Intermitent (SP?) Wiper problem

joncorry · Post by **joncorry** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 4:53 pm

My wipers don't work properly on the interval setting, it doesn't really matter how long the duration between sweeps is set to, it just doesn't want to play. If you adjust the frequency from long delay to short, it does make the wipers sweep but it doesn't do it itself afterwards. The manual one sweep works fine (move arm down and hold) and in the on mode (two positions up) they work fine...
It's more annoying than anything else and I wondered if anyone else had this problem and if so, what was the cure?

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 5:24 pm

Are you sure there not rain sensitive wipers and the dial sets the sensitivity? Thats how mine work but I had to have them reprogrammed as they didn't work.... There fine now though

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 6:04 pm

if you have auto-lights and wipers it may be a sensor fault or programming error. The sensor is the purple rectangle at the top of the windscreen and if dirty on the inside or damaged then the system will not work.

if you have had a screen change, that can mess them up too. The system works by monitoring the amount of backscatter from an infrared source. Water on the screen changes the refractive index of the system and triggers the wipers. If the sensor window becomes fogged inside, or worse still damaged then the system fails. The actual sensor is replaceable and is in the mount for the rear view mirror assembly. It just unplugs.

if the bonding of the sensor base to the screen is damaged then you will probably need a new screen as the bond has to be optically perfect. The sensor is a common fault though as either the IR emitter LED or IR receiver photodiode pack up.

joncorry · Post by **joncorry** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 10:10 pm

Thanks for the replies, I'm sure it has the auto lights/wipers and the weather was pretty appalling today so it should have picked up the rain. I'll have a look at the sensor condition tomorrow in the daylight and take it from there... Cheers for the pointers, much appreciated.

petert · Post by **petert** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 3:20 am

Just checking on this one: the rain sensitive wipers don't detect rain starting, they have to be turned on and they then adjust their sweep according to how much rain is on the screen: you can't just leave the switch in the auto position and expect them to detect rain - that's not how the system is designed. Apologies if you already know this - just wanted to be sure.
Peter T

joncorry · Post by **joncorry** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 12:41 pm

I think it is the sensor as it shows sign of a poor seal against the windscreen. On my E46 M3, it's all purple whereas the X5 looks like this:

Apologies for the picture as I took it with my phone.
I'll remove the sensor cover from inside and take a few more pics...

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 4:19 pm

In a word, that's 'shagged' - technical term. Definitely looks like the bond has failed between the sensor mount and the glass. Don't think you can fix that, sorry. It should be clear all across the 'window' and purple as per your other car.

Is that the OEM screen? Should have a BMW logo and be made by Semperit. If not then it's a replacment screen and they are known to go. Never seen a BMW OEM one fail like that. Annoying whatever the case!!

joncorry · Post by **joncorry** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 4:25 pm

I thought as much. In the interim, if the sensor is unplugged, will the system allow the wipers to work or is it more likely to throw a code and disable the wipers?

petert · Post by **petert** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 8:19 pm

I think you're just back to using the stalk controls as if the auto system wasn't there...
Peter T

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 9:31 pm

Correct, you lose the intermitternt and auto-wipe functions.

A few years back I had to have a screen change (courtesy of the M6) and the RAC repairer arrived with the wrong screen. There are two versions of the sensor, one rectangular (later) and one rounded (earlier) and the two guys arrived with the earlier version but didn't spot it was wrong until they had removed the old screen - ooops! They then tried to sort it by scraping the whole thing off the broken screen and sticking it to the new. Not surprisingly it didn't work as the sensor window was obscured. I lost intermittent and auto wipe.

The screen was replaced by BMW a couple of days later, and repairer was not allowed to do a second repair when the M6 struck again 12 months later.

Incidentally, BMW GB insisted that the bodywork/paint warranty would be invalidated if they, or a BMW Bodyshop, did not fit the replacement screen! Worth being mindful of if you are getting a new screen and are still within your paint warranty. BMW charged Aviva Â£700 for the privilege and I paid the standard Â£60 excess for glass.

joncorry · Post by **joncorry** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 9:34 am

Again, thanks for the advice. I think the best course of action is to wait until the stone chip that is slowly starting to spread worsens then give our friendly insurer a call, being mindful to mention about BMW's warranty conditions.

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 2:02 pm

A centre punch will help that stone chip

joncorry · Post by **joncorry** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 4:47 pm

Just read the insurance small print about windscreen claims... Excess is Â£65, fine cheaper than paying for all of it, however I have to use their authorised repairer (AA) or they only contribute Â£100 to the cost of replacement. This makes things a bit sticky as its a case of insurers T&C's v BMW's warranty...

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 5:44 pm

in my case Aviva owned the windscreen company and I phoned them and explained the position then followed it up with an email as per their instructions. I got a mail back saying go ahead and get it fixed by BMW. They cleared it this way for both replacements (Dec 2006 and again in Dec 2007). I put it to Aviva that if they insisted on a non-OEM screen then I would hold them liable for any warranty repairs that resulted from a screen being fitted if that was done other than in accordance with BMWs requirements. As that made them liable for the paintwork and all components on, and protected by the screen (dashboard, electronics, consequential losses etc) and the bill could be VERY expensive they played nicely. Might be worth a punt?

The really odd bit was that on both occasions the stone/debris struck the same part of the screen - the tax disc holder - and cracked the screen right to the edge! How weird is that?

cognac · Post by **cognac** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 7:06 pm

[quote=""X5Sport""]The really odd bit was that on both occasions the stone/debris struck the same part of the screen - the tax disc holder - and cracked the screen right to the edge! How weird is that?[/quote]

I viewed a black 2005 3.0d with a cracked screen from exactly the same place from the bottom of the screen up underneath the tax disc holder and out to the edge! Hmmmmm very weird indeed..

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