I dropped off my 2015 RX450h at dealership yesterday because the rain sensing wipers no longer sensed rain. Late in the afternoon the service writer called and told me that they ordered a new windshield because the sensor is part of the windshield?

Sounds strange. I've heard that some aftermarket windshields were interfering with sensor's ability to sense but never a OEM windshield.

Any comments?

 

I know the models with rain sensing take a special windshield. I have it and had to have my windshield replaced due to rock damage. The rain sensor fob thing (it is on the passenger side next to the rear view mirror) fell off the new windshield after a week and they had to return to reattach it (I tried but it kept falling off again). I guess it has a sensor or something built into the windshield above the sensor fob itself.

 

Service rep called me today. The windshield is back ordered for about another week. I'm keeping their 2016 RX350 loaner for the week.

They said the rain sensor and windshield comes as a factory unit with the sensor factory glued to the WS. Said glue failed due to heat and it's not the first time they've seen this.

 

On Tuesday next week I will drop my 2015 RX 450h at the dealership to replace the windshield because my rain sensor doesn't work. You wouldn't except this from a Lexus.

 

Wow. From one Jerry to another Jerry, It must be a thing with 2015 RX450h's that are owned by people named Jerry.

 

Just purchased a CPO 2015 with the rain sensing wipers. We were told that, if we ever need to replace the windshield, that we need an acoustic windshield. Hopefully that won't happen.

 

I got my RXh back today with new windshield installed under warranty. Internal billing was $1,400 total for windshield w/rain sensor, oil change and rotation.

Rep said this is not the first RX windshield with this issue. Seems the glue used to attach the sensor comes loose, a small gap between the sensor and windshield causes an air gap so that the sensor cannot sense rain.

I was very happy to give them back the 2016 RX350 loaner. My RXh seats are more comfortable, no jerky transmission shifting and I'm happy to be back to my RXh's smooth quiet acceleration with lack of engine noise. The 2016 AC fan motor also had an annoying whine that varied with fan speed.

I did like 2016's Radar cruise, XTRA large navigation screen and guide lines on the backuo camera. I will miss those features.

 

I had my windshield replaced by Safelight (Fuyao Glass) due to highway rock damage. My rain sensing wiper calibration is not correct. Essentially the sensitivity is either non existent or maximum. It is no longer progressive and efficient. Is there a consensus on possible cause? I think Safelight has a lifetime warranty but perhaps not for installation.

 

Go back and complain as they apparently did not perform the installation correctly on the rain sensing unit. They will take care of it. The sooner you do this the better they will react.
However the rain sensing does react to the wiper speed setting and auto on settings. Have you test those while having someone spray a hose on the windshield?

 

Appointment set for Friday morning. I'm not entirely sure proper test procedure for the sensor. It works it's just way out of calibration.

 

Safelight confirmed the diagnosis my rain sensing is not performing correctly. They did a warranty replacement of the "gel pad" that is installed between the windshield and the lexus rain sensor. They told me if this does not do the trick to go to Lexus and have them diagnose. Has anyone replaced the rain sensor? Or does this involve windshield adhesive which I am not comfortable doing?

 

Sounds like there may be a calibration procedure that needs to be done. Call your Lexus service manager (not a service scheduler) and ask if this is the case.