From the beginning, this feature has been driving me crazy. The wipers work when it's dry, and sometimes don't work when it is raining. Sometimes they wipe 10 times on dry windshield. Very erratic. It does not matter what sensitivity I use, it has a mind of it's own. Where is the sensor for this stupid featrure?
I miss my good old timer on previous cars.
To me, something like this is absolutely un-safe, if I have to mess with the wiper stalk all the time.
Am I missing something?

 

I am very happy with mine and they work pretty much exactly as I would want. You might want to have your dealer take a look at yours.

 

Sensor is in front of the rear view mirror, between the mounting and the windshield.

The only issue I have had is occasional failure to activate until I actuate the single wipe, that seems to reset the sensor.

The optical sensor can be fooled by stuff on the windshield like dirt left over from dried spray. I turn mine off in winter for this reason. Works reasonably well in actual rain.

 

You don't indicate your model year. Since you joined in 2009, I assume you may have a 2009 XF. There was a problem with the electronics in the wiper stalk for certain VINS that caused verry erratic operation. Jag replaced them, but I don't remember the recall information. Perhaps yours didn't get fixed or it has failed.

 

sorry, 2010 5.0L Premium

 

Mine work well with only some initial startup hesitation. The sensitivity adjustment seems accurate and stable across the range of selection. From what you are describing, I would think something is wrong with the system. It is exactly the same complaint that led to the wiper stalk replacement in the 2009s and the dealer should probably check it out.

 

My auto wipe feature, MY 2000 XK8, works fine in the rain but sweeps the wind screen about once a minute when not raining. This started about a year ago. I presently go out of auto mode when not raining to avoid the problem. Is there an sensitivity adjustment?