VW Passat 2005-2010 - rain sensor

outlooks

Hi,

I was hoping to get some help on how to check if the rain sensor, on a 2008 passat, is inactive or broken.

I called VW dealer however they would charge aprox. 120€ for an hour just to check if there is an issue with it, so I'm looking for ideas on how to check that without spending the money.

Thank you.

Toyotafanboi

Do the wipers work when the switch is in the auto position and it's raining?

outlooks

The wiper switch doesn't have an auto. The owners manual says that it needs to be in position 0 (off) and then the wipers go on automatically. This is a 2008 passat B6.

bazz26

Did it every work?

Is the sensor located behind the interior rear view mirror? It should be part of the back of the mirror that is stuck to the windscreen. You should be able to see it from the outside of the windscreen. BTW I think only Passat Highline models had rain sensing wipers as standard.



Or was the windscreen replaced at some stage? Some windscreen replacement companies put back the original sensor when replacing the windscreen. They should have replaced the sensor gel also but some are lazy or unaware. This can cause the rain sensor to stop working.

outlooks

bazz26 wrote: »

Did it every work?

Is the sensor located behind the interior rear view mirror? It should be part of the back of the mirror that is stuck to the windscreen. You should be able to see it from the outside of the windscreen. BTW I think only Passat Highline models had rain sensing wipers as standard.



Or was the windscreen replaced at some stage? Some windscreen replacement companies put back the original sensor when replacing the windscreen. They should have replaced the sensor gel also but some are lazy or unaware. This can cause the rain sensor to stop working.

Good questions and points.

The car is the high-line version and the sensor looks like the one you sent in the pic. Given it is a second hand car, don't know if it is the original or a new one. The manual says that the rain sensor is "on" when the wiper control is in the position highlighted in the picture attached. I may have an incorrect expectation about how it should work, since that position in the wiper control seems to set the frequency of the wiper and not if it should start or stop. Nonetheless, I noticed that when in that position, even if the windscreen is dry, the wipers will keep working based on the time/frequency I set (low or high).

GustavoFring

Usually it's position 1, the intermittent position, that they work from. You adjust the sensitivity then with the top switch.

Kimbot

Yes the slider there is only the speed of the wipers. When you are in the car click the stalk all the way down so its in position 1:OFF then click it once up and your are in auto mode

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jonnycivic wrote: »

Yes the slider there is only the speed of the wipers. When you are in the car click the stalk all the way down so its in position 1:OFF then click it once up and your are in auto mode

So when in "auto mode" if the windscreen is dry (no rain) and the wipers keep working, does that mean it is malfunctioning?

Kimbot

outlooks wrote: »

So when in "auto mode" if the windscreen is dry (no rain) and the wipers keep working, does that mean it is malfunctioning?

It may look like their is no heavy rain on the window but if a small drop lands on the sensor it can keep them going on you.

outlooks

jonnycivic wrote: »

It may look like their is no heavy rain on the window but if a small drop lands on the sensor it can keep them going on you.

Got it. I actually found a video that explains how it is working at the moment, however this looks like a passat with no rain sensor - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpBfwjliFDE

I'll give it another try and wipe the sensor as much as possible to see if it stops. If not I may not have another option than spending the money to check it.

Appreciate all your help here and any additional thoughts you may have.

ForestFire

outlooks wrote: »

So when in "auto mode" if the windscreen is dry (no rain) and the wipers keep working, does that mean it is malfunctioning?

It the latest versions of Auto Wipers there is a menu setting to activate the Auto Functionality.

1)Auto Activate+In intermittent position = Using Rain sensor and will only activate when needed

2)Auto Deactivate+In intermittent position = Will not use rain senor and will work like theold intermittent wipers with frequency adjustment

Do you have an Auto setting in the menus anywhere?

outlooks

ForestFire wrote: »

It the latest versions of Auto Wipers there is a menu setting to activate the Auto Functionality.

1)Auto Activate+In intermittent position = Using Rain sensor and will only activate when needed

2)Auto Deactivate+In intermittent position = Will not use rain senor and will work like theold intermittent wipers with frequency adjustment

Do you have an Auto setting in the menus anywhere?

Hi, no not available. I have one exactly as per pictured shared in the previous post. Would that be activated using the computer?

ForestFire

outlooks wrote: »

Hi, no not available. I have one exactly as per pictured shared in the previous post. Would that be activated using the computer?

No it is in the "Radio" menu system somewhere?

You can adjust different settings for radio and car also;-

e.g. Auto locking, Auto Windows, Follow home lights etc.

outlooks

ForestFire wrote: »

No it is in the "Radio" menu system somewhere?

You can adjust different settings for radio and car also;-

e.g. Auto locking, Auto Windows, Follow home lights etc.

Got it. Attached is a pic of the radio that is fitted in this model. Don't think I've seen that option before but will look again.

If not in the radio, any other ideas where that could be accessed from?

Thanks,

Edgar

bazz26

Try the trip computer on the stalk, it may allow you to display and scroll through options on the small screen between the speedo and rev counter. However it may not on the B6 Passat, more than likely this is only available on the B7 model.

outlooks

bazz26 wrote: »

Try the trip computer on the stalk, it may allow you to display and scroll through options on the small screen between the speedo and rev counter. However it may not on the B6 Passat, more than likely this is only available on the B7 model.

Thanks for the tip. I look into it and you are correct it is not available in the B6. I rang a couple of car shops that deal with electric issues, etc. but they told me to contact VW instead. For a 120€ check plus possibly another 200€ for a sensor I'm giving up on the auto wipes. Manual it is.