Intermittent Wipers (3 Viewers)

[CharlieS]

Hi,

2016 Land Cruiser, purchased used, I'm the second owner. My rain sensing intermittent wiper mode doesn't work. I don't know if they ever worked, so that's not helpful.

The wipers work in the other modes, single swipe, and both fixed speeds. They don't move at all when in intermittent mode, and turning the stalk dial has no impact.

I've read about the issue with the adhesive pad between the sensor and the glass, but mine is intact.

I unplugged the windshield rain sensor hoping it would go into manual intermittent mode (I did this on my former '16 and it was great). But it is still inoperable.

I absolutely could have caused this - I've had both sides of the dash open to install equipment, pull wires, etc. I may have left some plug loose or not firmly connected.

Anyone know if intermittent wipers have their own fuse? Which fuse box? Is there an intermittent wiper ECU? Can anyone help me find it?

Any other advice?

 

[Madtiger]

Isn’t intermittent = rain sensing? So, it won’t ”turn on” if you don‘t have rain/water on windshield even if you change the rotating dial.

 

[CharlieS]

Maybe I'm using the wrong words.

The factory function of the stalk in position one down from off is rain sensing, so when the stalk is in that position, water on the windshield makes the wipers go. Depending on the position of the rotary switch, the speed can be adjusted. It isn't exact or predictable.

When you unplug the rain sensor, the wipers should go into "old fashioned" intermittent mode, turning on, with the frequency of the wiper being controlled by the position of the rotary switch - with no regard for water on the windshield above the sensor.

My wipers don't do anything when placed into that mode. Unplugging the rain sensor has no discernible impact (the wipers remain off, unmoving).

I may not have noticed this failure but I spent about 9 hours on trail in mostly rainy/foggy conditions on Saturday, and low wipers were too fast, while manually flicking them on was extra hassle while negotiating trail/road hazards.

 

[JetFuel]

Mine is the same, although if I push on the black box that houses the gel pad thing, intermittent works again, but only shortly. So my gel pad is there and intact, but likely old/defective/not working properly (obviously). I intend to replace it sooner than later…

 

[bronc076]

I’m with you Charlie. Yes there is a wiper ECU. The post below has a location. Hope this helps!

E47 in this diagram
It is called 'center airbag sensor assembly'

This is a picture from an 2009 LX

Maybe pull the ashtray and see what you're up against?

View attachment 2644358

View attachment 2644359

I stole this out of this thread. Post #11 by Grinchy.

Do I really need to pull apart the entire dash/steering column/AC to get to airbag computer? - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/do-i-really-need-to-pull-apart-the-entire-dash-steering-column-ac-to-get-to-airbag-computer.1248521/

 

[bloc]

Mine is the same, although if I push on the black box that houses the gel pad thing, intermittent works again, but only shortly. So my gel pad is there and intact, but likely old/defective/not working properly (obviously). I intend to replace it sooner than later…

Factory toyota windshield or aftermarket pilkington? My aftermarket panel has the sensor module bracket glued on crooked so the condition of the tape doesn’t matter, it never sits flush.

 

[CharlieS]

@bronc076 Thanks! I bet I didn't plug that ecu back in correctly when I pulled wires for my gmrs radio recently. I can picture exactly where that module is now.

@bloc Factory windshield. The bracket and gel pad looked good. I have the rain sensor unplugged now, so it should be out of the equation.

@JetFuel I was hoping it was that, since it is the most common failure I found in my 'mud search, and a straightforward fix, but I think that I've eliminated that from the circuit and should be able to use it without rain sending, which I prefer.

In a google search, similar symptoms on other Toyotas (not land cruisers) were the result of a bad relay in the stalk assembly. People have successfully desoldered and replaced them. If it doesn't end up being the more simple thing like I failed to properly plug in the ecu, I may investigate the relay idea - we'll see if I can locate it first...

 

[JetFuel]

Factory toyota windshield or aftermarket pilkington? My aftermarket panel has the sensor module bracket glued on crooked so the condition of the tape doesn’t matter, it never sits flush.

It’s Lexus glass, but I’m the second owner so not sure if the windshield has been replaced.

Any thoughts on what the issue with mine could be? I figured it was just a poor install of the sensor tape since it works if I press on the black box (learned that trick from a thread on Mud) but I’m just guessing.

 

[CharlieS]

It’s Lexus glass, but I’m the second owner so not sure if the windshield has been replaced.

Any thoughts on what the issue with mine could be? I figured it was just a poor install of the sensor tape since it works if I press on the black box (learned that trick from a thread on Mud) but I’m just guessing.

Your theory makes sense to me, based on all of the threads I've read on this topic. Especially since pressing the sensor up against the tape/windshield gets it working. The sensor tape replacement should get you fixed right up.

 

[bloc]

It’s Lexus glass, but I’m the second owner so not sure if the windshield has been replaced.

Any thoughts on what the issue with mine could be? I figured it was just a poor install of the sensor tape since it works if I press on the black box (learned that trick from a thread on Mud) but I’m just guessing.

I put new tape in mine to try and fix what turned out to be the crooked bracket.. turns out it is actually a bit of a challenge to get it installed without any bubbles.

Which brings up.. usually you can see bubbles either against the glass or through the tape on the sensor face, if it isn’t installed correctly. But I agree based on your troubleshooting that is a logical next step.

Either way with a Lexus panel I’d trust the bracket to be glued correctly.

 

[JetFuel]

I checked for air bubbles, can’t see any from the outside looking in, strange that it wouldn’t be functioning properly - looks aligned as well. I wouldn’t think that the tape wears out but I’ll replace it and see what happens.

 

[bronc076]

@bronc076 Thanks! I bet I didn't plug that ecu back in correctly when I pulled wires for my gmrs radio recently. I can picture exactly where that module is now.

Glad it helped! Hope you get it sorted. How hard is it to get to those modules?

 

[CharlieS]

Not too bad. Disconnect the battery ground (let the airbag discharge by waiting 10-15 min), remove the clip in under tray (mine is already out), unplug the LED footwell light, remove the door sill trim (unplug the electrical plug for the lighted logo), pop out the center stack knee pad, remove one 10mm head/phillips screw, remove the pushpin at the bottom front, remove the center stack side panel by pulling rearward, remove the four 10mm head bolts holding the airbag in, unplug the airbag, remove the airbag with attached plastic trim, open the glovebox, remove the two plastic clips on the upper edge of the glovebox, remove two 10mm head bolts on the top of the glovebox, remove two 10mm head bolts on the bottom edge of the glovebox, remove the glovebox by pulling it rearward (some plastic clips hold it in place), unplug the glovebox light and remove the glovebox. Now you have access to all of the ECUs and wiring back there. Probably 20 minutes or so moving slowly (not including time to discharge the airbag).

 

[CharlieS]

Solved!

Since my dash under tray is removed (I have my gmrs radio mounted there), I could just barely see that module from underneath without any disassembly.

I reached up and pushed on the connector and heard that distinctive click of it snapping into place. I started the car, and the intermittent wipers work now.

Totally a self inflicted problem.

Thanks for all the help, everyone.

 

[TheIcemanCometh]

Resurrecting this thread because the other day my rain sensor stopped working. I know it to have worked because when I used it the !@#$% sensor would cause uncontrolled wiper spasms. So a goal was to disconnect it and have manual intermittent wipers. I did that and it is now working manually.

However, I would like figure out what might have caused the sensor to stop working. My guess it like others the sensor is not positioned right after a hot summer. I see some air bubbles.

What I need to understand is what I can further take apart. Obviously I got the cover off and the black box has another clip I can move out but I did not got further in disassembling it. The metal mount is firm and pressing on the black box did not seem to move it. Thanks for any insight.

 

[bloc]

Resurrecting this thread because the other day my rain sensor stopped working. I know it to have worked because when I used it the !@#$% sensor would cause uncontrolled wiper spasms. So a goal was to disconnect it and have manual intermittent wipers. I did that and it is now working manually.

However, I would like figure out what might have caused the sensor to stop working. My guess it like others the sensor is not positioned right after a hot summer. I see some air bubbles.

What I need to understand is what I can further take apart. Obviously I got the cover off and the black box has another clip I can move out but I did not got further in disassembling it. The metal mount is firm and pressing on the black box did not seem to move it. Thanks for any insight.

Metal mount is glued to the windshield and shouldn’t be pried. Looks like urethane to me.

As I remember it the other clip releases the sensor from the metal bracket. Should be no problem to release.. but I had some trouble getting the bubbles out even with brand new clear gel tape and careful positioning. In my case I believe the bracket being slightly off parallel on my non-genuine Toyota windshield contributed to the bubble issues.

The tech that installed a factory windshield had no issues getting the bubbles out, though that may be experience and skill as much as a parallel bracket.

I also did unhook the sensor and am happy with how intermittent functions work.

 

[TheIcemanCometh]

Thanks, I took the box off and put it back on. The bubbles and other gaps are now gone. I suspect that the summer heat was just enough to cause issues. I'll plug it back in to check for the usual wiper spasms, then leave it unplugged.

 

[LexCruiser200]

Hey, sorry to resurrect this thread, but I have a quick question regarding the mounting. I just wanted to make sure the previous owner hadn't broken this already or something.

So I have a 2014 LX570, and when I took the rain sensor black box thing off of my windshield, there is nothing holding it in place except the sticky gel. In YouTube videos I've seen on other models, they actually have what look like hooks mounted to the windshield that the box slides off of.

Aside from the little edges that hang onto the headliner just a little, is there anything other than the sticky gel pad holding the rain sensor to the windshield? Thanks

 

[bloc]

Hey, sorry to resurrect this thread, but I have a quick question regarding the mounting. I just wanted to make sure the previous owner hadn't broken this already or something.

So I have a 2014 LX570, and when I took the rain sensor black box thing off of my windshield, there is nothing holding it in place except the sticky gel. In YouTube videos I've seen on other models, they actually have what look like hooks mounted to the windshield that the box slides off of.

Aside from the little edges that hang onto the headliner just a little, is there anything other than the sticky gel pad holding the rain sensor to the windshield? Thanks

The stock mounting system has a metal bracket attached to the back of the panel with urethane adhesive. The rain sensor then attaches to that bracket.