Autodim mirror and rain sensor

frankgoldstar · 27th February 2018, 18:43

Dear All,

just looking for a bit of advice from all you gurus out there.

I have two 75's at the moment and want to swap the autodim and rain sensor off my old 52 connie SE on to the newer 54 reg connie, which has different option bits fitted.

I have seen the various very helpful posts, but failed on the first bit, getting the autodim mirror assembly off.

Mind, it was in the dark, so I could not see the screws which hold the cowling on.

Are there any decent photos on the forum that might help?

Also, if I try to get the rain sensors working do I need the wiper stalk off the old 75?

My reading of the advice on the forum was that the T4 needs to be used to tell the BCU that a rain sensor was fitted and this changed the operation of the standard stalk.

Does anybody know if this is correct, or am I as wrong as I usually find myself to be?

Best to ask first, unlike the last time when the good people on this forum pulled me out of the hole I was engaged in excavating!

Best wishes to all, Frank B

macafee2 · 27th February 2018, 19:23

at the two side edges pressed home are two clips that pull out, you can then remove the sensor electronics. The bit stuck to the screen is stuck like ? to a blanket and is quite hard to remove.

I seem to recall asking about rain sensing and you lose I think some of the functionality of the wipers as they are now. Possibly the auto stop when you stop.

macafee2

Devilish · 27th February 2018, 19:33

You going to cut a hole in the screen trim for the sensor.

I watched one being done, and the ECU had to be taken out, wether it was swapped or not I cant remember.

HarryM1BYT · 27th February 2018, 19:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by macafee2

I seem to recall asking about rain sensing and you lose I think some of the functionality of the wipers as they are now. Possibly the auto stop when you stop.

macafee2

I don't know about that, but you do lose the wipe delay - it becomes the auto wipe sensitivity adjustment.

macafee2 · 27th February 2018, 20:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryM1BYT

I don't know about that, but you do lose the wipe delay - it becomes the auto wipe sensitivity adjustment.

may be that's what's lost, knew it was something. what ever function is lost put me off fitting rain sensing

macafee2

Canonite · 28th February 2018, 07:34

I wrote a How To in the relevant section detailing how to retrofit the rain sensing wipers into a car with a standard windscreen.
Basically, once it has been enabled by T4 after fitting everything, you need to move the wiper stalk up on click to the intermittent setting. The car will then use the ECU for its information on triggering the wipe function and the frequency.

roverbarmy · 28th February 2018, 07:56

I retrofitted rain sensor wipers but to be honest, wish I hadn't bothered. In some situations it is at best, hit and miss (no pun intended) and prefer to do a manual wipe. Auto dimming mirror on the other hand, is fantastic and I'm going to need another one for my Cowley car.

frankgoldstar · 25th March 2018, 22:48

Dear All,

I see there have been many discussions on this subject.

I said I would add a post if there were any merit in doing so and it is as usual, both an observation or two and a question or two, the answers to which, might aid others.

I used the helpful posts of the rover 75 brethren to get to stage one and changed my non- autodim mirror for the autodim off the old car. Simple, apart from the force needed to remove the old mirror.

If I was worried about the screen, I would have chickened out!

Then, to remove the old rain sensor. I noted that a "cheesewire" was quoted as being the tool of choice to saw through the pad attaching the sensor assembly.

Lacking a cheesewire (and the the manual dexterity to assure I did not damage the plastic window of the sensor) I used 0.3mm diameter nylon fishing line.

It snagged and broke as I sawed away. I then lubricated the line with a silicone oil (I expect fairy liquid would work, stopping the adhesive gel sticking to the line) this worked fine.

I looked for rover 75 sensor adhesive pads to stick it on my screen, but this search was not conclusive.

The good news is, the item appears to be a BMW E series standard item, often referred to as a "purple" sensor, with an adhesive pad of 55x33mm.

Fine and dandy, but then how to clean the old adhesive off the sensor?

So far, no answer to that, but if anyone has any suggestions, when I get back from working away (last three weeks, hence the slow progress) I would be grateful.

Best wishes, Frank B

Canonite · 26th March 2018, 03:46

The adhesive pads you need are here on the previous page:
https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...0&postcount=15

Best thing to remove the adhesive is a good Tar & Glue remover and/or fingernail, a rather delicate and laborious task but nontheless effective.

HarryM1BYT · 26th March 2018, 19:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankgoldstar

Fine and dandy, but then how to clean the old adhesive off the sensor?

So far, no answer to that, but if anyone has any suggestions, when I get back from working away (last three weeks, hence the slow progress) I would be grateful.

Best wishes, Frank B

Careful scraping with a knife blade lubricated with WD40 or similar will probably work, then getting the WD40 off is easy with a soapy cloth.

27th February 2018, 18:43	#1
frankgoldstar Avid contributor Rover 75 Conny Saloon Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Manchester Posts: 144 Thanks: 16 Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts	Autodim mirror and rain sensor Dear All, just looking for a bit of advice from all you gurus out there. I have two 75's at the moment and want to swap the autodim and rain sensor off my old 52 connie SE on to the newer 54 reg connie, which has different option bits fitted. I have seen the various very helpful posts, but failed on the first bit, getting the autodim mirror assembly off. Mind, it was in the dark, so I could not see the screws which hold the cowling on. Are there any decent photos on the forum that might help? Also, if I try to get the rain sensors working do I need the wiper stalk off the old 75? My reading of the advice on the forum was that the T4 needs to be used to tell the BCU that a rain sensor was fitted and this changed the operation of the standard stalk. Does anybody know if this is correct, or am I as wrong as I usually find myself to be? Best to ask first, unlike the last time when the good people on this forum pulled me out of the hole I was engaged in excavating! Best wishes to all, Frank B

27th February 2018, 19:33	#3
Devilish Been round the block 75 Tourer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Cannock Posts: 4,125 Thanks: 3 Thanked 189 Times in 121 Posts	You going to cut a hole in the screen trim for the sensor. I watched one being done, and the ECU had to be taken out, wether it was swapped or not I cant remember. __________________ If at first you don't succeed, hide the evidence

28th February 2018, 07:56	#7
roverbarmy This is my second home Roverless + 1.7D Sportage Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: East Norfolk Posts: 7,050 Thanks: 729 Thanked 2,021 Times in 1,449 Posts	I retrofitted rain sensor wipers but to be honest, wish I hadn't bothered. In some situations it is at best, hit and miss (no pun intended) and prefer to do a manual wipe. Auto dimming mirror on the other hand, is fantastic and I'm going to need another one for my Cowley car. __________________ Oil in my veins!

25th March 2018, 22:48	#8
frankgoldstar Avid contributor Rover 75 Conny Saloon Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Manchester Posts: 144 Thanks: 16 Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts	Developments - rain sensor and autodim mirror Dear All, I see there have been many discussions on this subject. I said I would add a post if there were any merit in doing so and it is as usual, both an observation or two and a question or two, the answers to which, might aid others. I used the helpful posts of the rover 75 brethren to get to stage one and changed my non- autodim mirror for the autodim off the old car. Simple, apart from the force needed to remove the old mirror. If I was worried about the screen, I would have chickened out! Then, to remove the old rain sensor. I noted that a "cheesewire" was quoted as being the tool of choice to saw through the pad attaching the sensor assembly. Lacking a cheesewire (and the the manual dexterity to assure I did not damage the plastic window of the sensor) I used 0.3mm diameter nylon fishing line. It snagged and broke as I sawed away. I then lubricated the line with a silicone oil (I expect fairy liquid would work, stopping the adhesive gel sticking to the line) this worked fine. I looked for rover 75 sensor adhesive pads to stick it on my screen, but this search was not conclusive. The good news is, the item appears to be a BMW E series standard item, often referred to as a "purple" sensor, with an adhesive pad of 55x33mm. Fine and dandy, but then how to clean the old adhesive off the sensor? So far, no answer to that, but if anyone has any suggestions, when I get back from working away (last three weeks, hence the slow progress) I would be grateful. Best wishes, Frank B

27th February 2018, 19:23	#2
macafee2 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lincoln Posts: 14,928 Thanks: 1,630 Thanked 3,032 Times in 2,181 Posts	at the two side edges pressed home are two clips that pull out, you can then remove the sensor electronics. The bit stuck to the screen is stuck like ? to a blanket and is quite hard to remove. I seem to recall asking about rain sensing and you lose I think some of the functionality of the wipers as they are now. Possibly the auto stop when you stop. macafee2

28th February 2018, 07:34	#6
Canonite This is my second home BMW 330d Tourer, MG ZT 180 SE XPG, VW Polo 6R 1.2 TDI Bluemotion Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: York Posts: 6,022 Thanks: 363 Thanked 574 Times in 319 Posts	I wrote a How To in the relevant section detailing how to retrofit the rain sensing wipers into a car with a standard windscreen. Basically, once it has been enabled by T4 after fitting everything, you need to move the wiper stalk up on click to the intermittent setting. The car will then use the ECU for its information on triggering the wipe function and the frequency.

26th March 2018, 03:46	#9
Canonite This is my second home BMW 330d Tourer, MG ZT 180 SE XPG, VW Polo 6R 1.2 TDI Bluemotion Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: York Posts: 6,022 Thanks: 363 Thanked 574 Times in 319 Posts	The adhesive pads you need are here on the previous page: https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...0&postcount=15 Best thing to remove the adhesive is a good Tar & Glue remover and/or fingernail, a rather delicate and laborious task but nontheless effective.