Automatic wiper control
I recently purchased the special rain detector (made by Porsche) that attaches to the
windscreen, and controls the speed of the wipers. At the same time I got the dealer to
change the very worn wipers for new ones; though beware, there are 2 parts with different
part numbers, and they have to be fitted the right way round, as well as upright
(something my dealer managed to get very wrong). 
The sensor
attaches to the inside of the screen above the rear view mirror. Also beware - my dealer
fitted it such that it fouled the mirror mount, so only half the sensor bonded to the
glass of the windscreen. Like this, the sensor barely worked at all (which was very dodgy
indeed!) When they repositioned it, I got them to not stick it over the radio antenna for
good measure as well. To activate it, you simple put the wipers into intermittent mode. A
small green LED on the back of the device lights up and away you go! If you want to adjust
the sensitivity, there is an adjuster on its relay (in the relay box).
This thing works brilliantly, getting the job right 99% of the time. As soon as it
starts raining, the wipers go into intermittent, the speed varying with the rate of
rainfall. Beyond a certain level of rainfall, the wipers go into normal speed mode (the
clicking of the intermittent relay stops). In a deluge, however, the device does not
trigger double speed mode. The sensitivity is about right - at first in daylight it seems
to be very slightly too enthusiastic, but at night with oncoming headlights it is perfect.
The novelty take a little time to wear off - but as soon as it does and you forget about
it, then it's great. You can actually concentrate fully on driving and have this thing
sort the wipers out for you.
Gripes? Only that very very occasionally if the rain starts off as very fine and very
light, then a very gradual increase of droplets won't fire the wipers for about 10 seconds
(especially if you're still, because the wind isn't pushing the droplets around over the
sensor). This has only happened twice and isn't a problem at all.
Part numbers and prices (GBP)
- Sensor 000 044 90019 £191.38
- Blade 996 628 90100 £9.39
- Blade 996 628 90101 £9.39
