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Rootripper 12-04-2021 08:39 PM

Insensitive wipers
 
Are the water sensitive wipers repairable. Mine quit that magnificent function.
Thanks
Mike. Moved to PNW, really be nice to have this operating.
Thanks

andrewwynn 12-05-2021 12:28 AM

There is a process to calibrate them. I dunt think you need scanner to do it but it would be good to scan first to know the sensor is working.


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RocketyMan 12-06-2021 02:53 PM

I only know of the way to calibrate them using INPA. This is needed whenever a window replacement is done--and pray to J that they saved your purple LCM lens from the old windshield! This thing is finickiy...

When calibrating it, the module has to reach a certain temp range and the purple prism lens must be SECURELY fastened to the window without any bubbles. If bubbles develop, this throws off the LCM and it won't auto-wipe correctly.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...94#83192289180
Suppose to be with the "rain sensor" but I don't think replacement windshields come with this anymore.
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=61_1364

Fifty150hs 12-06-2021 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rootripper (Post 1213839)
Are the water sensitive wipers repairable. Mine quit that magnificent function.
Thanks
Mike. Moved to PNW, really be nice to have this operating.
Thanks

The simplest fix is to unplug the sensor at the rearview mirror. I did that because a window replacement left me with a balky sensor. I unplugged it and the wipers revert to timed operation when set on intermittent. You lose the auto headlight function, but that doesn't bother me.

sgrice 12-07-2021 11:00 AM

Rootripper - most likely the reason for the rain sensing function not working is the gel pad between the lens/sensor and the windshield dries out, bubbles form which eventually causes malfunction. The fix is about $15 and 30 minutes or so. Usually coincident with the rain sensing function going out is the auto headlight function also goes out. That is also fixed with sensor gel replacement.

When I helped my son replace his, this was the best video that we found:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exYC...ReverseCommute

A couple of caveats:

1) Be aware that the lens and sensor are 2 different items. This may be obvious to some, but it wasn't to me. The gel pad goes between the windshield and the lens, then the sensor clips onto the lens. These clips are a bit tricky and are discussed below.

2) But first, as discussed in the video, block off the area where the old lens/sensor is with blue painters tape so when replacing the pad and sensor it is positioned properly inside the rearview mirror "shroud." The lens/sensor package is the rectangular item seen at right around 22 seconds into the video.

3) Right around 35 seconds in the above video, he is removing the sensor from the lens. Be careful with this step - it is easy to break one or more of the plastic clip mechanisms. if I remember correctly there are 4 clip mechanisms - one in each corner. Using a small screwdriver, each mechanism needs to slide out 5-6 mm to release the clip. If you don't slide it out, or if you push it beyond the detent, one can easily snap the clip. You've been warned - I think I broke 2 out of the 4. Fortunately it went back together just fine with only 2 out of the 4 clips. There's not a lot of pressure on the item - scotch tape would also probably work if you broke all 4 clips.

4) When you put the new gel/lens/sensor back into place I recommend doing it exactly as is done in the video. By this I mean gel pad to the sensor, then onto the windshield (careful to get it aligned properly and not upside down), then attach the sensor. I thought I would be smart and avoid any alignment problem by first putting the new gel pad on the lens, then attach the sensor, then press the lens/sensor unit to the windshield. Unfortunately the windshield has a bit of curve to it, and the lens/sensor is flat, causing a few bubble spots between the gel pad and the sensor. Using a lot of finger pressure, I was able to flex the lens/sensor enough to get most of the bubbles out and the sensor worked properly. But if I were doing it again I would do it exactly as he does in the video. I think his process would produce fewer bubbles.

Good luck. It's really not that hard, and it is nice to have the auto wipers and auto headlights working again.

Stephen

sgrice 12-07-2021 11:28 AM

Addenda: My posting above is not quite right regarding how to undo the clip mechanism in order to separate the lens from the sensor. Check out the following video at roughly 5:20 to see clearly how the mechanism works:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-B1...annel=0LAF2046


Hope that helps.

Rootripper 12-08-2021 05:56 PM

What a bunch of great guys !
 
Just one last thought. Headlights working in auto on mode, wipers not

Thanks again
Mike

sgrice 12-09-2021 11:00 AM

Rootripper - even though your auto headlights are currently working, I still strongly suspect that a deteriorating/bubbling gel pad is the cause for your "insensitive wipers." I suspect that if you don't do anything then over the next months/years your auto headlight function will also go away. As I recall when my son had problems with his there was initially intermittent failure of the wipers, then constant failure of the wipers, coincident with intermittent progressing to constant failure of the auto headlights.

Whether you choose to fix that is, of course, up to you. Manual control of the wipers and headlights is always an option. On a certain level, these are "first world problems."

If you choose to replace the gel pad, one thing I forgot to mention is that the gel pad took some effort to get off. The best approach for me was to initially use a razor scraper on all 4 sides to make initial inroads into peeling back the old gel pad. Then I followed up with thin plastic prying tools. I have seen people mentioning using dental floss as a good way to get between the windshield and gel pad. However, at least in my case, the dental floss was inferior to plastic prying tools.

Good luck. If you decide to replace the gel pad let us know if it's a successful repair.

Stephen

andrewwynn 12-09-2021 11:06 AM

When removing glued in batteries from laptops, drops of goo gone will wick under the battery to release the adhesive. The same should work in this case the trick being how to apply. Q tip might work

sgrice 12-09-2021 11:11 AM

Andrewwynn - what a great idea! I'll have to remember that one.


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