W203 Add rain sensor / Auto Wipers ?

[Muppetz]

Does anyone know what is involved in adding rain sensor / auto wipers to a w203 07 which already has auto lights ?

Thanks !

 

[sym]

No - but I intend to find out ! .... soon !

 

[Gucci]

I wouldn't bother...I miss intermittent

 

[merc07]

For starters you will need a new windscreen, and the correct sensor assembly.

I looked into it once, definately not worth it concidering it was a £50 option on the new car.

Adam

 

[television]

You have lots of info here

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=39616

 

[whitenemesis]

Does anyone know what is involved in adding rain sensor / auto wipers to a w203 07 which already has auto lights ?

Thanks !

Firstly check your screen for the type of lenses bonded to it. Not sure with the latest models but earlier cars had sensor specific screens. I only ventured down this route as I was having a new screen fitted anyway

Checkout thread; http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=39616&highlight=retro+fit+rain+sensor

and

http://prestigepassion.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=277&page=1


Not for your year but gives an idea, perhaps not the easiest route. If you are lucky it could be as simple as a sensor swap and re-coding.If not it could mean a new screen (£££££s)

 

[whitenemesis]

Beat me to it, Malcolm

 

[television]

whitenemesis, If only you had come on line 6 mins ago, I could have saved my poor fingers

 

[Muppetz]

Thanks for the replies. I will take a good look at my windscreen today and try to identify what I already have !


Am I to assume that the stalk remains the same ? - if so, how are the wipers controlled ?

 

[whitenemesis]

Looks like the single Light sensor screen. Unless there has been a change in the design of the rain sensor you would see 4 more pairs of lenses (2 each side of those for the light sensor) in a combined sensor unit. Have a walk round your local MB forecourt and have a gonz at the screens.

The stalk is the same, set to position #1 and the rain sensor would control the wipers starting and stopping and adjusting the wipe interval.

 

[Muppetz]

added another 2 pics of the insides of the sensor - it has a 4 wire connector.

Thanks for the info whitenemesis, i read with interest your topic on this where you successfully added it. I was left confused by the outcome though ref the 3 or 4 pin connectors.. ?

 

[whitenemesis]

Picture of a MB rain sensor (2005)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Rain-Sensor-MB-2005-02-24.jpg

 

[Muppetz]

mmm, do we think its just a case of swapping that for a different sensor then ? (and coding of course)

 

[sym]

Depends if it needs more clear patches in the windscreen to be able to see out .. mine looks just like yours at the moment .. Light sensor only. Rain sensor was only a £90 option on the car though, so can't believe that there's that much different involved.

S.

 

[miro]

Does anyone know what is involved in adding rain sensor / auto wipers to a w203 07 which already has auto lights ?

Thanks !

a) Light only or light + rain sensor are EXACTLY the same shape i your year model.

b) The light only sensor has optocouplers missing which disable the rain function.

c) The light + rain version has additional chips installed for rain function

d) The wiring harness is the same in both cases

e) it is a straight swap

f) Diagnostic session is required

g) you have a slim chance of needing a windscreen change IF you got the cheapo version without the rain detection lenses. Elegance are always built with the better windscreen.

h) you may already have the rain sensor but the battery was disconnected and it went offline. Needs to be restarted with diagnostic. Depends on part number.

 

[miro]

I wouldn't bother...I miss intermittent

Unplug the BOSCH rain sensor. Hey presto, your ML has intermittent.

 

[Muppetz]

a) Light only or light + rain sensor are EXACTLY the same shape i your year model.

b) The light only sensor has optocouplers missing which disable the rain function.

c) The light + rain version has additional chips installed for rain function

d) The wiring harness is the same in both cases

e) it is a straight swap

f) Diagnostic session is required.

WOOO HOOO !

That's great news, Thankyou Miro !

Would you know the part number please ?

 

[whitenemesis]

Rain sensor screen

 

[whitenemesis]

added another 2 pics of the insides of the sensor - it has a 4 wire connector.

Thanks for the info whitenemesis, i read with interest your topic on this where you successfully added it. I was left confused by the outcome though ref the 3 or 4 pin connectors.. ?

My original screen looked like yours, sensor was 4 wire, but the screen was missing the extra 4 pairs of lenses bonded to the screen (see posted pic)

Replaced the original 4 wire loom (well left it attached to the ocp and tucked it into the roof) with a 3 wire version, plugs into the sensor (see pics posted) had to replace the ocp connector for another identical to that attached to the sensor and it plugs into the ocp (spare socket top left when looking at the ocp connector bank)

Coded front SAM for the "Combined Hella" sensor, coded the EIS and hey presto! Wipers with a mind of their own. As part of the coding you need to get the sensor adapted to the screen.

 

[Muppetz]

So, is there not a unit which combines the light and rain sensor with a 4 wire connector ?