Retrofit WFHS (Washer Fluid Heating System)

[mikez71]

Looks like it mounts to passenger side firewall.. Doesn't look too complicated.
Just found out there were recalls for this causing fires, and system has been discontinued.. Bummer

some BMWs have heated nozzles which I imagine would unfreeze faster, but won't probably won't warm the fluid much..

 

[swathdiver]

Looks like it mounts to passenger side firewall.. Doesn't look too complicated.
Just found out there were recalls for this causing fires, and system has been discontinued.. Bummer

some BMWs have heated nozzles which I imagine would unfreeze faster, but won't probably won't warm the fluid much..

Keep looking Mike. There is or was a company that made them again with a lower temperature that connected right up like the originals.

 

[intheburbs]

Keep looking Mike. There is or was a company that made them again with a lower temperature that connected right up like the originals.

Was.

Company was Alphatherm. They bought the rights to the design/patent, and sold aftermarket retrofit kits. I was fortunate enough to acquire one, but it was probably back in 2014-2015. And only because they were literally on the same street as my office, so I picked it up in person and actually spoke to the owner.

They've since gone out of business. You can occasionally see one pop up on eBay. But don't get your hopes up.

Works great. I don't use it often because I garage it, but when I need it, it's the cat's meow. Functions just like the factory unit, even uses the factory switch.

 

[mikez71]

Good info! Thanks swath and burbs!

Great to hear they work, I was afraid with the washers being in the wiper arm that they would freeze and even warmed fluid might take some time to push through. Have also seen heated wipers, but they use proprietary blades that are $60 a piece to refill (one!)..

Looking on ebay I see hyundai has a retrofit kit.. and delphi htk-400 and htk-200 as well! Leaning towards the hyundai unit just because it's used OEM and looks similar to the alphatherm unit (which is also on ebay!) From what I can gather, OEM GM heater was possible to overheat a printed circuit board. Will update when I get a unit in hand...