rain sensor maintenance??

mbsl98 · 12-17-2013, 02:30 PM

Just curious if there is any particular maintenance/cleaning moves possible for wiper rain sensor? I have same system on both my '08 e93 and '07 530XiT. In both cars, the wipers are not nearly as sensitive to light rain as they used to be, or as the new loaners I get are. Anyone else notice deteriorating sensitivity? cures? When I first got these, I expected to dislike them but actually liked them a lot. Now they are getting to be a pain in that I need to manually add sweeps to keep decent vision in light rain, mist, etc. Unfortunately, neither has a setting for simple intermittent wiping.

mike-y · 12-17-2013, 03:08 PM

huh, I just keep the windshield clean, and turn the sensitivity dial up or down depending on how well it's working. are you saying that the wipers aren't sweeping enough even at the most sensitive position?

fazman · 12-17-2013, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbsl98

Just curious if there is any particular maintenance/cleaning moves possible for wiper rain sensor? I have same system on both my '08 e93 and '07 530XiT. In both cars, the wipers are not nearly as sensitive to light rain as they used to be, or as the new loaners I get are. Anyone else notice deteriorating sensitivity? cures? When I first got these, I expected to dislike them but actually liked them a lot. Now they are getting to be a pain in that I need to manually add sweeps to keep decent vision in light rain, mist, etc. Unfortunately, neither has a setting for simple intermittent wiping.

Have u added more blinker fluid? Checked you muffler bearings??

I just use windex on the outside on the windshield and all is good.

Mardio · 12-17-2013, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fazman

Have u added more blinker fluid? Checked you muffler bearings??

I just use windex on the outside on the windshield and all is good.

Blinker fluid? I need to check mine, lol.

_Sinister_ · 12-17-2013, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fazman

Have u added more blinker fluid? Checked you muffler bearings??

I just use windex on the outside on the windshield and all is good.

LMAO

JS82 · 12-17-2013, 04:27 PM

I had the same problem with my rain sensor and reinitializing it through INPA helped.

mbsl98 · 01-03-2014, 02:40 PM

thanks guys Away for the holiday so a bit slow here. I do mean that wipers don't sweep often enough on most sensitive setting. Reinitializing sounds like something with promise but I don"t know to work with INPA yet. Any hints on that?

Dark_Knight_335 · 01-03-2014, 04:05 PM

The rain sensor- much like the -wiper delay settings- are absolute shit. I've just come to terms with that fact. I think these two marvels, along with that infernally useless seatbelt butler, was a cruel joke by some disgruntled German engineers.

ezmaass · 01-03-2014, 04:42 PM

I've never found the auto wipers to be great. I tend to just use them "old school" style by placing them in a manual position and pressing here and there if I need an extra wipe. Considering how subjective the clarity of the windshield is for each driver, the variance during any given rain (intensity, frequency, drop sizes, potential fog, etc), I just prefer to do it the old way and be happy.

Viktimize · 01-03-2014, 05:38 PM

The sensitivity dial doesn't even do anything on my car. And it seems to be a common complaint of others as well. I would love to find a fix for this. The auto wiper feature is utterly useless.

Harry335i · 01-03-2014, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viktimize

The sensitivity dial doesn't even do anything on my car. And it seems to be a common complaint of others as well. I would love to find a fix for this. The auto wiper feature is utterly useless.

X2

JS82 · 01-03-2014, 07:42 PM

Again, try to find someone who can reinitialize the sensor for you guys.

w2830 · 01-04-2014, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JS82

Again, try to find someone who can reinitialize the sensor for you guys.

can you teach me how to do it if you did it yourself?i do have inpa n ncxpert running on my computer.my current solution to this problem is disabling the auto sensor and just use the intermittent settings.I'd love to have it back tho if it can work properly.

JS82 · 01-04-2014, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w2830

can you teach me how to do it if you did it yourself?i do have inpa n ncxpert running on my computer.my current solution to this problem is disabling the auto sensor and just use the intermittent settings.I'd love to have it back tho if it can work properly.

PM sent.
Let me know if that works for you.

Augster · 01-07-2014, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JS82

PM sent.
Let me know if that works for you.

If you could PM me the details as well (I have INPA/NCS) as currently, my "auto" wiper system absolutely does not sense any rain and operates strictly off of vehicle speed (wipers operate when vehicle in motion; but stop when vehicle is stopped); the intermittent speed dial has zero effect as well.

I will be replacing my windshield due to a crack so in case the installers don't reset the rain sensor, I want to do it on my own to see if it was indeed a bad sensor resolved with windshield replacement, or if it was just needing a reset.

boostmiser · 01-07-2014, 07:35 PM

Question...are the auto-wipers speed sensing? Mine don't seem to be and I don't like that. Wasn't sure if this was an issue with my car or they just weren't speed sensing.
I have speed sensing auto-wipers on my e39 M5 and they work great.

m@rco · 01-08-2014, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Augster

If you could PM me the details as well (I have INPA/NCS) as currently, my "auto" wiper system absolutely does not sense any rain and operates strictly off of vehicle speed (wipers operate when vehicle in motion; but stop when vehicle is stopped); the intermittent speed dial has zero effect as well.

I will be replacing my windshield due to a crack so in case the installers don't reset the rain sensor, I want to do it on my own to see if it was indeed a bad sensor resolved with windshield replacement, or if it was just needing a reset.

Sounds like you activated the 'intermittent' by pushing the stalk up (thus activating constant operation, except when at stand-still). You need to push the button at the end of the stalk. I admit, difficult to notice if you have a sports package steering wheel. The green light on the stalk indicates that the auto intermittent is switched on.

Personally, i've never had any issues with the intermittant function. Make sure that your windshield is equally clean all over. Rain-ex works well, also in combination with the intermittent, although, for night time driving in the rain, i tend not switch on the wipers at all.

Augster · 01-08-2014, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m@rco

Sounds like you activated the 'intermittent' by pushing the stalk up (thus activating constant operation, except when at stand-still). You need to push the button at the end of the stalk. I admit, difficult to notice if you have a sports package steering wheel. The green light on the stalk indicates that the auto intermittent is switched on.

Um.... DOH! Sometimes it does help to RTFM! Certainly different than my rain-sensing/speed-sensing wiper system of my 2010 F-150. I've got to try this out the next time it rains here in sunny SoCal...

Quote:

Originally Posted by m@rco

Make sure that your windshield is equally clean all over. Rain-ex works well...

Rain-ex as in the wiper blades (I have brand new PIAA Silencio's)? Or their glass cleaner and rain repellent? Or their glass treatment?

Andy328i · 01-08-2014, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viktimize

The sensitivity dial doesn't even do anything on my car. And it seems to be a common complaint of others as well. I would love to find a fix for this. The auto wiper feature is utterly useless.

Yup! The wipers on ANY other car that has an intermittent setting work better.

Yet another over-engineered "feature" that causes grief!

mike-y · 01-08-2014, 10:36 AM

I dunno, mine has always worked perfectly, I am very happy with it.

guess I am lucky.

w2830 · 01-08-2014, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JS82

PM sent.
Let me know if that works for you.

it works!!! took seconds for inpa to initialize it.it has definitely improved the sensitivity or responsiveness!

JS82 · 01-08-2014, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w2830

it works!!! took seconds for inpa to initialize it.it has definitely improved the sensitivity or responsiveness!

Glad I could help.
For all other people who have problems with their rain sensor.
Reinitialize it through INPA by following this path:
Karosserie --> Rain And Light Sensor --> F6: Activate --> F1: RLS Initialisation

12-17-2013, 02:30 PM	#1
mbsl98 Enlisted Member 4 Rep 41 Posts Drives: '08 328i convert; '07 530xiT Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Natick, MA iTrader: (0)	rain sensor maintenance?? Just curious if there is any particular maintenance/cleaning moves possible for wiper rain sensor? I have same system on both my '08 e93 and '07 530XiT. In both cars, the wipers are not nearly as sensitive to light rain as they used to be, or as the new loaners I get are. Anyone else notice deteriorating sensitivity? cures? When I first got these, I expected to dislike them but actually liked them a lot. Now they are getting to be a pain in that I need to manually add sweeps to keep decent vision in light rain, mist, etc. Unfortunately, neither has a setting for simple intermittent wiping. __________________ '08 328i convert, '07 530Xit wagon - twins with 6MT's, Ty Silver/Black leather, sport pack, sport seats, 18's, cold pack, PDK, etc., but only e61 wagon has iDrive/Nav, and only e93 has custom tune and Eisenmann exhaust.
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12-17-2013, 03:08 PM	#2
mike-y just another bmw douche bag 195 Rep 3,640 Posts Drives: 1.9L of fury Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (4)	huh, I just keep the windshield clean, and turn the sensitivity dial up or down depending on how well it's working. are you saying that the wipers aren't sweeping enough even at the most sensitive position?
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12-17-2013, 04:27 PM	#6
JS82 Captain 29 Rep 659 Posts Drives: '08 E92 328i 6MT Jet Black Join Date: May 2010 Location: PA USA iTrader: (12)	I had the same problem with my rain sensor and reinitializing it through INPA helped.
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01-03-2014, 02:40 PM	#7
mbsl98 Enlisted Member 4 Rep 41 Posts Drives: '08 328i convert; '07 530xiT Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Natick, MA iTrader: (0)	thanks guys Away for the holiday so a bit slow here. I do mean that wipers don't sweep often enough on most sensitive setting. Reinitializing sounds like something with promise but I don"t know to work with INPA yet. Any hints on that? __________________ '08 328i convert, '07 530Xit wagon - twins with 6MT's, Ty Silver/Black leather, sport pack, sport seats, 18's, cold pack, PDK, etc., but only e61 wagon has iDrive/Nav, and only e93 has custom tune and Eisenmann exhaust.
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01-03-2014, 04:05 PM	#8
Dark_Knight_335 Came to the N55 Darkside 1112 Rep 12,740 Posts Drives: 2011 335 E93 M-Sport Join Date: May 2010 Location: NY/NJ iTrader: (28)	The rain sensor- much like the -wiper delay settings- are absolute shit. I've just come to terms with that fact. I think these two marvels, along with that infernally useless seatbelt butler, was a cruel joke by some disgruntled German engineers.
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01-03-2014, 04:42 PM	#9
ezmaass Lieutenant Colonel 373 Rep 1,698 Posts Drives: '17 650xi GC / '15 Audi R8 V10 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	I've never found the auto wipers to be great. I tend to just use them "old school" style by placing them in a manual position and pressing here and there if I need an extra wipe. Considering how subjective the clarity of the windshield is for each driver, the variance during any given rain (intensity, frequency, drop sizes, potential fog, etc), I just prefer to do it the old way and be happy. __________________ 2017 BMW 650xi Gran Coupe \| MSport \| Exec Package \| Driver Assist Plus \| ACC Stop & Go \| Adaptive Drive \| B&O \| Night Vision \| Cold Weather \| Active Seats 2015 Audi R8 V10 \| Brilliant Red on Black \| S-Tronic \| Carbon Sideblades \| Carbon Trim \| Full Leather \| Sport Exhaust \| Illuminated Doorsills \| I-Pod \| Contrast Stitching Previous: '14 550xi, '07 335i, '01 325i
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01-03-2014, 05:38 PM	#10
Viktimize First Lieutenant 10 Rep 375 Posts Drives: 2007 335i, 2002 325i Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada iTrader: (0)	The sensitivity dial doesn't even do anything on my car. And it seems to be a common complaint of others as well. I would love to find a fix for this. The auto wiper feature is utterly useless.
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01-03-2014, 07:42 PM	#12
JS82 Captain 29 Rep 659 Posts Drives: '08 E92 328i 6MT Jet Black Join Date: May 2010 Location: PA USA iTrader: (12)	Again, try to find someone who can reinitialize the sensor for you guys.
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01-07-2014, 07:35 PM	#16
boostmiser Private 11 Rep 65 Posts Drives: '06 330i Sport Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: DE iTrader: (0)	Question...are the auto-wipers speed sensing? Mine don't seem to be and I don't like that. Wasn't sure if this was an issue with my car or they just weren't speed sensing. I have speed sensing auto-wipers on my e39 M5 and they work great.
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01-08-2014, 10:36 AM	#20
mike-y just another bmw douche bag 195 Rep 3,640 Posts Drives: 1.9L of fury Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (4)	I dunno, mine has always worked perfectly, I am very happy with it. guess I am lucky.
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