Can Rain sensor wipers be retrofitted easily?

[Steve440]

Just been reading rain sensing wipers were standard fit to US 9-5 Aero's from 2002 onwards.

Is it possible to upgrade normal wipers to rain sense easily?

Is the wiring in there and just need connecting to the correct sensors and relays or will I need a kit like this?  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rain-Control-System-Car-Sensor-Automatic-Wipers-Switch-/140676443773?_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DDLSL%252BSIC.NPJS%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BUA%26otn%3D10%26pmod%3D180760500117%252B180760500117%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D5799618896228905683

Steve

[sgould]

It's not easy.  To fit the Saab system you need a different windscreen for a start!!

Even then I think that there is a bit more to it.

[idlerider]

If mine are any guide, I wouldn't bother. You can never predict what they're going to do: work properly (OK, most of the time), ignore a downpour, or suddenly wipe every two seconds on a dry screen, whatever the setting.

Very distracting - stay with the intermittent.   

[phoenix]

You definitely need a new screen, and I think also a control module. They're the relatively easy bits. However you also need the correct wiring loom and I'm not sure that all cars had it fitted.

That eBay one looks interesting for the money though.

[Steve440]

If that is the case I might give that £35 on Ebay a go.

Must be OK or the seller would have crap feedback I presume.

I have rain sensing wipers on my Transit and they are perfect, I leave them on all the time and the adjustment is sat at 50%. Sometimes they come on and I then realise it has just started to rain. . I was not convinced when I first had them but now when I drive my other vehicles I am waiting for the wipers to come on as it rains.

Maybe if I bought that kit and I had the wiring in my car I could use part of the kit and some of the originals car wiring? Where would I need to look?

Steve

[phoenix]

That kit is completely standalone as far as I can see.

To fit it you will need to

a) find a source of power (ideally fed from the same fuse as the wipers)
b) connect the output of it to the wiper relay or direct to the motor circuit

It will involve some rooting around for sure.

My personal choice would probably be to get a bit clever and feed it from the intermittent wipe circuit, interrupting the feed from the column switch. I'd have to check the diagrams to see how this would work though.

I also see that despite it saying it comes on with the ignition, there is a power switch in the kit.

[TomPaine]

If mine are any guide, I wouldn't bother. You can never predict what they're going to do: work properly (OK, most of the time), ignore a downpour, or suddenly wipe every two seconds on a dry screen, whatever the setting.

Very distracting - stay with the intermittent.   

Have to say mine are perfect, and that's despite having had the windscreen replaced, which reportedly sometimes leads to problems. I thought they were a pointless gizmo until I had them, and now I'm a convert (along with all those other things you think are unnecessary until you have them, like auto-dimming mirrors, memory seats etc etc...).

[Max Headroom]

Mine work faultlessly too - but the old Pug I ran had them, and they were a bit flaky on that

[Audax]

I don't like them, they are unpredictable on different cars resulting in many just sitting there doing nothing when there is a fine drizzle mist which is when you need them most. If I had a Saab with them fitted I'd be looking at a way of getting rid of them! 

[Max Headroom]

...I'm also aware that if the sensor area has rain repellent such as 'Rain-X' they go bananas! Maybe mine just work well because I keep my windscreen really clean 

[Norfolk Jim]

SWIMBO has them on her Volvo V50 and I very quickly got to like them and like Steve says I just left them on all the time and they worked faultessly - she also has had her windscreen replaced. Wish I had them on mine - that kit looks interesting?

[Audax]

SWIMBO has them on her Volvo V50 and I very quickly got to like them and like Steve says I just left them on all the time and they worked faultessly

Perhaps that just means that Ford/Volvo have got it right

[Norfolk Jim]

Could well be ?

[CitTone]

Had them on a Pug 306 and the wife's current Citroen C3. Unpredictable on both, really.

[Max Headroom]

Perhaps that just means that Ford/Volvo have got it right

And SAAB ...on my car at any rate