2008 535i Auto Sensing Wipers

Okay fellow bimmers, I just got this '08 535i and it seems the rain sensing wipers do not work. When I switch them on they are on a 6 second delay if the windshield is dry or wet. When I adjust the sensitivity wheel it does not seem to change the 6 second intermittent. Any ideas? The wipers should turn on and off automatically when the shield is wet but this does not occur. As soon as I turn on the auto wipers it sets the wipers to a 6 second delay (I know this from counting).

Thanks.

If you have an intermittant delay the previous owner may have disconnected the rain sensor. Do your automatic headlights work?

By any chance has the windshield been replaced? Mine was on my '09 and it caused my lane departure warning system to have fits. It took the dealer all day to recalibrate the sensor, which is located right next to the rain sensor.

Originally Posted by bigmacslim

Okay fellow bimmers, I just got this '08 535i and it seems the rain sensing wipers do not work. When I switch them on they are on a 6 second delay if the windshield is dry or wet. When I adjust the sensitivity wheel it does not seem to change the 6 second intermittent. Any ideas? The wipers should turn on and off automatically when the shield is wet but this does not occur. As soon as I turn on the auto wipers it sets the wipers to a 6 second delay (I know this from counting).

Thanks.

They do not turn on "automatically" you must push the button on the end of the wiper stalk to activate the rain sensing feature.

Thank for the replies. the automatic headlamps do work. I know how to activate the rain sensing feature but it acts like a standard intermittent wipe amd does not automatically change speed. Do you know how to see if the auto feature has been disconnected?

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Bimmer

Im not sure about it being replaced. I bought it CPO. It appears the.glass near the sensor is cracked right where the mirror meets the windshield. That might be a problem. I really cant tell.

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Bimmer

This is why we pay more for CPO. If it were me, I'd head straight to the dealer and have them either demonstrate that the system works, or have them replace the glass. Heck, they should replace the glass anyway. I don't have a CPO checklist but I doubt that cracked glass is OK.

Originally Posted by brettski69

I don't have a CPO checklist but I doubt that cracked glass is OK.

Attached.

Originally Posted by bigmacslim

Thank for the replies. the automatic headlamps do work. I know how to activate the rain sensing feature but it acts like a standard intermittent wipe amd does not automatically change speed. Do you know how to see if the auto feature has been disconnected?

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Bimmer

From what I have read here you should be able to unsnap the housing were the sensor is on the windscreen and check to see if it is unconnected. I thought that I had read that if you did unhook the sensor connector then your automatic lights would not work but I have yet to crack mine open.

normaly you have to place the arm that turns them on to a certain position, but if you say there is a 6 second delay on the manual turn on then there is a problem. thts very uncommon because my car is 5 yrs older than urs and they still work lol

I have the same problem. Just bought a used 2008 e61 with ~40k mi from a dealership in Boulder, drove it to Seattle and shipped it to Alaska. On the road trip, realized there's no delay available - they're either activated individually (when I push down) or continuous (push up, control speed with toggle). When I push "in" the "A" (automatic) toggle (green 'active' light comes on), they wipe once and never wipe again, even when I toggle the speed control. Rain or snow fall doesn't make a difference. SO frustrated I don't have a delay!

Originally Posted by STR8 6

I have the same problem. Just bought a used 2008 e61 with ~40k mi from a dealership in Boulder, drove it to Seattle and shipped it to Alaska. On the road trip, realized there's no delay available - they're either activated individually (when I push down) or continuous (push up, control speed with toggle). When I push "in" the "A" (automatic) toggle (green 'active' light comes on), they wipe once and never wipe again, even when I toggle the speed control. Rain or snow fall doesn't make a difference. SO frustrated I don't have a delay!

No expert in wipers, so I'd check the manual for complete operation features.

But, on mine, stalk 1-click up to activate delay, another click up on stalk to enter continuous mode.

Speed and rain sensing activates through the push button at the end of the stalk, then adjust sensitivity using the dial-click at the end of the stalk(next to the push button).
That's the same on all newer BMW as far as I can tell.

Originally Posted by HPIA4v2

No expert in wipers, so I'd check the manual for complete operation features.

But, on mine, stalk 1-click up to activate delay, another click up on stalk to enter continuous mode.

Speed and rain sensing activates through the push button at the end of the stalk, then adjust sensitivity using the dial-click at the end of the stalk(next to the push button).
That's the same on all newer BMW as far as I can tell.

what do you mean by 1 click up to activate delay? Does this turn your wipers on intermittent? On my car, one click up turns the wipers on low speed, two clicks is high speed. One click down is single swipe, hold it to repeat swipes. Push the button on the end of the stalk for auto function. I do not know of a setting for intermittent (wish I did). Also, I don't think the automatic function for the headlights is linked to the wipers, the sensors are in different spots. The wiper sensor is tied to the function with the brakes that periodically pulses to keep water from building up on the brake rotors.

Originally Posted by Campfamily

what do you mean by 1 click up to activate delay? Does this turn your wipers on intermittent? On my car, one click up turns the wipers on low speed, two clicks is high speed. One click down is single swipe, hold it to repeat swipes. Push the button on the end of the stalk for auto function. I do not know of a setting for intermittent (wish I did). Also, I don't think the automatic function for the headlights is linked to the wipers, the sensors are in different spots. The wiper sensor is tied to the function with the brakes that periodically pulses to keep water from building up on the brake rotors.

I meant push the stalk lever once upward.

Maybe I am wrong, to me when I do this the wipe motion pause in between sweep (like intermitent with delay), w/o the auto-sensing turn on off course.

On my 2009 550i, there is no intermittent wiper option. The wipers work 5 ways: (1) normal speed with intermittment when car is stationary; (2) faster speed; (3) auto rain sensor (4) brief wipe; or (5) cleaning windshield. It is on page 69 of the owner's manual.

I too, wish there is an intermittent option!

Originally Posted by STR8 6

I have the same problem. Just bought a used 2008 e61 with ~40k mi from a dealership in Boulder, drove it to Seattle and shipped it to Alaska. On the road trip, realized there's no delay available - they're either activated individually (when I push down) or continuous (push up, control speed with toggle). When I push "in" the "A" (automatic) toggle (green 'active' light comes on), they wipe once and never wipe again, even when I toggle the speed control. Rain or snow fall doesn't make a difference. SO frustrated I don't have a delay!

They don't have a real "delay" option regardless, which is one of my biggest complaints on this car.

It's either on - low, on - high or automatic (which always has them wiping too often for me. I hate windshield wipers). The adjustment is supposed to adjust sensitivity to when they wipe, but the lowest setting isn't low enough for me.

They need to have at least an option for a real "intermittent" mode like every other car ever

I'm completely satisfied with the way the wipers work!

Originally Posted by burnie35

I'm completely satisfied with the way the wipers work!

Same here!! The rain sensor is designed to be an intermittant - and when there is a sudden change, it accomodates with higher speed or lower speed (or off) totally automatically. The dial/wheel adjusts sensitivity. Normal intermittant will not change until you reset it.
I agree that the prime suspect may be a replaced windshield or even a bad sensor.