i made a thread in the NOOB section of www.rs25.com

[SPOILER="quote from other forum"]"Hey guys, just thought I'd share a fit of noobiness after seeing how common the parking light switch mistake gets committed.



My 99 RS is my sixth car under MY ownership and I've had extended seat time in dozens of cars through family and friends. I've had my license 13 years now.



Sooooo...when I first got my RS 2 months ago, LA had some strange Rain patterns. I wanted to use the windshield washers, but they didnt work - or so I thought. The next day or something I went to see if the squirter nozzles were clogged, so I disconnected the line under the hood and put the end in a water bottle. I went to activate the washers and the bottle didnt fill.



"Dang I guess its the pump or wiring" i told myself. Not even checking the wiring, i put everything back together. "eh, i'll just drive it without washers for a while".



I had other priorities for the car so I put off finding a reservoir pump. Mind you, I'm kind of OCD when it comes to cars and their creature comforts. if something breaks or doesnt operate as designed, I fix it right away. I usually read car owner's manuals cover to cover also.



A few weeks ago, I run into Mad Ra88it's part out thread and asked "Hey do u have the washer pump". He did, and after a paypal transaction and a week later, I had a "new" washer pump.



Before I pulled the reservoir out, I tested the wiring with a voltmeter. I had my brother hold the voltmeter contacts while I activated the washer.



"No voltage change" he said.



"Son of a *****!" I exclaimed. I think to myself "This is going to suck. I have to diagnose a simple washer fluid pump wiring through my crazy merged harness and I just bought a new pump for nothing. I should have freagn checked the voltage before."





As I do this...I look down at the stalk and realize the truth. There's a button on the end of the stalk that I never noticed before...hmmm it even says "MIST" and has a "<" arrow.



I ask my brother to hook up the voltmeter again. I push the button.



"yep, voltage goes up to 12v"



I hook everything back up and everything works. the nozzles even a emit an even mist after 11 years. I didnt even need Mad Ra88it's pump.



me = FACEPALM







so the issue at hand here was that EVERY other car I've owned or driven NEVER had a button on the stalk. its ALWAYS been bringing the stalk closer to you as the way to activate the washers. I did the same with the Subaru.



Thanks for reading!"[/SPOILER]

 

I have those moments all of the time, nothing to be ashamed about

 

guess you never owned a domestic

but yea i have brainfarts all da time like that

 

come to think of it...the only domestics we've had in friends/family are Fords.

I dont remember if theres a button at the end. h:

 

:hi5:

 

Nope they are pull stalks as well.

 

It took me a minute to figure mine out too Also took a minute to figure out the rear washer :/

At least I didn't buy any parts

 

Took me a while to figure that out on my fiancee's '08 Impreza. And by a while, I mean like 30 seconds.

It definitely pays to look at the labels on switches in cars you aren't familiar with. h:

 

RTFM h:

lc

 

I thought my window wipers weren't working when I got it, until I stepped on the brake...

It's what makes a Subaru a Subaru.