Does anyone really need a computer ding-donging them because of low washer fluid? I don't - and I was going to "fix" my washer level float so that it never comes on again until I realized it's not a float at all and is some sort of sensor. I pulled the wiring diagrams to see what I need to do to get the computer to think that the reservoir is always full and see that it's some type of resistor but after playing with it for a while I'm still more puzzled than ever. See the pictures below.
Here's Ford's description of the fluid indicator:
Low Washer Fluid Indicator - Expedition
The instrument cluster is hardwired to the low washer fluid switch. The low washer fluid switch closes
when the washer fluid level indicated is approximately 1/3 full, providing a ground to the instrument
cluster and turning on the low washer fluid indicator. When the washer fluid is above the low level, the
low washer fluid switch opens and removes the ground to the instrument cluster and the low washer
fluid indicator turns off.
So, apparently just unplugging the sensor would accomplish the same thing as the switch never grounding out and the computer will always see the full reference voltage and never bug you about the fluid level. In messing around with this sensor the reference voltage was 11.3 volts (battery is at 12.6v) which I was really shocked to see. This is the voltage at the connector unplugged. Plugged in I could not get any variations in voltage by back probing and adjusting light levels or temperatures. I poked and prodded plugged in, and unplugged and resistance and voltage never budged. Now I suppose I could have a bad sensor but I'm wondering what the heck type of sensor this is and how does it determine the level of fluid? In case you've never seen this before it doesn't insert at all into your reservoir - it just simply attaches to the outside of your tank with the black sensor part facing the plastic.
Any ideas?
Here's Ford's description of the fluid indicator:
Low Washer Fluid Indicator - Expedition
The instrument cluster is hardwired to the low washer fluid switch. The low washer fluid switch closes
when the washer fluid level indicated is approximately 1/3 full, providing a ground to the instrument
cluster and turning on the low washer fluid indicator. When the washer fluid is above the low level, the
low washer fluid switch opens and removes the ground to the instrument cluster and the low washer
fluid indicator turns off.
So, apparently just unplugging the sensor would accomplish the same thing as the switch never grounding out and the computer will always see the full reference voltage and never bug you about the fluid level. In messing around with this sensor the reference voltage was 11.3 volts (battery is at 12.6v) which I was really shocked to see. This is the voltage at the connector unplugged. Plugged in I could not get any variations in voltage by back probing and adjusting light levels or temperatures. I poked and prodded plugged in, and unplugged and resistance and voltage never budged. Now I suppose I could have a bad sensor but I'm wondering what the heck type of sensor this is and how does it determine the level of fluid? In case you've never seen this before it doesn't insert at all into your reservoir - it just simply attaches to the outside of your tank with the black sensor part facing the plastic.
Any ideas?