RLS (Rain & Light Sensor) issue - AND HOW TO FIX IT!

[Ducklakeview]

Yesterday, whilst out in the Zed, I noticed that my normally eager to wipe wipers, were not!

Only on the 1st setting (sensor) normally when flicked to this position, they give a couple of test wipes, and then obviously, wipe according to the rain. The auto lights, which I believe use the same sensor (RLS - Rain Light Sensor) were working fine, yesterday..

Today, the auto lights are not working, so I hooked up Carly, and then the laptop. Both gave the same error "No optical initialisation possible" In INPA ( I think) I looked at the data from the sensor, and a couple of the readings were showing as 255, which from Google indicates a problem with the sensor.

There a few on Ebay, and they're not expensive, circa £20 so I might also ring BMW and see if they aren't much more (can't see that though.)

Anyway, I've been reading up on replacing it, and it appears there are lots of issues with the "prism" and fixing this to the screen. as I am only replacing the sensor, does this apply?

Anyone done this job?

Mike

 

[kis]

Mine didn't work either (when I bought it). The light sensor works fine, so will turn on and off when parameters are met. TBH I use rainex and hardly use wipers... So using Carly I deactivated the auto wipe function. Works perfect now (as a manual) when I need to use it.

Best bet might be to replace the windscreen? New screen should come with a sensor fitted and remove all that hassle. Plus if it's like mine, you'll get rid of a few of those annoying albeit small cracks!

 

[Ducklakeview]

Mine didn't work either (when I bought it). The light sensor works fine, so will turn on and off when parameters are met. TBH I use rainex and hardly use wipers... So using Carly I deactivated the auto wipe function. Works perfect now (as a manual) when I need to use it.

Best bet might be to replace the windscreen? New screen should come with a sensor fitted and remove all that hassle. Plus if it's like mine, you'll get rid of a few of those annoying albeit small cracks!

Forget there was a setting on Carly to deactivate it! I already have Rain-X on the Zed, but it could do with reapplying.

Think I'll order a replacement sensor, as all of the issues I have read about have been either the windscreen itself (non-oem) or relating to attaching the prism to the new screen - Apparently it needs an optically clear adhesive, with no bubbles. I do have some of that stuff, as it's used for replacing bonded screens on phones, but I CBA faffing around with it.

Mike

 

[no fit state]

If you do have to replace the prism on the screen, which would be because it has come away from it, then back in my early days here I did the job successfully.

See this post for a guide and links to parts http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3136&start=30

 

[Ducklakeview]

If you do have to replace the prism on the screen, which would be because it has come away from it, then back in my early days here I did the job successfully.

See this post for a guide and links to parts http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3136&start=30

Just what I was looking for!

Mike

 

[no fit state]

If you do have to replace the prism on the screen, which would be because it has come away from it, then back in my early days here I did the job successfully.

See this post for a guide and links to parts http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3136&start=30

Just what I was looking for!

Mike

Hopefully winbond are still in business as they had everything you need.

 

[Ducklakeview]

Ok, so decided to have a tinker..

Removed shroud behind mirror, which clips apart, just make sure you move the mirror parallel to the screen, otherwise the right hand side will not come away.

The sensor is secured to the screen by a sliding clip at each end, which needs to be slid downwards to release it. I used a sharp pick to do it, but noticed after taking the sensor off, that you can also push them down from the top;






Unplug the connector, no clip, it just pulls out and the sensor is free; The four rows of "slots" are the rain sensor, and the single row to the left is the light sensor for the headlights. As I was inside the garage, the lights had come on, so I shone my lamp at it, and 5 secs later they went off, so that was working.




This leaves the "optical component" still stuck to the screen;




Looking at mine from the outside, it had a couple of tiny bubbles in the adhesive, which although they are not near the sensor array, I thought they may have been causing reflections within the adhesive layer, confusing the sensor, so I heated the screen on the outside (gently) with the heat gun, using an infrared thermometer to get it to 60 degrees, and also lightly warmed the optical element on the inside.

I them pushed the internal piece firmly against the screen and held it whilst it cooled, it felt like the centre of it moved closed to the screen, which makes sense, as the item is flat, and the screen is curved.

So, put it back together, turned on the wipers and sprayed some water on the screen and - nothing.. Laptop out, INPA fired up and the error code read and deleted, still nothing..

So then I "re-initialised" the sensor, and BINGO... It worked.. So, I can only assume it had become partially detached from the screen.

I then had a mooch in SSS Progman, and managed to find the "sensitivity setting" for the auto lights. Mine was set to sensitive, so changed it to normal, as I think they come on too soon.

Oh, and I also decided that the wiper linkage was noisy, so wipers off, scuttle cover, linkage and motor removed.

I then stripped the ends where the wipers pivot, cleaned and greased them, put them back together. Also opened the wiper motor and cleaned the grease from the "park ring" which has cured the "double sweep" I was getting.

All in all, a productive couple of hours..

Mike

 

[Stuartt]

Well someone's been busy

Nice write up.

Stuart

 

[markplant]

Yet more top work Mike

 

[lordgrover]

Kudos

 

[kis]

Glad you got it sorted mate!

Oh, and I also decided that the wiper linkage was noisy, so wipers off, scuttle cover, linkage and motor removed.

I then stripped the ends where the wipers pivot, cleaned and greased them, put them back together. Also opened the wiper motor and cleaned the grease from the "park ring" which has cured the "double sweep" I was getting.

Mike

Any tips if I'm doing this myself as a newbie?

 

[Ducklakeview]

Glad you got it sorted mate!

Oh, and I also decided that the wiper linkage was noisy, so wipers off, scuttle cover, linkage and motor removed.

I then stripped the ends where the wipers pivot, cleaned and greased them, put them back together. Also opened the wiper motor and cleaned the grease from the "park ring" which has cured the "double sweep" I was getting.

Mike

Any tips if I'm doing this myself as a newbie?

Easy enough.

Potentially most difficult part is removing the wipers if seized onto their shafts. I used an impact gun on mine which helped shock them free.

Wipers off.
Lift off the bonnet seal from the edge of the plastic scuttle, no fixings.
Remove 4 plastic clips from front edge, 3 are the phillips screw type rivets, undo the screw and pull out the base. The two near the strut braces are awkward to access because of the braces. The fourth, behind the electrical box on passenger side is a std lever out plastic plug.

Windscreen edge of the scuttle lifts up to release the clips (pin type) Remove scuttle.

You'll see the wiper motor and linkage.

Remove Torx bolt at either end, just near to wiper posts, and unclip the wiring plug and white plastic motor retaining clip.

Whole assembly lifts out. Then just slide off the "C" clip on the back of the wiper post, allowing you to slide it apart for cleaning and greasing - Don't lose the washer or O ring. Reassemble in reverse, I also greased the plastic bushes at the arm and motor ends.

All clunking gone!

Mike

 

[kis]

Glad you got it sorted mate!

Oh, and I also decided that the wiper linkage was noisy, so wipers off, scuttle cover, linkage and motor removed.

I then stripped the ends where the wipers pivot, cleaned and greased them, put them back together. Also opened the wiper motor and cleaned the grease from the "park ring" which has cured the "double sweep" I was getting.

Mike

Any tips if I'm doing this myself as a newbie?

Easy enough.

Potentially most difficult part is removing the wipers if seized onto their shafts. I used an impact gun on mine which helped shock them free.

Wipers off.
Lift off the bonnet seal from the edge of the plastic scuttle, no fixings.
Remove 4 plastic clips from front edge, 3 are the phillips screw type rivets, undo the screw and pull out the base. The two near the strut braces are awkward to access because of the braces. The fourth, behind the electrical box on passenger side is a std lever out plastic plug.

Windscreen edge of the scuttle lifts up to release the clips (pin type) Remove scuttle.

You'll see the wiper motor and linkage.

Remove Torx bolt at either end, just near to wiper posts, and unclip the wiring plug and white plastic motor retaining clip.

Whole assembly lifts out. Then just slide off the "C" clip on the back of the wiper post, allowing you to slide it apart for cleaning and greasing - Don't lose the washer or O ring. Reassemble in reverse, I also greased the plastic bushes at the arm and motor ends.

All clunking gone!

Mike

Thanks Mike,

Saved for a sunny weekend full of tinkering!