Auto windscreen wiper sensor

[pprass]

I am getting to know our new TDV6 a bit at a time and as it was raining yesterday I tried to set the Auto windscreen function, but I couldn't get it to work.

I chose "Auto" on the windscreen selector (push forward one stop past "Off") and I turned the sensitivity to about 3/4. The windscreen at the time was covered in rain drops, but nothing moved. I manually wiped the screen, took off and waited for more rain to accumulate on the screen - but again nothing happened.

Does the system only work when there is full on rain pelting on the windscreen, or should it detect a light shower in which case I haven't set it up properly?

[LGM]

Park in the drive at home with the car running and set up the windscreen wipers in auto mode then get out grab the garden hose and spray the windscreen. The sensor is at the top centre of the windscreen directly in front of the rear vision mirror (well that where it is on my D4). You will soon find out if the system is working!

[pprass]

I'll try it right now with a bucket of water :)

[Redback]

Nothing really happens when stopped, unless it's actually raining, sprinkling doesn't activate it, you need to be moving for auto wipers to work properly, I have ours set to auto all the time.

It's really wierd when they go off and it's not raining, especially on a fine sunny day.

Baz.

[paul33]

I have a new TDV6, the auto wipers start working with a light shower. It does not need heavy rain to get them to work. I was a bit unsure about auto wipers, having never used them before, however I find they work really well in this vehicle. I generally turn the wipers off if there is no rain about.

[pprass]

I have a new TDV6, the auto wipers start working with a light shower...
Hmmm - I don't like the sound of that :(

[pprass]

OK - I had the car running with the auto wiper set up. Threw a bucket of water onto the windscreen and guess what! The wiper did one wipe :) Is that how it should work - just one wipe?

[LGM]

So you know the system works.

Now have a play with the sensitivity control.

My wipers will operate with a sprinkling of rain at its most sensitive. It will continue to wipe as long as there is new water droplets hitting the sensor area of the windscreen.

Depending on how heavy the rain gets it will also go into the high speed wipe mode.

[LandyAndy]

Pprass.
Are your auto headlights working???
I seem to have a fault with both my auto lights and wipers,they are going to look into it on my first service thats due in august.
Andrew

[pprass]

...Now have a play with the sensitivity control.

I had the sensitivity at around 75%. I'll try it at 100% (turned right down towards me) to see what happens.
Thanks

[pprass]

Pprass.
Are your auto headlights working???
Interesting that you should ask that question Andrew - I also wasn't sure if they were working and it wasn't more than 15 minutes ago that it became dark enough here, that I went out to check on them. Yes they do work. As soon as I started the engine the lights switched on. However when I switched the engine off they remained on for about 10 - 15 seconds which I presume is to help you on your way to the footpath?

Peter

[LandyAndy]

Correct.You can change the delay via the rh button on the steering wheel.You can tell if the lights are on,green indicator on the speedo face.
Just checked mine,its in a dark shed,surprise surprise they came on.Must have been raining in there as I got a swipe of the windscreen too:confused::confused::confused:
Andrew

[nat_89]

As red back said they don't work when your parked that much they may do a wipe or two but they don't keep going flat out there road soeed dependent to I guess but I find they can be pretty hopeless at times you need to have them really wound up the sensitivity. there probably the most ordinary ones I've had on a car before pretty hit and miss but oh well not that big of an issue just annoys me!!

[Basil135]

Just a note on the auto wipers...

When I am travelling on the highway, I always turn the auto off. If a bug hits the screen right by the sensor, it will activate, and smear bug guts all over your window.

About the only issue I have with them, is that from an initial startup, I sometimes have to give the screen a manual wipe, which clears the water off the sensor. From then on, they work perfectly well.

[Redback]

I've always had to give a manual wipe first up and as said once you're on your way they are fine, at times you may need to turn the sensitivity up if the rain is really light, also they become more sensitive the faster you drive.

I don't use auto headlights, I run with my lights on all the time, I'm a big believer in being seen, all those years of riding motorcycles and having a grey car.

Baz.

[Plane Fixer]

I don't use auto headlights, I run with my lights on all the time, I'm a big believer in being seen, all those years of riding motorcycles and having a grey car.

I have selected in the CCF the Canadian DRL option with my IID Tool. This puts the lights on when the park brake is released and a gear is selected. I then simply leave the lights in auto.
The wipers I try and remember to leave them in manual as I have had a windscreen covered in bugs and then a random wipe; no vision, especially at night.

[LandyAndy]

I've always had to give a manual wipe first up and as said once you're on your way they are fine, at times you may need to turn the sensitivity up if the rain is really light, also they become more sensitive the faster you drive.

I don't use auto headlights, I run with my lights on all the time, I'm a big believer in being seen, all those years of riding motorcycles and having a grey car.

Baz.

Mine has DRLs,so it always has lights on.The DRLs may be bright but not bright enough to see with at nite;)
;););););)
Andrew

[pprass]

...You can change the delay via the rh button on the steering wheel...
Andrew
Which "button" is that Andrew? I pushed and turned just about everything on the steering wheel and indicator lever to shorten the time that the lights are on after switching off the engine. Is it that wheel on the RHS of the dash - to the right of the indicator lever? Haven't tried that.

[SBD4]

Which "button" is that Andrew? I pushed and turned just about everything on the steering wheel and indicator lever to shorten the time that the lights are on after switching off the engine. Is it that wheel on the RHS of the dash - to the right of the indicator lever? Haven't tried that.


Press the <OK> button on the steering wheel, this will display the menu on the display in the instrument cluster (between speedo and taco).
Press the <up>, <down>, <left>, <right> arrow buttons located around the <OK> button to navigate the menu.
Press the <down> to select "vehicle settings". Press <right> to enter the "Vehicle Settings" sub-menu.
Press <down> to select "Headlamp Delay" then press <right> to enter the sub-menu.
Now you can change the delay time or completely disable the function by selecting the relevant menu item.
Exit the menus by pressing <left>




Regarding the "wheel", if you are referring to the thumb wheel on the dash next the lighting control switches, this dims the light level in the instrument cluster.

[Graeme]

I removed the fuse from my auto wipers which turned the sensitivity switch into old-style intermittent use. Too many bugs where I live and drive and I also didn't like the unexpected and often seemingly unwarranted wiper activation.

[winaje]

My auto wipers are TOO sensitive, even with the sensitivity wheel rotated all the way up to minimum... Does anyone know a way to desensitize them further, or alternatively, which fuse did you pull Graeme?

[pprass]

Press the <OK> button on the steering wheel, this will display the menu on the display in the instrument cluster (between speedo and taco).
Press the <up>, <down>, <left>, <right> arrow buttons located around the <OK> button to navigate the menu.
Press the <down> to select "vehicle settings". Press <right> to enter the "Vehicle Settings" sub-menu.
Press <down> to select "Headlamp Delay" then press <right> to enter the sub-menu.
Now you can change the delay time or completely disable the function by selecting the relevant menu item.
Exit the menus by pressing <left>




Regarding the "wheel", if you are referring to the thumb wheel on the dash next the lighting control switches, this dims the light level in the instrument cluster.
Thanks for that - I found the menu item and was surprised that it was already at the shortest time interval of 30 seconds. The longest is 240 seconds - wonder why anyone would want it to stay on for that long on a regular basis?
Anyway - I selected "0" seconds and now the automatic lights turn off as soon as I switch the engine off.

Peter

[Graeme]

IIRC the handbook lists the fuse as being for auto wipers.

[pprass]

During our recent lengthy trip I had ample opportunities to test the auto wipe function while moving slow, fast, stationary, heavy rain, light rain, intermittent rain etc. I can tell you though that it actually worked more times when I hit huge holes on the tracks, or smashed into massive corrugations than it did when it rained :p.
It did work with just one swipe when I activated the Auto wiper from Off, or when I changed the sensitivity - more or less operating just like the manual one wipe push down setting.
When we were in Albany for a couple of days, I took the opportunity to book it into the LR dealer to check it out and they found that it was faulty. What they reckon happened is that when the sensor was being placed onto the inside of the windscreen it was pulled off straight away after placing it down to realign it - or something like that. They said that they could see where the adhesive was not properly set on the sensor in parts. Apparently that is a known problem and if it happens you have to get a whole new sensor and do it again. Well needless to say they didn't have a sensor in stock and I would have had to wait a few days until one came from the east.
btw - they wanted to know if I had bought the car new and whether the windscreen had ever been replaced!
So when I got back home to Port Macquarie, I book it into the dealer that I bought it from, they take half a day to say - yep it's faulty and they have ordered a replacement. So I say how long will that take to get the sensor and they say well it all depends if Melbourne have a windscreen in stock. WHAT - A WHOLE WINDSCREEN :eek:
Well yes - the sensor comes attached to the windscreen, so you need a whole new windscreen. Glad I'm not paying for that!
Tomorrow I get it fitted and it is raining here for the rest of the week so I will be able to tell straight away if it works :cool:

[Oztourer]

WHAT - A WHOLE WINDSCREEN :eek:
Well yes - the sensor comes attached to the windscreen, so you need a whole new windscreen. Glad I'm not paying for that!


Make sure you have windscreen insurance. Best $20 you can ever spend. I got a replacement screen several months ago after getting showered with gravel from a passing truck. Without insurance it would have cost me around $780!!

On a related matter, when teaching learners to drive, make sure they know about the auto-wipe function (or switch it off). It scared the daylights out of my daughter when the wipers suddenly swiped before her eyes when it started to sprinkle!!

[LandyAndy]

During our recent lengthy trip I had ample opportunities to test the auto wipe function while moving slow, fast, stationary, heavy rain, light rain, intermittent rain etc. I can tell you though that it actually worked more times when I hit huge holes on the tracks, or smashed into massive corrugations than it did when it rained :p.
It did work with just one swipe when I activated the Auto wiper from Off, or when I changed the sensitivity - more or less operating just like the manual one wipe push down setting.
When we were in Albany for a couple of days, I took the opportunity to book it into the LR dealer to check it out and they found that it was faulty. What they reckon happened is that when the sensor was being placed onto the inside of the windscreen it was pulled off straight away after placing it down to realign it - or something like that. They said that they could see where the adhesive was not properly set on the sensor in parts. Apparently that is a known problem and if it happens you have to get a whole new sensor and do it again. Well needless to say they didn't have a sensor in stock and I would have had to wait a few days until one came from the east.
btw - they wanted to know if I had bought the car new and whether the windscreen had ever been replaced!
So when I got back home to Port Macquarie, I book it into the dealer that I bought it from, they take half a day to say - yep it's faulty and they have ordered a replacement. So I say how long will that take to get the sensor and they say well it all depends if Melbourne have a windscreen in stock. WHAT - A WHOLE WINDSCREEN :eek:
Well yes - the sensor comes attached to the windscreen, so you need a whole new windscreen. Glad I'm not paying for that!
Tomorrow I get it fitted and it is raining here for the rest of the week so I will be able to tell straight away if it works :cool:

They dont replace the windscreen,just the sensor.Ive had mine done already,its worse now,auto headlights run in the day but not in the dark,then they go good.No auto wipers at all,but the loaner I had worked great as it was a showery day.Ive taken it back,as there is now an air bubble behind the glass,they say that its not good.Just need to book it in to get done again.
You were in my backyard(Albany),love the place,its where we holiday.Im 250ks up the Albany hwy at Williams.
Andrew

[pprass]

They dont replace the windscreen,just the sensor.....Ive taken it back,as there is now an air bubble behind the glass...
You were in my backyard(Albany),love the place,its where we holiday.
I queried them again about the need for a whole new windscreen and the service guy said that they just do what Land Rover Aust tell them to do, even though the guy who fitted the windscreen said that it was not necessary.
The air bubble issue is the problem and I think that is why LR say that it should be fitted at their factory on a new windscreen and not done on site with a wobbly hand where you could stick it on incorrectly and then try to remove it and place it down again.
Yes I know where you live from a previous discussion in May when I mentioned where we were heading :) However after Albany we headed across to Denmark and then Cape Freycinet.

[tiddy]

During our recent lengthy trip I had ample opportunities to test the auto wipe function while moving slow, fast, stationary, heavy rain, light rain, intermittent rain etc. I can tell you though that it actually worked more times when I hit huge holes on the tracks, or smashed into massive corrugations than it did when it rained :p.
It did work with just one swipe when I activated the Auto wiper from Off, or when I changed the sensitivity - more or less operating just like the manual one wipe push down setting.
When we were in Albany for a couple of days, I took the opportunity to book it into the LR dealer to check it out and they found that it was faulty. What they reckon happened is that when the sensor was being placed onto the inside of the windscreen it was pulled off straight away after placing it down to realign it - or something like that. They said that they could see where the adhesive was not properly set on the sensor in parts. Apparently that is a known problem and if it happens you have to get a whole new sensor and do it again. Well needless to say they didn't have a sensor in stock and I would have had to wait a few days until one came from the east.
btw - they wanted to know if I had bought the car new and whether the windscreen had ever been replaced!
So when I got back home to Port Macquarie, I book it into the dealer that I bought it from, they take half a day to say - yep it's faulty and they have ordered a replacement. So I say how long will that take to get the sensor and they say well it all depends if Melbourne have a windscreen in stock. WHAT - A WHOLE WINDSCREEN :eek:
Well yes - the sensor comes attached to the windscreen, so you need a whole new windscreen. Glad I'm not paying for that!
Tomorrow I get it fitted and it is raining here for the rest of the week so I will be able to tell straight away if it works :cool:

Not doubting what you've been told but I had my TDV6 for 2 weeks when the windscreen was cracked and needed to be replaced with a genuine LR screen and it was just the screen, no sensor was attached.

But if they are replacing the screen make sure they also replace the retaining clips on both sides for windscreen trim panels, otherwise the panels have a habit of coming adrift, particularly if you drive at highway speeds....just like mine did.

Cheers

tiddy

[BMKal]

Not doubting what you've been told but I had my TDV6 for 2 weeks when the windscreen was cracked and needed to be replaced with a genuine LR screen and it was just the screen, no sensor was attached.

But if they are replacing the screen make sure they also replace the retaining clips on both sides for windscreen trim panels, otherwise the panels have a habit of coming adrift, particularly if you drive at highway speeds....just like mine did.

Cheers

tiddy

Exactly the same experience that I had. ;)

My windscreen was replaced by a local place here in Kalgoorlie, but they got a genuine windscreen up from Barbagallo in Perth - glass only, no new sensor and no new trim panel retaining clips. They lost or broke some of the clips and used el-cheapo ones they must have got from Supercrap Auto over the road. Next trip to Perth, the passenger side trim panel popped off.

I have since replaced all of the retaining clips with new OEM ones, and I carry a packet of spare clips in the glovebox.

[wbowner]

So if you break a windscreen you lose your rain sensor ?

I have a chip in mine and am reluctant to replace at this stage.

I would not like to lose the rain sensor as this replace the intermittent wiper option on other cars.


Richard

[Oztourer]

So if you break a windscreen you lose your rain sensor ?

I have a chip in mine and am reluctant to replace at this stage.

I would not like to lose the rain sensor as this replace the intermittent wiper option on other cars.


Richard

Rain sensor comes fitted to the screen but you have to pay for it. From memory, straight glass $450, glass and rain sensor $750, glass, rain sensor and windscreen heater close to a grand - hence my comment re windscreen insurance!!!

My tiny chip turned into a 30cm crack in no time. Get the chip fixed ASAP.

[pprass]

...But if they are replacing the screen make sure they also replace the retaining clips on both sides for windscreen trim panels, otherwise the panels have a habit of coming adrift, particularly if you drive at highway speeds....just like mine did.
Guess what happened after I picked up the car and drove down the highway at 100 kph? Pop!!! Went back to the dealer and told them exactly what had not happened when the windscreen guy replaced the windscreen. Clips ordered and now back I go to get them fitted :mad:

BTW - thanks for mentioning it :)

Peter

[tiddy]

So if you break a windscreen you lose your rain sensor ?

I have a chip in mine and am reluctant to replace at this stage.

I would not like to lose the rain sensor as this replace the intermittent wiper option on other cars.


Richard

No you don't, the sensors are up behind the rear view mirror.
The windscreen fits up against the sensors.

There are no sensors attached to the screen, the screen merely has a black appliqu? across the top cut to the shape of the sensors behind the mirror.

[wbowner]

No you don't, the sensors are up behind the rear view mirror.
The windscreen fits up against the sensors.

There are no sensors attached to the screen, the screen merely has a black appliqu? across the top cut to the shape of the sensors behind the mirror.

Thanks for that.

Richard