130 TDi Sport - rain sensing wipers as std?

[fraser33]

At the weekend, I was trying to get an intermittent wiper relay for my 02 Passat, which doesn't currently work. According to the dealer I spoke to, I should have had rain sensor wipers fitted, so I checked the following site:

http://igorweb.org/equidec/Default.aspx

This analyses the codes on the spare wheel well sticker to list what spec. your car is ie. it lists the 'options' fitted.

According to the results, I have the following:

X2B = National sales program Great Britain
B0N = Component parts set, complying with vehicle type for Great Britain, various parts
C4Q = Cast alloy wheels 7J x 16 offset 37 (3B0 601 025 L)
H6U = Tires 205/55 R16 91W
J0R = Battery 380 A (80 Ah)
D8E = 6-cyl. turbo diesel eng. 8.3L/250PS TDI Euro 1 (6 cylinders??? this one confused me a bit!)
Q4H = Comfort sports seats, front
V0A = Tires w/o specification of tire brand
1AT = Electronic stabilization program (ESP)
1G2 = Steel spare wheel with original equipment tires
2PX = Leather trimmed sports steering wheel
5RV = Right exterior mirror: aspherical
5GJ = Sheet metal bodywork
T9J = 4-cylinder diesel engine 1.9 L unit 038.K
3S0 = Without roof rails/roof load rack
8T0 = Without cruise control system (CCS)
QG1 = Service interval prolongation
8AD = Radio "gamma"
8GL = Alternator 120 A
8R1 = Center high-mounted stop light
1ZC = Disc brakes, front (Geomet D)
0JG = Weight category front axle weight range 7
0YB = Weight range 2 installation control only, no requirement forecast
1BE = Sports suspension/shock absorption
0GE = Emissions concept EU 3


Unfortunately, no mention of rain-sensing wipers!

The strange thing is, the dealer said that according to my chassis number, it should have had the rain-sensing ones fitted. Does anyone know if an '02 Passat 130 TDi Sport should have them fitted as standard, or was it an optional extra? The car certainly has the 4-position adjustable intermittent wiper control on the wiper arm, so I'm assuming VW have somehow got something wrong.

Cheers


Fraser

[snapdragon]

Is there a black disc on the screen in front of the rearview mirror? This is the sensor. The codes on the label don't show it on mine and I have it so probably not covered.

[fraser33]

I'm not sure, I'll try and have a look tonight if I can.

If there is a rain sensor there, do you think the arm would still have the interval timing adjustment mechanism on it, but just not be connected?

Cheers

F

[stonedagain]

I'm not sure, I'll try and have a look tonight if I can.

If there is a rain sensor there, do you think the arm would still have the interval timing adjustment mechanism on it, but just not be connected?

Cheers

F

Is it definitely an intermittent timer adjustment? I'm asking this because some other manufacturers who fit auto wipers fit what looks like an intermittent timer adjuster, but it is actually a sensitivity adjustment for the auto wipe function. If your car has the black disc on the screen behind the mirror as Snapdragon stated, you definitely have auto wipe. If this is the case, putting the wiper stalk into the intermittent wipe position will not operate the wipers intermittently, it turns on the auto wipe, possibly giving one sweep of the wipers only, if the screen is dry. To test the auto wipe (if fitted), turn them on as described, then spray a small amount of water on the outside of the screen, directly onto the black disc, using a spray bottle or similar. The wipers should then operate until the screen is dry in front of the sensor. They will possibly operate intermittently to start with, but if you continue spraying the sensor, the wipers will gradually speed up to max. Hope this helps, it may be the reason for the problem with your intermittent!

[snapdragon]

The adjuster on the stalk adjusts the intervals on basic wipers and sensitivity on those with rain-sensitive intervals.

Note that these are not automatic wipers, they are not like those on most cars such as BMW, Renault, Peugeot. The VW ones need to be manually turned on when it rains and will not restart automatically with subsequent showers, they do not sense it start to rain and turn on, they just change speed/interval with the amount of rain and your road speed when the stalk is in the intermittent position.

[az7864]

i have the 130tdi sport trendline model with auto wipers, the sensor is there on the rear view mirror but doesnt seem to work.it was raining yesterday so i switched it to intermmitent but the wipers did not wipe the screen at all i had to switch it two constant,does anybody no why??

[fraser33]

Is it definitely an intermittent timer adjustment? I'm asking this because some other manufacturers who fit auto wipers fit what looks like an intermittent timer adjuster, but it is actually a sensitivity adjustment for the auto wipe function. If your car has the black disc on the screen behind the mirror as Snapdragon stated, you definitely have auto wipe.

Perhaps I'm mistaken, I just assumed the adjuster was for intermittent timing. There is a black circle on the screen behind the rear view mirror, but I'd thought this was just where it was stuck to the screen. I'll do the test method, but I'm sure i've had the stalk set in the 'intermittent' position during rain, and nothing happened.

Don't suppose there's a way of finding out if it's the sensor or the relay which is knackered? The dealer quote for the relay (assuming it's a sensor one that's required) was about £30 + VAT.

Also, is the relay under the bonnet, or do I remember reading somewhere it's above the pedals in a hard-to-reach place? I must get a Haynes manual sometime!

[az7864]

i have done the test but nothing happens also, i also would like to no what the problem is.!