Steering Wheel & Rain Sensor: Features & Benefits

Hello fellow enthusiasts,

There are tons of rain sensors with interior mirrors available on eBay.
'I find this very practical and would like to retrofit it. In my wiring diagrams, the relay with the rain sensor is only included from production year 10/00. However, the rain sensor was also available in 1999 models. Does anyone know how this thing works? Does it simply replace the 4-position switch on the turn signal lever?'

Multifunction steering wheel, just like that.

The multifunction steering wheel has its own control unit with many connections. In my wiring diagrams, it is only specified from 10/00 onwards. Was there no multifunction steering wheel before that? Above all, what does the control unit do? The cruise control should be able to function without a control unit. In theory, it should only need to convert the radio buttons to the CAN bus. Most importantly, does the airbag from the standard steering wheel fit into the multifunction steering wheel?

It would be great if you knew something about it.
PS: I'm already in the process of getting elsaWin, so I won't need to ask any more wiring diagram questions.

Best regards, Manuel.

Hello,

Okay, so if you don't absolutely need it... just leave it. I have the wiper, and this potentiometer with the four adjustment options allows you to change the sensor's response.
However, in my car, it starts wiping quite quickly even on the lowest setting, even if there are only 5 drops of water on the windshield. In my opinion, the sensor triggers the wipers too often.
Otherwise, it's a really useful thing, especially when you drive 500km at a time (you obviously have to turn it off and then on again after each time you use it), and if it only rains occasionally, it's just a matter of one simple action.

What I find problematic, and please correct me if I'm wrong, is that the sensor is located in the mirror mounting part (i.e., in the adhesive area of the mirror), while the normal glass is usually black in that area...?
Otherwise, this shouldn't be a problem, and you should be able to replace the relay.

PS: The 4-position switch is located in the windshield wiper lever!!!

No, the glass in the area where the sensor is located is not black or tinted in any way, so that shouldn't be the problem!
But I wouldn't be able to install that in my system because it's not suitable for high sound pressure levels.

The speaker's diaphragm already broke at 137dB. (The diaphragm is now partially discolored and looks like a liquid has leaked out.)
What exactly should that special glass do at 147 dB? *ggg*

>>>The discussion about the pros and cons of bass-boosting devices and such high sound pressure levels in a car will not be held here! <<<

The rain sensor from the Passat, Golf, and Octavia is definitely garbage.
It almost gives the impression that it was programmed by a housewife with an extreme obsession with cleanliness.


The MFL (Multi-Function Lever) is quite simple. The control unit simulates the GRA (Gear Range Actuator) switch. So, instead of the manual lever, simply connect the control unit accordingly.
The radio function (at least in the Passat and Octavia) is controlled via a remote connection to the radio. Of course, no one knows for sure whether all of them are compatible with each other.
and at least in the Passat and Octavia, the control unit is NOT connected to the CAN bus.

CU Gremlin.

Hello gremlin,

But then, what is the actual function of the control unit?
Am I misunderstanding? Based on how you're describing it, I don't actually need it, do I?
Perhaps that's why there was no relay for the MFL (Multi-Function Lever) before the production year 10/00.

Best regards, Manuel.

...but what is the actual function of the control unit then?


Öööhhmmm...

...the control unit simulates the GRA switch.

Okay... and it controls the radio via the remote.

and in the measurement blocks, there are a lot of indicators for switches that seem to be possible options.

CU Gremlin.

The rain sensor from the Passat, Golf, and Octavia is definitely garbage.
It almost gives the impression that it was programmed by a housewife with an extreme obsession with cleanliness.


Okay, I can't agree with that. I just find the sensor's reaction time a bit slow. If a truck sprays the windshield with mud, it takes 1-2 seconds for the sensor to react, and even after the windshield is already clear, it continues to wipe frantically for a few more seconds.

Oh yeah, and you need a different airbag... the one that fits the standard 4-spoke steering wheel unfortunately won't work because it doesn't have the cutout for the buttons .

Hello,

That was also my concern, that the airbag wouldn't fit. Then I found a cheap one on eBay and it worked out.

The opinions on rain sensors seem to be quite varied. Should I perhaps stick with the 4-stage switch instead? } Can I even influence the intervals with a rain sensor, or does the rain sensor essentially determine them by default?


Best regards, Manuel.

Hi.
The 4-stage switch is also available on the rain sensor. It controls the sensitivity with which the sensor operates. } However, it starts wiping even with every single raindrop within a 500-meter radius at level 4. }

If it were still too sensitive, we would only need to increase (or decrease?) the resistance of the switch to address the problems mentioned above. Then it shouldn't be so prone to extreme cleaning!

Best regards, Manuel.

You also need a different wiring harness for the multifunction steering wheel (something needs to be specifically shielded) and a different slip ring to prevent the airbag from deploying unexpectedly.

Best regards, WarLord.

Rain sensor, for those interested.

The wiper blade needs to be replaced with a new one because the base is completely different and cannot be removed. The wiper relay (377) needs to be replaced with relay 192, which can be easily swapped out on models from the year 2000. You'll need to add a few more connections. By the way, relay 192 also supports the headlight cleaning system.

Best regards, Manuel.

Okay, I was thinking about that windshield thing... do you still have it? Could you test it out in a car during rain? My sensor is definitely terrible; the only one benefiting from it is the windshield wiper manufacturer, because nothing will last long at the speeds that thing reaches.

Hello Matthias,

No problem, if I don't like it, I'll just put the old relay back in, and it will work like always again .