Windshield Wipers - Various Malfunctions

Group 61
General Electrical Systems

Bulletin Number
61 13 00

Woodcliff Lake, NJ
October 2000
Service Engineering

SUBJECT
Rain Sensor (AIC) - Various Problems

MODEL
E38 (7 Series), E39 (5 Series), E46 (3 Series).
Vehicles with rain sensing wipers (AIC), produced before February 2000

SITUATION

Customers may complain of the following problems with the rain sensor automatic interval control (AIC) operation (wiper switch set to position 1):

1. The windshield wiper wipes continuously or in an erratic way. This problem occurs intermittently.

2. The sensitivity of the rain sensor cannot be adjusted.

3. Control of the windshield wiper via the rain sensor fails intermittently. The control works correctly after switching the ignition off and back on again.

4. The windshield wiper remains off for a brief period of time when it is switched down from normal wiper speed (wiper switch position 2 or 3) to rain sensor (wiper switch position 1).

5. The windshield wiper switches on without reason when the vehicle moves between shade and sunlight (for example, when driving out of a tunnel into the sun).

6. The windshield wiper wipes the windshield four or five times when the rain sensor is activated. After this, the rain sensor control of the windshield wiper no longer works.

7. The windshield wipers stop approximately 10° to 15° from the end position.

Note:
-- Continuous wiper operation (wiper switch positions 2 or 3) is not affected.
-- If the rain sensor fails, the windshield wiper control will operate in the same way as on a vehicle without rain sensor installed - in normal intermittent wipe mode.

CAUSE:

The possible cause for problems 1 to 5: Software error in rain sensor module with software version 1.3, or earlier.

The possible cause for problems 6 and 7: Windshield wiper double relay defective.

Note:
Small bubbles forming in the area of the rain sensor do not as a rule affect the functionality of the rain sensor.

PROCEDURE:

In case of a customer complaint, use DIS or MODiC to identify the software number of the rain sensor module (AIC), and to identify any stored fault codes.

-- For problems 1 to 5:
If the rain sensor is SW 1.3 or earlier, replace the AIC module (refer to Repair Instructions 61 35 175).

-- For problems 6 and 7:
If the windshield wiper double relay has a production date before date code "379" (calendar week 37; year 1999), replace the double relay. The wiper double relay (K11) is located in the E-box at the rear of the engine compartment on E35, E39 and E46.

If the improved parts above are already installed, continue troubleshooting using DIS, or MODiC.





PARTS INFORMATION





WARRANTY INFORMATION

Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty.