Rain Sensor for wipers (1 Viewer)

[stonepa]

Well it finally happened. Something really important broke on my 2015 LC. Driving from Valdez back to Homer last weekend in the pouring rain I realized my auto wind shield wiper rain sensor no longer worked. Driving around in on-again off-again mist and rain confirms it. Anyone have this feature fail? Fix?

Can’t believe this. 10 years of faithful service and now this catastrophic failure!

 

[DallasTide]

You are basically driving a Range Rover now with all those fancy features that don't work.

 

[stonepa]

Bad thing is that without Auto working you do not have Intermittent either.

 

[stonepa]

One other thing. I know it is an optical sensor. I do not have any bug’s on that part of my windshield. No rock chips either. Continuing to troubleshoot.

 

[Ratchey]

One other thing. I know it is an optical sensor. I do not have any bug’s on that part of my windshield. No rock chips either. Continuing to troubleshoot.

It is likely the gel pad has separated from the windshield. If it won't stick back, you can unplug the pad and at least get intermittent wipers back until you can get the pad replaced.

 

[stonepa]

It is likely the gel pad has separated from the windshield. If it won't stick back, you can unplug the pad and at least get intermittent wipers back until you can get the pad replaced.

do I need to take off the plastic cover to check?

 

[DallasTide]

Maybe helpful, maybe not....

 

[Ratchey]

do I need to take off the plastic cover to check?

Yes, you will have to pull it off to check the gel pad.

 

[bloc]

You can usually see the separation from the outside. The little window should be solid black. Any bubbles under there and you have problems.

Edit: I did have a thought. It is possible to have the sensor shifted over and one edge of the tape show clear, not solid black. But it’ll be a clean line. That’s how my aftermarket windshield was and the auto wiper worked just fine.

 

[KLF]

Try unplugging the sensor. You should have normal, adjustable intermittent wipers. That was how I fixed the awful "auto" wipers in my '11 LC.

 

[jboogie]

Try unplugging the sensor. You should have normal, adjustable intermittent wipers. That was how I fixed the awful "auto" wipers in my '11 LC.

This worked on my 2009 LX. I had no auto or intermittent wipers before I unplugged it. Intermittent came back right away after unplugging. Still troubleshooting the auto wiper part and am going after the sensor next.

 

[GordJ]

Take the cover off and push the sensors against the windshield. If this works the easiest solution is to take it to an auto glass shop and have them re-stick it if that’s the problem, mine attaches to the windshield with a metal frame factory installed on the glass. Or, sigh, go on YouTube-there’s probably a video on how to do it yourself, everything else in life is on YouTube- and get a solution. I can’t function without my auto wipers. One of the best features on the car. The glass shop that changed my windshield the last time had a problem with the metal hardware that holds the sensor to the windshield being bent, they straightened out the mount and it was fine but you didn’t mention a new windshield so its probably a different issue.

 

[ryanCA]

WOW your LC had rain sensors?

That is how the other half must live.

 

[DallasTide]

*Looks down nose at you*

 

[TheIcemanCometh]

Try unplugging the sensor. You should have normal, adjustable intermittent wipers. That was how I fixed the awful "auto" wipers in my '11 LC.

Second the suggestion. I found the auto to be worthless.

That said, the sensor pad will come unstuck especially in hotter climates. Mine did.

 

[DallasTide]

Second the suggestion. I found the auto to be worthless.

That said, the sensor pad will come unstuck especially in hotter climates. Mine did.

I haven't had this issue yet but it sounds like with the Texas heat I should be expecting it at some point...

 

[concretejungle]

I've complained about the rain sensing wipers from the beginning. mine are horrible. I can have them turn on high if a single drop of mist touches the windshield and then never turn on when it's actually raining.

 

[KLF]

I've complained about the rain sensing wipers from the beginning. mine are horrible. I can have them turn on high if a single drop of mist touches the windshield and then never turn on when it's actually raining.

Yeah, I'm not happy with mine either, same year. It's super annoying to have a light mist and they immediately go to Ludicrous Speed. I may disconnect my sensor and give up on them.

 

[DallasTide]

Interesting. Mine have always functioned just as well as my BMWs did. Have you guys turned down the interval on the stalk? It has 3 sensitivity levels.

 

[GordJ]

I wonder why there is such a wide variation in satisfaction levels? Up here in Raincouver I find them to be amazingly effective and the only complaint that I have is that when they shift to hyper speed the cruise doesn’t work. It seems so 1990’s to have to switch to normal back and forth, to get the cruise to work, until the monsoon lessens to a torrent. Put me down as “necessity, not option”.