Rain Sensor Not working. Is there a fix?

[artwerks]

My rain sensor is not working on my '03 LX470. Luckily it doesn't rain in Denver much, but when it does I am annoyed beyond belief!
Shifting the wiper stalk down once turns on the wiper rain sensor. It never works. The sensitivity adjustment doesn't do anything either.
Shifting the wiper stalk down two positions turn the wipers on medium constant speed; three positions down is fast constant speed. I have to shift the stalk down at least two positions to create my own self-employed intermittent wiper and to be honest with you, I feel this is not only annoying, but dangerous!

Has anyone else had this problem? A search was to no avail.
Is there a fix for this?

Aj

 

[nomembername]

A) Don't drive in the rain, or only drive in heavy rain.

2: Rain-X and replace your blades.

Either way, fixed.

 

[Thundercloud Cruiser]

My rain sensor is not working on my '03 LX470. Luckily it doesn't rain in Denver much, but when it does I am annoyed beyond belief!
Shifting the wiper stalk down once turns on the wiper rain sensor. It never works. The sensitivity adjustment doesn't do anything either.
Shifting the wiper stalk down two positions turn the wipers on medium constant speed; three positions down is fast constant speed. I have to shift the stalk down at least two positions to create my own self-employed intermittent wiper and to be honest with you, I feel this is not only annoying, but dangerous!

Has anyone else had this problem? A search was to no avail.
Is there a fix for this?

Aj

I guess thats an extra feature exclusive to the LX, nice feature when working

 

[TrekboxX]

A) Don't drive in the rain, or only drive in heavy rain.

2: Rain-X and replace your blades.

Either way, fixed.

Very, very informative and helpful. Thanks for your contribution.

OP- are you sure the first click down isn't just a standard intermittent setting like the LC? Which is also strange, because my 03 LC has the rain sensor on the dash(I think), but the wipers never come on automagically. First click is just adjustable intermittent.

 

[PADDO]

Is this a new problem or has it never worked for you? Reason I ask is that if you've had a windshield replaced and auto sense stopped working there is a connector link in the black box on the windshield's interior that can be left disconnected, pop the cover off and check the rain sensor is connected to the wiring loom OR auto sense may have been turned off via tech stream. I'll check if that's an option in tech stream tomorrow.

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[artwerks]

Is this a new problem or has it never worked for you? Reason I ask is that if you've had a windshield replaced and auto sense stopped working there is a connector link in the black box on the windshield's interior that can be left disconnected, pop the cover off and check the rain sensor is connected to the wiring loom OR auto sense may have been turned off via tech stream. I'll check if that's an option in tech stream

Paddo,
It has never worked for me. My truck is an '03 and I never had the windshield replaced, but maybe the previous owner did. I'll check the black box on the windshield for proper connections. That's a good place to start. Thanks!

 

[artwerks]

I guess thats an extra feature exclusive to the LX, nice feature when working

Thundercloud,
It's a nice feature in theory, but I had this feature on my '04 Volvo too and it sucks. A drizzle is not enough to set off the sensor, but you still need the wipers intermittently. If its raining slowly, but the drops are large, the wipers will launch into overdrive :/
It's just not a very intelligent feature in any car I've had with it.

 

[artwerks]

OP- are you sure the first click down isn't just a standard intermittent setting like the LC? Which is also strange, because my 03 LC has the rain sensor on the dash(I think), but the wipers never come on automagically. First click is just adjustable intermittent.

1407,
Since its never been working I can't say for sure that the first click down is for the rain sensing feature, but that is how my Volvo works. And the circular ring that would otherwise adjust the timing on intermittent wipers, adjust the sensor's sensitivity. I wish I had just your basic intermittent wipers.
Maybe I'm missing something as my LX is fairly new to me. I'll go read the manual, which I should've done in the first place. And get back to you.
Thanks!

 

[garlicgabe]

Can be a couple of problems. Check the brand on the windshield bug. It is in the lower coner of the Dr side of the windshield. Check to see if it is same as your door glass or other windows. This could tell you if it has been replaced before. Also do check the wire connection to the black box on the windshield. If this all looks good, there is a clear gel pad that transmits light to the sensor (black box) on the inside of windshield. This pad is sticky on both sides and needs to be replaced everytime you change a windshield. Some glass installers try to reuse the old gel pad. It works sometimes, but if dust or oil from dirty fingers get onto the gel it is toast. This is a easy part to change, but use gloves. Also make sure the sensor fits snug against the glass. This is a plastic part and very easy to damage the clips that hold it onto the mount. Post up some pics of the sensor. I hope this helps.

 

[PADDO]

X2 on the sticky gel pad, look thru the windshield to make sure the sensor is bonded flat to the glass, no bubbles, finger prints, gel is 100% clear. I had a quick look in tech stream and the functions I mentioned previously are for the delayed wipe after cleaning squirt (turned mine off) and speed/wiper rates, not turning the auto sense function on/off so disregard. There isn't an aftermarket sun visor or decal covering the exterior sensor port?

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[artwerks]

X2 on the sticky gel pad, look thru the windshield to make sure the sensor is bonded flat to the glass, no bubbles, finger prints, gel is 100% clear... There isn't an aftermarket sun visor or decal covering the exterior sensor port?

So the first thing I did this morning was to try and pull the plastic cover off the sensor and the whole sensor came off of the window
It hung there on the cable, so I'm assuming it's connected properly, although I didn't confirm that. I re-stuck it to the window and from the outside it appears to be adhered with no bubbles or other imperfections. It's not adhering very strongly, though.

The stamp on my windshield is "Guardian", not "Lexus". I'm assuming this is aftermarket, but it appears to be just like OEM, because there is a black, dotted stamp on the window indicating where the rain sensor should be affixed.

Additionally, the owners manual states, "Even with the wiper lever in the "auto" position, the system will switch to intermittent operations if the system malfunctions." As I mentioned, I have no intermittent operation, so the rain sensing system must be functioning properly from an electrical standpoint...

Aj

 

[PADDO]

Methinks you have found the problem, whomever installed the aftermarket glass didn't ensure the sensor was bonded correctly. You may be able to buy windshield wiper sensor bonding tap from napa or similar and do the job correctly, or get it from a dealer. I purchased my 03 LX in 05 it had new Lexus glass but the auto function didn't work, took it to the dealer to have some minor warranty work done and asked them to check the auto wipers. Quick fix, no charge, they found the sensor hadn't been reconnected. On my second windshield I had the installer (different guy) demonstrate the auto wiper worked before he left. He did all the new glass for the local Lexus dealer and said it was a common problem with installers not fully versed in how to do the job properly.

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[garlicgabe]

Shoot a pic of the sensor and where it mounts to the windshield. It should not have been that easy. There should be a metal mount bonded to the glass on the inside. The sensor and gel pad mount to this. It should be on there pretty snug with no play or gaps. It has a outer cover that snaps onto the sensor. Also try to disconnect the wire from the sensor and run wipers. It should revert back to intermittent function.

 

[Doc Bones]

My 2014 200 series is having the same issue. It has been into the dealership twice, not I need to take it in again, this time a little less understanding. I live in Portland, it actually rains here a lot and it is annoying that this feature will not work.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Paddo,
It has never worked for me. My truck is an '03 and I never had the windshield replaced, but maybe the previous owner did. I'll check the black box on the windshield for proper connections. That's a good place to start. Thanks!

IIRC - This feature can be turned on/off on the custom feature menu via Tech Strream software

At least on my 06 LX470

 

[uHu]

The normal cause for this poblem, if everything is connected properly, is the gel pad between the glass and the sensor. This has to be changed when changing the windshield, or if the sensor has come loose.
Also, as stated above: In tech stream you can disable the rain sensor. This gives you normal intermittent wipers. (I do that for a periode every winter, because the sensor doesn't work well in freezing conditions)

 

[winegamd]

If you just unplug the sensor, it will default to normal intermittent wiper mode like a normal car. I did this in my 05 and it works great.

 

[winegamd]

To be clear, just unplug it internally and clip the sensor with the unplugged wire back on the windshield.

 

[GunninIt]

This thread has been bumped from the dead once...hopefully ok if I do the same.

The windshield I have was replaced by the previous owner (like, JUST replaced). Had some rain locally yesterday and the auto/rain sensor feature wasn't working. Given what I've read here (and in the owners manual), I would have expected it to default to a typical delay-style function. That didn't happen. I did have, however, the ability to click down to the FAST and FASTER settings. Not ideal.

I haven't messed around with the sensor just yet, but I assume that is what's messed up with the windshield replacement. The problem with that theory, however, is that it seems like it should have defaulted to the selectable delay.

Thoughts IH8MUD gurus?

 

[rrc swb]

Where's the sensor located?