Rain Sensor Wipers

[no fit state]

I have also found this http://equalizer.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=estore&Product_Code=CMO503&Category_Code=01f

and this on my internet travels http://equalizer.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=estore&Product_Code=BRS368&Category_Code=01f

plus this site too http://www.gggcorp.com/sensors.htm

Could this be the answer to the problem of needing to replace the whole screen...I'll have to get out and take the plastic cover off mine this weekend.

Very interesting...

Surely if it's possible to remove the sensor, there's no need to buy a new one - all you have to do is clean it up and re-fix to the windscreen :? Can't be as easy as it sounds

Steve

I don't think it'll be to long before somebody succesfully replaces the sensor, espcially now as more and more Zeds are going out or warrenty.

Replacing the whole screen is just crazy, but just what a main dealer would do.

I'm gonna take the plastic shroud off mine at the weeked and get an idea of what's involved in this job.

 

[no fit state]

Update.

Having taken the plastic cover/surround off of the rain sensor, I really can't see why it can't be removed from the screen without too much trouble and replaced.

Then only problem I can see is the replacement unit not coming with the glue/resin to affix it to the screen, but I'm sure they'd be something out there that would do the job. Kinda looks like a silcon sealent to me. I guess the only way to tell is to buy the unit from BMW http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BT52&mospid=47797&btnr=61_1626&hg=61&fg=15

I've managed to get mine working again, just by pushing the sensor onto the screen which removed most of the VERY big air bubble I had. Time will tell how long that lasts, but shows the sensor is fine and it's just glue holding it on at fault.

 

[no fit state]

Just found this on US ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/Rain-and-Light-Sensor-Refurbishing-Kit-for-BMW-and-Merc_W0QQitemZ370031899890QQihZ024QQcategoryZ10034QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

Would probably solve my problem if the air bubble grows again.

 

[Lotus1]

Just found this on US ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/Rain-and-Light-Sensor-Refurbishing-Kit-for-BMW-and-Merc_W0QQitemZ370031899890QQihZ024QQcategoryZ10034QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

Would probably solve my problem if the air bubble grows again.

Excellent find

Your third link in the post above says 'All Sensor Kits come with adhesive pad pre-applied.
All Kits come with primer capsule included. '

...might have a look at mine at the weekend.

Steve

 

[no fit state]

Just found this on US ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/Rain-and-Light-Sensor-Refurbishing-Kit-for-BMW-and-Merc_W0QQitemZ370031899890QQihZ024QQcategoryZ10034QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

Would probably solve my problem if the air bubble grows again.

Excellent find

Your third link in the post above says 'All Sensor Kits come with adhesive pad pre-applied.
All Kits come with primer capsule included. '

...might have a look at mine at the weekend.

Steve

I contacted http://www.equalizer.com and they gave me their UK distributors number, who I've made a call to and I'm just waiting for them to get back to me now on this part http://equalizer.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=estore&Product_Code=BRS368&Category_Code=01f This is the part that sticks to the screen, and though not damaged on mine (I've just got air bubbles) it might be just easier to replace it rather than trying to remove the old adhesive pad from it.

 

[Lotus1]

I contacted http://www.equalizer.com and they gave me their UK distributors number, who I've made a call to and I'm just waiting for them to get back to me now on this part http://equalizer.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=estore&Product_Code=BRS368&Category_Code=01f This is the part that sticks to the screen, and though not damaged on mine (I've just got air bubbles) it might be just easier to replace it rather than trying to remove the old adhesive pad from it.

Nice one...let us know how much it costs

Steve

 

[no fit state]

I recieved the replacement optical part of the rain sensor today.

It took about an 45 minutes all in to fit, and it all looks to be working ok (flicking water at it)

A pretty easy fix and the cost of the parts and postage came to about £53. This included a spare adhesive gel pad which I didn't need as the sensor part came with a new one already affixed to it.

Though now having done this job I've found that a replacement sensor part is probably not needed, as once the original is removed from the screen you can easily remove the adhesive gel pad from it and apply a new one. Then re-affix it to the screen. This would be a much cheaper option, as I believe the adhesive pad on it's own was only around the £6 mark.

This does mean though, that I now have a spare optical sensor part and adhesive pad to use in the future should air bubbles appear again.

I took some photos of the whole fix and will try and get a "how too" up as soon as A: it rains so I can test it for sure and B: it's a lasting fix.

 

[Lotus1]

Nice one - lets hope it stays bubble-free

 

[Mr Whippy]

So do BMW sell the gel pad, or will they only sell the sensor and gel pad together?

When I had my last cars windscreen replaced, the windscreen fitter just had a new gel pad in a small packet to fit with my new screen, so I'm guessing that the windscreen fitters get them from somewhere too.

I rekon they dry out a bit... will be inspecting mine at lunch as the wipers won't automatically wipe...

Dave

 

[no fit state]

So do BMW sell the gel pad, or will they only sell the sensor and gel pad together?

When I had my last cars windscreen replaced, the windscreen fitter just had a new gel pad in a small packet to fit with my new screen, so I'm guessing that the windscreen fitters get them from somewhere too.

I rekon they dry out a bit... will be inspecting mine at lunch as the wipers won't automatically wipe...

Dave

I didn't even bother with BMW when it came to fixing mine, as I gather from posts on here their general response is - You need a new windscreen.

I can't remember off hand where I got the new adhesive pad from, though I'll have the details knocking around at home should you want them.

 

[Mr Whippy]

So do BMW sell the gel pad, or will they only sell the sensor and gel pad together?

When I had my last cars windscreen replaced, the windscreen fitter just had a new gel pad in a small packet to fit with my new screen, so I'm guessing that the windscreen fitters get them from somewhere too.

I rekon they dry out a bit... will be inspecting mine at lunch as the wipers won't automatically wipe...

Dave

I didn't even bother with BMW when it came to fixing mine, as I gather from posts on here their general response is - You need a new windscreen.

I can't remember off hand where I got the new adhesive pad from, though I'll have the details knocking around at home should you want them.

So it looks like peel back rear view mirror housing sides, take back unit to just the sensor bonded to the screen, heat screen around adhesive, remove fitment, replace gel seal (or rectify), re-bond with new adhesive pad, rebuild rear view mirror housing/mirror...

So I ideally need new gel pad, and new adhesive, and about an hour

Dave

 

[Aebous]

You are sure you actually have the sensor right? Someone at one point before I got my car replaced the windshield and never put the sensor back on. So all I have is the little bubble on top and the cover for the windshield.

 

[no fit state]

So do BMW sell the gel pad, or will they only sell the sensor and gel pad together?

When I had my last cars windscreen replaced, the windscreen fitter just had a new gel pad in a small packet to fit with my new screen, so I'm guessing that the windscreen fitters get them from somewhere too.

I rekon they dry out a bit... will be inspecting mine at lunch as the wipers won't automatically wipe...

Dave

I didn't even bother with BMW when it came to fixing mine, as I gather from posts on here their general response is - You need a new windscreen.

I can't remember off hand where I got the new adhesive pad from, though I'll have the details knocking around at home should you want them.

So it looks like peel back rear view mirror housing sides, take back unit to just the sensor bonded to the screen, heat screen around adhesive, remove fitment, replace gel seal (or rectify), re-bond with new adhesive pad, rebuild rear view mirror housing/mirror...

So I ideally need new gel pad, and new adhesive, and about an hour

Dave

Close. The gel pad is adhesive. This is a step by step of how I did it.

1 - Take off the sensor covers by popping the them apart down the middle. A 150mm rule or blunt knife will do the trick there.

2 - Unplug the sensor and remove it from the optical part that is fixed to the windscreen by the adhesive pad. There are two catches that need to be pushed to allow you to do this.

3 - You could heat the screen to remove the optical part. I found this was not neccesary as it just pulled of with the pad attached.

4 - Carefully scrape off the adhesive pad from the optical part if you haven't bought a new one and throughly clean it, then affix the new adhesive pad. If you have bought a new optical part this comes complete with the adhesive pad already affixed and you can bin/store the old one.

5 - Clean the area of the windscreen where the new pad will be affixed with a 50/50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and water.

6 - Make sure every thing is super clean!!

7 - Prime the windscreen where the sensor is fixed with the included primer.

8 - Affix the optical part to the windsceen very carefully, you don't want to be getiing air trapped in it! I found this was done best with the roof down and a friend guiding me as I did it.

9 - Re-assemble, job done!

My advice having done this job would be to just buy a new adhesive pad and re-use the old optical part.

 

[Mr Whippy]

You are sure you actually have the sensor right? Someone at one point before I got my car replaced the windshield and never put the sensor back on. So all I have is the little bubble on top and the cover for the windshield.

Hehe, well I hope so.

Mine looks the same as the other at work (I had a check side by side), the only difference is that mine has a huge bubble.

They must be rain sensing because the intermittency doesn't work... I also think it is the original windscreen so wouldn't expect the sensor to be missing. Will try take apart this lunch time and check all is in order



Thanks for the bullet point breakdown 'no fit state', will be handy later!

Thanks

Dave

 

[Mr Whippy]

Though now having done this job I've found that a replacement sensor part is probably not needed, as once the original is removed from the screen you can easily remove the adhesive gel pad from it and apply a new one. Then re-affix it to the screen. This would be a much cheaper option, as I believe the adhesive pad on it's own was only around the £6 mark.

Do you have the link to the supplier, or their phone number?

I think I may as well just get a new pad, as my light sensor part is working, so assuming the sensor generally is fine, and it's just the HUGE bubble causing the rain sensor issue (so just need the gel pad)

Thanks

Dave

 

[no fit state]

Though now having done this job I've found that a replacement sensor part is probably not needed, as once the original is removed from the screen you can easily remove the adhesive gel pad from it and apply a new one. Then re-affix it to the screen. This would be a much cheaper option, as I believe the adhesive pad on it's own was only around the £6 mark.

Do you have the link to the supplier, or their phone number?

I think I may as well just get a new pad, as my light sensor part is working, so assuming the sensor generally is fine, and it's just the HUGE bubble causing the rain sensor issue (so just need the gel pad)

Thanks

Dave

Winbond International 01455 559889

Adhesive sensor pad NPR407

 

[Mr Whippy]

Good stuff

Pretty easy to access really... even just swapping over the sensor unit as a whole is a load easier than doing the whole screen. No wonder BMW's cost so much to run in their early years while people go to BMW for their work (as good as it will be, it is a little long winded way around )

Dave

 

[no fit state]

Good stuff

Pretty easy to access really... even just swapping over the sensor unit as a whole is a load easier than doing the whole screen. No wonder BMW's cost so much to run in their early years while people go to BMW for their work (as good as it will be, it is a little long winded way around )

Dave

I thought it was madness to change the whole screen just because the rain sensor wasn't functioning and put it down to main dealer inadequacies.

With just a little research I was able to solve it myself and with very little cost

 

[Mr Whippy]

Took mine off today, bit cold so I heated the screen outside with a sponge and boiling water (just sat the sponge in boiling water then left it sat on the screen every 30s, reloaded it and sat it back), a few minutes of application and the gel went nice and soft and the part came off... however, I was probably a bit fast and as I pulled too fast it kinda snapped the gel rather than peeled (if that makes sense), so even though I've re-affixed it with a good seal, there are some small bubbley striations in there and it's still not working.

Very easy job to do though. Just need some good cleaner to clean the plastic sensor face and the screen, and the new pad/gel adhesive...

Will be ordering one this week and will try do a little FAQ on it. Just hoping that it is just the bubbley non-homogenous 'window' that is making it fail to operate, and not the actual sensor itself... (auto lights work, but who knows if that means the rain one will too)


Will report back soon

Should be a £10 fix rather than a £££ new windscreen!

Thanks

Dave

 

[no fit state]

It's critcal that adhesive gel pad is perfect for the rainsensor part to work. So not surprised yours is still playing up.

I'd order 2 of those adhesive pads, just incase the first try doesn't go to well, as it's a bit fiddley to apply and they're only £6 each