Rain Sensor Ques. - BMW Forum

tung325i · 12-05-2003, 04:59 AM

This is for a 03 325i.

According to the owners manual:

Rain sensor*
The rain sensor is positioned on the
windshield, directly behind the interior
rearview mirror.

To activate the rain sensor:

>With the ignition key in position 1
or 2, move the lever to position 1.
The wipers will make at least one
sweep across the windshield.
You can leave the lever in position 1
at all times. With the ignition key
position in position 1 or higher, all
you then need to do to activate the
rain sensor is

>briefly turn the rotary dial 5, or
>clean windshield 1, refer to page 69.

So if did the first step, I could activate the sensor by either:

>briefly turn the rotary dial 5, or
>clean windshield 1, refer to page 69.

But it seems that only ">briefly turn the rotary dial 5," works.

Is it the car or the manual is mis-print?

Thanks for helping out a new guy!!

Peace.

peterkulesza · 12-05-2003, 05:03 AM

hmmm...

my car engages this sensor when the engine is running and the dial (i am assuming this is the rotary dial 5) is in the first detent from the bottom, and the wiper stalk is up one detent. not briefly, but both just left there.

peter

ConnieLynnGus · 12-05-2003, 05:15 AM

tung325i, just curious, are you in NorCal?

damn rain made driving this morning absolutely unbearable around here!

tung325i · 12-05-2003, 05:20 AM

No, I am at the DC area. I was just browsing, and see that you just got you 330i, congrats!!

Take care. BTW, regarding my question, do you have any input??

Thanks

ConnieLynnGus · 12-05-2003, 05:47 AM

If I am understanding your question properly, I think I have pondered the same issue.
I noticed that when I leave the wiper thingy in the 'rain sensor' position when I turn the car off, when I turn the car back on the rain sensor does not work.
So, when I get back in the car, to get the system to turn back on, I have found that by moving the stick down to the 'off' position, then back to the 'rain sensor' position, the system resets itself.
On an unrelated-related note, I can't believe how people go from 0 to retard in seconds once the first rain of the seasons falls! What's wrong with people? Same thing happens in snow country during the first snowfall!

Other than this, how are you liking that 325i? One of my buddies is looking to buy one, although he may get swayed by that new X3 if it's as good as it's cracked up to be.

tung325i · 12-05-2003, 06:18 AM

The car is good. Just finished the break-in, but now comes the snow,

ghead

As for recommending the car, I would say take a test drive and see how your friend like it.

I got the 5-spd performance pkg. The shifting is not as smooth as the one I test drove on, but then I guess it cold now + just breaking in. This shifting is smoother after warming up. One thing I'd comment on is the wide range each gear is able to perform on: I can drive in most geart from 1300rpm up, which is a problem with my previous car (Rx7). It would get shaky in lower rpm - fun car though.

Anyway, hope this helps.

Nicc talking with you.

BTW, your solution is what I am doing now with the rain sensor too..... I think I will go ask a service rep at the dealer and let you know if I found anything.

used

peterkulesza · 12-05-2003, 07:51 AM

weird. mine keeps the senosr on whenever i start it, and i do not move that rotary thingy.

can you repost after you find out what the exact procedure is ?

peter

ConnieLynnGus · 12-05-2003, 08:31 AM

Not sure about other years/models, but my '04 Owner's Manual states that you can leave the rain sensing contraption on all the time, but each time you turn the car on you have to reset it by either spinning the wheel, washing the windows, or turning the system off by moving the whole stick down one notch then back on.