I have a 2007 Suburban LTZ with the rain sense wipers. They only work on low or high speed normal setting. When i set it to the intermitten setting, it only swipes once. The dealer said the sensor had come loose on the windshield and unit needs to be replaced that it can't be reattached. When I disconnect the wire going to the sensor, the wipers work like normal intermittent wipers. Is there any harm in leaving this disconnected as the dealer wants $400 to replace? Does it serve any other function? Or is there some type of material I can get to re-attach the sensor? the stuff that was on it looked like a clear gel or silicone material.

Thanks for any input

 

Welcome to the forum.

The gel is to provide an optical coupling between the glass and the sensor, I think.

You might try using a rear view mirror reattachment kit. They're like super glue and inexpensive. Can't hurt.

 

Thanks, I have some permatex I will try. Otherwise, i will just keep it disconnected. It works fine that way.

 

the system works by sending a light to the windshield. It refracts through the windshield and comes back to the sensor. If there is water on the windsheld, it will change the way to light comes back and causes the wipers to start working.

What I am saying is whatever you are going to use, try to have it as close as what was originally used.

 

i think the wipers are funny, I have the key in, to listen to the radio when I wash the truck, i go to spray it... and the wipers come on! funny, but slightly annoying...

 

The RainSense mode is only supposed to be active in the variable range setting. If you don't want this to happen, then just rotate to off.

 

correct, but 99% of the time it lives on the lowest setting... so when its nice and sunny out and i want to wash my car, I don't always remember to turn it off BEFORE hitting it w/the hose... then i open the door and turn them off...

 

FYI for those who want to disconnect this feature. I just did it because it is annoying not having control.

Simply pull the cover off the sensor on the windshield by pulling at the passenger side. Once exposed just unplug the sensor and reinstall the cover. Tested it and works just like a regular intermittent wiper, and slow/fast still operational.

 

Are you KIDDING?! I LOVE the rain sense wipers!

I drove my wife's car without rain sense and without automatic HVAC... drove me nuts!

the temp was never right; and had to keep adjusting the wipers to the car speed / rain levels...

stupid tahoe needs adaptive cruise too.... soon cars without that will look as stupid as cars without power windows and sat nav!

 

IMO it seems like it does not work correctly for the conditions especially during the winter or off roading. For me, it would either wipe too frequently or not enough. Then during those conditions, I have no control: either off, low, and high (not including the useless intermittent mode).

I am not one for having a lot of automation unless I can have ultimate control if it does not operate the way I want it. The rainsense should have a way to turn it off in the DIC or external button.