Rain sensing wipers

[simonshearer]

When I bought this '97 SL500, the rain sensor was not attached and both components were in the storage compartment. The dealer that did the PPI told me that I could not fix this myself, and that the only alternative was a ($1,360) new windshield (because the sensor comes attached to the new windshield). That made me determined to try anyway.

I used automotive trim double sided tape cut into very thin strips to reattach the sensor to the windshield, and found the connector stuffed up into the area above the rear vision mirror. After clipping the cover back on, I switched on the ignition, and the wiper did an obligatory dry wipe once (as I expected from reading the owner's manual), but the wiper would not respond to a spray from a water bottle, or the hose.

a) is the gap created by the (albeit thin) double sided tape the culprit, or
b) is it likely to be the sensor (or the corresponding relay)?
c) a far distant c), I had the roof off and the soft top down - is there a chance that the rain sensing wiper would be disabled sans roof?

Your thoughts? I'd hate to think the dealer was correct... :-)

[Gilly]

The sensor has some receptor diodes in it. I'd imagine that yes the sensor has to be bonded to the inside of the windshield in a pretty optically clear method. So I'd say they are right in that there is no "official" repair method.

Just to be sure, youu DID have the wiper switch in intermittent mode when you did the spray test, right?

I wish I could give a positive answer. If you look at the sensor and windshield, does it appear to have been bonded on there? If so there owuld be nothing to lose by trying something like a clear silicone or one of these glass bonding kits (like what you glue a rear view mirror metal tab on with) OR possibly one of these glass repair companies would have a product that might work. I know they usually inject it in to a crack, but maybe they could try using it as a filler between the sensor and windshield?

But yes be sure you know that the "intermittent" position is more or less the "on" switch for the sensor system.

As far as I know there is no reason the system would stop if the top was down. Some models have a block-out if the HOOD is open but not the top down afaik. You MAY want to try it with the engine running though, but if it did the one test swipe, I think it should be working.
Was there any expaination given on what exactly happened to the sensor?

Gilly