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USA Legacys are not manufactured with headlight washers and I'm trying to locate used washers to retrofit onto my USA Legacy. I understand that UK Legacys came with headlight washers as standard equipment. Does anyone in the UK know where I can find the nozzles, bumper clips and headlight washer pump without paying full retail from UK Subaru dealer, which is never an affordable option?

Please post in the correct forum.

As for sourcing headlight washers. Find a junkyard over there that will sell you some, or find someone over there that will look for you.

To be quite honest.....you could make your own. Find a windshield washer that looks alright, mount it to the bumper, run lines for the sprayer, and tie them into the existing windshield washer pump.

Actually, that won't do, Josh. Headlight washers use different pumps and different nozzles from windshield washers. Regular windshield washer stuff won't really have much of an effect on headlights unless you also have headlight wipers.

But you might just want to make your own using parts from other cars, 91LegLS. Visit a junkyard and look for a car -- any car -- that came with headlight washers from the factory. At least some Subaru XT or XT6 models did, so you could even use all Subaru parts if you're lucky enough to find them.

try and pick up some headlight wipers off an audi or volvo while youre at it.
you might want to convert to glass headlights first though.

I called a UK Subaru dealer and he gave me all the part numbers needed to install the system. But, before I pay UK retail prices, I'm trying to find the parts used in the UK. I have contacted 6 junkyards in the UK with no replys. If I could post my question on the part of this site that has UK users, maybe someone there might be able to help.

I could check for them; will let you know in few days.

EJ22_SLO wrote:I could check for them; will let you know in few days.

Thank you for any assistance you can provide. From what I understand about European Legacys (UK and I saw photos of German Legacys) they were installed standard with the headlight washers. I can't understand why Subaru won't install them on USA models, even brand new 2006 models. There must be Legacys sitting in salvage yards in Europe with the washers ready to be removed.

I live in Colorado and the washers would be a big help while driving around in the Rocky Mountains.

Thanks again
David

91LegLS wrote:

EJ22_SLO wrote:I could check for them; will let you know in few days.

Thank you for any assistance you can provide. From what I understand about European Legacys (UK and I saw photos of German Legacys) they were installed standard with the headlight washers. I can't understand why Subaru won't install them on USA models, even brand new 2006 models. There must be Legacys sitting in salvage yards in Europe with the washers ready to be removed.

I live in Colorado and the washers would be a big help while driving around in the Rocky Mountains.

Thanks again
David

Yes almost all EDM legacys had hedlight washers. The only ones that didnt have them were the 2wd models. I will install hedlight washers into mine because the front bumper was replaced with the one from 2wd legacy.

Good luck with finding them in usa.

Rasta SLO wrote:

91LegLS wrote:

EJ22_SLO wrote:I could check for them; will let you know in few days.

Thank you for any assistance you can provide. From what I understand about European Legacys (UK and I saw photos of German Legacys) they were installed standard with the headlight washers. I can't understand why Subaru won't install them on USA models, even brand new 2006 models. There must be Legacys sitting in salvage yards in Europe with the washers ready to be removed.

I live in Colorado and the washers would be a big help while driving around in the Rocky Mountains.

Thanks again
David

Yes almost all EDM legacys had hedlight washers. The only ones that didnt have them were the 2wd models. I will install hedlight washers into mine because the front bumper was replaced with the one from 2wd legacy.

Good luck with finding them in usa.

Are you familiar with salvage yards in your area that might have some Legacys with headlight washers ready to be removed?

I am, you are looking for a legacy first or second generation? You also need the pump and switch probably.

But probably EJ22_SLO will get them easier than me.

Rasta SLO wrote:I am, you are looking for a legacy first or second generation? You also need the pump and switch probably.

But probably EJ22_SLO will get them easier than me.

I have a first gen 1991 LS. I have been in contact with UK mechanics and I've been led to believe that the headlight washer pump is wired to the windshield pump and switch, so that when the windshield is washed, the headlights are washed simotaneously, regargless if the headlights are on or not. It shares washer fluid from the windshield tank, so no separate tank needed. It would make the system much easier to use (wash the windshield and headlights at the same time)

Cant understand why Subaru doesn't install them on USA cars, even on the brand new stuff, including the Tribeca.

That may be how some models work, but I do know that at least some Legacies had separate headlight spray buttons.

I agree with you. I havent seen any legacys here with this simultaneous system.

Rasta SLO wrote:I agree with you. I havent seen any legacys here with this simultaneous system.

I just found a repair shop in the UK who says he can supply all the parts I need to install on my car. I am having him confirm that no separate switch is needed and that I'm purchasing used parts (UK dealer quoted me 500 british pounds retail price but said he could come down on the price, even with the exchange rate (which isn't in our favor). And if there is a separate switch (which I couldn't see on the detailed photos of the UK legacy brochure I have) I may just wire it to the windshield pump so that it does wash simultaneously. (seems the best way to use the system anyway) Who will be able to disagree with me in the USA on switch installation?

You can wire it to run when your windshield washer runs if you like, but you can't use the same pump.

i'm 100% shure that: all Leg1 and 2 (with headlight washer installed) sold at Austrian/Slovenian/german market had separated pump for headlight washer; Leg3 had even three pumps - one for cleaning window on the hood (Leg1&2 have separated water tank with pump in boot). The switch is placed under rear window heating switch (left side, bottom).
I personaly don't see a reason to have them wired simotaneously. Waste of water...

I'll take some pictures tomorrow, to make it clear, how the system looks like (RastaSLO - bring foto! )

PS: i always though that you - over the sea got better equiped cars than we did (Cruise control, EJ22T's, Legacy3 GT... honda models we will never see,...); funny they were saving on accessories like water sprinklers
PPS: uk seems to be expensive - even for us europeans; many times it is cheaper to buy in US, pay shipping, tax & custom... than to buy on "the island".

We usually get creature comforts, but not useful things.

Most north americans would rather have a cupholder than low range gears, for instance.

You got all the better safety equipment.

In the new VW's, headlight sprayers are simultaneous with the winshield washer sprayers IF the headlights are on. Otherwise, nope.

I just test drove the MkIV GTI and there was no seperate button for headlight washers.

My girlfriends 2001 Passat doesn't have headlight washers though. Odd. I guess it was only available in the 4-motion VW's and Audi's. All of the HID equiped vehicles have them though, as per euro law.

V, what is the difference in the pumps?

Pressure, basically. You have to spray pretty hard to clean a surface without wiping.

EJ22_SLO wrote:i'm 100% shure that: all Leg1 and 2 (with headlight washer installed) sold at Austrian/Slovenian/german market had separated pump for headlight washer; Leg3 had even three pumps - one for cleaning window on the hood (Leg1&2 have separated water tank with pump in boot). The switch is placed under rear window heating switch (left side, bottom).
I personaly don't see a reason to have them wired simotaneously. Waste of water...

I'll take some pictures tomorrow, to make it clear, how the system looks like (RastaSLO - bring foto! )

PS: i always though that you - over the sea got better equiped cars than we did (Cruise control, EJ22T's, Legacy3 GT... honda models we will never see,...); funny they were saving on accessories like water sprinklers
PPS: uk seems to be expensive - even for us europeans; many times it is cheaper to buy in US, pay shipping, tax & custom... than to buy on "the island".

There is one safety feature that all EDM cars have and most European cars in USA have that all Detroit vehicles and Japanese USA cars don't have that I think should be...rear fog lights. That way, in bad weather, drivers behind you can see you instead of hitting you in 30 car pileups that seem to happen once a year in USA. No USA law says they have to have them, so only the European cars, minus VW and BMW, have them. And many USA drivers don't even know they have them. I'm not yet motivated to install it on my car (requires me to replace driver side tail light assembly, the fog light takes the back-up light location).

uhm.. must say i'm surprised;
here all cars have rear fog light (usually one, some have two (pair));
even our 1978 Simca (Talbot) 1307 had one.


i'll also check for used foglight switch for you...

They also make aftermarket ones you can bolt to your rear bumper.

There is one safety feature that all EDM cars have and most European cars in USA have that all Detroit vehicles and Japanese USA cars don't have that I think should be...rear fog lights. That way, in bad weather, drivers behind you can see you instead of hitting you in 30 car pileups that seem to happen once a year in USA. No USA law says they have to have them, so only the European cars, minus VW and BMW, have them. And many USA drivers don't even know they have them. .

That is true. But you have free hands with modifications. Here everything on the car that is aftermarket (like rims, exhaust, suspension,...)has to be approved by the law. Basically that means that you have to drive your car for inspection in an authorized (by govrnment) facility. And of course you have to pay for the inspection. And that is not all, if you dont have a certificate from the aftermarket part your car wont be approved road legal.

I'm not yet motivated to install it on my car (requires me to replace driver side tail light assembly, the fog light takes the back-up light location)

You still have one backup light left. Most of cars here have it like that.

And for buying parts in england- its too expansive, rather check the german e-bay for headlight washers+ you can pay via paypal.

Have a nice day

Rasta SLO wrote:

There is one safety feature that all EDM cars have and most European cars in USA have that all Detroit vehicles and Japanese USA cars don't have that I think should be...rear fog lights. That way, in bad weather, drivers behind you can see you instead of hitting you in 30 car pileups that seem to happen once a year in USA. No USA law says they have to have them, so only the European cars, minus VW and BMW, have them. And many USA drivers don't even know they have them. .

That is true. But you have free hands with modifications. Here everything on the car that is aftermarket (like rims, exhaust, suspension,...)has to be approved by the law. Basically that means that you have to drive your car for inspection in an authorized (by govrnment) facility. And of course you have to pay for the inspection. And that is not all, if you dont have a certificate from the aftermarket part your car wont be approved road legal.

I'm not yet motivated to install it on my car (requires me to replace driver side tail light assembly, the fog light takes the back-up light location)

You still have one backup light left. Most of cars here have it like that.

And for buying parts in england- its too expansive, rather check the german e-bay for headlight washers+ you can pay via paypal.

Have a nice day

I did try eBay.de but no luck. If I decide to install the German Legacy taillight with the rear fog light, I'll give it a shot and see what shows up. I'm perfectly fine with having one back-up light.

I'm also beginning to collect brochures for Legacys from different countries. I have one for USA, Japan and UK. The UK brochure is the one that got me started on the quest for headlight washers. It would be cool to have a brochure from Germany (I think they call the wagon the Super Wagon) and other European countries where the Legacy was sold. Any ideas?

It must be really late for you.

Good night.