[s-cars] Mist-sensing wipers, was:Antenna mast GP anyone ?

[steve powers]

It's most likely the Bosch device. They were marketing it several years back 
and many of the German mfrs picked it up. Mercedes was one such mfr - this 
system is on our M-class. It works via infrared detection at/near the rear 
view mirror. It sometimes gets fooled into thinking it's raining/misting. 
Other times it doesn't pick up when it is actually raining/misting. Overall, 
I'd say it's worth having.

Another interesting device I've thought about is the "flash to change lanes" 
feature that the Mercedes turn signal relay has. A quick, not to lock, 
actuation of the turn signal lever causes the turn signals to blink 3 times. 
If you actuate it to lock, it blinks until cancelled by driver or upon turn 
exit.

I'm sure this feature is done by Bosch done via an intelligent relay. If the 
relay were pin-compatible with the VAG/Audi wiper relay it would work on our 
cars also. (sort of like swapping the wiper delay relay)

One of these days I'll take both cars apart to find out. Still looking for 
something I can swap from my Aprilia Mille to one or the other cars. :)

sp


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marc Gorelick" <marc at frogville.net>
To: "James Murray (QB/EMC)" <james.murray at ericsson.com>; 
<s-car-list at audifans.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 2:18 PM
Subject: RE: [s-cars] Mist-sensing wipers, was:Antenna mast GP anyone ?


> First off, the Passat in question is actually a 2002 and not a 2001 as I
> previously stated.
>
> After looking this up in FA, I'm not sure what all is involved but the
> sensor seems is located in the rear-view mirror mount. There is a part
> number for the mount but it's not clear whether this includes the sensor 
> or
> not.
>
> It's likely that the sensor sends out a pulse of some kind that trips the
> wipers. Since my S4 wipers have a "mist" position (click the wiper switch
> down and release) it would seem possible although a relay might be 
> required
> depending on the voltage coming off this sensor.
>
> Then again this is all conjecture and I am sure some more knowledgeable
> person will shoot the idea down in no time. ;-)
>
> Awaiting flames...
>
> Marc
>
> '93 S4 MTM+1
> '91 Miata JR Supercharger, exhaust, etc. etc.
>
>
> At 03:38 PM 5/19/2004 -0500, you wrote:
> >Sounds like a difficult retro-fit...or is this a standard item that could
> >be adapted?
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
> >[mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com]On Behalf Of Marc Gorelick
> >Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 4:37 PM
> >To: s-car-list at audifans.com
> >Subject: Re: [s-cars] Antenna mast GP anyone ?
> >
> >
> >This *is* a great idea! My wife's 2001 Passat has this feature, it works
> >great. It's a lot better than fiddling with the interval wipers when 
> >you're
> >dealing with an inconsistent amount of water/snow on the windshield.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > >And in the "what a great idea" department... My wifes been renting an 
> > >S70
> > >Volvo the last few days. Hope I don't hurt any feelings on the list but 
> > >I
> > >wasn't very impressed. It did have one neat feature that I've since 
> > >found
> > >out is also standard equip on the new bimmahs and wondered if Audi also
> > >offers. It's a kind of rain sensing intermitant system. You turn on the
> > >intermitant and the system knows how much rain is hitting the 
> > >windshield and
> > >adjusts the sweep frequency accordingly. Really cool !  It would even 
> > >only
> > >sweep once to clear the windshield when passing on the highway to get 
> > >rid of
> > >the mist coming off the tires as you pass....
> >
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