can't remove washer fluid tank, trying to replace passenger side HID

I do not have experience removing the windshield washer tank. Try moving the white tabs apart (rather than holding them together with pliers.)

If you manage to get past that obstacle and you are concerned about spilling the washer fluid, maybe you could siphon the fluid into a clean container for reuse.

If you are not able to remove the windshield washer reservoir, removing the front bumper cover isn't that bad. Maybe you'll have sufficient clearance if you remove the bolt located near the wheel well opening which holds the upper edge of the bumper cover in place, and the fasteners at the top of the bumper cover. You just need to remove enough to move the right side of the bumper cover down, allowing access to the screw that secure the headlight assembly. (To me, this seems easier than trying to remove the windshield washer tank.) Good luck.

 

When I changed my halogen bulb, I had enough space and didn't need to take out the wiper fluid tank. I guess I have not much to chime in.

How did it go? Any progress?

 

I just tried to do the HID change without doing the bumper removal this morning. three hours later I finished after taking the bumper cover off.

I couldn't get the washer tank or the fuse box out and when you wear an XL glove there isn't the room to do it without removing the bumper cover anyway.

 

I decided to install my 55w HIDs today. I was hoping to remove the washer tank so I could hekp you out but after a bit of frustration, I just removed the whole bumper so I could modify the headlight housing. Replacing the bulb alone is not hard unless you have large hands.

At least you got it done.

 

The driver's side is much easier. Removing the fuse box cover is all that you need to do.

 

Just going by memory here:
1. you really don't have to disconnect the washer fluid hose but its easier... just take a screw or similar and cram it in the hole to prevent washer fluid from coming out......
I've done it both ways.... .

2. The tab above the firewall comes off when you take the screw off and you have also have the screw thats holding it to the hoses released too. Disconnecting the wire is desirable too.. but you can avoid that too if you want.

3. Take the radiator drain hose loose "pair of pliers" and bend it out of the way.

4. Now life that tab "above the firewall" and get it to lift over the lip and the rest is easy.

Yes, its a bit of a rubics cube but easy once you've done it once.

If you lost the wire, it simply slips back into its holder at the base... "where its flat about 1/2"" and pivots from there.

To get back on once the bulb is in place, it swings back "towards the front of the car" and only when its back as far "towards the front" will you then squeeze the wire together and pull it back towards the engine and release.

I found doing one side of the wire and then the other, and then checking both sides for balance and correctness was a little easier.
Make sure the bulb is secure and fits in the hole nicely once your done.

 

For future reference, the tab will lift off the bolt "after" you have loosed the other things that hold down the tank.... so its free to lift....
however, once its lifted, you have to bend/force it a bit to get it out from under the metal lip on its way out of its place.

The radiator drain hose... "that little one, only about 1/2" in diameter" comes loose and you can bend it out of the way to free up more space.

 

III


I just got through replacing the headlight lamp on the passenger side without removing the windshield washer reservoir. It was not easy and a little like a dentist rooting around in your half-closed mouth with his eyes shut. But it is doable. In the Chilton manual it says to "remove the washer fluid reservoir" without explaining how this is supposed to be done. Ridiculous. After wrestling with this for more than an hour I gave up on that. I was going to take it to the dealership resigned to paying more than $200 to have them do it until I found a video on this site that explained how to do it without removing the reservoir. It isn't easy, but with patience and some well-deserved swearing, I did it. I put my iPad on the engine and just played the video over and over until I got it. If I can do it, so can you.

 

Disconnection the electric connection on bottom, release water hoses from their clamps, pull off hose "put a screw in end so doesn't drain", loosen screw next to firewall
, lift tab "where screw was" over "or past" rain drain lip, turn as you lift to get tank out of the way.

That's just going by memory

Alan.. Sent with Galaxy S4

 

The clip on the finder holding the reservoir is a push in plastic clip. Get a long, flat blade screw driver. Stick the screw driver in horizontally over the head light, from the front of the car and slip it under the clip. Twist the screw driver until the clip pops up. It is tight and takes a moderate pressure to get it loose.

 

I have a 2002 Prius (Gen I, I guess). The driver's side headlight burned out. I came to this site hoping to find out how to remove the windshield washer fill pipe, so I could access the light. I didn't find anything too helpful, so I just poked & pulled the white tabs. I firmly pushed a tiny flathead screwdriver next to them but I think that just ripped through the plastic at the bottom. Then I used needle nosed pliers to push the white tabs downward. That seemed to loosen things up a bit. I was able to pry the assembly upward with a regular flathead screwdriver. When the whole assembly came loose, the white tabs fell down in the engine compartment somewhere. So apparently I did break them off. They don't seem that important, the assembly stays in place fine without them. I think what I should have done was jam a tiny flathead screwdriver on the outside of each tab, then use a regular flathead screwdriver to pry it up. But it is probably just as easy to break off the tabs.

Here are some photos after I took it out:

 

As you say this does not seem to be any great problem. A couple of suitable size self taping screws down the square holes may help hold things without looking odd.

John (Britprius)

 

Just finished successfully replacing my passenger side headlight. Because of this thread, I realized that I had to apply some pressure onto that wiper fluid reservoir tab! Much smoother sailing after that!

Thanks for the input everyone!

 

Just pry under the clip with the 2 tabs. It will come up. It might take a little while. Just keep working at it until it comes loose.

 

Does anyone have the part# to the plastic push pin that holds the windshield reservoir? I am missing it! Is it the same ones that hold the radiator cover?

Btw, folks are saying two clips? I am only seeing one on a 2006 prius.

 

Pinch the tabs inward and wedge a flathead screwdriver underneath the clip and twist it at the same time to remove the tank. Easy.