Intermitent Wipers
 

Have a 2005 X3 3.0, with speed sensitive intermitent wipers.

While traveling down the highway at 60 mph with a light and I mean light drizzle, the wipers are operating at a continous low wiper speed and say if speed increases to lets say 70, the wiper speed increases. I watching Audi's MB's and other BMW's operating normally.

Is there any way of disableing the speed sensitivity sensor and making the system "regular" intermitent wipers or having the wipers reprogramed for a longer delay setting.

The only thing I can do now is manually trip the wipers to do a single wipe.

Thanks in advace for any direction you can give on this issue!

The speed sensitive feature you describe works in conjunction with a rain sensor feature.

There is a thumbwheel on the wiper stalk to adjust rain sensor sensitivity. Does that not work on your vehicle?

I don't know of a way to remove the rain sensor functionality.

All BMW models have the speed sensitivity feature. It also can not be disabled.

If the auto sensor isn't working properly, new wiper blades can help as they wipe the windshield more completely. Old blades leave a film, and the wipers never pause.

The thumbwheel works, I can move it to the number 2 or 3 position and the duration time shortens (blades operating faster).

Windshield is clean with no oil residue and wipers are new, can't stand streaking wipers.

The rain sensor can be disabled at the dealer under Vehicle settings. You will get normal intermittent (4 selectable intervals via the serrated dial on the stalk) wipers instead of the rain sensing.

Will the wipers still be speed sensing?

Yes. I've driven a 1er and Mini Cooper without rain sensors; the wipers are speed-sensitive but the distinction is not very huge. The problem described in the first post should not occur.