Rain Sensor?
 

How do I tell if my 2001 3.0i has a rain sensor? Trying to get it registered in CA. The windshield was replaced by a previous owner and the VIN tag is obscured.

Local glass companies are telling me I need to have the windshield replaced. Without a rain sensor is $225 about 2x that with the sensor.

Look on the front windshield. If you have a RLS (rain light sensor) it will look like this. Also you would have an auto light LCM faceplate for auto lights.

I seem to have a rain sensor, but not the headlights? I found a youtube video on replacing the gel pad and the guy tested it by pouring water over the sensor area to activate the lights. I gave it a try and sure enough the wipers came on.

Trying to figure out if I can get the windshield without the sensor and re-use mine.

SAVE THE PURPLE/BLUE PLASTIC LENS.

These are impossible to find...okay. They're really hard to find! And don't use superglue when putting the lens back on! You can either use clear silicon OR the gel pad thingy.

I had my RLS windshield replaced for about $400 in my driveway with an OEM Sekurit St Gobain glass. My advise is get OEM, some of the cheaper Chinesium glass will cause issues for the auto sense wipers.

I had the windshield replaced this after with OEM Sekurit St Gobain glass. Pretty reasonable @ $280. Sadly, the VIN tag was ruined by the old adhesive.


We will see what the DMV has to say tomorrow.

You know your VIN is in your door jamb right

I do. It's also on the passenger side shock tower and behind the rear license plate. It's the CA DMV that has the issue with the windshield not being legible. :(

Ah, gotcha. Tell the DMV to pound sand. Nothing surprises me out there.