Windshield wipers issue

ExZHP · 08-07-2017, 04:21 PM

Greetings!
I realized that on my 228i, there are basically 2 modes of wipers: completely off and fairly intensive regardless of the rainfall. No intermittance at all. Anyone else had this issue?
Thankfully, it rarely rains in summer where I live, but come November, I'd better get that fixed!

overcoil · 08-07-2017, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExZHP

Greetings!
I realized that on my 228i, there are basically 2 modes of wipers: completely off and fairly intensive regardless of the rainfall. No intermittance at all. Anyone else had this issue?
Thankfully, it rarely rains in summer where I live, but come November, I'd better get that fixed!

Owners Manual

Can you post a pic of your wiper stalk ?

ExZHP · 08-07-2017, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

Owners Manual

Can you post a pic of your wiper stalk ?

Wiper stalk?

CAMOETO · 08-07-2017, 04:31 PM

Do you have an auto mode on your wiper stalk? It's the button right on the end of the stalk. If you press it, you should be able to control interval in auto mode through the switch on the front of the wiper stalk.

bryan_G01 · 08-07-2017, 04:32 PM

ExZHP · 08-07-2017, 04:50 PM

I've got rain-sensitive wipers. Either it's off by accident (didn't know you could turn it off, thanks for the scan - my bad for not referencing the guide), or it is damaged from being on at car washes. Will check tonight.

CAMOETO · 08-07-2017, 05:03 PM

The auto rain-sensitive wipers turn off every time you shut off your car, or press the auto button on the wiper stalk when rain-sensitive mode is on. You have to press the button again after your start the car to start the rain-sensitive/auto mode again.

harma24 · 08-07-2017, 07:33 PM

I use the rain sensing mode all the time. Use the thumb wheel to adjust the speed. It works great 90% of the time.

I also love that I can never forget to shut off my windshield wipers (to be surprised by them wiping when I turn on the car the next time)

Maynard · 08-08-2017, 09:52 AM

I wish they had an old fashioned 'set interval' setting. About half the time the auto-sensor is on PCP and doing its own thing, seems to gradually jack up the frequency - turning it off and on will help.

SteveInfante · 08-08-2017, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maynard

I wish they had an old fashioned 'set interval' setting. About half the time the auto-sensor is on PCP and doing its own thing, seems to gradually jack up the frequency - turning it off and on will help.

That's what the wheel in the stock is for.

p912guy · 08-08-2017, 10:05 AM

I find the rain-sensing wipers work really well and rarely use any setting other than the auto setting. I too like the fact once the vehicle is shut off the wipers are shut off until activated again. Of course, coming from 6 years in a MINI Cooper with essentially the same wiper system, I am familiar with the BMW system. My wife's Q5 is a click up or down on the stalk and once activated stays activated as long as the stalk stays in that position. My GMC just has a time frequency intermittent setting which needs to be adjusted frequently when the volume of rain changes. I much prefer the BMW solution.

SteveAustin · 08-08-2017, 03:00 PM

I live in Oregon and they are awful. They never work well enough and I end up putting them in Manual mode and adjusting them myself. They are unacceptable in mist or just a light enough rain they never seem to wipe when needed. I have read and know how to use the dial feature but to me they're not the best sensors.

omera60 · 08-09-2017, 09:54 AM

I don't know if you guys have seen the 2017-2018 steering column levers but there are some changes. For our summer vacation, we rented a 318i 2017. Now the Auto has been moved to the gate instead of being a button, now you have to 1 push up the lever and the Auto indication light turns on in green also I saw somewhere in the forum that someone was talking about the blinker lever and complaining that it wasn't staying in place which made them unsure if they were on or not, well I think BMW read your complaint because now they stay in place when you turn them on but 3 blink ones still turn to center immediately when you release them. They are kind of annoying as I got used to the other system however you get used to them immediately. Also, the shape and the size of the levers are different as well now, I don't know if the 2 LCI will get these or not, only time will tell...

ExZHP · 08-09-2017, 04:40 PM

So it was the button after all. My previous BMW had rain-sensitive wipers full-time, never needed to turn them on or off, so this was a bit new to me. However, with rain sensors "off", there is still no intermittance controlled by the wheel when the stem is in first position up.

I find it interesting and mildly annoying that BMW decided to install a rain sensor on/off button while not allowing you to turn off rear view mirror auto-dimming.

morphomeman · 08-10-2017, 06:04 AM

I have never heard of a car in which the rain sensor could not be turned off. What would happen to such a vehicle in a car wash?
And why would one want to turn off auto dimming?
Just curious.

CAMOETO · 08-10-2017, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morphomeman

I have never heard of a car in which the rain sensor could not be turned off. What would happen to such a vehicle in a car wash?
And why would one want to turn off auto dimming?
Just curious.

I think what he meant is that some cars let you leave the car in rain-sensing mode after the car is turned off, such as my previous VW.

mattc1176 · 08-10-2017, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morphomeman

And why would one want to turn off auto dimming?
Just curious.

I can't stand auto-dimming. I feel it's harder to see exactly where the cars are and judge distance.

crabu2 · 08-10-2017, 01:16 PM

Speaking of wiper controls.. Anyone have an issue with the stalk itself having a rough edge on the top side? It's as if the plastic casing doesn't match, which causes it to have a rough/sharp lip.

ExZHP · 08-10-2017, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morphomeman

I have never heard of a car in which the rain sensor could not be turned off. What would happen to such a vehicle in a car wash?
And why would one want to turn off auto dimming?
Just curious.

To determine with more ease if there's a cop behind me at night. My auto-dimming, unlike my rain sensor, seems to be full-time at night.

aerostar · 08-10-2017, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maynard

I wish they had an old fashioned 'set interval' setting. About half the time the auto-sensor is on PCP and doing its own thing, seems to gradually jack up the frequency - turning it off and on will help.

If you move the stalk itself it's the interval settings for the wiper.

Transfer · 08-15-2017, 03:03 PM

I posted this thread a while back as my wipers are not sensitive enough...
http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1339554

Coincidentally I had my 2nd annual service today and asked my SA if there was any adjustment that could be done to the sensitivity and he said no, it's set at factory and not adjustable other than via the stalk. He confirmed that some are not sensitive enough and some are too sensitive. If you're lucky you land in the middle.

Strangely, in my E90 M3 the rain sensing wipers were flawless.

08-07-2017, 04:21 PM	#1
ExZHP Private 20 Rep 51 Posts Drives: BMW 228i MSport Join Date: May 2017 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Windshield wipers issue Greetings! I realized that on my 228i, there are basically 2 modes of wipers: completely off and fairly intensive regardless of the rainfall. No intermittance at all. Anyone else had this issue? Thankfully, it rarely rains in summer where I live, but come November, I'd better get that fixed!
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08-07-2017, 04:31 PM	#4
CAMOETO First Lieutenant 140 Rep 381 Posts Drives: 2017 m240i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: SE MI iTrader: (2)	Do you have an auto mode on your wiper stalk? It's the button right on the end of the stalk. If you press it, you should be able to control interval in auto mode through the switch on the front of the wiper stalk. __________________ Current: 2019 640i GT, 2019 MX-5 GT-S, 2015 X1 xDrive35i Gone, but not forgotten: 2017 m240i, 2016 GTI PP, 2013 Camaro SS, 2009 G8 GXP, 2008 G8 GT, 2007 335i, 2003 530i
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08-07-2017, 04:32 PM	#5
bryan_G01 Lieutenant Colonel 1165 Rep 1,931 Posts Drives: like i stole it... Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Attached Images __________________ www.nybmwcca.org Current Cars: 1995 M3 Coupe Manual Alpine White 1997 M3 Sedan Auto Cosmo Black Metallic 2018 x3 m40 Auto Grey Metallic
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08-07-2017, 04:50 PM	#6
ExZHP Private 20 Rep 51 Posts Drives: BMW 228i MSport Join Date: May 2017 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	I've got rain-sensitive wipers. Either it's off by accident (didn't know you could turn it off, thanks for the scan - my bad for not referencing the guide), or it is damaged from being on at car washes. Will check tonight.
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08-07-2017, 05:03 PM	#7
CAMOETO First Lieutenant 140 Rep 381 Posts Drives: 2017 m240i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: SE MI iTrader: (2)	The auto rain-sensitive wipers turn off every time you shut off your car, or press the auto button on the wiper stalk when rain-sensitive mode is on. You have to press the button again after your start the car to start the rain-sensitive/auto mode again. __________________ Current: 2019 640i GT, 2019 MX-5 GT-S, 2015 X1 xDrive35i Gone, but not forgotten: 2017 m240i, 2016 GTI PP, 2013 Camaro SS, 2009 G8 GXP, 2008 G8 GT, 2007 335i, 2003 530i Last edited by CAMOETO; 08-07-2017 at 10:17 PM..
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08-07-2017, 07:33 PM	#8
harma24 Captain 403 Rep 744 Posts Drives: 2017 M240i Glacier Silver Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: 19.5mi NNW of Boston, MA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M240i [0.00]	I use the rain sensing mode all the time. Use the thumb wheel to adjust the speed. It works great 90% of the time. I also love that I can never forget to shut off my windshield wipers (to be surprised by them wiping when I turn on the car the next time) __________________ Fun Cars (daily drivers) 2001-2016: 2001 Honda Prelude \| 2016 - present: 2017 M240xi Glacier Silver Coupe Family Cars: 1993-2014: 1993 Honda Accord 10th Anniversary Edition \| 2014-Present: 2014 Honda Odyssey Stable-mate: 2019 - present: 2020 230xi Seaside Blue Convertible
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08-08-2017, 09:52 AM	#9
Maynard Colonel 3848 Rep 2,873 Posts Drives: 228iX & M2C Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (1)	I wish they had an old fashioned 'set interval' setting. About half the time the auto-sensor is on PCP and doing its own thing, seems to gradually jack up the frequency - turning it off and on will help.
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08-08-2017, 10:05 AM	#11
p912guy Captain 373 Rep 702 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i Convertible Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: The Ville iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW M235i Conv ... [0.00]	I find the rain-sensing wipers work really well and rarely use any setting other than the auto setting. I too like the fact once the vehicle is shut off the wipers are shut off until activated again. Of course, coming from 6 years in a MINI Cooper with essentially the same wiper system, I am familiar with the BMW system. My wife's Q5 is a click up or down on the stalk and once activated stays activated as long as the stalk stays in that position. My GMC just has a time frequency intermittent setting which needs to be adjusted frequently when the volume of rain changes. I much prefer the BMW solution. __________________ 16 BMW M235i Alpine White Convertible / MT (Daily Driver) 16 Audi Q5 3.0T (Wife's Daily Driver) 66 Porsche 912 (Project) 17 GMC Canyon Denali Long Bed 4x4 (Tailgatin, Haulin & Towin) various 'one design' sailboats / stinky hockey gear
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08-08-2017, 03:00 PM	#12
SteveAustin Private First Class 25 Rep 108 Posts Drives: 2014 228i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	I live in Oregon and they are awful. They never work well enough and I end up putting them in Manual mode and adjusting them myself. They are unacceptable in mist or just a light enough rain they never seem to wipe when needed. I have read and know how to use the dial feature but to me they're not the best sensors.
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08-09-2017, 09:54 AM	#13
omera60 First Lieutenant 195 Rep 366 Posts Drives: 218i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Istanbul iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW X2 [5.25] 1993 BMW 850Ci [8.33] 1990 BMW 316i [8.00] 1994 BMW 318i [0.00] 2000 BMW Z3 Coupe [8.83] 1974 BMW Alpina A2 ... [10.00] 1985 BMW 635 CSi [0.00] 2018 BMW X3 [0.00] 1975 BMW 2002 [5.50] 2016 BMW 218i Coupe [8.00] 2006 BMW Z4 M Coupe [8.67]	I don't know if you guys have seen the 2017-2018 steering column levers but there are some changes. For our summer vacation, we rented a 318i 2017. Now the Auto has been moved to the gate instead of being a button, now you have to 1 push up the lever and the Auto indication light turns on in green also I saw somewhere in the forum that someone was talking about the blinker lever and complaining that it wasn't staying in place which made them unsure if they were on or not, well I think BMW read your complaint because now they stay in place when you turn them on but 3 blink ones still turn to center immediately when you release them. They are kind of annoying as I got used to the other system however you get used to them immediately. Also, the shape and the size of the levers are different as well now, I don't know if the 2 LCI will get these or not, only time will tell...
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08-09-2017, 04:40 PM	#14
ExZHP Private 20 Rep 51 Posts Drives: BMW 228i MSport Join Date: May 2017 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	So it was the button after all. My previous BMW had rain-sensitive wipers full-time, never needed to turn them on or off, so this was a bit new to me. However, with rain sensors "off", there is still no intermittance controlled by the wheel when the stem is in first position up. I find it interesting and mildly annoying that BMW decided to install a rain sensor on/off button while not allowing you to turn off rear view mirror auto-dimming.
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08-10-2017, 06:04 AM	#15
morphomeman Major 593 Rep 1,219 Posts Drives: 2015 M235ix Join Date: May 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (1) Garage List 2016 BMW X3 [0.00] 2015 BMW M235ix [0.00]	I have never heard of a car in which the rain sensor could not be turned off. What would happen to such a vehicle in a car wash? And why would one want to turn off auto dimming? Just curious.
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08-10-2017, 01:16 PM	#18
crabu2 Captain 142 Rep 671 Posts Drives: Truck and ... Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	Speaking of wiper controls.. Anyone have an issue with the stalk itself having a rough edge on the top side? It's as if the plastic casing doesn't match, which causes it to have a rough/sharp lip. __________________ '20 240ix convertible
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08-15-2017, 03:03 PM	#21
Transfer Major General 5251 Rep 5,874 Posts Drives: Bronco Wildtrak, Tesla MYP Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Issaquah, WA iTrader: (1)	I posted this thread a while back as my wipers are not sensitive enough... http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1339554 Coincidentally I had my 2nd annual service today and asked my SA if there was any adjustment that could be done to the sensitivity and he said no, it's set at factory and not adjustable other than via the stalk. He confirmed that some are not sensitive enough and some are too sensitive. If you're lucky you land in the middle. Strangely, in my E90 M3 the rain sensing wipers were flawless.
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