Rain sensor cost?

[Gollom]

Just had a new windscreen fitted on my W203 and noticed that all the brackets etc. are there for a rain sensor.

Anybody got an idea of cost (ballpark) for the rain sensor, fitting and setup? Is it DIY'able?

Ta!

 

[Shude]

It's about £100 IIRC

 

[Gollom]

It's about £100 IIRC

Thanks. Is that just for the bits and if so, is it pretty easy to do?

 

[Shude]

On the W210, 208 and 202 it's a black box with a cable coming out of it. You attach it to the windscreen by unknown methods and then plug it into the dome light, no further work is required.

On the early 203s it is the same, it might have changed since the early ones and if it has I don't know what the difference is.

 

[NW_Merc]

You attach it to the windscreen by unknown methods and then plug it into the dome light, no further work is required.

Where do you attach it to the windscreen? I am really interested in this mod

 

[Gollom]

Where do you attach it to the windscreen? I am really interested in this mod

From what I saw when the windscreen was boeing done it is simply a little bracket attached to the screen that the sensor slots into - has a blanking plate if not fitted.

I reserve the right to be wrong!

 

[Shude]

Where do you attach it to the windscreen? I am really interested in this mod

It is fixed to the windscreen where there is a missing square of sun-shade-strip along the top edge. If you didn't have a sensor originally then the windscreen will have no missing section of shade.

I have a big stonechip on my windscreen, I was going to buy a sensor, plug it in and then see if I can get the screen replaced through my insurance, but get the screen designed for the sensor. I have an alternative VIN to give them when they order it

I'm not sure if the stonechip is big enough to warrant a new screen, they might try to repair it. I think I'll just leave it for a bit, see if it grows although it has been there 2 years with little change...

 

[Gollom]

My screen had one sizable "starred" chip but a number of smaller chips - looked like someone had unleashed shrapnel! When I was in France recently they relaid the country road by my place the day we moved in (how's that for service!!) so I can only imagine the French must use much sharper gravel!

Anyways, I called Autoglass (my policy with the Pru dictates I must use them) intending to have the chips repaired. But when I said how many there were they said that Churchill (underwriters for the Pru) insisted on a replacement for more than 3 so I had to pay the excess of £75 and get a new screen. Autoglass did not ask for the VIN at all, just the registration and car type plus did it have shading/banding etc? They were very efficient and asked me if I had a rain sensor. Of course I said yes........

Result was that they fitted it all no fuss and I just played a bit dumb when the guy pointed out that I did not have an actual sensor.

Hope that helps a bit! You DO have lots of little chips on your screen don't you? Of course you do!! I can see that from my office just by Old Trafford...

P.S. You see that other post from Jay73? £32.40 + GE (Government Extortion) for the sensor and from what you say I simply plug it in! Will the car automatically recognise it I wonder or will it need to be plugged into some box-of-tricks?

 

[Shude]

P.S. You see that other post from Jay73? £32.40 + GE (Government Extortion) for the sensor and from what you say I simply plug it in! Will the car automatically recognise it I wonder or will it need to be plugged into some box-of-tricks?

I still think the one from the W210/208/202 is closer to £100, I looked it up a while ago, it is a different unit to the 203.

My screen has multiple chips/damage, I was hoping that I could get the stealership to recommend a new screen, we have the same insurance company...

 

[Gollom]

Well suggest check you have cover (it will say on the insurance certificate) and call Autoglass on 0800 363636. I did not need to actually call the Pru

 

[Shude]

Well suggest check you have cover (it will say on the insurance certificate) and call Autoglass on 0800 363636. I did not need to actually call the Pru

That's interesting

The excess is £60 with NU. I might try autoglass but I'm concerned that they may attempt a repair when really I could do with a new screen, when the sun shines on it at a certain angle it goes opaque with all the millions of tiny chips and scratches! 150k on the clock etc...

 

[Gollom]

That's interesting

The excess is £60 with NU. I might try autoglass but I'm concerned that they may attempt a repair when really I could do with a new screen, when the sun shines on it at a certain angle it goes opaque with all the millions of tiny chips and scratches! 150k on the clock etc...

Can only state what Autoglass said:

But when I said how many there were they said that Churchill (underwriters for the Pru) insisted on a replacement for more than 3 so I had to pay the excess of £75 and get a new screen

It was all no fuss at all with Autoglass. Play dumb and let them take the lead whan you say you have 6 or so chips that need repairing. Let me know how you get on

 

[996jimbo]

I've had Autoglass out twice. The first time I opted for a free repair though they gave me the option of a replacement, second time was a crack so I went for replacement anyway with £60 xs. Point is that if you want a replacement then (based on my experience) you are under absolutely no pressure not to have a replacement.

I'm pretty sure I went through my insurance but so far as the detail is concerned that is sorted with Autoglass directly - you tell them that you have a tinted screen & rain sensors so no need to come up with spurious VIN numbers to prove.

 

[nickmann]

...
I have a big stonechip on my windscreen, I was going to buy a sensor, plug it in and then see if I can get the screen replaced through my insurance, but get the screen designed for the sensor. I have an alternative VIN to give them when they order it
...

Shude, is the sunshade part of the screen baked into the glass at that point, or could you scrape it off and use the sensor straight away?

 

[Gollom]

The Autoglass man said it just requires removal of a blanking panel

 

[Shude]

Shude, is the sunshade part of the screen baked into the glass at that point, or could you scrape it off and use the sensor straight away?

I think it is baked onto the surface so it could probably be scraped off.

The Autoglass man said it just requires removal of a blanking panel

On the W202 there is no blanking panel: