Auto windscreen wipers

[s999sws]

Hi all,
I have a 3 month old E280CDi estate, with auto-wipers. The last few days, when it is very hot, when I first start up the car after it has been left out in the sun, the wipers start going by themselves. I have to turn them off auto for them to stop, and then turn them back to auto. Sometimes this works, but other times I have to leave them off auto. I know it is not raining and that I can easily turn them off, but the whole point of auto is that you don't have to touch them. Any ideas?
thanks
Stephen W-S

 

[angus falconer]

Mine does - the same - occasionally goes in hyperdrive on a sunny day. I just switch it off and on again.

Evem more oddly the rear wiper sometimes joins in too - and it's only supposed to be triggered if I use the frong windsreen washers....

 

[angus falconer]

Mine does - the same - occasionally goes in hyperdrive on a sunny day. I just switch it off and on again.

Evem more oddly the rear wiper sometimes joins in too - and it's only supposed to be triggered if I use the frong windsreen washers....

One minute I'm driving a cool Merc, the next I look like Maureen from driving school....

 

[s999sws]

I have just contacted my dealer in Plymouth, and it has been booked in, with a loan car, for next Thursday. They said it needs re-programming. I wonder if this will do the trick.

 

[angus falconer]

I have just contacted my dealer in Plymouth, and it has been booked in, with a loan car, for next Thursday. They said it needs re-programming. I wonder if this will do the trick.

Let me know what transpires - Id be interested (the same logic might apply to mine although it's a couple of generations older than yours)

 

[Blobcat]

I find that the auto-wiper can become confused. Even though the screen looks clean you may have a greasy build up over the sensor which confuses it. I use Autoglym screen polish and find that it cures any strange auto-wiper issues I've had.

 

[jberks]

Yes, a splattered fly on the sensor can do it. (can also play havoc with the parking sensors) I've had mine go in bright sunshine as I went under a tree and it does trigger for no apprent reason from time to time. When it does, I tend to just turn it off. When it starts to rain, I just put it back on. Hardly a major inconvenience.

The ability of the 211 version to speed up and slow down the wipe as well as control intermittent is great though. Fantastic for sporadic rain and spray.
I also like the way it puts the headlights on if the rain gets heavy.

I doubt the reprogram will cure anything, the systems been around for 4 years at least so chances are you have the latest software already. No technology is foolproof, but they are a lot better than manual versions. Its one of the features I'd really miss.

 

[Blobcat]

The ability of the 211 version to speed up and slow down the wipe as well as control intermittent is great though. Fantastic for sporadic rain and spray.

Does the 211 perform a single sweep when starting the car with the wipers set to auto, regardless of weather conditions? The 210 does, which is why I always switch the wipers off before I switch the car off. I really don't like wipers dragging across a dry screen.
I agree that I would realy miss the functionality, I never seem to be able to get the correct intermittent speed on normal wipers.

 

[Micman]

auto wipers

Hi, I have a 2004 facelift C180K saloon Avatguarde SE, which too has auto wipers. Have to say mine does the same thing.

I put it down to all the dry dust particles that are in the air on hot sunny days which become built up all over the car bodywork, including the sensor on the windscreen.

It can be a bit annoying - I hate seeing the wipers wipe accross a dry windscreen. I just turn the auto off on hot sunny days (go back to the old skool ways!)

Personally I wouldn't bother sending your car into the main dealer just to look at that, I can't imagine they'll find a fault.

 

[jberks]

Does the 211 perform a single sweep when starting the car with the wipers set to auto, regardless of weather conditions?

Nope - they sorted that. They also fixed the 'drown the wife' feature which gives a quick wipe and throws a windscreen's worth of water over the passenger side, as the wife gets in the car just as you're starting the engine. Made me very unpopular on a number of occasions! They are now immobilised if the front passenger door is open!

 

[Blobcat]

Nope - they sorted that. They also fixed the 'drown the wife' feature which gives a quick wipe and throws a windscreen's worth of water over the passenger side, as the wife gets in the car just as you're starting the engine. Made me very unpopular on a number of occasions! They are now immobilised if the front passenger door is open!

That explains why people are leaving it in Auto. I agree with the wet spouse comments. If I get it right I can drown people on both sides of the car

 

[996jimbo]

When I moaned about the auto wiper settings the dealer said that they shouldn't be left on all the time. Dunno if that is right but I have had the servicing garage check the settings several times as the sensitivity seems to vary from 'a bit' to 'not very'.

Incidentally Angus - the rear is triggered when in reverse if the front one moves.

 

[angus falconer]

When I moaned about the auto wiper settings the dealer said that they shouldn't be left on all the time. Dunno if that is right but I have had the servicing garage check the settings several times as the sensitivity seems to vary from 'a bit' to 'not very'.

Incidentally Angus - the rear is triggered when in reverse if the front one moves.

Aha - that explains it then. Neat bit of thinking by our German friends. Thanks for letting me know.