Anyway to reset the intermittent wiper settings? "04 V70

[MadeInJapan]

Last summer we had a cracked windshield and had it replaced under insurance. They did not use a Pelkington. Anyway, we were assured this windshield would be fine and reading on forums it seemed to be fine too. Fast forward to today driving 8 hours in lots of different rain conditions. The intermittent setting on the wipers is way off... I think it's the sensor in the windshield itself. Sometimes it will just swipe and then stop...other times it goes crazy fast when there's only a mist...very unpredictable. Anyway- it was a major annoyance and I got to thinking that maybe there's a way to reset or configure the intermittent wiper settings to the "new" windshield that has the sensor in it. Any help would be appreciated.

[MadeInJapan]

Read this on an XC forum. Has anyone done/tried this?

"We have had this issue with a few of our XCs and V/S-series vehicles. The problem occurs when heat causes the silicone barrier between the windshield and sensor becomes hot. It can separate and become misalligned and residue builds up between the barrier and the windshield.

This fix works for us, at least in 06+ models of S60, V70, XC70. Read all the instructions over once before attempting:

1) remove the plastic cover of the rainsensor (on the windshield... its gray plastic). Just play with it and it will come off.

2) you will see the rainsensor module. Push the tab on the connector and pull out the plug. It should come out easily.

3) WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY. The two pieces of metal on either side of the module are exposed. They are hinged--pull them away from each other, like wings. The module will uncouple from the dark metal hold, and the module will pull out.

4) The silicone barrier will be either on the windshield or on the module you took out. Being very careful (and NOT touching the clear parts of the barrier or ANY parts of the sensor face), remove the barrier. Your best bet is to have someone helping you hold onto it with clean hands, very carefully, on the black area.

4A) Use a paper towel with window cleaner to clean the area on the windshield that is now exposed. Clean thoroughly. Wipe with a dry paper towel to remove any streaking or residue or remaining cleaner.

5) Align the silicone barrier back onto the sensor that you removed as you reattach the barrier to the sensor. Make sure the clear parts of the barrier match up to the little round bits on the sensor. Be very precise. There is also a small hole in the barrier that should match up to a corresponding black dot in the sensor. Sometimes this misalignment is the cause of faults.

6) With the barrier attached to the sensor and the hinges open, place the module back into the socket. Closing the hinges on the module will couple the module back into the harness on the windshield.

7) Plug the module back in. It's easy.

Replace the plastic cover.

This usually addresses most of our problems. I think that the silicone barrier gets overheated and slides out of place. Also, inept windshield repairmen can cause this misalignment."

[jimmy57]

If you prefer regular interval adjustable intermittent wipers instead of rain sensor sensitivity adjustable wipers then just unplug the sensor under the cover on windshield. The system defaults to intermittent if the sensor fails or is unplugged.

[JRL]

*****

[JRL]

Just pull the damn plug.
2004 rain sensors don't work well anyway (if at all)
Then you use the manual intermitent ring like you have for years in previous cars

[MadeInJapan]

Thanks for the comments. We drive home tomorrow so I'll unplug it once we're home. Fortunately, good weather in the forecast for the road.