Add some washer fliud or water

 

I filled it up but the message is still there.

 

What did you fill it up with? I think it uses an electronic level meter which requires the liquid to be conductive. That could be your problem. Or it is broken.

 

Did you try reseting it from the dash menu screen.

 

Add washer fluid into the gas tank

 

Stupid reply

 

I'm wondering if there's some air in the reservoir or line. Pop the cap for the washer, push on the suspension up and down a bit and see if any air bubbles come out. Restart again and see if you have better luck.

 

The sensor in the reservoir could be coated or crudded up. This happens with certain brands of wiper fluid. The Rain X Orange ( an otherwise very good product) is well known for causing this. In the old days there was a float in the reservoir and you could run any type of fluid. Now there is an electric sensor with a probe and Rain X Orange and some other brands coats it and causes malfunctions. You have to drain and flush the existing fluid in the reservoir and clean the sensor probe--it will have visible scum on it. Only use the standard blue wiper fluid available everywhere in the proper temperature range so it doesn't freeze.

 

It shouldn't matter what kind of fluid you use even water.

 

I agree. It should not matter. Unfortunately, it does to the sensors in all contemporary cars wiper fluid reservoirs. My main source for problems with orange RAIN X is the bob is the oil guy forum (BITOG).

 

I used.

 

That’s your problem. Looks like you filled the radiator overflow bottle.

this is the washer fluid fill

 

Do you have a 5th generation RAV? From the photos in posts#14 and 15 the plastic reservoir you added windshield wiper fluid to does not look like anything in my gas model 2021 engine compartment. If indeed you added it to the radiator reservoir you had better get the cooling system drained, flushed and refilled with the proper pink Toyota coolant immediately. Depending how much wiper fluid you added you are risking destroying the water pump, overheating and blowing the engine.

 

WOW What an idiot! The car is a 2020 rav 4 limited. Should i remove some of the windshield washer fluid from the radiator refill?

 

How much did you actually put in there? Maybe a quart?

Since you did this last week, I assume that the engine has been operated at normal temps? If so, that mixture of coolant/washer fluid may have been drawn into the main part of the cooling system. Windshield washer fluid is mostly water with some alcohol content to prevent freezing. It should not do any harm to the system. Drain the overflow bottle and refill with 50/50 Toyota Antifreeze. If you really want to go overboard, you could have the cooling system drained and refilled, but the brief research I did shows that a little washer fluid in the coolant is harmless.

 

No comments yet on the fact that Prestone branded washer fluid was used in this mistake? I find it quite funny!

 

No comments yet on the fact that Prestone branded washer fluid was used in this mistake? I find it quite funny!

Yah me to.

 

We all make mistakes and "F" up ...

Let it be.... Please...

If your concerned, as for a Flush and Fill at your next service.

 

Amen
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