Intermittent Wipers Not Working - How to fix??

[StudioWizard]

I'll save this link - it's super helpful!! I'm first going to try replacing the rain sensor pad - it looks detached on my windshield. The wipers work perfectly otherwise.

I'll report back...

[StudioWizard]

So I think I broke the rain sensor mounting plate.

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This thing was really stuck hard to the glass and I carefully pried it off with plastic trim tool, but a little piece of the purple plastic broke off. I think the sensor itself is fine because I removed that separately. But, is this thing broken then? If so, does anyone have a part # or link to replace? I went to the Pelican parts site where the instructions are and they do sell the rain sensor, but I can't find the mounting plate.

Also, the instructions on the Pelican site says to let the pad cure for at least 24 hours before mounting the place back on. I haven't seen anyone posting that they did that and the instructions I have for the Rain Sensor Gel Tape doesn't mention anything about curing time. Maybe it's talking about the gel that you mix vs the 3M pads that are ready to mount?

Any direction pointing greatly appreciated! I somehow knew this wasn't going to be a 20-minute job! haha

[StudioWizard]

Btw, I noticed that now that I've disconnected and removed the rain sensor, the intermittent wipers work the way I would expect. When the wiper lever is in the intermittent position, the thumb wheel determines how much time passes between wipes.

Is it possible that my car doesn't have rain sensing at all? It obviously as the sensor... Is that sensor for other things as well? Somebody suggested it senses when to turn your headlights on if you have the LCM in Auto mode. Again, my rain sensor is disconnected and removed yet the auto headlights work at night.

I'm wondering if I should even try to fix the rain sensor at this point.... I mean, if my car doesn't actually have that feature, then why is there a sensor there? Is it because it's ready to go in case?

I'm so confused!!! haha

[buzyg]

If everything is working to your satisfaction I would be tempted to clean up the windscreen and leave the sensor off. But then I hate pointless gimmicks, like rain sensors.

When my sat nav broke. Stopped popping up and annoying me. I took it out worked out I needed a new unit. Thought that is just going to annoy me like the old one did, before it broke. So I but the old one back and had the car another 7 years without the pop up screen annoying me.

[StudioWizard]

I'm not sure I really need the automatic wipers. I was disappointed when the intermittent wipers wouldn't work, esp when Los Angeles was getting hammered with rain for months! haha Now they work without the sensor.

Does that sensor have other functions, though? I've read some various posts saying it controls headlight brightness and possibly is the reason why my high-beams won't turn on in constant mode. (I need to try again now that the sensor is out.) The headlight problem could also be because my car had Xenons originally and the previous owner installed Halogens.

[StudioWizard]

Update: I determined that the rain sensor is also the auto headlight sensor. When I last posted, it was nighttime, so I made the incorrect assumption that the auto headlights still work, but they don't. Turning the headlight deal to Auto turns them on constantly day or night. That means I need the rain (and light) sensor.

I just ordered what appears to be an identical OEM part with a different part # off Ebay. I will receive it in a few days and update this thread.

I also broke one of the little tabs in the mirror ball joint, so the mirror is a bit floppy. It was bound to break sooner or later considering the age. For now, I'm replacing it with a used (allegedly) excellent condition OEM mirror I found on Ebay. It has a 90-day warranty.