Rain and light sensor retrofit question
 

I've googled extensively but didn't find much on E53, only bits and pieces.
I've stripped the inside of my car as I'm swapping interiors and I thought I'd add those features.
I think I already have the auto headlight, as my switch has the "A" letter.
https://i.ibb.co/9b4Bc0v/20210420-203327.jpg

However I probably don't have the rain sensor. From reading posts on e46 and e38 retrofits, seems like there's a module that goes together with the rear view mirror.
As I was removing the headliner, my rear view mirror fell off. Made a mess with some black flakes. But even before that, the mirror looked flimsy and not at the right place. I think someone did something with it previously.
Now I heard that in order to add rain sensing, one needs to replace the windshiel as well (not sure why).
My windshield is in a very poor condition and I thought I could add the rain sensing option if I'm to replace the windshield.
Here's what the windshield looks like and the mirror which fell off
https://i.ibb.co/H233M55/20210420-203405.jpg https://i.ibb.co/yVdBVsb/20210420-203154.jpg

Has anyone added rain sensing to their E53?

AFAIK the rain sensor doesn't work properly with a replacement windshield because the glass will be thinner than the original, so that might be something to keep in mind or do a little more research on.

The rain sensor gets calibrated, as long as the replacement has a clear spot for the sensor it should work. If not clear but painted with the black dots, those could be scraped off.

Automatic lights came available from 10/2001 on. As the light sensor is implemented in rain/light sensor a vehicle with auto lights will always have rain sensor. Are you sure that light switch is original and you have auto lights? If there was a rain sensor there should also be a flat 4 pin connector on the same wiring harness coming to rear view mirror. The lens part of the sensor comes with the windscreen.

https://shop.euroimpex.lt/product_im...1550.jpg?big=1

https://www.windscreens.co.nz/image/...or-800x800.png

I'm not sure if the switch is original.
My car is 2002 so maybe it came with rain/light sensing?
If I turn the switch to "A", the headlights come on.
Not sure how that works since it looks I'm missing the rain light sensor under the rear view mirror which is responsible for detecting light/darkness.
Unless the car simply defaults to have the headlights come on in case there's no sensor connected/installed?
Here's my connector to the mirror
https://i.ibb.co/rf5Qt6b/20210421-045707.jpg https://i.ibb.co/jWtwX4j/20210421-045719.jpg

I dont seem to have the same connector as in your first picture. Maybe it's hiding under the headliner, I'll take a closed look.
I definitely don't have anything on the windshield as on your second picture.
I can definitely tell that the rear view mirror was reglued at some point, for some reason.
Looking from the front, there does seem to be some kind of a cut out in the film for the sensor. Not sure if.im seeing it correctly.
https://i.ibb.co/PgS0b1p/20210421-045952.jpg
I don't know of the previous owner removed the light rain sensor for some reason...
Or maybe he thought of retrofitting this function like I am but gave up. I saw a DIY of a guy with E38. Instead of having the windshield with a cut out for the sensor, he used black epoxy to paint it.
Rain sensing wiper retrofit write-up (long)

Now I don't know if the previous owner tried to do the same thing. The only reason I'm suspecting something like that is because how badly the black paint/film crumbled when the mirror fell off. So I'm not sure if that was factory.

I guess the first thing is to determine for certain if the car came with this rain sensor, and in that case it would have the connector.

I retrofitted the RLS system on my E46 and it is really easy. The RLS only needs 4 wires but you will need a new windshield, RLS with mirror cover, the switch you already acquired, make a 7 ft 4 wire harness and code the car for RLS.

RLS pin 1 (KLR power)...to/from... Fuse 15 (mine was empty) (violet)
RLS pin 2 (ground)...to/from... empty connection on ground strip module above fuse box (brown)
RLS pin 3 (k-bus)...to/from... empty connection on K Bus strip module above fuse box (white/red/yellow)
RLS pin 4 (wiper motor signal)...to/from... X253 GM5 pin 45 (brown/green)

https://www.e46fanatics.com/cdn-cgi/...1&d=1485994586

Here is the link to my E46 retrofit.

https://www.e46fanatics.com/threads/...parts.1120679/

Thanks Overboost, I was actually reading your DIY just a couple of minutes ago!
I guess the first step is to replace the windshield.
I believe you said to use Saint Gobain Sekurit glass or Pilkington glass (whatever those mean).
I can ask for those (if the windshield guy will know what I mean).
I'm not sure if the windshields are vehicle specific? I.e. how do I make sure I get the right cutout for the rain light sensor on the new windshield?

Now my next step would be to get the following for the scrap yard:

- RLS module (which I now know what it looks like, so I can just remove it from any compatible bmw that has it, if I understand correctly)
- Connector for the RLS module
- Mirror cover

I'm.not sure if my mirror cover would accommodate the sensor?
https://i.ibb.co/wy0SQ6Q/20210421-053956.jpg https://i.ibb.co/NNxrYK9/20210421-053946.jpg

Can I keep my mirror (I believe it has a compassion function based on the letters here)
https://i.ibb.co/z72MTVT/20210421-045908.jpg

Kept looking at found a wire that was taped to another wire, I got excited that maybe it was for the sensor!!
https://i.ibb.co/Kwm9Chq/20210421-054151.jpg https://i.ibb.co/cJ3w3WN/20210421-054205.jpg

Ahhh, only 3 pins, not sure what it's for.

Almost gave up but decided to look all over again and I think I found the right one this time!
https://i.ibb.co/xMcvKRh/20210421-054313.jpg https://i.ibb.co/SvktvQn/20210421-054322.jpg

Now if this is the stock connector I'm golden I guess!

Just need to get a rain sensor now?

I was reading they're really complicated to remove, I.e. one guy was in another post he brought a torch to heat it up. In Canada torches are not allowed at scrap yards.

Should I just order one from ebay instead?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/293977025912
Then glue it with silicone to the new windshield and be done!

That looks like the correct connector. :thumbup: I have found most everything on the E53 is prewired, even if the car left the factory without certain options.

I don't think you will have the results you are looking for using your current windshield. You need the diffuser prism plate that already comes on the St. Gobains RLS glass as @Clavurion posted. If you get the glass without it and try to glue one on, it rarely works properly if at all. The correct windshield is right at $300 installed so that should be the first thing to start with.

You can use your current mirror, you just need the outer housing to cover the RLS on the windshield.

So the sensor will calibrate and work properly with the thinner windshield ?

It's not the thickness of the glass, I'm fairly sure all the glass is within spec for USDOT regulations. It is the filter/prism that needs to be in place. I have seen so half assed attempts to glue one on and the results are minimal.

As far as I understood the sensor has a fixed focal length for the thickness of the glass and the calibration was for sensitivity on the surface at that focal length. I looked into getting a new windshield for mine a while back and it was impossible to get the original thickness other than from the dealer at about 4-5 times the cost.

BTW My rain sensor works flawlessly other than speeding up when driving under LED street lites! I wonder if that is a problem with the newer ones as well??

I am not sure on that one. Pilkington and St. Gobains Sekurit were the manufacturers for BMW so I just got Sekurit glass for my E46 retrofit and the replacement glass for my E53. I would never consider Chinesium glass like Safelite.

When I had my windshield replaced, they didn't realize I had rain sensor so they had to come back with a different piece of glass. As Overboost is saying it does seem there is something on the glass to interface with the sensor, I just thought it has a clear spot for the sensor that you could clear out if necessary.

I would look for YouTube video of prior retrofit. It's not difficult to find optical adhesive; look on Amazon under phone digitizer optical glue but you'd have to find out if there's something special on the glass.

My understanding is the sensor sends some light out the glass and measures how much comes back. When rain drop is on the outer surface it lets out some light that would normally bounce back.

You can test without glue using oil. I've fixed old iPhones using cooking oil between the screen and digitizer.

If you can get the sensor to calibrate using oil and gorilla tape to hold it, it should work with optical glue. Don't use whatever crap from Overboost's example that'll never work.

A proper windshield for rain sensor has the lens part already glued at the factory and the sensor itself is simply installed on the lens part.

https://www.windscreens.co.nz/image/...or-800x800.png

So you would think then the lense would be correct for whatever glass it was installed on.

Just called my mechanic and he quoted me $400 canadian, which I found totally fair.
He didn't have the type of glass I mentioned but said they never had any issues. He said he doesn't use "no name" glass. His glass comes with a bracket for the rain sensor and is green tint.
Looks like all I'll have to do is clip the sensor to the windshield, plug it in and it should work. No need for gluing which is nice.
Getting the windshield installed next Wednesday so I have a week to find the sensor.

[emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Ask him who the manufacturer is. He should know. Best advice is Pilkington or St. Gobains Sekurit as mentioned. That's what came on BMWs from the factory.

Remember, you may need to code the car for RLS. Once done you can check it like I did in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvjZRp0DUD8

Thank you Overboost.

So I was trying to remove the rain sensors from scrap vehicles. They do come off very easy if you pry with something from behind.

Basically if you're not changing the glass, you will need the backplate, or whatever it's called. It's easy to remove with the sensor as one piece.

Now if you have a new glass with the first plate pre-installed, you just need the sensor.

For the life of me I couldn't figure out how to separate them and I thought they just clipped in.
After breaking a few tabs I figured our how it works lol.
To separate them you gotta push on 2 tabs, one by one. Then the backplate plastic glass will be released.
I decided to take a few pictures so that whoever wants to separate them doesn't break the tabs by accident
https://i.ibb.co/j8WjFww/20210428-192108.jpg https://i.ibb.co/QKTD6sB/20210428-192054.jpg https://i.ibb.co/DfySR6Q/20210428-192036.jpg https://i.ibb.co/t3VL0Hh/20210428-192045.jpg https://i.ibb.co/MptL7cz/20210428-191829.jpg https://i.ibb.co/mSTDmxc/20210428-191728.jpg https://i.ibb.co/cCD05xF/20210428-191757.jpg https://i.ibb.co/xDg6vvr/20210428-191706.jpg https://i.ibb.co/s6QnFQj/20210428-131118.jpg
I will be installing the sensor tonight, can't wait to test it out!
Also picked up heated rear seats while I was at the junk yard lol!

The glass is good as yoy suggested.
Apparently the wiper switch is supposed to say "A" for rain sensing feature, and mine got "S".
Also for some reason I don't have that option in ZKE.
Central body electronic, is that the module behind the glove box?
Does it mean my module is too old?
https://i.ibb.co/10YZ7S7/20210428-232802.jpg https://i.ibb.co/608n2Vd/20210428-232744.jpg https://i.ibb.co/t2zTdVC/20210428-225735.jpg https://i.ibb.co/gvS5qff/20210428-231630.jpg https://i.ibb.co/gVmJ84H/20210428-225143.jpg

Not sure if this coding can be done with BMW scanner. With NCS there are multiple parameters on GM and LCM regarding rain sensor.

521 (SA) 0000000000010000 REGENSENSOR

Wiper switch is the same regardless of rain sensor or not. That S button is for intensive washer.

I'm guessing the option would first have to be programmed into the options list before it even shows up??

Can be coded with NCS. This is not actual programming, just changing parameter values. On vehicles like E53 the only programmable (flashing EEPROM) modules are engine and gearbox ECU.

Tried following ncs expert guides but can't even open anything up.
I guess there are some VIN issues like some modules don't have the same VINs so my next option would probably be to get a light control module or a different module that's newer than what I have?
https://i.ibb.co/9rMtfY3/20210429-225225.jpg https://i.ibb.co/2hN8VRk/20210429-225241.jpg

More likely your NCS installation doesn't have proper scripts in Daten files.

You're right, I reinstalled INPA and was able to use NCS.
I could even scan the rain and light sensor with INPA.
Unfortunately after reading both light control module and gm, there is no such word such as "EGENSENSOR"
Maybe the modules are too old? My LCM is version 3

There is no direct simple parameter "Regensensor" on GM or LCM. Like said earlier there are several parameters linked to rain sensor and easiest coding properly by first adding the equipment in ZCS like I explained on my earlier post.

I feel dumb but nowhere did I see an explanation about adding equipment in ZCS. I'm not even sure what you mean by that��*♂️

That was in a different recent thread somewhere. I thought it was in here as well.

Bump if anyone can share info on coding ZCS for rain sensors
Clavurion I searched your posts but didn't find it

You add this value on the 12th bit on SA string of ZCS. After you have changed the ZCS code all modules "Code car" or individually base code (SG_CODIEREN) instrument clustrer, LCM and GM.

521 (SA) 0000000000010000 REGENSENSOR

Changing ZCS

-Always at first read vehicle ZCS.
- After reading ZCS press F1 (Enter ZCS)
- Make changes to ZCS, remove last check digits and check “Calculate check sum”
- F6 (Back)
- F4 (Process ECU)
- Choose propriate control unit (EWS and IKE/KMB hold ZCS), then OK
- F2 job -> ZCS_SCREIBEN
- F3 (execute job)

Do the same to both modules that hold ZCS (EWS and IKE/KMB)

Probably noob questions...
What value to I add to 12th bit on SA string?
What is SA string anyway?
Is it this one?
https://i.ibb.co/VwdJ4HR/20210510-000715.jpg
12th digit is "5". Do I change it to something?

Do I have to delete "V" from GM line and "A" from VN line?

Where am I supposed to add this string?
521 (SA) 0000000000010000 REGENSENSOR

I've tried looking for ncs coding guides but looks like everyone does it slightly differently...

12th bit is 5 so it already consist that bit needed for rain sensor (1+4 =5). (Every bit can consist 1, 2, 4, 8 or any combination sum of these. 10=A, 11=B...) So no need to change ZCS. Just in case did you check that ZCS on both EWS and instrument cluster (KMB or IKE) matches? Now if you want to make sure the actual coding on modules is correct regarding rain sensor do the base coding for all modules with "Code car" or code "SG_CODIEREN" instrument cluster, LCM, GM and RLS.

https://i.ibb.co/4YCk2j2/20210510-094620.jpg https://i.ibb.co/QkTBV1p/20210510-094607.jpg

The FG number looks different when I read from EWS and KMB

Should I click F1 (enter ZSC) after reading from KMB and input the the FG string from EWS?

Could you elaborate on these steps?
I understand I first need to read a module to have info in FSW_PSW file. Then I should write it to LCM, GM and RLS?

I think I coded LCM, GM and RLS modules.
Where should I look for this regesensor parameter to change it? Will it be in FSW_PSW file when I read LCM or GM modules?
Can't seem to find it

On instrument cluster the VIN is short with only the last 7 digits matching. EWS has full correct VIN.

No need to read and change anything. Just read ZCS from either module holding it. Then do the actual coding which is done by NCS according to ZCS info. SG_CODIEREN should be the default task. Then just choose module and "Execute" will do the job.

If you want to read FSW_PSW values these parameters should be as stated "aktiv" or "nicht aktiv" with rain sensor option.

LCM:
AUTOM_FAHRL_STEUERG
aktiv

GM:
WISCHERPOTI
nicht_aktiv

Ok so I load revtor's profile, F1 --> F3 --> E53 --> EWS --> OK --> Back --> Process ECU --> LCM --> OK --> change jobs --> SG_CODIEREN --> Execute jobs (lights flash, says coding ended).
Do the same thing for GM3 module and RLS modules.

Then I do it one more time, choose LCM, change job to CODIERDATEN_LESSEN, open the FSW_PSW and it does say
LCM:
AUTOM_FAHRL_STEUERG
aktiv

I repeat this sequence for GM3 and open the file and see
WISCHERPOTI
nicht_aktiv

Did I miss something to make the wipers work when I spray water?

Coding should be OK so rain sensor should work if the sensor itself is working correctly. Check with diagnostics if there are any codes regarding rain sensor and initialize the sensor to windscreen with diagnostics.

I'm thinking I might've gotten it to work.
Do you have to push the wiper control arm up once?

It does a single swipe, then if I spray water on the windshield, it swipes again right away.

Buy if I don't spray, the wipers still swipe after a period of time.
Is this how it's supposed to work?

It can take a few swipes with the windshield wet to clean/break surface tension on the windshield before the wipers stay off.

But if it makes unnecessary swipes it's either not initialized (adjusted to windscreen properties) or the sensor is not working perfectly correctly.

It def need to be calibrated. I had my windshield replaced and sensing mode ran randomly until I calibrated. I used my scanner but it just told me how it's prob in the manual.

I did initialize through INPA. Is calibrating something different?
I'm gonna turn the key to ON and spray the sensor once and then leave it alone to see if it keeps swiping.

Initialize is the calibration.

https://www.pss-autosoft.net/diagram...B466160001.htm

Wow you're some kind of a rain sensor expert!:)
With the wiper switch on 1st position (automatic wipers), I initialized the sensor in INPA, then turned off the wiper arm and ignition. Then turned it on to run position and put the wiper switch to automatic. It did one swipe.
I sprayed the windshield and the wipers swiped twice and that's it. I waited 5 minutes and no extra swipes.
Then sprayed again, it did 2 swipes with interval of about 5 seconds and no more swipes.
This is now working perfectly. Your help is much appreciated!
Not that useful of a feature but lots if satisfaction to have gotten it to work :)

For somebody with misophonia, it's a life safer. I can't tolerate wipers running: it's like fingernails on a chalkboard. If I'm in a car without rain sensing, I have to manually wipe with the hit it once button add needed.