Auto sensing wipers working like standard?

[Oddball]

Hi all,

I'm trying to figure out if my auto rain sensing wipers are working correctly or not.

It seems like when I have the auto sensing wipers on they act like normal wipers, going at the exact same rate all the time (depending on speed/sensitivity setting), no matter how badly it is raining. I put it to "auto" today when the Windshield was wet, but not raining, on the lowest sensitivity and it would just keep wiping the dry window every 20 seconds or so.

I have the setting in the left menu on the instrument cluster checkmarked, so I'm not sure what I'm missing? Is there another setting somewhere? A button I'm missing?

Truck is a 2019 FX4 Lariat

Thanks

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[diesel924]

I turned them off and set it to interval wiping when I first got the truck. Rain sensing doesn't work for beans.

 

[airline tech]

So, you need to have the IPC setting check marked for (Rain Sensing) & (Auto)
Right stalk one click up from off. (This is for Intermittent & Auto Rain Sense)
The right stalk (Rotary) adjusts sensitivity. All the Way Down = Low Sensitivity / All the Way Up = High Sensitivity
The rain sensor (module) is just below the Rear View mirror.

Now if switches are in the normal operating position, you may a code generated for the Rain Sensor, use Forscan and view and reset the code (any scan tool that can read (B) Body codes will work) if you do not have Forscan.
Rain sensor faults, the wipers default to Intermittent

One other note, if you have a build-up of Rain-X or Wax it may be distorting the Rain Sensor and it thinks it is rain (in front of the sensor)


Some owners have reported issues with the sensor and its gel type lens and had it replaced.

Rain Sensitive Wipers (if equipped)

When equipped, the rain sensitive wiper feature replaces the intermittent wiper feature. The rain sensitive feature is active when the wiper/washer switch is in any of the 6 auto/intermittent sensitivity settings. The setting closest to OFF is the least sensitive to moisture, the highest setting being the most sensitive to moisture.

The rain sensor sends data through the LIN to the windshield wiper motor assembly. Based on the data received from the rain sensor and the auto/intermittent setting from the wiper/washer switch, the system automatically activates and adjusts the wiper speed and frequency when moisture is detected on the windshield.

If a fault is detected with the rain sensitive feature, the windshield wipers change to a default intermittent mode. The timing of the wipers corresponds to a standard intermittent setting based on the auto/intermittent sensitivity setting on the wiper/washer switch.



Rain Sensor

The rain sensor uses an infrared beam to optically sense water on the windshield. The intensity of the reflected beam is measured and compared to the intensity of the transmitted beam. If there is water on the surface of the windshield, the beam distorts, reducing the intensity of the beam. If the beam is not reflected completely, it is interpreted as rain on the windshield and the windshield wipers are activated.

A gel-type lens is used as the interface between the rain sensor and the windshield. If the lens is missing or damaged, the rain sensing wipers can be inoperative. The rain sensor gel-type lens cannot be replaced separately on a rain sensor of this type.

 

[Oddball]

So, you need to have the IPC setting check marked for (Rain Sensing) & (Auto)
Right stalk one click up from off. (This is for Intermittent & Auto Rain Sense)
The right stalk (Rotary) adjusts sensitivity. All the Way Down = Low Sensitivity / All the Way Up = High Sensitivity
The rain sensor (module) is just below the Rear View mirror.

Now if switches are in the normal operating position, you may a code generated for the Rain Sensor, use Forscan and view and reset the code (any scan tool that can read (B) Body codes will work) if you do not have Forscan.
Rain sensor faults, the wipers default to Intermittent

One other note, if you have a build-up of Rain-X or Wax it may be distorting the Rain Sensor and it thinks it is rain (in front of the sensor)


Some owners have reported issues with the sensor and its gel type lens and had it replaced.

Rain Sensitive Wipers (if equipped)

When equipped, the rain sensitive wiper feature replaces the intermittent wiper feature. The rain sensitive feature is active when the wiper/washer switch is in any of the 6 auto/intermittent sensitivity settings. The setting closest to OFF is the least sensitive to moisture, the highest setting being the most sensitive to moisture.

The rain sensor sends data through the LIN to the windshield wiper motor assembly. Based on the data received from the rain sensor and the auto/intermittent setting from the wiper/washer switch, the system automatically activates and adjusts the wiper speed and frequency when moisture is detected on the windshield.

If a fault is detected with the rain sensitive feature, the windshield wipers change to a default intermittent mode. The timing of the wipers corresponds to a standard intermittent setting based on the auto/intermittent sensitivity setting on the wiper/washer switch.



Rain Sensor

The rain sensor uses an infrared beam to optically sense water on the windshield. The intensity of the reflected beam is measured and compared to the intensity of the transmitted beam. If there is water on the surface of the windshield, the beam distorts, reducing the intensity of the beam. If the beam is not reflected completely, it is interpreted as rain on the windshield and the windshield wipers are activated.

A gel-type lens is used as the interface between the rain sensor and the windshield. If the lens is missing or damaged, the rain sensing wipers can be inoperative. The rain sensor gel-type lens cannot be replaced separately on a rain sensor of this type.

Thanks for the extra info! I will check forscan, because it definitely seems like it is always on intermittent.

 

[got3fords]

I turned them off and set it to interval wiping when I first got the truck. Rain sensing doesn't work for beans.

My wife's Edge's auto wipers are nuts, assuming it's the same instrument cluster as the Lariat, how do you change them to standard intermittent?

 

[Oddball]

My wife's Edge's auto wipers are nuts, assuming it's the same instrument cluster as the Lariat, how do you change them to standard intermittent?

There is a setting in the options on the left side if your instruments that says something like "Rain sensing". You need to uncheck that box

 

[JohnnyLightning]

try washing the sensor area of windshield with Dawn Dish soap. It strips wax and grease off the window. It might help. I have had a bunch of cars with rain sensing. I have never liked the way any of them worked. They always seems to swipe too much.

 

[got3fords]

try washing the sensor area of windshield with Dawn Dish soap. It strips wax and grease off the window. It might help. I have had a bunch of cars with rain sensing. I have never liked the way any of them worked. They always seems to swipe too much.

That's what wife complains about, wipes too much. She is more prone to wiping too little.
I always notice people with their wipers on when it's only lightly raining or drizzling. At the same time I have my intermittents on low, they have theirs constantly wiping. Don't get it.

 

[Fordup]

Mine work perfect. Come on automatically and adjust speed according to the rain or mist rate. Haven't touched the wiper control since getting the truck. Like said above, be sure the top center of the windshield is clean.

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