Rain sensor upgrade

davecsu · #1 (**permalink**) 04-05-2003, 03:59 PM

I'm wondering if it's possible to retrofit the Tundra with a rain sensor like the ones in the Lexus. Since I live in the Seattle area, the rain capital of the US, it would be really nice to have that feature. Is there an after market kit or perhaps the Lexus sensor can be fitted in the Tundra? Does Toyota have that feature in any of their current models?

Hover · #2 (**permalink**) 04-05-2003, 04:04 PM

What does a rain sensor do on a vehicle? Automatically turn on the wipers for you? Let you know when it's raining in case you are blind?

davecsu · #3 (**permalink**) 04-05-2003, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hover
What does a rain sensor do on a vehicle? Automatically turn on the wipers for you? Let you know when it's raining in case you are blind?

LOL!!

It senses how much rain is falling on the windshield and regulates the wiper speed accordingly. Whenever there's no rain, the wipers will be off. The sensor can be left on all the time in automatic mode, or if preferred, override for manual operation.

SATundra · #4 (**permalink**) 04-05-2003, 08:36 PM

I would think that it should be a fairly easy thing to do. It is really just a sensor that mounts on the dashboard toward the front of the windshield that tells the wipers when to turn on and how much speed to apply. I assume you should be able to just tap into the power circuit to install the added wiring. But im not sure.

I saw these on a luxury Buick car. Just took me a while to figure out how the wipers were adjusting there speed without the driver touching the knob.

RitcheyRch · #5 (**permalink**) 04-05-2003, 10:29 PM

I figure why would you need a sensor to tell you when it is raining?? Doesnt make much sense to me but then what do I know

SATundra · #6 (**permalink**) 04-05-2003, 10:51 PM

Just another "bell and whistle", but hey so are power windows, power locks, self dimming mirrors, power seats, cruise control, automatic transmissions, DRLs, etc........

Mudog715 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-05-2003, 11:38 PM

Great idea. Two potential problems:

1. The "Rain Sensor" may not be a stand-alone device -- it may just be another input to the Body Computer (BCM) in the donor vehicle, and the BCM actually controls the wipers. Interfacing a "foreign" BCM is a big undertaking.

2. Judging by what Toyota gets for a "Blower Amp" for a Sequoia (hint as to one of my upcoming mods) -- over $100 -- I would suspect the "Rain Sensor" to be mucho expensive. Although, I think the device is based on something like this Infrared Range Detector manufactured by Sharp, so it may be possible to build your own system. If I get time, I'll look into it further.

davecsu · #8 (**permalink**) 04-05-2003, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RitcheyRch
I figure why would you need a sensor to tell you when it is raining?? Doesnt make much sense to me but then what do I know

It's mainly for regulation of wipers' speed, depending on how much rain the sensor is picking up.

Mudog, thanks for the info! Let me know what you find out, or better yet, post a rain-sensor upgrade mod for all the T/S members.

Mudog715 · #9 (**permalink**) 04-05-2003, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by davecsu
It's mainly for regulation of wipers' speed, depending on how much rain the sensor is picking up.

Mugdog, thanks for the info! Let me know what you find out, or better yet, post a rain-sensor upgrade mod for all the T/S members.

Well it looks like I found an aftermarket company that sells "universal" systems, they might even be the patent-holder (like Muth was for the SignalMirrors that first appeared on Ford trucks & SUVs).

Rain Sensing Wipers

Factory direct price is $99, which doesn't sound too bad.

davecsu · #10 (**permalink**) 04-06-2003, 12:18 AM

That's exactly what I'm looking for. It doesn't seem too hard to install!

I'm totally spoiled by the convenient features in my other vehicle. I realized after I purchased my Tundra, I tried to upgrade it with many of those feature, i.e. heated seats, navigation, electrochromatic mirror with temp/compass, sunroof, reverse backup sensors, reverse camera, HID, etc..... Now I really enjoy all the Luxury amenities in the Tundra.

davecsu · #11 (**permalink**) 04-12-2003, 12:32 AM

I called the Rain Tracker today ordered the rain sensor. I will update the result after I install it next week. Normally I don't care for rain, but hopefully there'll be some rain after I put it in.

Agent WD-40 · #12 (**permalink**) 04-12-2003, 01:03 AM

What model did you get and how much was it? Let us know how the install goes and how it works.

davecsu · #13 (**permalink**) 04-12-2003, 02:17 AM

I ordered RT-F and XC-1. The total with shipping was around $147.

RT-F has all wiping speed including fast wipe. XC-1 allows external control of the speed. Without XC-1, the sensor automatically wipe at a preset speed whenever it senses water. With XC-1, the sensor is still automatic, but the speed can be further adjusted. The automatic sensor can be override with a switch to manual mode.

I look forward to installing it, but I'm running out of space on my dash to install the extra switch. Any suggestion?

Mudog715 · #14 (**permalink**) 04-12-2003, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by davecsu
I ordered RT-F and XC-1. The total with shipping was around $147.

RT-F has all wiping speed including fast wipe. XC-1 allows external control of the speed. Without XC-1, the sensor automatically wipe at a preset speed whenever it senses water. With XC-1, the sensor is still automatic, but the speed can be further adjusted. The automatic sensor can be override with a switch to manual mode.

I look forward to installing it, but I'm running out of space on my dash to install the extra switch. Any suggestion?

Funny you ask. When I saw the XC-1, my first instinct was to eliminate/relocate the dash dimmer knob and put the XC-1 knob there. I found that once I decided on a setting for the dash lamps, I never change it...

The other thing I was looking into was tapping into the intermittent time potentiometer in the stock wiper switch. However, because the intermittent timer is integrated into the wiper switch on the Tundra (as with most other Toyotas) that would probably be a chore.

davecsu · #15 (**permalink**) 04-12-2003, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mudog715
Funny you ask. When I saw the XC-1, my first instinct was to eliminate/relocate the dash dimmer knob and put the XC-1 knob there. I found that once I decided on a setting for the dash lamps, I never change it...

The other thing I was looking into was tapping into the intermittent time potentiometer in the stock wiper switch. However, because the intermittent timer is integrated into the wiper switch on the Tundra (as with most other Toyotas) that would probably be a chore.

Mudog, have you order the rain sensor yet? If so, which one did you get?

The dimmer knob would be cool.

You have to post some pictures after you're done.

Regarding the integration to the factory switch, the person from Rain Tracker told me it was difficult for them because of the way Toyota is setup. It's possible with some of the domestic cars, because they have easier access. It would be really interesting if you can integrate it.