Retrofit W202 rain sensor

[Shude]

My windscreen developed a huge crack last week and was promptly replaced by Autoglass. As it's a mod I'm interested in I asked for a windscreen with the clip and gap in the shade area for a rain sensor.

I believe I have three items to purchase: the sensor, a small wiring loom and a cover for the sensor. Using the VIN kindly provided by GrahamC230k from his similarly-aged W202 model with rain sensor from the factory I have worked out which part numbers are needed (AFAIK).

The wiring and cover come to less than a tenner from the parts counter but the sensor is about £150 before any discounts so I would like to know if there is potentially any additional work required in order to get the rain sensor and wipers to functions as per factory install.

I'm thinking a few minutes with STAR may be required but would like confirmation from anyone who has more knowledge about this mod

 

[Smatt]

That's what my CL203 needed- a few mins on STAR. I got a 2nd hand sensor/loom for less than 1/2 price of new.
Easiest way to install loom is to remove r/v mirror to allow access

 

[Shude]

That's what my W203 needed- a few mins on STAR. I got a 2nd hand sensor/loom for less than 1/2 price of new.
Easiest way to install loom is to remove r/v mirror to allow access

I suspected as much but it's nice to have it confirmed by others

Naturally it would be great to read about a 202/208/210 owner that has successfully managed this mod but I believe the early 203 uses the same rain sensor (210 part number) so hopefully it's the same process!

 

[andy27168]

Hi,
Though on paper it says that it will need to be coded to work but it says that for the headlamp wash/wipe, OEM Xenons, Headlight levelling loom also and they all work straight out of the box so to speak, i personally think it will work as soon as you plug it into overhead console. My reason is that if you have a rain sensor equipped 202 and you unplug the sensor it reverts to intermittent function

 

[Hal Adams]

Shude - Did Autoglass fit a Mercedes screen or was it one from their own stock or own brand? I ask as I had terrible trouble on my C43 sensor after Autoglass fitted a cheaper screen, it never worked properly. In the end they volunteered to fit a Mercedes one, after which the sensor wipers were perfect....

 

[vijilants]

Shude - Did Autoglass fit a Mercedes screen or was it one from their own stock or own brand? I ask as I had terrible trouble on my C43 sensor after Autoglass fitted a cheaper screen, it never worked properly. In the end they volunteered to fit a Mercedes one, after which the sensor wipers were perfect....

I have also read of this problem that several people have had when non original windscreens have been fitted.

I'd be interested to know how you get on with this one Shude, as its a mod that I have considered some time ago. At the time, a very cheap sensor went on Ebay and since then, I havn't seen another come up.

 

[Shude]

The screen is a "splintex" but otherwise looks pretty good.

There is currently a rain sensor on ebay (no word as to whether it works or not) and it comes complete with a slightly battered OEM box. Right part number though!

 

[andy27168]

Splintex windscreen was fitted to mine by Autoglass, rain sensor worked exactly the same afterwards, i explained my worries to them regarding the rain sensor, but they reassured me that the screens were exactly the same as OEM and MB just had there name on them, so thinking there maybe a vein of truth in the matter and MB did have to buy there glass from somewhere, so I let them to proceed.

 

[abs]

Im going to scrapyard this week should i keep i eye open for the sensor? is it just the black box? is it the same as the w210?

 

[Shude]

Im going to scrapyard this week should i keep i eye open for the senser? is it just the black box? is it the same as the w210?

We assume it is the same as 210 because not only does the part number carry a 210 prefix but it was also used on 203 until facelift so ALL 210 models should have the same sensor.

If you happen to find more than one then please let us know!

 

[abs]

Cool. Im going down on wednesday ill certinaly have a look for you! does it just pull off ? its glued on right ? not screwed?

 

[Shude]

Cool. Im going down on wednesday ill certinaly have a look for you! does it just pull off ? its glued on right ? not screwed?

It looks like it's clipped because there is a polarising lens on the screen in front of where it is mounted - I don't think it's glued but never having seen one up-close I'm not sure.

You need: sensor, wiring loom and rear cover. The cover and the wiring loom come to under a tenner new but if you leave them attached you might be able to pass them off as a single unit and get them for nothing from the breaker - they are useless on their own anyway.

 

[WLeg]

Any part numbers on these bits ?

 

[Shude]

Any part numbers on these bits ?

A2108205710 : sensor
A2085405608 : wiring

There may or may not be a cover and if there is one then it might simply be ornamental. It's about £3 if we have to resort to buying a new one

 

[Smatt]

Cool. Im going down on wednesday ill certinaly have a look for you! does it just pull off ? its glued on right ? not screwed?

The lenses are glued to the glass, as is a thin plastic mounting frame- this is already on a rainsensor compatible winscreen, so is not needed. the sensor clips onto this frame & can be simply pulled off

 

[Shude]

The lenses are glued to the glass, as is a thin plastic mounting frame- this is already on a rainsensor compatible winscreen, so is not needed. the sensor clips onto this frame & can be simply pulled off

That's what I was hoping. There is already what appears to be a polarising lens on the screen with a complex-looking clip/frame surrounding it. That lot stays there and the sensor comes away with no glue or seals etc to detach.

 

[nullogik]

Shude, did you watch the guy remove the old screen?

What happened to me was that a previous owner had his old screen replaced and the guy who removed it scratched (or exposed) some of the metal on the window lip so its now rusting. This rust caused a stress crack in my new windshield a few months back - I'm going to have the rust treated.

Just thought I'd mention it, its always worth checking the condition of the paint on the windscreen lip before they put the new one in.

 

[Shude]

Shude, did you watch the guy remove the old screen?

What happened to me was that a previous owner had his old screen replaced and the guy who removed it scratched (or exposed) some of the metal on the window lip so its now rusting. This rust caused a stress crack in my new windshield a few months back - I'm going to have the rust treated.

Just thought I'd mention it, its always worth checking the condition of the paint on the windscreen lip before they put the new one in.

I wasn't there, the car was due some additional work so I left it at a workshop and the autoglass technician did the replacement there. He noted that there was a tiny bit of surface rust on the "aperture" on the contract.

The crack on my original screen was seemingly for no reason so this could be worth noting!

 

[nullogik]

It could be the cause, that was the conclusion that came about when my cracked for no reason (there were absolutely no stone chips etc).

Thankfully, the small bit of rust on mine is only about an inch long which I'll have to get cut out and replaced with fresh metal. Still I intend on keeping the car for some time so it'll need to be done before it worsens.

Just want to warn people so that it doesn't happen to them. Perhaps a touch up pen might be handy just before the new screen is put in!

 

[abs]

Went down scrappy today and got some bits for you


210 820 57 10 RAIN SENSOR BLACK BOX WITH WIRING HARNESS
00 6000 00


210 822 00 40 RAIN SENSOR BLACK BOX COVER

00 6000 10


There was also a bit that was on the widnscreen which the black box connects on to, do you need that aswell? Looked like it was part of windsreen, didnt want to damge it thought id check with yourself first.


Hope this helps.