The Rainsense story

[rockfangd]

So my 97 D'Elegance wipers did not work when I bought it a few years ago. I mentioned it here but never got too far into it until today.

There is obviously a history here from previous owner(s).

Windshield was replaced by previous owner. The wrong windshield was installed(no rainsense module)

Because of that the wipers did not work, or at least properly. 

Someone attempted to diagnose the problem and replaced the whole motor and cover. 

Going to assume that didnt resolve the issue. So someone decided to probe all the prongs in the 8 pin plug to the cover. 

So I bought and installed the rainsense module for the windshield last year or so.

Wipers still didnt work. Found that white plug with all the prongs spread. Fixed them the best I could.

Since then wipers worked but barely. They would stop and start, make funny noise, randomly stop all over the window. 

So I decided to replace the whole motor and cover.

I did that today and found the rest of the problem. The 3 pin black plug to the motor had been probed also. all 3 prongs were spread like someone had stuck a tester in them. So between the 8 pin plug, and the 3 pin plug that means 8 pins with bad connection. I fixed and rechecked all pins. 

Installed the motor. Cleaned everything nicely. And voila. I now have perfect working wipers.

The moral of the story is that whoever worked on it previously probably never even heard of rainsense wipers and when the window got replaced they never even noticed the missing module so they went right to the motor and caused more trouble. 

So happy I have working horns and  wipers now lol

[Bruce Nunnally]

Nicely done.  Glad you got it sorted out!

[brmurph]

I need to replace my windshield on my 98 Concours, I am a little afraid they will mess up the Rainsense.   Any tips and what glue did you end up using (my understanding is you can no longer get the part number required for our old caddies).  

Thanks

[BodybyFisher]

@brmurph good to see you

The board still benefits from your posts and I link to them.  

[BodybyFisher]

I can't vouch for any of these products but I searched Ebay and found possible solutions.  I dont know enough about the sensor to know, maybe this helps though

https://m.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=Auto+Rain+Sensor+Adhesive+Pad+Kit+Fits+between+Sensor+and+Glass+Windshield

[brmurph]

Thanks BBF.    Yeah I suppose any of those would work, I just remember all the threads that say to use the special glue and how it has been drilled into our heads on this board over the years to use original parts :-)...

[rockfangd]

I would see if the windshield is available with it still.

If it is not, install a new rain sensor. There should be some kicking around still.

Do not buy a unseen used as they are often damaged. People use scraper blade to clean off the adhesive and damage the sensor windows. 10 out of 10 of them I saw were damaged. 

If you have to reuse yours twist it back and forth until it releases. 

Then soak it well with goo gone and gently clean it off.

You will want to get the specific adhesive for it.

It is part# RSK1229.

If you cannot find one let me know as I have one.

Best of luck. Glad to see you back

[brmurph]

Thanks rockfangd, just to make sure I am understanding you correctly I will need a windshield specific for rain sense  (I see that in your original post now)?    Also the part number you gave for the adhesive is aftermarket?  I found this on ebay  https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=RSK1229&_sacat=0    , do you think these would work?   

After 16 years with this car (which I have thoroughly enjoyed at 200,000 miles) it might be time to upgrade to Deville DTS (2003-2005 :-). I hate to give it up but it is now burning about 500 miles a quart as well.

[rockfangd]

The replacement windshield should already have the sensor mounted.

Other than that there is no difference between the windshields.

What oil are you running. Dont want to start a debate, just curious.

The Concours is a very nice model. I am hoping to find one someday

And yes that is the adhesive. You can see how it is different in that it has the 2 slit openings that match to the sensor

[brmurph]

Right now I am running Pennzoil 10w30 but I put the Rotella oil in for one oil change (for extra zdp) and I went from 800 miles per quart down to 400 per quart, I also started getting the dreaded po420 (bad cat).   The interesting thing is once I changed back to Pennzoil the cat cleared up and no more po420, and back up to about 500 miles per quart :-).    

Still a little confused on the windshield, are you saying if I am lucky enough to find an OEM windshield that I don't have to worry about the adhesive as the sensor is already mounted?  Can I use any old windshield and mount my sensor on it?

And yes I love the Concours :-)

Thanks again.    

 

[rockfangd]

Yes you can use a plain windshield.

I will see if I can find out if the rainsense equipped replacements are still available.

Too bad on the excessive consumption. I have great luck with the 90s northstar regarding oil consumption. 

How do you drive it? Highway, city, or mixed? 

Stay away from the the Rotella. It wont help you. Just regular valvoline or Pennzoil should be fine. Dont run synthetic. It will worsen.

I drive both of mine hard and they use no oil.

my 96 had 230k on it and used no oil. I drove it hard. It loved every bit until the exhaust went into the coolant. I let it go

[brmurph]

19 hours ago, rockfangd said:

How do you drive it? Highway, city, or mixed?    

Most of its life it was mix city and highway, lately it has been mostly city driving.  I have always driven it fairly hard and certainly did my  WOTs when I thought it was necessary (was doing this procedure when the head gaskets let go around 100,000 miles :-).      Let me know if you have any luck on finding the windshield info..

Thanks.