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Recalibrate wiper sensor?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by SoleInvictus, Apr 19, 2019.

  1. SoleInvictus

    SoleInvictus Junior Member

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    Hey all! I have a windshield wiper problem. My windshield wipers do not work on the sensing intermittent setting. They do work for the low/high speeds.

    I bought my Prius used and noticed the previous owners had replaced the windshield. I'm guessing they never had the sensor recalibrated. I talked with the dealer and they want to charge me for two hours of labor to have it recalibrated. Anyone know how I could do it myself?
     
    #1 SoleInvictus, Apr 19, 2019
  2. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    Does it not work if you change the sensitivity setting on the stalk ?
     
    #2 kithmo, Apr 20, 2019
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2019
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  3. SoleInvictus

    SoleInvictus Junior Member

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    They will wipe once if I increase the sensitivity, which is just how the car is programmed, but won't do anything afterwards. They also work if the windshield is frozen over, as I unintentionally discovered over the winter. Telling this to the dealer is what led them to tell me I need to recalibrate the sensor.
     
    #3 SoleInvictus, Apr 20, 2019
  4. Elektroingenieur

    Elektroingenieur Senior Member

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    The Repair Manual (more info) doesn’t mention a calibration, adjustment, or initialization procedure for the rain sensor. The thing that’s usually calibrated after a windshield replacement is the forward recognition camera, about which I’ve posted before, but that has nothing to do with the wiper and washer system.

    There is an on-vehicle inspection procedure for the rain sensor, but that just checks its wiring; there is no adjustment, nor any test of whether the sensor is actually detecting rain or water. If the sensor isn’t working, perhaps it wasn’t properly reinstalled or reconnected when the windshield was replaced, or the windshield is an aftermarket part with glass or a mask that isn’t compatible with the sensor.

    If it were my car, I’d start with the on-vehicle inspection to verify the sensor’s electrical connections, and if that didn’t correct the problem, I’d then remove and reinstall the sensor, using a new sensor tape (see parts catalog Figure 85-01, Windshield Wiper, part number 89944-48010).
     
    #4 Elektroingenieur, Apr 20, 2019
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  5. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I'm wondering if the replacement windscreen wasn't compatible - though I can't see why it wouldn't - TOYOTA advise that this is how the sensor works:
    upload_2019-4-21_12-31-20.png
    upload_2019-4-21_12-32-19.png
     
    #5 alanclarkeau, Apr 20, 2019
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  6. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    It seems like the sensor is not correctly placed on the screen, maybe the windscreen company didn't use the correct "rain sensor tape" to attach it.
     
    #6 kithmo, Apr 21, 2019
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  7. SoleInvictus

    SoleInvictus Junior Member

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    Thank you so much, you're the best! Would you mind pointing me in the right direction for finding instructions for the on-vehicle inspection? I poked through the link you so helpfully provided for the repair manual but there's a lot and I'm not 100% sure of what I'm looking for. Does this perhaps involve the Toyota Techstream diagnostic system?
     
    #7 SoleInvictus, Apr 21, 2019
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  8. Elektroingenieur

    Elektroingenieur Senior Member

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    You’re welcome.
    On techinfo.toyota.com, it’s in the Repair Manual for the 2016–2019 Prius, under Vehicle Exterior: Wiper/Washer: Rain Sensor: On-Vehicle Inspection.

    If you’re in Boise or another place where the local public library provides access to the Chilton Library service at no cost, you'll find the same text and illustrations there, under 2016 Toyota Prius > Repair > Chassis Electrical > Wiper & Washer > Rain Sensor > On-Vehicle Inspection.
    Not necessarily. If you have Techstream available, you could check for the one diagnostic trouble code associated with the system (B1400), but that code is likely to be stored only for an internal failure of the sensor.

    To do the on-vehicle inspection, you will need an oscilloscope, however, to check for multiplex (LIN bus) pulses.
     
    #8 Elektroingenieur, Apr 21, 2019
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  9. SoleInvictus

    SoleInvictus Junior Member

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    A long overdue update - to anyone having a similar problem, the sensor tape was simply missing. Whoever did the windshield replacement didn't do a thorough job. New rain sensor tape (part number 89944-48010) cost about $2.50 plus shipping for the replacement when it was purchased from West Coast Toyota of Long Beach. This totaled about $10 versus the $175 the Toyota dealership wanted to even diagnose the issue.

    The install is super easy and took about 10 minutes, mostly due to my being very careful and cleaning everything. Instructions follow:

    On the front bottom of the rain sensor is a small plastic slide tab. Slide it toward the bottom of the windshield - the tab does not detach, it simply slides. This will unlock the rain sensor, which then pulls off in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the windshield.

    In this case, both the sensor and the corresponding section of windshield were dirty and 90% isopropanol was used to thoroughly clean both. The rain sensor tape (which is in actuality more a transparent gummy plastic) was then adhered directly to the rain sensor, starting at the bottom and rolling it toward the top to avoid air bubble formation. The sensor was then replaced on the windshield, again pushing directly into the windshield to avoid skewing the gummy tape. One tiny bubble was formed from this step but does not seem to affect performance. The slide tab was then pushed back into place, locking the assembly. Now it works great - take that, Portland rain!

    Thanks again to kithmo, alanclarkeau, and Elektroingenieur for their knowledge and assistance.
     
    #9 SoleInvictus, Jan 3, 2020
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  10. Jennifer Ann

    Jennifer Ann New Member

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    So here is my question. 2017 Prius had windows tinted today. YES they did front windshield. Do I need to have them take it off since my wipers won't stop working now? This sucks
     
    #10 Jennifer Ann, May 10, 2021
  11. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    The tint is on the inside - so can't affect the wipers. It's got to be a different issue altogether - unless they've tampered with the electrical circuitry for some other reason.

    Oh - wait - the rain sensor is behind the mirror - did they remove that for any reason? I'm not sure - tinting windscreens is illegal here, so haven't run into that:
    upload_2021-5-11_15-58-59.png
    upload_2021-5-11_15-59-28.png
     
    #11 alanclarkeau, May 11, 2021
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