Sensitivity Control For Auto Windshield Wipers

Originally Posted by markl53

See page 77 in the owner's manual. It specifically states that the thumbwheel can be used to set the sensitivity of the rain sensor. In non-rainsense cars, it controls the timing of the delay interval.

The thumbwheel allows you to vary, within what seems a small range, the sensitivity level of the rain sensor to control how much water on the windshield is "tolerated" before it calls for a wipe.

He's right and mine works quite well just like it's supposed to.

Originally Posted by Terry Kennedy

Exactly. Every time I think I know all there is to know about this car, I learn something new. In particular, the rear wiper goes to intermittent mode if left switched on - but if you put the car in reverse, the rear wiper goes to full speed until you take the car out of reverse. Clever...

Hi Terry!

Dare I ask -- you gonna trek again this year? I'm guessing probably not, as it's a long way, but we'd all love to see you again if you're planning to.

You could always fly out and party with us!

I thought I'd add also that the manual states that the wipers return to the intermittent mode when you come to a stand still.

~Jon

Originally Posted by Terry Kennedy

Exactly. Every time I think I know all there is to know about this car, I learn something new. In particular, the rear wiper goes to intermittent mode if left switched on - but if you put the car in reverse, the rear wiper goes to full speed until you take the car out of reverse. Clever...

If you activate the rear wiper and then turn it off again before it complets a sweep, then wait a bit, then turn it on again, it will set the sweep interval to the time between the two times you turned it on.

One addition to the issue about the sensor area:

A few days ago, I was at the airport while it was raining, pulled over at the curb in front of the terminal. The right half of my car was under the roof canopy, and the left half of my car was exposed to the rain.

When I had stopped and the wipers cleared the windshield, I could see the rain pattern develop on the windshield, with half the glass clear (including the rain sensor area) and half wet. As I stayed put, the wipers did not activate. After I dumped my passengers, I slowly edged out to the left, and sure enough, when the rain line crossed the rear view mirror area, the wipers activated.

I had previously complained on this list about my rain-sensing wipers not working properly. For the most part, setting the stalk to the rain-sensing position was almost the same as putting it to the always-on/low-speed position. Dammit, I missed my good ol' fashioned intermittent wipers! We have the same problem on my wife's '98 E320 wagon, so I know it's not just a problem unique to BMW.

Anyway, to make a long story short, I simply popped the cover off the rain-sensor on the windshield, and unplugged the sensor. This disabled the rain-sensor, and that position on the stalk is now a standard intermittent setting. Woohoo! I can't believe I didn't think of trying this before!

Worked on both my 330 and my wife's Benz.

Regards,
Steve
2004 330i w/ disabled rain sensor

I was never a fan of the auto-wipers. I also disconnected
the plug, and fully enjoyed the intermitten feature.
Works like a charm in rainy bay-area yesterday.
Note that the plug is the smaller one closest to the
windshield. The bigger plug, hidden within the
frame of the rear-view mirror's fixture is for the
auto-dimming feature of the mirror, which I also
disengaged. I can see the rear so much better driving
at night now. If someone has their high-beams on
behind me (which is rare), I just move my head to
one side, or sit a little higher by straightening my back
more. Quick and temporary fix.
Most of the time, the car w/ the highbeams usually
get smaller and smaller, unless it's an M3.

Originally Posted by JonathanIT

Just do what I do: don't ever drive in the rain!

--J.

Amen brother! Can you believe people actually drive in their bimmers in the rain???

Originally Posted by Wingboot

Amen brother! Can you believe people actually drive in their bimmers in the rain???

I washed mine in the rain today.