trench

Does anyone have any idea how difficult it would be to install a rain sensor in a car not equipped with one. The housing is already there, can one just be plugged in there or are other connectors/wiring/software required for it to work? Too bad this wasn't available as a stand-alone option in the US.

Cheers, BT (who's getting too lazy to turn the wipers on in the rain)

Richard

Rainsensor cars have a different front windscreen. On the windscreen (where that cover is) is a square hole with a small round hole, so the sensor can see out.

If you dont have that you need a new windscreen.

The rainsensor plugs into the overhead control panel, and I presume something in there needs programming to tell it the rainsensor is there using MB' workshop's star diagnosis system.

Maybee a MB Tech will know more about that bit ...

galaxygrrl

You might want to search on this topic. I think it was covered once before.

Beth

trench

It's been brought up a couple of times but never really answered - other than that it's available as a stand-alone option on the C32 and on C230s in other countries. This led one poster to believe it should be simple to do (probably just plug it in and have the STAR diagnostic computer tell the car its there like Richard suggested).

Guess I'll have to ask my service advisor - unless mbtech208 knows the answer.

BT

horizon

My 2002 c-class originally came without a rain sensor when it should have (long story, so I won't digress!). Now my windscreen has cracked and I am having it replaced with one with a sensor on it. After much investigation, I cannot see, why after replacing the screen, the rest should be a complex procedure.

The dealers have frustrated me once again, all giving me different answers or guessing what may be required and that it would be costly and therefore shrugging me off.

Can someone state with some authority what wiring/equipment/work will be required to make the rain sensor functional after the screen is replaced or point to a source of more substantive information (regardless of cost, this is something I'll consider later as other factors come into it).

Is the control module for the sensor already on c-classes without the rain sensor? I suppose if this is the case then it would be reasonable to assume that all else that needs to be done is wire the sensor to this module. Thanks in advance

trench

I assume by "control module" you mean the plastic thing that is attached to the windshield behind the rear-view mirror. My car doesn't have the rain sensor (obviously, since I started this thread ), but does have the module behind the mirror (which also has some other sensors in it as well I believe - I think for the SmartKey).

Since the rainsensor isn't a particularly expensive stand alone option in other countries (about $200 US), my guess is that all that is required is to pop the plastic piece off, connect the sensor to wiring that is likely already in place, reattach the module to the windshield, then use the StarDiagnostic computer to tell the car's computers to recognize the sensor and enable it. I'd like to eventually get this done, but don't know anyone else who has done it.

Cheers, BT

JustinTRW

A guy I talked to had the rain-sensor retrofitted on his C32 because he lives in Seattle. He had to have the windshield replaces. Total cost ~ $1000.

trench

Bet he wishes he ordered that item as an option at $200. Are you sure he didn't have to have the entire windshield replaced for another reason (cracked, etc.)? I can't imagine why the windshield would need to be replaced to retrofit the sensor. I'd bet that at the factory it is added during the manufaturing process when the interior is fitted (after the windshield is already in place).

Hmmm...BT

horizon

I have had it confirmed by several sources that the windscreen is an integral part of the rain sensor. The sensing part is actually built into the windscreen on the inside of the screen. I can't explain the exact technical details, but I guess it's required to ascertain the precise measurement of infrared light escaping as a cause of moisture droplets on the screen. As a result, one needs to have a whole w/screen replacement in order to retrofit the rain sensor.

The control module, I was referring to, is whatever device would process information from the sensor and send signals to the wipers to oscillate. it may be excluded on non-rain sensing vehicles as it would be an uneeded accessory or it may already be there as part of some other integrated processor unit. All speculation, but unfortunately no facts as yet.

I know for certain that the plastic thing stuck onto the winshield is there on all w203s as it also contains the light sensor for the automatic headlights (tested by covering it and seeing the lights switch on), but don't know if actually contains any control device for the rain sensor

lovin_my_C230K

This afternoon I had a meeting with my local MB Tech manager. He said that is entirely possible to upgrade to the rain sensing system. Its very easy. Here is some of the info he gave me.

MB# Q 6 82 07XXT Light emulsion cap $649
Q 6 82 0707 INSTALATION KIT $600
Q 6 82 0712 VEHICLE COMPLETER KIT $211
Q 6 82 0724 Cradle Kit $215
Q 6 72 0577 Rain Recognition Kit $480

Installation approx $900

Total Cost.... $3055

This carries a one rainy day warranty.

































JUST KIDDING!!!




Those are just the parts it takes to make a phone work in the car. Considering its a MB, to add the rain sensor would never be $3000. Maybe just $2,500. :p

hassanm

hey guys, i've noticed that the last post in this topic goes back to 2002. i'm wondering if by now someone knows how to setup the rain sensor. i have a 2001 c240, had the windshield replaced cos it was cracked. the fitted windshield is MB original with the sensor module. the body shop did not connect the sensors to anything so i am wondering how to do it and if i have all the components needed to make the sensors work. by the way, after the windshield was changed, the light sensor stopped working. i guess they are related. i'd appreciate some info here guys.
cheers

hassanm

come on guys, i'm sure someone out there knows.

horizon

hassanm,

i did manage to get the rain sensor retrofitted onto my 2002 c240. I had the windscreen replaced with one fitted with a rain sensor and it seems you've already had this done also. after that i went to an mb dealer and after a few reservations they agreed to do the work to get the system working. this entailed:

- fitting a control module behind the plastic thing on the rear view mirror and wiring this to the overhead control panel - thus connecting the rain sensor to the car's electronic network

- using the star diagnosis system to program the car to recognise that it has a rain sensor.

I had to buy the one part and it involved a couple hours max of labour. total cost UK£200 - £300.

Go to your dealer, supply them with this info and they should be able to do it. If you still come across stumbling blocks, post another message and I'll hunt around for the invoice. If I still have it, it will have the part no., hours & work done and cost.

SUNILP

Cars without rainsensor need to have the windsheild replaced with one that has the lens of the rainsensor already mounted there. Make sure you get a pre updated windsheild. Any windsheild from 2001-2003 will work fine. 2004 was a change in the sensor and will not work in your car unless you replace the overhead control panel as they combined both light and rain sensors into one unit. I have rainsensors if you need one though. The eaisest would be a rock chip claim under insurance if you had a rock chip to begin with. Version coding will be required at the dealership with a star diag system. Position 1 of your wiper switch will now act as the rainsensor switch. The sensor plugs into a vacant slot on the over head control panel.

hassanm

thanks for ur reply sunman, i am actually not sure what model my new windshield is, do u know how i would find this information? is it written anywhere on the windshield? the windshield was bought from a car wreckage so i have no info about it except that it fits. the windshield has a plastic box with several items, i dont know if this is the control unit with the sensor or just the sensor. i'll try to get some pics so maybe you can tell me what i parts i'm missing. if i have all the parts, then i'm considering a DIY to connect the sensor to the overhead unit ( do u have any idea about the wiring?). and if i dont have all the parts then i might as well take it to the dealer to do the whole thing. by the way, i am getting a "light sensor" error and i assumed that it is related to the rain sensor cos i thought that both of them are in the windshield but according to you, the light sensor was put with the rain sensor on the windshield in 2004 and i have a 2001. so according to you, my light sensor should be somewhere else. is it? and where would it be? any thoughts on why i'm getting this error?
cheers

SUNILP

pull the plastic piece off and take a picture.

gaiex

In europe the coupe have it as a stand-alone option (+ cruise-control and ligth-sensor) but in the sedan is an option except the ligth-sensor

Tishers

Weird thought. If the rain sensor uses infrared light to detect raindrops on the windshield would it also get tripped out by a police officer shooting laser at you?

That would be funny, a cheapo laser detector, leave your wipers on auto and when they turn on, slow down.

It probably has some delay built in to keep that from working, just an interesting thought.

hassanm

finally did it,
all i had to do was fish the wires for the light sensor and the wipers from under the interior lighting console and pass them through to the front where i just connected them to the sensors and there u go, it all worked out. well, not entirely, for some reason, when i put my lights to AUTO, they just stay on all the time. i understand that this is a common problem, i'm gonna have to check it out. maybe the sensor needs replacing. any ideas?

Saprissa

maybe, you have a "Daytime Running Light" setting set to "ON".
That would keep your lights on all the time, even in the day.

Check that. If not, then I don't know, sorry

gaiex

For rain sensor to work, you must turn the wipers switch to position I (intermittent wipe)
nothing to do with ligths switch, but if your ligths are always on when in auto position, you must have the "Daytime Running Light" setting set to "ON" like Saprissa sayed

I only turn on the auto mode of the rain sensor when is raining, because if you have it allways on, sometimes it work with no reason at all, for example when I start the car

benzmodz

It needs to be coded using the diagnostic.

hassanm

thanks for the replies,
day time running lights are off as in my lighting setting is on "manual" not "constant". i'm assuming that this is the setting for daytime running lights. if so, then i must have a problem. i'll try to take it to the dealer to get it sorted out, maybe it just needs to be programed as benzmodz suggests. wipers are working fine.

Expat

Good to hear as I've been wondering about doing this when I replace the winscreen.

benzmodz

My windscreen came with a "cradle" for the sensor even though I didnt have it. I plugged in the wire, clipped on the sensor and then had it coded with the diagnostic. Works fine.