Rain Sensor Diagnosis/Journey 08 S60

[yanga001]

Wanted to log the journey to fixing the rain sensor on my car. I have checked it with my scanner and am getting Rain Sensor Internal Fault errors off the upper electronic module. Looking at my windscreen i noted it was replaced, and can see the area open for the rain sensor. Bubbles appear to have formed between the sensor and the windscreen.

These sensors are not overly complicated from what i gather and work of reflections due to rain accumulation on the glass directly inline with the sensor. I suspect i will just need to remove the sensor, clean it, put new silicone or gel down, and adhere the sensor for it to work.

I have not found a real disassembly instructions so i ll put them in this post. Should be able to hit this project on the weekend.

[yanga001]

So i took apart the sensor assembly yesterday and noted that the sensor was not making good contact with the glass. The internal fault code 0083 is the results of light not being able to reflect through the glass and back into the rain sensor. I shimmed a piece of acrylic temporarily to kill the code, however it did not restore functionality of the sensor.

I tested the sensor while it was out of the holder and aimed it at the black covering of the glass. At some points i was able to get the wipers to activate which meant this was not an issue with sensor failure. I noted it took a good amount of pressure to have a flush fit to the glass which leads me to the following belief.

Over time the silicone may shrink and result in bad contact with the glass. This may lead to the sensor being unable to sense any light reflection leading to a fault.

My proposed solution is to laser cut a thin piece of acrylic in the exact shape of the pad and shim it in. My theory is that the acrylic should provide a proper medium for the light to reflect through the glass. My first attempt with putting a square piece of acrylic had likely failed due to an air gap created by the black coating on the glass. A piece that makes full contact with the glass should hopefully work.

I will post pictures as ill be busy in the coming weeks and probably unable to work on this project.

[motormikeyman]

Or you could just unplug it and your wipers will work like normal.

[yanga001]

Or you could just unplug it and your wipers will work like normal.

On the 08 the wipers have a rain sense option and normal interval operation. Fixing rain sensing is nothing more then just a personal project and attempt to have no codes on the car at all.