Windshield Wiper - Rain Sensor sensitivity
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Sacramento, CA
2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2008 ML550 4Matic; 2004 C320
Windshield Wiper - Rain Sensor sensitivity
Is there a way to adjust the sensitivity of the rain sensor?
When switching my wipers on to the first setting, which according to the manual is dependent on the rain sensor, my wiper will only regularly engage when there are big rain drops or when there is a considerable amount of water hitting the windshield, i.e. following a vehicle on the Freeway.
When there is only a mist of rain without heavy/bigger drops, it seems that the wiper takes forever to clear the windshield and I constantly need to push the wiper manually on the stalk to give it one wipe to clear the windshield.
- Can this be adjusted?
- Is a new sensor needed?
- Maybe this normal (as I would hope not, on my wife's BMW it works nearly perfect).
Thanks for the help.
When switching my wipers on to the first setting, which according to the manual is dependent on the rain sensor, my wiper will only regularly engage when there are big rain drops or when there is a considerable amount of water hitting the windshield, i.e. following a vehicle on the Freeway.
When there is only a mist of rain without heavy/bigger drops, it seems that the wiper takes forever to clear the windshield and I constantly need to push the wiper manually on the stalk to give it one wipe to clear the windshield.
- Can this be adjusted?
- Is a new sensor needed?
- Maybe this normal (as I would hope not, on my wife's BMW it works nearly perfect).
Thanks for the help.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,975
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From: Sacramento, CA
2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2008 ML550 4Matic; 2004 C320
You drive a fourteen year old car and the sensitivity of the sensor is not electronically adjustable----what about the condition of your wiper blades----are they less that 6 months old----
Have you asked your wife to grab a spray bottle, bend over the hood and spray the windshield sensor area-----what happens with varying degrees of vigor!!
Have you asked your wife to grab a spray bottle, bend over the hood and spray the windshield sensor area-----what happens with varying degrees of vigor!!
No, I have not tried to spray the sensor with a spray bottle, excellent idea.
I would however think that the condition of the blades should have obsolutely nothing to do with when the wiper engages.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Sacramento, CA
2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2008 ML550 4Matic; 2004 C320
Well, it is my second language, and I try my best, .....
"When there is only a mist of rain without heavy/bigger drops, it seems that the wiper takes forever to ENGAGE, IN ORDER FOR THE BLADES TO MOVE SO THEY clear the windshield and I constantly need to push the wiper manually on the stalk to give it one wipe to clear the windshield.
BETTER??????
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
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From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
You drive a fourteen year old car and the sensitivity of the sensor is not electronically adjustable----what about the condition of your wiper blades----are they less that 6 months old----
Have you asked your wife to grab a spray bottle, bend over the hood and spray the windshield sensor area-----what happens with varying degrees of vigor!!
Have you asked your wife to grab a spray bottle, bend over the hood and spray the windshield sensor area-----what happens with varying degrees of vigor!!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,975
Likes: 265
From: Sacramento, CA
2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2008 ML550 4Matic; 2004 C320
I don't know about you, but I have noticed these kind of responses quite often on this forum.
I am part of a BMW Motorcycle Forum, where I have NEVER received anything but honest, straight forward input and advice.
Some of the things that are said on this forum at times are exactly what you have described.
Again, thank you.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,511
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From: Chicago
2025 AMG E 53; 2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2003 360 Modena
Plutoe is a clown
He plays these games regularly. I share the experience where mine is too sensitive. I spent time with an MB star and aftermarket Texa unit to try and find a setting to adjust. No luck. It works better in W203s and I looked into swapping sensors - but didn't think that would be possible.
Last edited by kjb55; Dec 14, 2016 at 02:06 PM. Reason: Spelling.
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Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 118
Likes: 5
From: Ohio
2006 E320 CDI
Plutoe
MBWorld Fanatic! <--Key word.
There are a lot of them here. Some of them try to breathe fire now and then but none of them actually bite! You will quickly learn whom to ignore.
Originally Posted by Plutoe
"You drive a fourteen year old car and the sensitivity of the sensor is not electronically adjustable."
Hmm "electronically adjustable" ??? fuzzy talk
According to Machack (benzworld), with the Star
system, the sensor can be 'recalibrated'. He offers his services for a fee.
By the way, your "second language" skills are far better than most members "primary skills"!! Perhaps there is jealousy involved?!
You did notice that everyone else understood your first version of paragraph three...'nuff said.
Merry Christmas
MBWorld Fanatic! <--Key word.
There are a lot of them here. Some of them try to breathe fire now and then but none of them actually bite! You will quickly learn whom to ignore.
Originally Posted by Plutoe
"You drive a fourteen year old car and the sensitivity of the sensor is not electronically adjustable."
Hmm "electronically adjustable" ??? fuzzy talk
According to Machack (benzworld), with the Star
system, the sensor can be 'recalibrated'. He offers his services for a fee.
By the way, your "second language" skills are far better than most members "primary skills"!! Perhaps there is jealousy involved?!
You did notice that everyone else understood your first version of paragraph three...'nuff said.
Merry Christmas
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,975
Likes: 265
From: Sacramento, CA
2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2008 ML550 4Matic; 2004 C320
Plutoe
MBWorld Fanatic! <--Key word.
There are a lot of them here. Some of them try to breathe fire now and then but none of them actually bite! You will quickly learn whom to ignore.
Originally Posted by Plutoe
"You drive a fourteen year old car and the sensitivity of the sensor is not electronically adjustable."
Hmm "electronically adjustable" ??? fuzzy talk
According to Machack (benzworld), with the Star
system, the sensor can be 'recalibrated'. He offers his services for a fee.
By the way, your "second language" skills are far better than most members "primary skills"!! Perhaps there is jealousy involved?!
You did notice that everyone else understood your first version of paragraph three...'nuff said.
Merry Christmas
MBWorld Fanatic! <--Key word.
There are a lot of them here. Some of them try to breathe fire now and then but none of them actually bite! You will quickly learn whom to ignore.
Originally Posted by Plutoe
"You drive a fourteen year old car and the sensitivity of the sensor is not electronically adjustable."
Hmm "electronically adjustable" ??? fuzzy talk
According to Machack (benzworld), with the Star
system, the sensor can be 'recalibrated'. He offers his services for a fee.
By the way, your "second language" skills are far better than most members "primary skills"!! Perhaps there is jealousy involved?!
You did notice that everyone else understood your first version of paragraph three...'nuff said.
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to you as well.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
2004 e320
Plutoe
MBWorld Fanatic! <--Key word.
There are a lot of them here. Some of them try to breathe fire now and then but none of them actually bite! You will quickly learn whom to ignore.
Originally Posted by Plutoe
"You drive a fourteen year old car and the sensitivity of the sensor is not electronically adjustable."
Hmm "electronically adjustable" ??? fuzzy talk
According to Machack (benzworld), with the Star
system, the sensor can be 'recalibrated'. He offers his services for a fee.
By the way, your "second language" skills are far better than most members "primary skills"!! Perhaps there is jealousy involved?!
You did notice that everyone else understood your first version of paragraph three...'nuff said.
Merry Christmas
MBWorld Fanatic! <--Key word.
There are a lot of them here. Some of them try to breathe fire now and then but none of them actually bite! You will quickly learn whom to ignore.
Originally Posted by Plutoe
"You drive a fourteen year old car and the sensitivity of the sensor is not electronically adjustable."
Hmm "electronically adjustable" ??? fuzzy talk
According to Machack (benzworld), with the Star
system, the sensor can be 'recalibrated'. He offers his services for a fee.
By the way, your "second language" skills are far better than most members "primary skills"!! Perhaps there is jealousy involved?!
You did notice that everyone else understood your first version of paragraph three...'nuff said.
Merry Christmas
You nailed it
Merry Christmas Kurtis and & S70
Last edited by joseph-aaron; Dec 16, 2016 at 06:17 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2018
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From: Netherlands
2005 R 230 SL350 (M112 3.7). Sold the 1966 W113 230SL recently
Ancient thread, I stumbled over it (I’m an alien here, from the R230 sub forum. And Dutch, to make things even worse). Having said that, I would think that the quality of the blade would interact with the sensor as much as it would with the sight of the driver. Problem solved. Eh? On the contrary, when the window stays messy, the sensor-info would be reason for a wipe, right?
