darkshark

I had my windshield replaced due to a large crack found to be secondary to a stone chip. The windshield was replaced by our local Autoglass Center as our BMW dealer has this type of work done by outside venders and uses Autoglass Centers to do this. My automatic windshield system worked great before the windshield was replaced but does not work now. The regular manual settings seem to work fine. The little light will go on after the button is pressed, as if it is activated, but there is no initial single sweep or any response to the rain on the windshield thereafter. The autoglass center knew it had auto dimming and auto windshield function and advised they had the proper windshield for the car before we brought it in for replacment. Has anyone else has this happen before and what did you do about it. I will call the autoglass center tomarrow and see what they advise. Thanks for any advice.

darkshark

I figure most will figure it out, but I am refering to automatic windshield wiper setting.

Blah

You should bring it back and ask them to check and see whether the photo eye for the rain sensor is lined up properly with the cutout in the adhesive backing, and whether the sensor box is properly plugged back in.

darkshark

That makes sense. I wonder if they can do this without removing the windshield. Thanks for the reply.

Blah

The photo eye alignment can be check by looking at it thru the glass from the front. Look thru the hole in the adhesive backing and see if there is a glassy photo eye inside. The cable connectors can be checked by removing the rain sensor plastic cover from behind the mirror. It can be removed by pushing it at the bottom to release the clips and pull the two halfs (left & right) apart carefully. Once the cover is removed all the internal pieces are clearly visible. The rain sensor cable runs along the right side of the mirror mount and the sensor is in a small square black box near the bottom, attached to the adhesive backing.

See bottom of page 4 and page 5 of this:

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?act=Attach...st&id=22896

darkshark

Blah, Thanks again for the info. This diagram will help out and is very educational.

dlevi67

If everything Blah suggests is in order, I know when they brought out the first rain sensors (E38/E39), there were problems because of the variation in the optical characteristics of OEM glass vs. the replacement ones Autoglass would source more cheaply. The wrong glass would cause the sensor to malfunction or even to stop working altogether.

I would have thought this has been sorted out over the last 10 years, but perhaps they did fit the wrong glass?

However, the fact that you aren't getting a single wipe when you press the sensor button makes me think that an electrical fault is more likely.

Rudy

Yeah, it really sounds as if they just didn't hook up the wires properly when reinstalling the mirror assembly...

vern

One thing I don't understand is why didn't you insist that the Glass Co. put in a OEM Windshield from your BMW Dealer after all the insurance company pays for it. IMO always go OEM it pays in the end. Just imagine the problems you would have if you had HUD along with the Rain Sensor. Good luck
cheers
vern

Refujeet

The initial sweep isn't related to the glass at all. It does one sweep regardless of any moisture on the glass. I think your problem may be something else.