Rain Sensor: Description and Operation

RAIN SENSOR (FOR CANADA ONLY)





The Rain sensing windshield wiper system is a wiper system that, in addition to providing normal wiper functions off, mist, manual low speed, manual high speed, and wash, provides automatic control of automatic intermittent automatic low, and automatic high speeds. When the ignition key is in the ON position, the rain sensor will be activated.

Operating Modes:

1. OFF MODE

With the wiper switch "OFF" and the ignition switch "ON", the rain sensor is considered to be in the "OFF" mode. In this mode, the sensor commands the wiper motor to be "OFF".

2. AUTOMATIC MODE
When the multifunction switch is moved to auto position and the ignition switch is in the run or accessory positions, the rain sensor is considered to be in "automatic" mode. Once a single "instant wipe" has occurred, the wipers remain at "inner wipe/park" until the rain sensor determines that the dwell time at that position is appropriate for the amount of precipitation on the windshield, rain sensor provides input to the wiper motor to activate the wipers to clear the precipitation from the windshield.

3. AUTOMATIC INT
For all automatic int, operations the rain sensor commands the wipers to operate in low speed for one wipe, followed by a variable dwell period in the inner wipe position.

4. AUTOMATIC LOW
Automatic low speed operation is utilized when the amount of precipitation impinging on the windshield exceeds the automatic intermittent to automatic low threshold. This threshold includes sufficient hysteresis to prevent cycling between automatic intermittent and automatic low speed operation with a steady amount of precipitation accumulation on the windshield.

5. AUTOMATIC HIGH
Automatic high speed operation utilized when the amount of precipitation impinging on the windshield exceeds the automatic low to automatic high threshold. This threshold includes sufficient hysteresis to prevent cycling between automatic low and automatic high speed operation with a steady amount of precipitation accumulation on the windshield.

6. WASHER MODE
The rain sensor monitors the multifunction switch to determine if the washer function is selected Rain sensor enables the wiper motor to run in low speed during the wash mode and performs wipes from 2.5 to 3.8 sec.

7. MANUAL MODE
The rain sensor determines when a manual mode such as manual low, mist, off or manual high is selected The column switch performs these modes and the rain sensor has no affect.