E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Automatic wipers are crazy

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Oct 19, 2006 | 04:30 PM
  #1  
jagata's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 2
From: So. Cal
S6 LP640 E500
Automatic wipers are crazy

My auto wipers is pissing me off, they would turn on for no reason and not work fast enough when it really does rain. On the sunniest day they would turn on with no fail and the rainest day they would take forever to wipe the tons of water that is blinding my view. Had the dealer update the software but still no improvement anyone else going through this?

BTW: did a search could not find this topic.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2006 | 05:03 PM
  #2  
MB Fanatic's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,143
Likes: 1
From: South Orange County, CA
4 wheels
It could be a bad rain sensor. Take it to the dealer and see what they have to say about this issue. Im sure its an easy fix.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2006 | 07:09 PM
  #3  
BudC's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 3
From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Originally Posted by MB Fanatic
It could be a bad rain sensor. Take it to the dealer and see what they have to say about this issue. Im sure its an easy fix.
That sounds right. They've always worked perfectly on my car.
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2006 | 09:41 AM
  #4  
mbbodytech's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 538
Likes: 1
From: White Lake, MI
04 C320 Coupe MT
It sounds like you need to have the rain sensor "normalized" by the dealer. This is an almost unknown procedure that is necessary if the windshield is ever replaced, and even if not it usually cures the problem.

Don't be surprised if your dealer hasn't even heard of it before....
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2006 | 12:13 AM
  #5  
konigstiger's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,636
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Originally Posted by jta00r1
My auto wipers is pissing me off, they would turn on for no reason and not work fast enough when it really does rain. On the sunniest day they would turn on with no fail and the rainest day they would take forever to wipe the tons of water that is blinding my view. Had the dealer update the software but still no improvement anyone else going through this?
Taking for granted that the wiper switch is not left in the on/auto position always:

(1) Check for blistering (not common however, can and does happen):

P-B-82.30/399 APR05 – Blistering in the Area of the Rain Light Sensor (RLS)
If blistering is noticed on the inside of the windshield in the area of the gluing surface of the RLS replace the windshield if there is a functional fault. Due to tolerances in the gluing process, peeling may occur on the optical portion of the RLS which may cause the RLS to not trigger with rain present. Bubbles may impair the function of the RLS.

(2) Confirm windshield adaptation:

In addition to updating the software, the RLS should have been coded with SDS for parameterization and windshield adaptation. This is done by reading the original coding from the RLS using SDS; determining windshield tint; removing RLS and replacing with part # A211 870 54 26 (which I believe to be the most recent) if necessary and installing optimized software; then transfer coding using SDS.

(3) It may very well be faulty rain sensor(s) within the RLS there are eight in total.

Last edited by konigstiger; Oct 21, 2006 at 02:02 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2006 | 05:22 AM
  #6  
guru's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: NYC
2004 E320 4matic, 2007 530xiT
Originally Posted by jta00r1
My auto wipers is pissing me off, they would turn on for no reason and not work fast enough when it really does rain. On the sunniest day they would turn on with no fail and the rainest day they would take forever to wipe the tons of water that is blinding my view. Had the dealer update the software but still no improvement anyone else going through this?

BTW: did a search could not find this topic.
I had a similar problem...Dealer replaced the sensor...Works fine now
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2006 | 08:20 AM
  #7  
SPIKES's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 384
Likes: 1
From: FORT LAUDERDALE FL
2019 S63 COUPE
mine works fine when raining, but the wipers turn on for no reason when the car has been parked in the sun on start up or when driving.
my dealer says it is normal.......did not do it on my 2003?
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2006 | 09:42 AM
  #8  
dfwe320cdi's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Worth, Texas
06 E320 CDI
Originally Posted by SPIKES
mine works fine when raining, but the wipers turn on for no reason when the car has been parked in the sun on start up or when driving.
my dealer says it is normal.......did not do it on my 2003?
My 06 does the same thing. I think I remember reading in the owners manual that you're supposed to leave the wipers off unless it's raining, then the sensor will set the speed according to how hard it's raining. I found that odd but I haven't done anything about it yet. My wife has a Lexus with rain sensitive wipers and you just leave them on all the time. They work perfectly.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Mercedes-AMG SUVs Arrive With NEW V8 Engine: 12 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

 
story-4

7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:05 PM.

story-0
New Mercedes-AMG SUVs Arrive With NEW V8 Engine: 12 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's updated GLE 63 S and GLS 63 bring a new-generation V8, subtle design revisions, and familiar supercar-rivaling performance figures.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-17 12:52:51


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

Slideshow: Mercedes has never been afraid to experiment, and some of its strangest ideas turned out to be surprisingly successful.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-2
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

Sideshow: A Middle Eastern tuner has transformed the Mercedes-AMG G 63 into an open-top special, replacing nearly every exterior panel in the process.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 15:29:50


VIEW MORE
story-3
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

Slideshow: Six gift ideas your AMG loving dad or grad will cherish.

By | 2026-06-03 17:26:18


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

Slideshow: Sometimes AMG builds fast sedans. Other times, it builds twin-turbo V12 land missiles and six-wheeled off-road monsters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 17:59:58


VIEW MORE
story-5
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-7
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE