washer pump.
An inlet nipple on the bottom of the pump housing
passes through a rubber grommet seal installed in
the dedicated mounting hole in the washer reservoir.
A small barbed outlet nipple near the bottom of the
pump housing connects the unit to the washer hose.
The washer pump/motor unit is retained on the res-
ervoir by the interference fit between the inlet nipple
Fig. 7 Washer Nozzle
1 - WASHER NOZZLE
2 - NIPPLE
3 - ORIFICE (3)
Fig. 8 Washer Nozzle Remove/Install
1 - WIPER ARM
2 - WASHER NOZZLE
3 - HOSE GUARD
4 - WASHER HOSE
5 - WIPER BLADE
VAWIPERS/WASHERS 8R - 9
WASHER HOSES/TUBES (Continued)

and the grommet seal, which is a light press fit. An
integral electrical connector receptacle is located on
the top of the motor housing.
An optional version of the washer pump/motor unit
incorporates an integral washer fluid level switch.
This version can be distinguished from models with-
out the switch by a vent nipple at the top of the
switch housing that is connected to a vent hose that
is retained in an integral clip behind the filler cap
near the top of the reservoir, and by a third terminal
pin in the washer pump/motor connector receptacle.
The washer pump/motor unit cannot be repaired. If
faulty or damaged, the entire washer pump/motor
unit must be replaced.
OPERATION
The washer pump/motor unit is connected to the
vehicle electrical system through a single take out
and connector of the vehicle wire harness. The
washer pump/motor is grounded at all times through
a take out of the vehicle wire harness with a single
eyelet terminal connector that is secured under a
ground screw located near the right headlamp in the
engine compartment. The washer pump/motor
receives battery current on a washer switch sense
circuit through the closed contacts of the momentary
washer switch circuitry within the multi-function
switch. When the pump motor is energized, the rotor-
type pump pressurizes the washer fluid and forces it
through the pump outlet nipple, the washer plumb-
ing, and the washer nozzles onto the windshield
glass. The washer pump/motor unit can be diagnosed
using conventional diagnostic tools and methods.
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect the vehicle wire harness connector
for the washer pump/motor from the motor connector
receptacle (Fig. 10).
(2) Disconnect the washer supply hose from the
barbed outlet nipple of the washer pump/motor and
allow the washer fluid to drain into a clean container
for reuse.
(3) If the vehicle is so equipped, disconnect the
washer fluid level switch vent hose from the barbed
vent nipple near the top of the washer pump/motor
unit.
(4) Using hand pressure, firmly grasp and pull the
washer pump out of the rubber grommet seal in the
reservoir. Care must be taken not to damage the res-
ervoir.
(5) Remove the rubber grommet seal from the
washer pump mounting hole in the washer reservoir
and discard.
INSTALLATION
(1)Install a new rubber grommet seal into the
washer pump mounting hole in the washer reservoir.
Always use a new rubber grommet seal on the reservoir.
(2) Position the inlet nipple of the washer pump to
the rubber grommet seal in the reservoir.
Fig. 9 Washer Pump/Motor
1 - INLET NIPPLE
2 - WASHER PUMP/MOTOR
3 - CONNECTOR RECEPTACLE
4 - VENT NIPPLE (W/FLUID LEVEL SWITCH ONLY)
5 - WASHER FLUID LEVEL SWITCH HOUSING
6 - OUTLET NIPPLE
Fig. 10 Washer Pump/Motor Remove/Install
1 - WASHER RESERVOIR
2 - WASHER SUPPLY HOSE
3 - VENT HOSE (W/FLUID LEVEL SWITCH ONLY)
4 - WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR
5 - WASHER PUMP/MOTOR
8R - 10 WIPERS/WASHERSVA
WASHER PUMP/MOTOR (Continued)

(3) Using hand pressure, press firmly and evenly
on the washer pump until the inlet nipple is fully
seated in the rubber grommet seal in the washer res-
ervoir mounting hole (Fig. 10).
(4)
If the vehicle is so equipped, reconnect the
washer fluid level switch vent hose to the barbed vent
nipple at the top of the washer pump/motor housing.
(5) Reconnect the washer hose to the barbed outlet
nipple of the washer pump.
(6) Reconnect the vehicle wire harness connector
for the washer pump/motor unit to the motor connec-
tor receptacle.
(7) Refill the washer reservoir with the washer
fluid drained from the reservoir during the removal
procedure.
WASHER RESERVOIR
DESCRIPTION
The molded plastic washer fluid reservoir is located
in the right rear corner of the engine compartment
(Fig. 11). Two integral mounting posts, one on the bot-
tom and one at the rear of the reservoir, each are
engaged in rubber mounting grommets, one in the
dash panel and one in the top of the right front wheel
house. A single nut and washer secures an integral
mounting hole near the top of the reservoir to a stud
nut on the right inner fender shield. Also near the
upper inboard side of the reservoir are two integral
hose routing troughs, one for the standard washer sup-
ply hose and the second for the optional vent hose used
when the washer pump/motor is equipped with an
integral washer fluid level switch.
A molded blue plastic filler cap with an integral
retainer ring and tether strap snaps over the open
end of the filler neck, and hangs from the tether
when it is removed for inspecting or adjusting the
fluid level in the reservoir. There is a sump area near
the bottom inboard side of the reservoir with a dedi-
cated hole provided for the mounting of the washer/
pump motor unit and rubber grommet seal.
The washer reservoir cannot be repaired and, if
faulty or damaged, it must be replaced. The washer
reservoir, the mounting grommets, the grommet seal
for the washer pump/motor unit, and the filler cap
are each available for service replacement.
OPERATION
The washer fluid reservoir provides a secure,
on-vehicle storage location for a large reserve of
washer fluid for operation of the washer system. The
washer reservoir filler neck provides a clearly
marked and readily accessible point from which to
add washer fluid to the reservoir. The washer/pump
motor unit is located in a sump area near the bottom
of the reservoir to be certain that washer fluid will
be available to the pump as the fluid level in the res-
ervoir becomes depleted. The optional washer fluid
level switch is designed to provide adequate warning
to the vehicle operator that the washer fluid level is
low, before the washer system will no longer operate.
REMOVAL
(1)Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
(2) Remove the upper turbocharger heat shield
and the upper air cleaner housing from the engine
compartment (Fig. 12).
Fig. 11 Washer Reservoir
1 - CAP
2 - TROUGH (2)
3 - MOUNTING POST (2)
4 - WASHER PUMP/MOTOR
5 - RESERVOIR
6 - MOUNTING HOLE
Fig. 12 Heat Shield & Air Cleaner Housing
1 - UPPER AIR CLEANER HOUSING
2 - VEHICLE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR
3 - CLAMP
4 - UPPER TURBO HEAT SHIELD
5 - SCREW
6 - NUT (2)
VAWIPERS/WASHERS 8R - 11
WASHER PUMP/MOTOR (Continued)

(3) Disconnect the vehicle wire harness connector
for the washer pump/motor unit from the motor con-
nector receptacle.
(4) Disengage the vehicle wire harness from the
routing clip integral to the front of the washer reser-
voir (Fig. 13).
(5) Remove the washer supply hose from the
barbed outlet nipple of the washer pump/motor and
allow the washer fluid to drain into a clean container
for reuse.
(6) Disengage the washer supply hose from the
routing trough integral to the top of the washer res-
ervoir.
(7) Remove the nut and washer that secures the
top of the washer reservoir to the stud nut on the
right inner fender.
(8) Pull the washer reservoir inboard far enough to
disengage the reservoir from the stud nut.
(9) Tilt the washer reservoir forward far enough to
disengage the rear mounting post from the grommet
in the dash panel.
(10) Lift the washer reservoir upward far enough
to disengage the lower mounting post from the grom-
met in the top of the right front wheel house.
(11) Remove the washer reservoir from the engine
compartment.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the washer reservoir into the engine
compartment.
(2) Engage the lower mounting post of the washer
reservoir into the grommet in the top of the right
front wheel house (Fig. 14).
(3) Engage the rear mounting post of the washer
reservoir into the grommet in the dash panel.(4) Position the washer reservoir mounting hole
over the stud nut on the right inner fender (Fig. 13).
(5) Install and tighten the nut and washer that
secures the top of the washer reservoir to the stud
nut on the right inner fender. Tighten the nut to 6
N´m (50 in. lbs.).
(6) Reconnect the washer supply hose to the
barbed outlet nipple of the washer pump/motor.
(7) Engage the washer supply hose into the rout-
ing trough integral to the top of the washer reservoir.
(8) Reconnect the vehicle wire harness connector
for the washer pump/motor unit to the motor connec-
tor receptacle.
(9) Engage the vehicle wire harness into the rout-
ing clip integral to the front of the washer reservoir.
(10) Reinstall the upper turbocharger heat shield
and the upper air cleaner housing into the engine
compartment (Fig. 12).
(11) Refill the washer reservoir with the washer
fluid drained from the reservoir during the removal
procedure.
(12) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
Fig. 13 Washer Reservoir Remove/Install
1 - RIGHT INNER FENDER
2 - WASHER RESERVOIR
3 - NUT & WASHER
4 - ROUTING CLIP
Fig. 14 Washer Reservoir Mounting
1 - RIGHT INNER FENDER
2 - STUD NUT
3 - DASH PANEL
4 - RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HOUSE
5 - GROMMET (2)
6 - HOOD PROP
8R - 12 WIPERS/WASHERSVA
WASHER RESERVOIR (Continued)

WIPER ARM
DESCRIPTION
The wiper arms are the rigid members located
between the wiper pivots that protrude from the cowl
top panel near the base of the windshield and the
wiper blades on the windshield glass (Fig. 15). These
wiper arms feature an over-center hinge that allows
easy access to the windshield glass for cleaning. The
wiper arm has a die cast metal pivot end with a
large tapered mounting hole at one end. A removable
molded black plastic pivot cover fits loosely over and
pivots on the wiper arm hinge pin, then snaps over
the pivot end to conceal the wiper arm retaining nut.
The wide end of a tapered, stamped steel channel
hinges on and is secured with a hinge pin to the
pivot end of the wiper arm. One end of a long, rigid,
stamped steel strap, with a small hole near its pivot
end, is riveted and crimped within the narrow end of
the stamped steel channel. The tip of the wiper blade
end of this strap is bent back under itself to form a
small hook. Concealed within the stamped steel
channel, one end of a long spring is engaged with awire hook on the underside of the die cast pivot end,
while the other end of the spring is hooked through
the small hole in the steel strap. The entire wiper
arm has a satin black finish applied to all of its vis-
ible surfaces.
Near the hook of the wiper arm steel strap is a
locating hole for the washer nozzle that is mounted
on the wiper arm. A U-shaped molded plastic guard
snaps onto the underside of the strap to conceal and
protect the washer nozzle hose. There are also two
small molded plastic washer nozzle hose routing
brackets clipped onto the underside of the wiper arm
pivot end.
The wiper arms for this model are unequal in
length, with the longer arm being installed on the
left (driver) side of the windshield. A wiper arm can-
not be adjusted or repaired. If damaged or faulty, the
entire wiper arm unit must be replaced. The washer
nozzle, nozzle hose, routing brackets, and pivot end
cover are available for individual service replace-
ment.
Fig. 15 Wiper Arm
1 - HOOK 7 - CHANNEL
2 - STRAP 8 - COVER
3 - WASHER HOSE 9 - PIVOT END
4 - BRACKET (2) 10 - GUARD
5 - HINGE PIN 11 - WASHER NOZZLE
6 - TENSION SPRING
VAWIPERS/WASHERS 8R - 13

OPERATION
The wiper arms are designed to mechanically
transmit the motion from the wiper pivots to the
wiper blades. The wiper arm must be properly
indexed to the wiper pivot in order to maintain the
proper wiper blade travel on the glass. The tapered
mounting hole in the wiper arm pivot end interlocks
with the serrations on the outer circumference of the
wiper pivot shaft, allowing positive engagement and
finite adjustment of this connection. The mounting
nut locks the wiper arm to the threaded end of the
wiper pivot shaft. The spring-loaded wiper arm hinge
controls the down-force applied through the tip of the
wiper arm to the wiper blade on the glass. The hook
formation on the tip of the wiper arm provides a cra-
dle for securing and latching the wiper blade pivot
block to the wiper arm.
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect the washer nozzle hose from the
elbow fitting on the cowl top panel near the pivot end
of the wiper arm (Fig. 16).
CAUTION: The use of a screwdriver or other prying
tool to remove a wiper arm may distort it. This dis-
tortion could allow the arm to come off of the wiper
pivot during wiper operation, regardless of how
carefully it is reinstalled.
(2) Unsnap the end of the pivot cover from the
wiper blade pivot end, then pull the cover away from
the wiper arm hinge pin to remove the cover from
the wiper blade.(3) Remove the nut that secures the wiper arm to
the wiper pivot shaft.
(4) If necessary, use a suitable battery terminal
puller to disengage the wiper arm from the wiper
pivot shaft (Fig. 17).
(5) Remove the wiper arm pivot end from the
wiper pivot shaft.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: Be certain that the wiper motor is in the park
position before attempting to install the wiper arms.
Turn the ignition switch to the On position and
move the right (wiper) control stalk of the multi-
function switch to its Off position. If the wiper piv-
ots move, wait until they stop moving, then turn the
ignition switch back to the Off position. The wiper
motor is now in its park position.
NOTE: The wiper arms and wiper blades for this
model are both unequal in length, with the longer
arm and blade being installed on the left (driver)
side of the windshield.
(1) The wiper arms must be indexed to the wiper
pivot shafts with the wiper motor in the park posi-
tion to be properly installed. Position the wiper arm
pivot ends onto the wiper pivots so that the lower
edge of the wiper arm tip is aligned with the black
wiper alignment line located near the lower edge of
the windshield glass (Fig. 16).
(2) Once the wiper blade is aligned, lift the wiper
arm away from the windshield slightly to relieve the
spring tension on the pivot end and push the pivot
hole in the pivot end of the arm down firmly and
Fig. 16 Wiper Arm Remove/Install
1 - PIVOT COVER
2 - NUT
3 - PIVOT SHAFT
4 - WASHER NOZZLE HOSE
5 - ELBOW FITTING
6 - WIPER ARM
Fig. 17 Wiper Arm Puller - Typical
1 - WIPER ARM
2 - WIPER PIVOT SHAFT
3 - BATTERY TERMINAL PULLER
8R - 14 WIPERS/WASHERSVA
WIPER ARM (Continued)