Jim Banville

I HATE the rain sensing wiper function in my C240! It came with my C2 package. Sometimes the glass will get swept dry the first wipe, but the wipers will go a couple of extra times against a dry winshield. Othe times the window will get wet to the point that can't see before the wipers wipe This is mainly a problem with light rain, where the setting just past the rain-sensing setting is too much (constant wiping motion). How many wipes/per/second do the standard non-rain sensing intermitent wipers wipe? Is there just one intermitent setting on non-C2 optioned C240's (and C230's too, I assume)? Is there a way to bypass the rain-sensing function? Can it be done via the computer at the dealer? My '98 Crown Vic has about 5 intermitent settings! Please help me before I go crazy!

Jim

W0n6_3d4n

You still can override it can you?? It's a bit annoying in my new e class

patronus

Bad news - you cannot override rain sensor.

Good news - you can probably greatly enhance the performance with either cleaning or replacing the passenger blade (the one that wipes the sensor). If part of the passenger blade that cleans the sensor has a bit of dirt or wear just over the sensor, the sensor will not "see" clearly after a wipe and call for another one.

Keep your blades clean and you will like the sensor more. I advise cleaning the blade with rubbing alcohol on a rag.

vadim

The rain sensor is very sensitive to any dirt covering the glass area under which it is located. Keep it as clean as possible. This may help a little.

tberry

my c230 is only a month old and the wipers squeak pretty loud. Is that normal?? and yes the rain sensing is annoying about half the time. Where is the sensor guys. Thanks.

Jim Banville

Even via the "Star" diagnosis computer, or whatever it is called, that the MB tech's use to interface with the car?

What controls the wipers? Perhaps there is some relay somewhere I can replace?

BrabusCClass

I blew mine out... so i dont worry about it. Hehe. Anything covering the sensor kinda frys it.

merc-it

hmmm mine dont squeak...but the sensor is located on the winshield in the upper middle, if you look from the outside you can see it.

avlis

My pass. side blade chatters so much that I turn the wipers off and let the rain-x do the work. I think it's because the rubber is so soft it takes a "set" when it's parked. If you look at the wiper from the end you'll probably see that the blade is folded back from being pressed against the glass. I'm going to replace the blades as soon as I remember to measure the lengths.

levelr123g

how hard is it to turn on your wipers when it rains

CitronC230K_03

my vw has 4 settings. i have the rain sensing wipers ordered with my C230, but since it doesnt rain much in san diego i dont think ill worry to much. i can't remember the last time i had my wipers turned onto the non-intermentant setting while it rained.

avlis

The rain sensing wiper's function isn't to turn on the wipers when it starts raining. It's function is to control the speed of the wipers as conditions change. You still have to turn them on yourself.

MarkL

Actually, it's not the "speed" of the wipers. They always move at the low speed during intermittent operation. It's the wipe "frequency" that is controlled by the rain sensor.

avlis

I know. I just didn't feel like trying to spell frequency that early in the morning. I thought speed would do just as well.

Jim Banville

I'd still like to know what component controls the wipers. Depending on how the standard, non-rain sensing intermitent wipers function, it would be cool if I could just switch out a "black box" I'd like about a 3 second delay between each wipe.

tberry

I thought that MB would still include an adjustable intermittent wiper function on top of the rain-sensing wiper. From What I can tell all u get is OFF/rain-sensing/medium/fast. Usually cars have the first slow with adjustable interval that u can fine-tune about 10 different settings.

MarkL

Yes, it's a disappointment. Most rain sense systems (as noted earlier in the thread) offer a sensitivity adjustment with several settings. Similar to regular adjustable intermittent wipers except it changes the amount of rain you "accept" on the windshield before a wipe rather than straight time interval.

Jim, in the past, people have asked how much trouble it would be to add the rain sensor, not remove it. I think the rain sensor "plugs" into the circuit instead of the regular timer module. Seems like you could disconnect the sensor and insert the timer... Or, maybe you will get used to it. I think it's great, despite the inability to adjust the sensitivity. Aren't you always fiddling with the timer setting for the regular type of intermittent wipers? And when the rain (or your speed) picks up, it goes right into full low speed operation (no pauses). I hardly every turn the switch from rain sense to full low.

trench

Nobody mentioned this yet, but without the rain sensor there are three wiping speeds: intermediate with one wipe about every 3-5 seconds (can't remember the exact interval off the top of my head), slow and fast. The intermediate setting isn't adjustable, which is why some (myself included) have inquired about the possibility of installing the sensor.

Cheers, BT

Jim Banville

I find that it seems that when the rainfall stays the same, the wipers will wipe TOO MUCH or NOT ENOUGH. It sucks. Example- I'm driving down the road in the rain, the wipers sweep once and the windshield seems clear. At this point its a gamble as to whether they will wait for the windshield to get the same "wetness" again or if they will go early or late, either going across a dry windshield or making me go blind by letting water build up. I have had to switch to the low setting because I was starting to lose visibility and was afraid the rain sensing function woudn't kick in. Of course, once the winshield was clear, I'd have to switch back down to the rain-sensing level or else I'd have the wipers sweeping a mostly dry windshield. Very annoying If anyone has info on disconnecting the rain-sensor and connecting a timing unit, I would be forever in your debt

MarkL

Until you find out if there's something you can do, one more thing to remember is that you can press the control stalk toward the steering column for "mist" function. This will cause a wipe (or more if you hold it in). You can do this if the wipers are off, or in rain sense mode if you feel you need the wipers to wipe...

peterbryenton

I returned to the standard intermittent wiper delay on my CLK 320 by unplugging the rain sensor after that unit went faulty and held the wipers on continuously.
Now waiting until I find a sensibly priced spare.

venchka

How ironic. 8 months after this thread was started, I purchased a spanking new 2004 Volvo XC70 with automatic, adjustable, rain sensing wipers. They have been working flawlessly ever since. I must admit that I am not nearly as critical as the folks above. Condeming the system for an extra stroke or two? After 8 1/2 years I don't notice these things.

Wayne

Glyn M Ruck

Rain sensing wipers work just fine when properly adjusted with Star.

LILBENZ230

The thread is over 9 years old.

Glyn M Ruck

Yes but at least someone did not start a new one to raise the same issue.