Rain Sense wiper Q

[SHO_Fast]

Greetings fellow SHOHeads!

I have a 2011 SHO 402A+++ and recently had the windshield replaced. Since then I have noticed that the Rain Sense wipers don't seem to be working. The wipers themselves work in Lo/High/Wash but not in variable sensitivity mode. I believe the Auto High Beams use the same system and they are working.

I called the glass company and they are going to look at it Friday, replacing the "gel pack" used to stick the sensors to the windshield.

Anyone have any thoughts, experience and/or perhaps a way of resetting this system?

Thank you for your help and insight.
Merry Christmas to all!

 

[SHOrod]

The rain sensing wipers use a different sensor from the auto high beams. The gel pack mentioned by the glass company is a good place to start, although you might have them use a hose on the windshield first to confirm the rain sensing wipers don't work, unless you've already tried that. Also, do the hose test before you leave the glass company to make sure they work before you drive away. Also check the wiring to confirm everything is connected properly and no wires are damaged.

-Rod

 

[rubydist]

the windshield is also different, so if they did not put in the right one, the rain-sensing wipers will not sense moisture.

 

[SHO_Fast]

The rain sensing wipers use a different sensor from the auto high beams. The gel pack mentioned by the glass company is a good place to start, although you might have them use a hose on the windshield first to confirm the rain sensing wipers don't work, unless you've already tried that. Also, do the hose test before you leave the glass company to make sure they work before you drive away. Also check the wiring to confirm everything is connected properly and no wires are damaged.

-Rod

Thanks SHOrod. I haven't specifically tried the hose test, though I did try the waving my glove at it test, and the let my windshield get so covered in rain I damn-near drove off the road test, but not the hose test. Also, I assumed that the auto high-beam and rain sense were part of the same system as they are listed as one option on the sticker, figured they worked off of the same system.

I want to get a look at things tomorrow when they take it apart, and have a look at the wiring and connectors etc. myself. It may have gotten damaged, may have been improperly installed, who knows?

 

[SHO_Fast]

the windshield is also different, so if they did not put in the right one, the rain-sensing wipers will not sense moisture.

Hi rubydist, thank you for your input, you raise a valid possibility. At my first appointment it was discovered that they had ordered the wrong windshield, so we waited. The second one, installed, -looks- alright, and all the other systems seem to work.

Do you have any idea how many windshield variations there are? I will press them on this tomorrow. I'll post the results of my visit later.

Merry Christmas to all!

 

[SHOdded]

Good luck with the glass guys, and merry xmas/happy holidays to everyone

 

[SHO_Fast]

To give an update, I was at the glass installers this morning for a grand total of a half hour, and all is well. They installed a new gel pack mounting kit and that solved the problem. Gave it the squirt test and it worked like it should.

Apparently these systems can be sensitive to dirt and whatever when the windshield is replaced, or even fail in place without the glass even being touched. The glass installer keeps spare gel mount kits on hand because this is a relatively common problem and a fairly simple fix if the system itself is OK.

Thanks for your help, have an SHO kinda day!

 

[r1crusher]

Hopefully you won't get the dreaded wiper cowl flap after your windshield replacement. I had to take mine back to the glass shop 3 times before they made any progress to getting it resolved. It's not 100% like it was before the replacement but it's not nearly as bad as right after it was done. If I drove 45 mph or faster and it just made a bunch of "flapping" noise. Really annoying driving at highway speeds. Something very common as well I guess.

 

[SHO_Fast]

Hey Crusher. I am happy to report that I did not experience the dreaded wiper cowl flap. That would not be cool either, and I am glad your car is doing better. Tonight however, I wondered if perhaps the Auto High Beam system was affected by the work done today. I had the brights turn on in traffic where I do not think they normally would have, and they did not turn off even with approaching traffic right in front of me. I had to go to manual mode with the headlights to shut the high beams off. Went back out again a few minutes later and on that trip they seemed better behaved. Maybe there's a (re-)learning curve?

On a side note, and maybe for a new thread, how do I know whether the Auto High Beam function is set for high or low sensitivity? I followed the owners manual method adjusting the sensitivity. When completing sensitivity adjustment procedure, the high beams would flash either once or twice. The manual does not tell you which state is which. I am guessing that one flash is "normal" sensitivity, and two flashes is high sensitivity. I did not drive it after each adjustment to see what difference each setting made. I'll have plenty of opportunity over the next few days to find out.

Any thoughts?

 

[Kenwowski]

SHO Fast, can you provide a little more detail on the gel pack? I just had my windshield replaced and now my rain sensing wipers / intermittmemt wipers, no longer work - only medium and fast wiper speed. I drove a few hours through light rain the other day and it drove me insane. How do you get to the gel pack and replace it? Thanks!

 

[SHO_Fast]

SHO Fast, can you provide a little more detail on the gel pack? I just had my windshield replaced and now my rain sensing wipers / intermittmemt wipers, no longer work - only medium and fast wiper speed. I drove a few hours through light rain the other day and it drove me insane. How do you get to the gel pack and replace it? Thanks!

Hey Kenwowski. I'm sorry, I really can't expound on the gel pack anymore other than to say that my installer, Arnold's Auto Glass, Muskegon MI, apparently keeps some kits on hand because this is a common problem. And you are experiencing exactly what I did, it was a pain.

My guess it that the gel pack is probably a silicone based adhesive for mounting the rain sensor to the windshield, and bad install (air bubbles, dirt, ???)= no worky. Personally I would take it back and make them re-install, unless you are up for new adventures. Arnold's re-did mine in less than 30 minutes, start to finish. I imagine you can find the "gel" at one of the local auto parts houses. Good luck!

Have a good evening.

 

[Kenwowski]

Thanks for the reply. It's a long story, but the windshield was replaced in MA and I'm now back in NJ. I didn't notice the issue until it rained a week later. I destroyed the windshield when the rain sensing wipers activated during an automatic car wash.....both wiper blades were ripped off and the metal wiper arms scratched the heck out of the windshield. My fault for not shutting the system off. Anyway, thanks for the information. I'll let you know how I make out.

 

[SHO_Fast]

Man Ken, that story brought a tear to my eye, ouch! I have often entered car washes with the wipers "on", but always managed to get them turned off before I destroyed something. Thank you for the reminder.

I did about 20 minutes worth of looking before replying to you but I could not come up with a definitive answer for you. It appears that there are aftermarket "rain sensor refurbishing kits" out there, but getting specific part numbers and pricing was a pain. I imagine a couple of phone calls, either to reputable auto glass shops or auto parts stores will get you either the kit installed, or one in your hands so you can do it yourself.

The good news is that I think it will be an inexpensive and quick fix.

Have a great day!

 

[Kenwowski]

Just want to provide an update. I finally stopped by a local glass repair shop that was more than happy to help. In about 5 minutes they discovered the company that replaced my glass used no "gel pack" when they replaced the windshield. They had "gel pack" in stock that looked like a clear silicone type material. In fifteen minutes my rain sensing and intermittent wipers worked again! Total cost $25. What a relief. Simple fix.

 

[SHO_Fast]

Congratulations Ken. You got your functionality back and I am glad it was simple and cheap. Hard to imagine what difference that kit makes but it obviously makes a big difference! That rain sense wiper system doesn't seem like such a big deal until it isn't working.

I hope your car is treating you well otherwise. Have a great evening!