Rain sensor standby?
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Joined: Jan 2023
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GLK350 2011 RWD
Rain sensor standby?
The question is really that simple: does the rain sensor work in car standby, without the key fob inserted?
The story is: I bought a Chinese dashcam, it can be powered from a rain sensor, I asked the seller to put a cable to give it a try and luckily it worked. All is good, but I see that dashcam is on even when I have no key fob inserted and the car ignition is off. I don't know if it's also the same with the alarm set to on, I never tried to stay in a locked car for a long time to observe the camera, but I guess it's the same. However, the seller says it shouldn't be like that and generally rain sensor powers off when the car is locked.
I am concerned about the battery and I do not want 24h recording camera to drain my car battery so I won't be able to start the car.
Anybody can confirm what is the usual behavior of the rain sensor on GLK 2011: does it fade out after switching off the car or it goes to standby and hence keeps power?
I have a California PZEV car if that matters
The story is: I bought a Chinese dashcam, it can be powered from a rain sensor, I asked the seller to put a cable to give it a try and luckily it worked. All is good, but I see that dashcam is on even when I have no key fob inserted and the car ignition is off. I don't know if it's also the same with the alarm set to on, I never tried to stay in a locked car for a long time to observe the camera, but I guess it's the same. However, the seller says it shouldn't be like that and generally rain sensor powers off when the car is locked.
I am concerned about the battery and I do not want 24h recording camera to drain my car battery so I won't be able to start the car.
Anybody can confirm what is the usual behavior of the rain sensor on GLK 2011: does it fade out after switching off the car or it goes to standby and hence keeps power?
I have a California PZEV car if that matters
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From: New Hampsha
'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
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2011 GLK 350 4Matic
It's not unheard of to supply battery voltage to a circuit, and switch (attach) the ground to energize it. I wish MB had a better service manual so I could look up that circuit in a couple minutes (like the Acura MDX FSM I still reference to answer questions).
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GLK350 2011 RWD
So, have you waited long enough to make a determination? Everything should be "asleep" after 30 minutes or so
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From: New Hampsha
'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
I guess I interpreted this to mean you could tell from outside the car that it was on. I think that's what you need to do. The car isn't going to go to sleep if you're still in it, unless maybe if you open and close the door. If you have keyless go you have to get the key outside of the car, too, 10 feet away or so.
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From: South Texas
2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
We mostly use Nest security cameras around our property. Although wireless, they aren't exactly portable.
However, we do have a few Wyze security cameras (wireless) that can be hidden in the palm of your hand, and bought from a local big-box hardware store for $20-25 bucks each.
If you have something similar, you could place the security cam in the GLK, sitting on the center console, pointing at the dash, and check on it *hours* later. That's what I'd do, simply place one of the Wyze cams inside and check on it a couple hours (or more) later
However, we do have a few Wyze security cameras (wireless) that can be hidden in the palm of your hand, and bought from a local big-box hardware store for $20-25 bucks each.
If you have something similar, you could place the security cam in the GLK, sitting on the center console, pointing at the dash, and check on it *hours* later. That's what I'd do, simply place one of the Wyze cams inside and check on it a couple hours (or more) later
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GLK350 2011 RWD
The car isn't going to go to sleep if you're still in it, unless maybe if you open and close the door. If you have keyless go you have to get the key outside of the car, too, 10 feet away or so.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
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GLK350 2011 RWD
My observations up to now: rain sensor works even after I shut the car and lock it from key fob. About 30-40 mins after locking it was still powering the dashcam, I was seeing light indicator through the windshield when standing in front of the car, also I checked the videos folder and there were a lot of videos of my parking lot while it was standing. After 30 min I cannot confirm as I'm too lazy to wait that long.
