How to Fix Rain-Sensing Wipers?

by Sandeep Baliyan Owner

New car models with automatic windshield wiping systems that detect rain are becoming increasingly popular. Sensing Wipers detect rain, snow, or moisture on the windshield and alert the driver automatically. The best thing is that rain-sensing wipers adjust themselves in response to how hard the rain is falling.

The advantage of using these types of sensors is that they allow the car owner to maintain a hands-off stance when driving in virtually any condition. This is accomplished by the employment of an infrared light sensor that is mounted to the front windshield behind the rear-view mirror and operates on infrared light.

When something obscures the driver's view through the glass, the wipers are activated by a 45-degree angle of infrared light and the windscreen.

But these wipers sometimes stop working. The reason could be any from rain sensors activation to terminal jumper removal.

How Rain-Sensing Wipers Work?

Modern rain-sensing wiper systems utilize small gadgets connected to the windshield behind the rear-view mirror. These systems utilize light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to illuminate the windshield with infrared beams.

The device's collectors gather the reflections of the lights from the dry windshield. The presence of water or snow on the windshield slows down the rate of reflection. Because the voltage traveling through this control fluctuates according to the amount of light reflected, the wipers are engaged if the reflection is not as vigorous as usual. The wipers are deactivated when the reflections revert to their regular frequency. Drivers have the privilege to keep their vehicle's wiper settings in automatic mode.

Rain-sensing technology enables the driver to focus on the road ahead of them rather than on the wipers during a storm. Automatic wipers eliminate another source of distraction, so increasing your and your loved ones' safety. Faster onboard computers react more quickly, ensuring that your wipers operate flawlessly regardless of how hard it rains.

What are the advantages of Rain-sensing Wipers?

There are a lot of advantages of rain-sensing wipers; some of them are as follows:

The primary advantage of rain-sensing wipers is, of course, convenience.
The use of rain-sensing technology allows the driver to concentrate on their driving rather than on the wipers while driving in a storm.
Automatic wipers eliminate yet another source of distraction, so increasing the safety of you and other drivers.
Rain-sensing wipers are more responsive and respond more swiftly while you drive in heavy rain.

Why do rain sensors stop working?

There are many reasons rain sensors stop working; however, the four most common reasons are as follows:

The first and foremost reason for your rain sensors not working is the insufficient quantity of rainfall. The thing is that where there are not enough rain, automatic wipers don't activate. In such a situation, you need to activate the rain sensor switch manually.
Another reason is when the sprinklers come to a halt. If this is the case, the sensor's rainfall has not yet reached the activation setting. If the rainfall exceeds the rain sensor's activation setting, you should consider relocating the sensor.
Thirdly, the rain sensor switch is set to "BYPASS" or "OFF." In such a situation, you should slide the switch to the "ACTIVE" mode.
Lastly, the terminal jumper was NOT removed during the rain sensor installation. If this is the case, just remove the terminal jumper situated on the sensor terminal screws to fix the issue.

Tips to Fix Rain-Sensing Wipers

1. Always park your car in Neutral Mode

First and foremost, you must park your vehicle in neutral or with the emergency brake engaged. It will help you avoid any damage to your rain-sensing wipers.

2. Keep your windshield clean

Make sure you keep your car's windshield clean. Check to see that the exterior of the windshield is completely clean before driving. Clean the surface of the window with cloths, removing any stains such as coffee, cigarettes, wetness, and hand prints, as well as any other contaminants. You can even use glass cleaner, specifically meant for cleaning for the best results.

3. Get the cracks, chips, nicks, or warping on the windshield fixed.

Do check the area where the rain sensors are installed. Look at the area for the cracks or chips at that location. In case you find any chip or crack on the windshield glass, particularly in the area above the sensor, get the crack repaired at the earliest. Car Windshield Repair or replacement should not be avoided because any cracks on the front glass can leads to the malfunctioning of the wipers. Not only this, but it also can obstruct the clear vision and may cause accidents while driving.

It is because even the tiniest cracks or chips can cause the infrared sensor beam to be diverted, resulting in the sensor not functioning properly.

4. Remove marks from the windshield.

Bird droppings leave ugly marks on your car windshields which can become permanent, making it difficult for you to clean it thoroughly. Hence, it is critical to remove all insect marks, bird droppings, oil film, muck, and other particles from the windshield.

5. Check the ground wire to ensure that it is tightly connected to a grounded metal source.

Removing the ground wire with a wrench or a screwdriver will allow you to clean the connection with contact spray thoroughly. Finally, using a wrench or screwdriver, tighten it down one more time.

Keep in mind that it is critical to have the repair manual on available in case it becomes required to study any critical information pertaining to the vehicle.

6. Allow for air drying of the switches.

With a wrench, reconnect the negative battery cable to the battery. To moisten the outer surface of the front windshield, use a contact spray on it. To begin, turn the ignition key to the "On" position on the dash. Turn on the rain sensor by pressing the "On" button on the switch. If the windshield wipers are not moving, consult the owner's repair manual to determine where the rain sensor module is located. Check a little plastic box that is used to receive cables from the sensor. The majority of modules are secured to the firewall inside the engine compartment by locating brackets.