Rain sensor / light issue

[kpatel]

Hello all, first post!

I have a 2003 E53 4.4 pre facelift. The rain sensor does not work at all so when the wipers are on the intermittent arm setting, they never come on.

The automatic lights work but come on only after a 60 second delay after starting the car.

I have looked on this forum and have seen some have had issues with bubbling on the windscreen. I have attached a picture of what my screen looks like and it doesn't look as bad as some pictures on the web.

The question I have is what is likely to be wrong, the sensor or the lens (or both)?

Do I replace the rain sensor alone first? Or do I replace the lens as well at the same time?

Thanks for your help

http://goo.gl/HikOro (full res picture)

[X5Sport]

Hello & 

It is likely that your sensor is fine, but that 'window' on your screen has had it.  You have really only two sensible options.

The first is to try to source an optically clear adhesive or silicon sealant.  It MUST be optically clear or the fix won't work.  Then try re-sticking the sensor holder to the screen with this.  You need as thin a layer as you can manage!!  This has been successfully tried by one or two on here.

The second is to use your windscreen insurance and get a new screen.  The sensor 'window' is bonded to the screen using optically clear adhesive and under vacuum to ensure no bubbles.

The system works by using infra-red light to detect the refraction coefficient of the glass, which changes when wet and that brings the wipers on.  Hence the need to maintain optical clarity.

Richard

[kpatel]

Many thanks for rapid reply 

I presume you mean something like this:

http://www.rejel.com/rejel-store/sortfi ... +silicone)

Does removing the lens from the windscreen usually break the lens? Do I need to buy one of those as well just in case- would rather get the job done in one go! The lens + pad combo seems pretty cheap but if I don't need it...

http://www.rejel.com/rejel-store/sortfi ... +silicone)


Thanks again

[X5Sport]

Looks right - at least the pad does.  The lens didn't break when mine was scraped off, but there is more than one version.  The sensor itself clips into a holder and it's this you need to get off the screen and then re- bond.

Richard

[malc1950]

Go for rebonding the sensor back on the screen i did mine easy job
That was 18mth ago and its worked ok since,
I used fish tank clear bonding glue ,