Retrofit Rain-Sensitive Wipers.

[hidnmine]

How hard would it be to retrofit rain sensitive wipers to my Audi.
I know I would need to get the sensor (which I'm sure would be available from Ebay), but what else?
How much re-wiring is involved?
Is it the same stalk as the normal intermittent wipers?
Can the ECU be re-programmed to suit with VCDS?
Thanks,
Andy

[Guest 2]

You'll need a new windscreen, this puts most people off (including me) from retrofitting the auto lights/wipers.

NHN should be along shortly to comment as all he thinks about is A3s

[hidnmine]

The windscreen won't put me off. I want to change it for a top tinted one anyway, so how much more can it cost to get the one with the necessary fittings..
And yes - I would like to add the auto lights as well, so if anyone knows what the mods entail, I'll be very interested.

[zollaf]

i have rain sensitive wipers and auto lights.
if i forget either mrs z soon leans across and switches them on for me.

[NHN]

Along with a new screen, as you would effectively be installing 5-6 systems in one, not just rain sensor, it needs wiring into the headlight switch, ce module, fusebox, ground point & up the pillar across the roof to the mirror 2 connectors, plus vcds, so if you're competent to do all that & source all then you should be ok, but you'll need the schematics for sure to connect up for your year, as different years had differet fuse points for these systems.

Uses existing wiper stalk.

If interested we can provide a supply/fit solution for the lot that will give you:

Rain sensor
Auto lights
Autodimming rear view mirror
Coming Home
Leaving Home
New headlight switch

[hidnmine]

Thanks for the reply.

I suspect a supply/fit solution would be outside my budget! I'm thinking more along the lines of second hand parts from Ebay; maybe fitting in installments.
I probably have the necessary skills (40+ years in electronics), but mostly lack the info on how/where to wire to, and the necessary hardware.
I guess my first step is a recent copy of ElsaWin and a good look at the wiring diagrams..

Cheers,

[apples12]

I did this exact thing on my mk5, sourced the bits from eBay got the screen replaced and wired it all up!

The wiring sounds trickier than it is...its not.
Have you got access to Elsa diagrams?

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[apples12]

when i decided on my retrofit i had it planned for quite a while and was pricing everything all up for ages - the opportunity came along when my windscreen got a crack in it and i had to get it replaced - i told the guy at the windscreen place it was the one with the sensor and he bought along the one with the sensor bracket - make sure you have your new type mirror, sensor, cowilings all ready to mount up at this stage.

the wiring for the golf was really easy - just off the top of my head i think there was a lin bus wire, a wire to the CECM and a ground - i think that was pretty much it!

How to add auto headlights and auto wipers to a VW Jetta, Golf, or Sportwagen

in all honesty, i can't envisage it being much more difficult than that - if you can find yourself a junked a3 that has the auto lights etc that you can get the plugs that go into the mirror/sensor and that part of the wiring from, making up the rest of it is a piece of cake - you just want the business end of it to be proper! (as an electronics person you understand too that a wire is a wire - almost- regardless of the colour on the outside!)

[hidnmine]

Thanks for the replies.

For some reason my ElsaWin now refuses to run, and says it isn't licensed. I've ordered an up to date copy from Ebay.
I was wondering what the windscreen people would say if I need a replacement, but don't want them to fit the same type as they take out...
It's looking like the mirror etc will cost me around £100.
Next step; buy the hardware and study the diagrams. I'm sure it will take a while to get it together - when I do, I'll post the outcome.

Cheers,

[apples12]

Well...when I arranged mine, I had to ring them myself to arrange it and the conversation kinda went like 'I've got a golf with light sensor'...lol

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