Rainsense wipers feature?

[bigEd33]

I have a '25 Enclave with rainsense wipers. They haven't worked properly since I got the vehicle last Dec. I had it serviced at my dealer and they couldn't figure it out. They tell me they are waiting for a bulletin or a recall alert. Has anyone had a similar situation.

 

[2021 Envision Essence]

I have a '25 Enclave with rainsense wipers. They haven't worked properly since I got the vehicle last Dec. I had it serviced at my dealer and they couldn't figure it out. They tell me they are waiting for a bulletin or a recall alert. Has anyone had a similar situation.

Define "haven't worked properly", please.

 

[bigEd33]

Define "haven't worked properly", please.

They don't respond to rain on the windshield.

 

[2021 Envision Essence]

They don't respond to rain on the windshield.

There is an adjustment for sensitivity on your wiper stalk. But let me say this - I find that the sensing ability is NOT very consistent. I find myself always adjusting it. I have already, at times, put the control on "manual" to avoid the aggravation. 2 previous cars I had before, an Acura and a Jeep, were also inconsistent when on "rain-sense" mode. I believe it's the nature of the beast.

 

[bigEd33]

There is an adjustment for sensitivity on your wiper stalk. But let me say this - I find that the sensing ability is NOT very consistent. I find myself always adjusting it. I have already, at times, put the control on "manual" to avoid the aggravation. 2 previous cars I had before, an Acura and a Jeep, were also inconsistent when on "rain-sense" mode. I believe it's the nature of the beast.

I had the feature on my '21 and '23 Tahoes, so I'm familiar with how it works. I'm wondering if it could be a recall issue. The dealership doesn't seem to have answers. The financial guy was on the bumper with a cup of water and they wouldn't activate.

 

[2021 Envision Essence]

I had the feature on my '21 and '23 Tahoes, so I'm familiar with how it works. I'm wondering if it could be a recall issue. The dealership doesn't seem to have answers. The financial guy was on the bumper with a cup of water and they wouldn't activate.

It might possibly be detected by a front camera in the grille, although I would think it might be done by the ambient light sensor at middle of dash by the base of the windshield. That sensor is a multi-use device.

 

[bigEd33]

It might possibly be detected by a front camera in the grille, although I would think it might be done by the ambient light sensor at middle of dash by the base of the windshield. That sensor is a multi-use device.

I was told the camera behind the rear view mirror is the one that detects rainfall.

 

[2021 Envision Essence]

I was told the camera behind the rear view mirror is the one that detects rainfall.

Then a hose should be used, not a cup of water.

 

[G-901938]

Then a hose should be used, not a cup of water.

Then a hose should be used, not a cup of water.

The water was poured right on the camera.

 

[mmidyette]

As I understand them, they are not done by the camera, but by a laser type sensor. A small beam is aimed toward the glass and that beam reflects off of the outer layer of glass and is picked up by a sensor. When there is water on the glass where the beam hits, it caused the beams reflected angle to change, triggering the wiper circuit.
I would check that the adhesive that attaches the sensor to the windshield (somewhere in the wiper area) is clear and has no bubble looking areas.
I've had them on both a 99 Cadi Seville STS and a 2013 Cadi SRX and there worked great. My 2018 Enclave does not have them.

 

[2021 Envision Essence]

As I understand them, they are not done by the camera, but by a laser type sensor. A small beam is aimed toward the glass and that beam reflects off of the outer layer of glass and is picked up by a sensor. When there is water on the glass where the beam hits, it caused the beams reflected angle to change, triggering the wiper circuit.
I would check that the adhesive that attaches the sensor to the windshield (somewhere in the wiper area) is clear and has no bubble looking areas.
I've had them on both a 99 Cadi Seville STS and a 2013 Cadi SRX and there worked great. My 2018 Enclave does not have them.

My 23 Enclave's rain sensing feature is a pain in the ***. I find myself never being able to find the "sweet spot" in the settings sensitivity. I sometimes tire of making adjustments and just put them on regular mode. I had a 2017 Acura MDX also with the same behavior. My wife's 2004 Lexus RX330, then a 2009 both functioned quite well. So the ability to design proper operation has been out there for some time.