Howto: Upgrade to autodim/rain sensor mirror

[david_594]

YES. Salt drives the rain sensor insane! Thats why you need to make sure to keep the windshield washer tank full, all 5.5Liters of it.

 

[tongsli]

If you want them to start again after getting out of the car, no need to move the stalk,

Just move the lever on top of the stalk that controls the speed of the intermittent feature.

This will activate them once again.

L

 

[BoosTDIt]

Fitzsky i think you need to adjust the wiper blade arms to resolve the skipping....Lito posted some time ago how even a dealer bulletin exists for that for the pre-delivery inspections....you're supposed to bend them slightly somehow towards the glass...i mostly hear the Passat people to have this complaint...maybe the curve of the Passat windshields???

 

[BoosTDIt]

If you want them to start again after getting out of the car, no need to move the stalk,

Just move the lever on top of the stalk that controls the speed of the intermittent feature.

This will activate them once again.

L

yea i know that ...just thought that maybe it's not normal...it's a tiny bit annoying because i get in and out allot..

 

[fitzski]

Fitzsky i think you need to adjust the wiper blade arms to resolve the skipping....Lito posted some time ago how even a dealer bulletin exists for that for the pre-delivery inspections....you're supposed to bend them slightly somehow towards the glass...i mostly hear the Passat people to have this complaint...maybe the curve of the Passat windshields???

I've no problems with skipping/chattering with the "aero" blades, if that's what you mean. My beef is that in salty (road spray) winter driving conditions, no matter the sensitivity of the rain sensor, they will wipe prematurely, and very ineffectively. The windshield isn't really that "wet", so it just gets it totally streaked and, unless I use the spray washers immediately, completely opaque.

With manual "forced interval" intermittent wipers, like my Jetta, I can set the interval long enough to minimize that issue. Otherwise, as David says, you go through a LOT of washer fluid, or you do a manual wipe.

I'm just surprised that there is nothing in VAG-COM to disable the rain sensing and revert to a standard intermittent wiper - I'd happily make that change for winter v summer driving.

</end rant>

 

[compu_85]

The reason they have the wipers deactivate after a restart is this: In the winter, if you park the car with the switch on auto, then start it again, the wipers would try to move a large ammount of snow.

That's the best answer I can come up with.

-Jason

 

[fitzski]

The reason they have the wipers deactivate after a restart is this: In the winter, if you park the car with the switch on auto, then start it again, the wipers would try to move a large ammount of snow.

That's the best answer I can come up with.

-Jason

That's a pretty good answer.

Or if they are frozen, too.

[edit]Although... if that were the reason, wouldn't it/shouldn't it work the same in all models and in all modes - what if I leave my standard Jetta on wiper speed 1, or even the intermittent mode? It'll still wipe when I next get in the car... same with the W8 (with the rain sensor), if I leave it on one of the speed settings... [/edit]

 

[BoosTDIt]

i like that answer too

 

[tongsli]

That's a pretty good answer.

Or if they are frozen, too.

[edit]Although... if that were the reason, wouldn't it/shouldn't it work the same in all models and in all modes - what if I leave my standard Jetta on wiper speed 1, or even the intermittent mode? It'll still wipe when I next get in the car... same with the W8 (with the rain sensor), if I leave it on one of the speed settings... [/edit]

Is the 192 control module used in the W8 as well?

 

[fitzski]

Is the 192 control module used in the W8 as well?

No. At least, not if I understand/read Bentley correctly. It lists it as Wiper/Washer Intermittent Relay (377), as per the diagram below, for rainsensor equipped vehicles from October 2000.

 

[MOGolf]

Is the 192 control module used in the W8 as well?

Yes, 192 is used in the Passat with rain sensor. Otherwise, like all the other A4s and B5s now, 603 relay is used (supercedes 377, 378). A5 is different.

 

[Hoffer]

Although... if that were the reason, wouldn't it/shouldn't it work the same in all models and in all modes - what if I leave my standard Jetta on wiper speed 1, or even the intermittent mode? It'll still wipe when I next get in the car... same with the W8 (with the rain sensor), if I leave it on one of the speed settings...

My guess is that the 192 has more smarts than the relay it replaces (I forget the number). I've opened them up, and there is quite a difference between the two. Cost savings on the one without the rain sensor. You would need some piece of active logic in there and that costs...

- hoffer

 

[fitzski]

Yes, 192 is used in the Passat with rain sensor. Otherwise, like all the other A4s and B5s now, 603 relay is used (supercedes 377, 378). A5 is different.

Not sure I follow... 192 is used with the rain sensor cars, and 603 is used in the non-rain sensor cars. Further, 603 supercedes 377 and 378. IOW... 377 should not be in a rain sensor car, contrary to what Bentley says (not that they're always right)?

I was going to take a picture of the relay... but it's a hassle to remove the cowling... But now I'm curious.

 

[astonishedboy]

I've a source for all the parts, but the windshield. Is it possible to swap out a windshield?

 

[compu_85]

It's not something you can DIY I would think...

-Jason

 

[tongsli]

I have a spare 192 relay for sale, if anyone who is looking to do this modification

 

[volmaniac]

my mirror from vwunderground came with the donut-shaped windshield attachment if anyone wants that.

 

[volmaniac]

anyone who wants to part with their old 377 378 603 relays, there may be some folks on passatworld.com looking for these (tired of the autosensor). personally i luv this mod.

http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224716

 

[compu_85]

Just a note to those doing this: Your wiper blades must be fresh for the sensor to work properly.

-Jason

 

[dieselgti]

Just a note to those doing this: Your wiper blades must be fresh for the sensor to work properly.

-Jason

Looks like I'll have to add wipers to the list of stuff I need to get. I just bought a rainsensing / autodim mirrow. I need to find a good price on the relay (1J0 955 531). Maybe, I'll see if someone on the passat forum will want to swap + $ for a non-sensing relay. Hopefully, I won't have a problem with insurance to upgrade to the GLX windshield. My stock windshield caught a rock the other day and is ready to go....

 

[compu_85]

Be sure the new glass is installed properly.......


-J

 

[volmaniac]

Maybe, I'll see if someone on the passat forum will want to swap + $ for a non-sensing relay.

lito (tongsli) had an extra 192 a couple of months ago, check with him too.

 

[dieselgti]

Be sure the new glass is installed properly.......

No kidding! I'm really worried about that. I was reading through the thread that was linked ealier. Talk about a nightmare!!!! I really didn't want to replace the glass, but the crack kinda forced it.

 

[dieselgti]

lito (tongsli) had an extra 192 a couple of months ago, check with him too.

Great, I'll shoot him a PM!

 

[251]

Great, I'll shoot him a PM!

I already did - he sold it awhile back!

 

[david_594]

try undergroundvwparts or whoever it is on vortex. Thats where I got my parts. I believe compu got his stuff from BVAmotorsports or whoever the other big wrecker is on vortex. They can get you all the parts for fairly reasonable prices.

 

[Nihilator]

whoever the other big wrecker is on vortex

UndergroundVWParts.

--Chris

edit: yeah, re-read your post. Those two are the biggest. For new parts, I'd recommend World Impex; I don't know their screen name on the vortex, though.

 

[dieselgti]

UndergroundVWParts.

--Chris

edit: yeah, re-read your post. Those two are the biggest. For new parts, I'd recommend World Impex; I don't know their screen name on the vortex, though.

Thanks! It looks like BVAMotorsports might have one! This should be a fun mod!

 

[david_594]

Very fun mod. Or lack of fun depending on how you look at it because you will spent a lot less time adjusting your wiper speed.

 

[fitzski]

heh... yeah... fun mod - remember that this thread was resurrected because of people trying to get RID of their rain sensing feature! I thought of doing the mod on the Jetta when I had to replace the windshield, and decided against it. After living with it in the W8, I absolutely made the right choice. It drives me nuts in most situations, and not at all worth the aggravation for the few occasions where it really does work well.

My point - just be informed before you jump in with money and time for a mod that you may have false expectations for. Check the thread volmaniac referenced above for starters.