Rain sensing wipers don't work?

[jfoj]

I believe the OE glass is Pilkington for many of the BMW's.

So even if the glass does not have the BMW logo, Pilkington glass is the next best option.

[barnhill9586]

OP, I just wanted to add that I noticed you also have an e46. In my e46 with rain sensing wipers you did have to move the stalk to the first position/click (there was no LED lit button) to make the rain sensing wipers activate. The e70 is different so if you are in fact hitting the button then moving the stalk perhaps that's where the confusion comes in. e46 and e70 rain-sensing activation is different, FWIW.

[asma123]

I had same issue with mine. Theres a Gel on the rain sensor that goes on between the windshield and the sensor. You can generally get these from glass replacement shops (I got mine for $15 or something like that) Theyre very cheap and pretty easy to install. Hardest part is getting it in without bubbles.

[slowlanemcvane]

Ah, good idea.

To clarify, I was pushing the button to activate the LED light and turn on the wipers in rain sense mode. They don't work. I understand the functions of the wipers, as I did read the owner's manual initially when trying to make sure that I was operating them correctly, and confirmed the operation by rereading the manual prior to posting.

My e46 is a base model, so it doesn't have luxury items like rain sensing wipers.

It seems foolish to not even provide an intermittent feature on a car equipped with rain sensing wipers. But apparently the fabulous engineers at BMW decided that your average owner wouldn't care about such trivialities, so why include it? After all, rain sensing wipers never fail, and there's no need for fallback redundancy.

[jfoj]

The rain sensing wipers will not work if there is little to no rain.

So if you turn them on when dry, I do not recall if you get a single or no wipe.

So have you attempted to use them in the rain or use a garden hose or spray bottle to trigger them?

Details here are important.

[slowlanemcvane]

I tested them in the rain, yes. And I also tested them with a garden hose. When I push the auto wiper button, they swipe once when the green LED comes on, and that's it. The LED light remains illuminated, but I can spray water on it, drive through mist, or a torrential downpour, and nothing changes. The wipers remain still at the bottom of the windshield.

Also, per the comment above about the brand of glass, my glass is Pilkington, so it is an OE supplied brand.

[technologiq]

Realized today my wipers never actually automatically wiped.

Removed the housing behind the mirror, popped off the sensor. Nothing but air between the sensor and the window where there should have been a gel pack/silicone.

I'm going to pick up this over the weekend:

Permatex/3 oz. (85 g.) tube clear RTV silicone adhesive sealant 80050 - Read Reviews on Permatex #80050

Fill the sensor side up to the ridges with the adhesive and then reapply. I should be good to go after that.

I'm willing to bet that with your glass:

1. Someone replaced the glass and didn't bother to properly reinstall the sensor with 'sensorial' or a similar clear adhesive
2. If its the original windshield the gel/adhesive may have dried up.

[neilrmp]

Originally Posted by technologiq

Realized today my wipers never actually automatically wiped.

Removed the housing behind the mirror, popped off the sensor. Nothing but air between the sensor and the window where there should have been a gel pack/silicone.

I'm going to pick up this over the weekend:

Permatex/3 oz. (85 g.) tube clear RTV silicone adhesive sealant 80050 - Read Reviews on Permatex #80050

Fill the sensor side up to the ridges with the adhesive and then reapply. I should be good to go after that.

I'm willing to bet that with your glass:

1. Someone replaced the glass and didn't bother to properly reinstall the sensor with 'sensorial' or a similar clear adhesive
2. If its the original windshield the gel/adhesive may have dried up.

I replaced mine with this on ebay, you can get it less expensive.
Replacement Rain Sensor Pad Fits Between Sensor Glass Fits BMW | eBay

[JCDillon]

Did you ever get this sensor pad installed, and did it solve the issue of the non-working wipers?

[slowlanemcvane]

^^^ This seems legitimate. I will look into it tonight whe I get home from work. Thanks, everyone.