So I have searched the entire forum, as well as the 351 secifically here, and not seen where anyone had corrected an issue with the rain-sensing wipers. So I believe, based on problems noted in the older models that also have the rain-sensing wipers that my issue is at the sensor. I have zero idea what it should actually look like at the sensor so I have no idea if it IS wrong, but my stalk appears to work fine. The manual low and high speeds work fine. When I set the stalk to the auto-sensing position though, no matter what sensitivity it is set to, I get one "acknowledgement" wipe. With each click to (theoretically) increase the sensitivity I also get a single wipe. However, that is all I get, no matter sprinkle or deluge. In light rain the "low" speed is often not low enough, and I end up doing the manual single wipe as necesary.

What I'd like to know is how it SHOULD look at the sensor (so that I know if there is an obvious issue) so sharing of images by you, the hive of the sensor in good working condition would be the first assistance. The second is, if anyone has repaired this, how they went about it. Apparently the 350s have the sensor glued into place with a layer of clear silicone, and that can cloud and disable the eye to the sky. Assuming this is a similar issue, I'd like to know what was used to resecure the eye to the windshield, be it glue, a specific silicone, the original Jag adhesive, or other possible suggestions.

Thanks to all in advance for any tips you might have.

 

So your problem is that the wipers are not starting when it rains?

 

This is correct.

After a LOT more research, and finally finding a video on a LR with the same sensor I believe mine isn't properly attached to the windshield and appears to be loose in its cavity. Tomorrow I intend to open up the clamshell and see if it simply needs to be locked back into its mount, or if the mount itself has detached itself from the windshield.

 

Sounds promising. I hope you figure it out. Looking fwd to hearing the good news.

 

I'm having the same problem, ever since the windshield got replaced, and I haven't been able to address it yet. I'd honestly prefer to just disable the rain sensor and set the control on the stalk to variable intermittentcy, but I don't know if that's possible.

Please let us know what you find out.

 

OK so update... I opened up the clamshell behind the mirror and sure enough the sensor, complete with the bracket, was sitting loose in the clamshell. It appears that before I bought the car the windshield had been replaced. It looks as if a black silicone was attempted to be used by the windshield installer as an adhesive and failed, but it also appears that they bent the mount while trying to ry it from the old glass it as only the 2 outer points could even make contact with the windshield as the top and bottom points would simply rock. I have gently bent it back to a flat (vs arched) shape, have ordered a new gel silicone pad, as well as 3M high heat double-sided tape to reinstall the bracket with. So, hopefully, that will get me back to simply being annoyed with the rain sensing system, vs a simple, if archaic, manually selected delay. After I get the adhesives and new silicone I'll follow up with a final report.

 

Nice! I have to get my windshield replaced soon... so I'll be sure to make sure the installer mount things back properly.