1 swipe of wipers on startup - anyone else?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 597
Likes: 24
From: Nashville
2017 S550 Iridium / Black Nappa, 2015 GL 550 Paladium Silver
1 swipe of wipers on startup - anyone else?
Every time I start the car after sitting overnight or in the parking garage the wipers make one swipe and then shut off. Is anyone else having this issue or am I the only lucky one?
If you have had it and gotten it fixed....please share.
If you have had it and gotten it fixed....please share.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 1,011
From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
Turn the auto wipers off.
Sometimes they do that, and unfortunately it's considered "normal" by MB. If the system sees something it can't determine via the light sensor, it may ask for a swipe to ensure there's nothing on the glass.
You can take it in and see if there's a control unit update for the rainsense or possibly get a new sensor out of them, they do fail from time to time. But MB info says an occasional single swipe or a startup swipe is normal and there is no correction if there are no faults in the system.
Sometimes they do that, and unfortunately it's considered "normal" by MB. If the system sees something it can't determine via the light sensor, it may ask for a swipe to ensure there's nothing on the glass.
You can take it in and see if there's a control unit update for the rainsense or possibly get a new sensor out of them, they do fail from time to time. But MB info says an occasional single swipe or a startup swipe is normal and there is no correction if there are no faults in the system.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 254
2014 S550 AMG, 2017 XT5
Turn the auto wipers off.
Sometimes they do that, and unfortunately it's considered "normal" by MB. If the system sees something it can't determine via the light sensor, it may ask for a swipe to ensure there's nothing on the glass.
You can take it in and see if there's a control unit update for the rainsense or possibly get a new sensor out of them, they do fail from time to time. But MB info says an occasional single swipe or a startup swipe is normal and there is no correction if there are no faults in the system.
Sometimes they do that, and unfortunately it's considered "normal" by MB. If the system sees something it can't determine via the light sensor, it may ask for a swipe to ensure there's nothing on the glass.
You can take it in and see if there's a control unit update for the rainsense or possibly get a new sensor out of them, they do fail from time to time. But MB info says an occasional single swipe or a startup swipe is normal and there is no correction if there are no faults in the system.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,372
Likes: 945
W212 FL
Yup, I have seen this happens to me on other cars with auto wipers too .Water marks , dusts can be culprit .You can turn off auto wipers as suggested,my present car is turning it off by default and in order to turn it on I have to press the button at the edge of the stalk .
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 597
Likes: 24
From: Nashville
2017 S550 Iridium / Black Nappa, 2015 GL 550 Paladium Silver
Thanks to all for the replies.
I will try cleaning the windshield in front of the sensors tonight to see if that helps. Turning off the auto wiper functionality essentially defeats the intent of having the option in the first place. I don't recall this being an issue on my previous E550 so maybe the new camera is more sensitive.
I will try cleaning the windshield in front of the sensors tonight to see if that helps. Turning off the auto wiper functionality essentially defeats the intent of having the option in the first place. I don't recall this being an issue on my previous E550 so maybe the new camera is more sensitive.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,430
Likes: 187
From: USA
W140 Mercedes S350, W221 S550 sport
This is a known issue even with the w221 S class. They nicknamed them at my dealer "Phantom Swipes" after I told them I had a phantom swipe. There is no fix that I know of. It can be due to reflections and stuff. They tried a re-program and it didn't help. I used to leave my wipers in the auto position and no longer do. Yes, annoying. Add it to the list of other w222 annoyances.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 391
'25 S63 AMG E Performance, '26 CLE 53 AMG
I had to laugh at the original post when I read it! Not at the OP but at myself.
The reason for the chuckle is the wipers are working as designed. One just has to get used to it by shutting off the auto wipers when it stops raining.
The other reason I have to laugh is my experience of getting into my wife's 2017 Acura MDX when I take the thing to get it washed. I never drive that vehicle except when I take it to the Acura dealer for service or to take it through the car wash. So since I do not drive it I do not know how to turn the auto wipers on and off. So dumb me takes it through the car wash without shutting off the auto wipers. Then I am panicked the whole way through the car wash (the particular car wash one sits in the car while going through the car wash itself) since I cannot figure out how to shut the auto wipers off. I have done this twice. I am so used to my S Class (I have driven an S Class auto for over 20 years) that when I drive my wife's vehicle(s) I am confused.
The reason for the chuckle is the wipers are working as designed. One just has to get used to it by shutting off the auto wipers when it stops raining.
The other reason I have to laugh is my experience of getting into my wife's 2017 Acura MDX when I take the thing to get it washed. I never drive that vehicle except when I take it to the Acura dealer for service or to take it through the car wash. So since I do not drive it I do not know how to turn the auto wipers on and off. So dumb me takes it through the car wash without shutting off the auto wipers. Then I am panicked the whole way through the car wash (the particular car wash one sits in the car while going through the car wash itself) since I cannot figure out how to shut the auto wipers off. I have done this twice. I am so used to my S Class (I have driven an S Class auto for over 20 years) that when I drive my wife's vehicle(s) I am confused.
Last edited by MTrauman; Jan 12, 2017 at 02:44 PM.
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