Rain Sensing Wipers

[threetwoeight]

Hi... i have recently bought a 1999 328i and it has rain sensing wipers, but what do the different settings on the 'knurled wheel' do? It all works.... when it rains, it wipes, but when I turn the wheel, it seems to make no difference- any help would be appreciated!

Thanks.

[Q_BMW]

hey
not sure, i was wondering the same thing too....did u get a chance to read the manual yet ?
Q

[threetwoeight]

Originally posted by Q_BMW@Nov 18 2004, 05:54 PM
hey
not sure, i was wondering the same thing too....did u get a chance to read the manual yet ?
Q

[snapback]233119[/snapback]

Yeah, I did look at the manual, but it just says 'turn the knurled wheel for different settings'.... but it all seems to work the same way as far as I can see??? It doesn't seem to make any difference, it still works the same way! I haven't had a chance to drive the car in very light rain.... then you may be able to tell.....

threetwoeight

[325isBaby]

the knurled wheel is to set the sensitivity of the rain/light sensor. the rain sensor will react quicker to moisture at the highest setting and so on.

[threetwoeight]

Originally posted by 325isBaby@Nov 18 2004, 09:21 PM
the knurled wheel is to set the sensitivity of the rain/light sensor. the rain sensor will react quicker to moisture at the highest setting and so on.

[snapback]233253[/snapback]

Ah excellent.... but which is the most sensitive setting.....? You would think that as I live in England I would of had ample opportuntiy to find these things out in the rain- but I haven't yet!

[white 330ci]

the one with 2 bars is most sensitive, i think that goes too much so i use the least sensetive, broken bar

[BMWLotAttendant]

I was wondering the same thing...so if you turn the knob all the way to the bottom....that's the highest moisture sensing from the sensor?...

I knew it did something....I just couldn't figure it out

[threetwoeight]

Originally posted by white 330ci@Nov 18 2004, 11:57 PM
the one with 2 bars is most sensitive, i think that goes too much so i use the least sensetive, broken bar

[snapback]233407[/snapback]

That was really useful- thanks! One last question, mine goes in this order..... 2brs, one bars, broken bar, then one upside down bar..... what is the upside down one for then?

Thanks guys for all these comments- it is not clear in my manual!

[white 330ci]

hmmm used

i don't remember what that bar is for, i'd go check but it is not raining.

you should just test it next time it rains.

[sm1th]

This may sound stupid.. but how do you know if you have the rain sensor?? i hate the little wheel you are talking about.. thx


btw I have a 2000 323i with sport package

[ckidd325]

Originally posted by sm1th@Nov 19 2004, 03:30 PM
This may sound stupid.. but how do you know if you have the rain sensor?? i hate the little wheel you are talking about.. thx


btw I have a 2000 323i with sport package

[snapback]233947[/snapback]

Visually you can see the rain sensor. Look at your front windshield where the rear view mirror mounts. The rain sensor has a purple tint where it's normally black. This is the infrared eye that measures the amount of moisture on the windshield.

Here is a desription of all the positions for the wiper lever:

0 - Wipers retracted
1 - Intermittent mode or rain sensor (up one)
2 - Normal wipe
3 - Fast wipe
4 - Brief wipe (push down on the lever)
5 - Cleaning windshield (pull lever towards you)
6 - Rotary dial for control of the wipe interval or the sensitivity of the rain sensor

Right out of my owner's manual.

Hope that helps.

ck

[white 330ci]

the question was not about the lever but the dial that is on it

[KwlAznKid]

i think ihave this feature but whenver it rains my windshield wipers never go on.. how do i turn it on? 0_O

[threetwoeight]

You move the wiper arm up one position (up one position from the off position), and that in itself should activate it. If you start the car when it is in this position, if you turn the wheel on the arm and that will activate it!

threetwoeight

[KwlAznKid]

Originally posted by threetwoeight@Nov 21 2004, 02:07 PM
You move the wiper arm up one position (up one position from the off position), and that in itself should activate it. If you start the car when it is in this position, if you turn the wheel on the arm and that will activate it!

threetwoeight

[snapback]234804[/snapback]

as in the wheel on the arm do you mean the lil clicky thing? how much should i turn it? thanks