Rain sensing wiper question

[black330i]

Hello out there. When it starts to drizzle, my nizzle, I put on my rain sensing wipers by moving the right control stalk up one position. Everything works great. If I turn off the car with the rain sensing wipers still on, then start the car up later, I have to turn the wipers off and then on again in order for them to work. Is this the way it's supposed to work? It seems to me that I should just be able to leave them on all the time, a la the auto headlights. Thanks.

Rich

 

[dschwartzer]

I actually jhad the same thing happen to me yesterday. I did not have to move the lever but did move the thumb-wheel in the end of the level to sort of "wake-up" the wipers.

Right after I got my car (about 6 weeks ago), the dealer had to replace the wiper sensor to correct a problem with my auto headlights and reset the computer. Since they went through the whole system I would assume that it is working correctly but I'll be interested to hear what others have to say.

 

[gizzy]

Yes, you must either move the wiper lever out from the automatic position and back or change the sensitivty to "wake-up" the system. This should be in the manual for your car.

I remember someone mentioning that this is to help prevent the wipers from turning on unintentionally when driving through a car wash.

Annoying though, isn't it?

 

[geneo]

with or without the rain sensor if you turn the car off while the wipers are on you will always have to hit the switch to get them going again for the reason of the car wash and if ice forms and you turn the car on the wipers will be frozen to the wind screen still bone heads try to wipe the snow off and wreck the arms and the motor instead of scraping the wind screen

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

my dad's car needs new wipers but the automatic feature is good and i like that you have to do it everytime you turn the car on since my dad always forgets and leaves it on

 

[TheBry]

This is totally helpful. I was in Santa Barbara last weekend and it rained cats and dogs. My wipers were in the auto position (I leave them there) but didn't start. I thought something was wrong. I nudged the stalk toward the washer setting then they kicked in and everything was fine. I thought the sensor had malfunctioned or something, but now (through this thread) I know this is the intended behavior. Thanks!

 

[stewthebassman]

I hope this doesn't come out the wrong way, but it's in the owner' s manual

 

[TheBry]

I hope this doesn't come out the wrong way, but it's in the owner' s manual

Didn't come out the wrong way at all. My manual lives in the trunk. When stuff like this happens, I'm usually driving and think to myself "I'll look in the manual when I've stopped to see what's up." Then, I promptly forget about it until I'm on this board ;-)

 

[stewthebassman]

I ordered my new car April 20th, for June 1st delivery. I was so freakin' excited I got a manual from the dealer and read the darn thing about twenty times. Ask my wife what she thought of this behaviour. (Get a life, I know)!!!

 

[gizzy]

I ordered my new car April 20th, for June 1st delivery. I was so freakin' excited I got a manual from the dealer and read the darn thing about twenty times. Ask my wife what she thought of this behaviour. (Get a life, I know)!!!

There is nothing wrong about being excited about getting a new car - esspecially if it has the roundel.