Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Sir Tigger KC on 29 August 2019, 12:31:41

Title: Rain Sensors
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 29 August 2019, 12:31:41
Am I right in thinking that rain sensors are embedded in the windscreen?  ???

The V70's screen developed a 10 inch crack in the top N/S corner at the weekend and it's booked in tomorrow for replacement.

I think the rain sensor is knackered as well, as the intermittent wipe has never worked since I've had it, so just wondering if I get a new sensor as well.  :)
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: STEMO on 29 August 2019, 12:33:18
Sensor is usually part of the box that your rear view mirror is fixed to. Not part of the windscreen, I'm afraid.
Ermm....I think  ;D
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Lizzie Zoom on 29 August 2019, 12:56:04
Sensor is usually part of the box that your rear view mirror is fixed to. Not part of the windscreen, I'm afraid.
Ermm....I think  ;D

Yes, that is what I have been told before, and certainly with my Omega there is no sign of any device / wiring in / on the windscreen itself. ;)
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: VXL V6 on 29 August 2019, 12:59:32
New screen comes with the clip bonded to it to clip the sensor onto. Just make sure the windscreen company are aware as number plate doesn't always guarantee getting the right screen
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: ronnyd on 29 August 2019, 13:05:19
I tend to know when it,s raining when those funny little wet spots appear on the windscreen. :-*
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Keith ABS on 29 August 2019, 13:23:41
 Same here RonnyD
I also know when its dark and to switch on the lights myself
But, I suppose its for the snowflakes who are to busy with mundane stuff like having to operate switches themselves
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 29 August 2019, 13:27:49
Am I right in thinking that rain sensors are embedded in the windscreen?  ???

The V70's screen developed a 10 inch crack in the top N/S corner at the weekend and it's booked in tomorrow for replacement.

I think the rain sensor is knackered as well, as the intermittent wipe has never worked since I've had it, so just wondering if I get a new sensor as well.  :)
There's a fixture on the screen to attach it to, only special treatment is to ensure both mounting face and sensor lens are absolutely spotless :y
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 29 August 2019, 13:41:20
Thanks for the responses!   :y    Useful and otherwise.  ::)  ;D

I phoned the windscreen company who told me what has been said here and they will check the sensor when they fit the new screen.  :y
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Andy B on 29 August 2019, 13:41:57
Same here RonnyD
I also know when its dark and to switch on the lights myself
But, I suppose its for the snowflakes who are to busy with mundane stuff like having to operate switches themselves

You do get used to to auto lights & wipers  ;)
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: biggriffin on 29 August 2019, 14:01:24
Same here RonnyD
I also know when its dark and to switch on the lights myself
But, I suppose its for the snowflakes who are to busy with mundane stuff like having to operate switches themselves


With you on this Keith,, the posh Vectra has auto wipers etc, the wipers seem to start at a sniff of damp, so I try to keep auto function off.
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 29 August 2019, 15:04:08
Intermittent wipers are very useful and are controlled by the rain sensor if the car has one, as I understand it.  :-\

My intermittent wipe function dosn't work.  :(   I've changed the stalk and the circuit board behind the steering wheel with no joy, hence my wondering whether I'd be getting a new rain sensor with the screen.  ::)

Hopefully cleaning the sensor and a nice new screen will solve it.  :-\
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: STEMO on 29 August 2019, 15:07:59
Intermittent wipers are very useful and are controlled by the rain sensor if the car has one, as I understand it.  :-\

My intermittent wipe function dosn't work.  :(   I've changed the stalk and the circuit board behind the steering wheel with no joy, hence my wondering whether I'd be getting a new rain sensor with the screen.  ::)

Hopefully cleaning the sensor and a nice new screen will solve it.  :-\
If you switch the wipers to auto/whatever, they are controlled by the sensor. But, if yours do nothing at all, I would suggest that either the sensor is buggered, or there is no connection between sensor and switch.
But I've been wrong before.............honest  ;D
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 29 August 2019, 15:29:45
Volvo modules are coded to the original chassis  :-X
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 29 August 2019, 17:22:09
Volvo modules are coded to the original chassis  :-X

And?  ???  ::)  :-\  :D
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 29 August 2019, 18:42:28
Volvo modules are coded to the original chassis  :-X

And?  ???  ::)  :-\  :D
That may explain it not working...  ::) :P
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 29 August 2019, 18:45:51
Volvo modules are coded to the original chassis  :-X

And?  ???  ::)  :-\  :D
That may explain it not working...  ::) :P

Knob!  :P  ::)  :)
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: TheBoy on 29 August 2019, 18:47:02
The auto wipers on TBE are a PITA, they sniff out a drop of water within 10,000 miles, and I tend not to use it.

The big Black Pussy has a sensitivity setting on the wiper stalk to make it more usable, but still not perfect, but the convenience v hassle ratio means its often enabled.

Auto lights on the big Black Pussy again is pretty usable, and usually enabled, and has to be enabled if you use the headlight delay function to keep them on for an adjustable amount of time when you stop the car in the dark.

Auto High Beam on the Pussy is a double edge sword.  Its very good at putting on high beam, but probably only 95% good enough on going back to dipped beam is what I would call "quickly enough".  So its usage varies on a daily basis.
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Andy B on 29 August 2019, 18:52:15
.....

Auto High Beam on the Pussy is a double edge sword.  Its very good at putting on high beam, but probably only 95% good enough on going back to dipped beam is what I would call "quickly enough".  So its usage varies on a daily basis.

I've only had the chance to properly use my Auto high beam once since I got it. It works but a bit gimmicky IMHO ..... and only works at 30odd mph or faster so you can't use main beam when going slow unless you turn the lights from Auto or just pull the stalk forward using the flash.
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: ronnyd on 29 August 2019, 18:53:53
Thanks for the responses!   :y    Useful and otherwise.  ::)  ;D

I phoned the windscreen company who told me what has been said here and they will check the sensor when they fit the new screen.  :y
Thanks for the responses!   :y    Useful and otherwise.  ::)  ;D

I phoned the windscreen company who told me what has been said here and they will check the sensor when they fit the new screen.  :y
Touche, Tig.  ;D ;D ;D :y
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: TheBoy on 29 August 2019, 18:59:52
.....

Auto High Beam on the Pussy is a double edge sword.  Its very good at putting on high beam, but probably only 95% good enough on going back to dipped beam is what I would call "quickly enough".  So its usage varies on a daily basis.

I've only had the chance to properly use my Auto high beam once since I got it. It works but a bit gimmicky IMHO ..... and only works at 30odd mph or faster so you can't use main beam when going slow unless you turn the lights from Auto or just pull the stalk forward using the flash.
I think mine is 25mph, but could be wrong.  But certainly sub 50mph, not sure why you'd need high beam  :-\
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Andy B on 29 August 2019, 19:08:44
.....
I think mine is 25mph, but could be wrong.  But certainly sub 50mph, not sure why you'd need high beam  :-\

I might not need it .... just would like   ;)
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Kevin Wood on 29 August 2019, 20:00:09
I think mine is 25mph, but could be wrong.  But certainly sub 50mph, not sure why you'd need high beam  :-\

So you can see enough to go over 50 MPH, or so that someone following who wants to can see if it's safe to overtake. A fact that a fair proportion of the driving public appear not to have grasped. >:(
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Lizzie Zoom on 29 August 2019, 20:16:13
I think mine is 25mph, but could be wrong.  But certainly sub 50mph, not sure why you'd need high beam  :-\

So you can see enough to go over 50 MPH, or so that someone following who wants to can see if it's safe to overtake. A fact that a fair proportion of the driving public appear not to have grasped. >:(

Indeed, and also when travelling slowly down country lanes, avoiding wild life and the odd member of the country folk walking home.  Dipped beam does not always provide the vision you require ;)
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: YZ250 on 29 August 2019, 20:25:34
....
I've only had the chance to properly use my Auto high beam once since I got it. It works but a bit gimmicky IMHO ..... and only works at 30odd mph or faster so you can't use main beam when going slow unless you turn the lights from Auto or just pull the stalk forward using the flash.
I think mine is 25mph, but could be wrong.  But certainly sub 50mph, not sure why you'd need high beam  :-\

On the Beemer the auto full beam dips as you enter a built up area (street lights) or when your speed drops below 30mph (as I'm guessing it assumes you've entered a built up area). I'll test that theory if I remember. Trouble is, I'm so used to hovering my finger over the full beam stalk that I still do it when set to auto, so I might as well not bother using it.  ::)
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: TheBoy on 30 August 2019, 18:06:27
I think mine is 25mph, but could be wrong.  But certainly sub 50mph, not sure why you'd need high beam  :-\

So you can see enough to go over 50 MPH, or so that someone following who wants to can see if it's safe to overtake. A fact that a fair proportion of the driving public appear not to have grasped. >:(
Round these parts, every moron has adjusted at least one of their headlights to that full beam is actually less dazzling than dipped.  Annoys aircraft pilots mind.

I'm guessing mine dips at the same speed as yours Kevin, but as neither of use CBA to read the manual, we'll never know, and like YZ250, I always tend to disable the system by accident by overriding it manually without thinking. Maybe one day I'll get used to it, but I haven't yet in 2.5yrs ;D
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 30 August 2019, 18:21:05
Well it turns out that when it last had a windscreen the fitters fitted the rain sensor the wrong way round.  ::)

Refitted properly and all good!  :y
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: STEMO on 30 August 2019, 18:30:05
Well it turns out that when it last had a windscreen the fitters fitted the rain sensor the wrong way round.  ::)

Refitted properly and all good!  :y
Ignore my post in 'tother thread then.
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 30 August 2019, 18:46:43
Well it turns out that when it last had a windscreen the fitters fitted the rain sensor the wrong way round.  ::)

Refitted properly and all good!  :y
That's quite impressive, even for a windscreen fitter :D
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Kevin Wood on 30 August 2019, 23:38:11
I think mine is 25mph, but could be wrong.  But certainly sub 50mph, not sure why you'd need high beam  :-\

So you can see enough to go over 50 MPH, or so that someone following who wants to can see if it's safe to overtake. A fact that a fair proportion of the driving public appear not to have grasped. >:(
Round these parts, every moron has adjusted at least one of their headlights to that full beam is actually less dazzling than dipped.  Annoys aircraft pilots mind.

I'm guessing mine dips at the same speed as yours Kevin, but as neither of use CBA to read the manual, we'll never know, and like YZ250, I always tend to disable the system by accident by overriding it manually without thinking. Maybe one day I'll get used to it, but I haven't yet in 2.5yrs ;D

Don't think mine has auto-dipping headlights. Then again, it may have. Haven't got round to Please read the manual'ing yet. ;D I tend to have them on manual anyway, as I don't like my HIDs getting fired up every time I go under a tree. ::)

Actually, could auto-dipping systems be the reason so many idiots drive round in traffic with their main beams on these days? >:(
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 03 September 2019, 20:46:47
Going about my business in the rain today I discovered my rain sensor had stopped working again and I had no intermittent wipe function.  >:(

So when I got back, I disconnected it and now have old fashioned variable intermittent wipe that's just controlled by the stalk which will do.  :y
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Andy B on 03 September 2019, 21:04:35
....
Don't think mine has auto-dipping headlights. Then again, it may have. Haven't got round to Please read the manual'ing yet. ;D I tend to have them on manual anyway, as I don't like my HIDs getting fired up every time I go under a tree. ::)
Two different thing  Kevin  ;)
I have to say that my Merc seems not to switch its lights when it goes slightly dark 'under a tree'. There's a bit when I drive to/from work that's covered over with trees & while other makes of car tend to switch on & off their lights when it's slightly darker, mine don't.

Actually, could auto-dipping systems be the reason so many idiots drive round in traffic with their main beams on these days? >:(
Years ago a woman that worked in the canteen was confused about this 'new' blue light that had recently appeared on the dash of her car and couldn't work out why people were flashing at her!!!!  ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Kevin Wood on 04 September 2019, 21:56:32

Years ago a woman that worked in the canteen was confused about this 'new' blue light that had recently appeared on the dash of her car and couldn't work out why people were flashing at her!!!!  ;D ;D ;D ;D

Yet, if she'd been dawdling along a fast A road at 45, you can bet the blue light would be nowhere to be seen. ::)

One saving grace is that the Jag has excellent main beams, so I can give them a proper blinding in return. ;D
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 05 September 2019, 15:06:07
I think mine is 25mph, but could be wrong.  But certainly sub 50mph, not sure why you'd need high beam  :-\

So you can see enough to go over 50 MPH, or so that someone following who wants to can see if it's safe to overtake. A fact that a fair proportion of the driving public appear not to have grasped. >:(
Round these parts, every moron has adjusted at least one of their headlights to that full beam is actually less dazzling than dipped.  Annoys aircraft pilots mind.

I'm guessing mine dips at the same speed as yours Kevin, but as neither of use CBA to read the manual, we'll never know, and like YZ250, I always tend to disable the system by accident by overriding it manually without thinking. Maybe one day I'll get used to it, but I haven't yet in 2.5yrs ;D

So X760 (XE) uses the later ADAS forward facing camera than fitted to the earlier X351 (XJ) which is MUCH better at high beam detection and response (designed primarily for the matrix LED lamps so dim/dip is easy), if it is enabled it will be quicker and better. That said, it only comes as default with adaptive lighting (its Car Config File setting).
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 05 September 2019, 15:09:16
I tend to have them on manual anyway, as I don't like my HIDs getting fired up every time I go under a tree. ::)

Not such an issue on the later HIDs, they have a more advanced driver setup, some of which is integrated into the base of the bulb. They last better and don't stress the lamp nearly as much during strike up.  :y
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Andy B on 05 September 2019, 16:50:01
I tend to have them on manual anyway, as I don't like my HIDs getting fired up every time I go under a tree. ::)

Not such an issue on the later HIDs, they have a more advanced driver setup, some of which is integrated into the base of the bulb. They last better and don't stress the lamp nearly as much during strike up.  :y

I noted that the headlight 'flash' on my 14 plate Merc uses the HID. It used to be the case that HIDs were considered too slow to use which is why main beam used to be ordinary filament bulbs (yes .... I know you plant bulbs in the garden  ::))

The head lights do quite a dance though when they're first switched on  :y
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 06 September 2019, 07:34:41
The dance is the steering motors setting, Omega used to do the same also  :y

Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: TheBoy on 06 September 2019, 16:35:28
The dance is the steering motors setting, Omega used to do the same also  :y
I guess the Merc has adaptive headlights as well, so will do a left/right dance as well as up/down like the Omega
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Andy B on 06 September 2019, 18:03:54
The dance is the steering motors setting, Omega used to do the same also  :y

As Jamie says ..... it's a far more elaborate dance than the Omega used to do (though I have to say I can never remember my Omega's lights moving too much when they first switched on  :-\)
Title: Re: Rain Sensors
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 06 September 2019, 18:14:14
The dance is the steering motors setting, Omega used to do the same also  :y

As Jamie says ..... it's a far more elaborate dance than the Omega used to do (though I have to say I can never remember my Omega's lights moving too much when they first switched on  :-\)
It was a quick flick up and down ;)

The adaptive xenons on the E Class were all over the place by comparison...