E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Automatic Windshield Wipers

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Old Jul 22, 2019 | 02:57 PM
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Question Automatic Windshield Wipers

I own a 2009 MB E350:

And, on several occasions, my automatic windshield wipers have automatically begun to operate, even though the weather was "clear and dry" (no rain).
Interestingly, in contrast, the opposite has occurred several times. It begins to rain … but the windshield wipers do not go on automatically.

Has anybody else ever had that problem ?

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Old Jul 23, 2019 | 12:46 AM
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Mine does this all the time at random. But mine usually always activate when it starts to rain.
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Old Jul 23, 2019 | 06:27 AM
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Thank you. Somehow, it always feels better when you’re not alone !
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Old Jul 23, 2019 | 06:30 AM
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Originally Posted by dme327
Thank you. Somehow, it always feels better when you’re not alone !
haha, for sure! Its annoying. Ill be driving down the road, sunny hot summer day; not a cloud in site. And bam, wipers kick on.
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Old Jul 23, 2019 | 10:39 PM
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Was the windshield ever replaced by you or previous owner? The rain sensor is located just behind the back view mirror (top center of the windshield). Have it cleaned or else you need to calibrate the functionality using Star session.
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Old Jul 24, 2019 | 08:13 AM
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Originally Posted by rodneypierce
haha, for sure! Its annoying. Ill be driving down the road, sunny hot summer day; not a cloud in site. And bam, wipers kick on.
How many strokes does it do when it kicks on? If its just one or two then no worries, because rain isnt the only thing that can trigger the wipers, could be birds crapping, mist kicked up from wind in trees or a reefer truck defrosting down the highway, a goofball spitting out the window in front of you, or a hundred other maybes. But if it comes on and stays on without rain it has an issue. On very rare occasions my wipers wont trigger with light rain so I have to switch them off then back on but there after they work properly, speeding up in heavier rain too. They work well especially with the MB blades 2118202945
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Old Jul 25, 2019 | 04:22 AM
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Originally Posted by ot1
How many strokes does it do when it kicks on? If its just one or two then no worries, because rain isnt the only thing that can trigger the wipers, could be birds crapping, mist kicked up from wind in trees or a reefer truck defrosting down the highway, a goofball spitting out the window in front of you, or a hundred other maybes. But if it comes on and stays on without rain it has an issue. On very rare occasions my wipers wont trigger with light rain so I have to switch them off then back on but there after they work properly, speeding up in heavier rain too. They work well especially with the MB blades 2118202945
When it happens, they run until I reach down and turn the switch off. Usually I can click it right back to auto and its fine after that.
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Old Jul 25, 2019 | 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by rodneypierce
When it happens, they run until I reach down and turn the switch off. Usually I can click it right back to auto and its fine after that.
Do you park under trees? Some trees mist a sap that could fool your sensor, and the sap stays on the window even after multiple wipes, I know its a long shot.
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Old Jul 26, 2019 | 12:15 AM
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Originally Posted by ot1
Do you park under trees? Some trees mist a sap that could fool your sensor, and the sap stays on the window even after multiple wipes, I know its a long shot.
Nope, open parking lot. No trees.
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Old Jul 27, 2019 | 03:02 PM
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Don't leave the wipers in "auto", unless it is raining. Don't switch from off to auto, unless the windshield is wet, to avoid scratching a dry dirty windshied.
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Old Jul 27, 2019 | 05:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Bankroll
Don't leave the wipers in "auto", unless it is raining. Don't switch from off to auto, unless the windshield is wet, to avoid scratching a dry dirty windshied.
Well, that is certainly a lot different than my 2009 Toyota Avalon !!!

But, live and learn !
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