Rain sensor for wipers on 2023 Tacoma

That particular rain sensor attaches to a bracket that's made onto the windshield and locks into place with a plastic part of the "cover" for the sensor. Also, there's a gel "pad" that sits between the sensor and the glass (hence why the bracket is there....to provide the right amount of gap between the glass and sensor and accommodating for the sensor pad).

Without a glass with that specific bracket installed, you have no stable way to secure the sensor.

 

Yep, just seen for a TLC200. Thanks for info!

 

Get the German one...

 

This guy might have an answer for you somewhere...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uG6grzdUf8

 

If it helps I put a momentary push button switch on the front of the steering wheel to mimic the “mist” function of the windshield wiper Combination Stalk.

IIRC it took a 3PDT 30 amp relay to safely accomplish the feature. As you can see from the schematic in Post #22 all switching and delay is accomplished within the Combination Stalk.

Edit:
It did not take a 3PDT Relay, but a DPDT relay, a bit simpler:

$10 JQX-12F 2Z HHC71A1 DC12V 30A DPDT 2NO 2NC 8-PINS 12V High Power Relay-1pieces

Amazon.com: JQX-12F 2Z HHC71A1 DC12V 30A DPDT 2NO 2NC 8-PINS 12V High Power Relay-1pieces : Industrial & Scientific

 

Wait, so you already retrofit auto-wipers?

 

It’s not a luxury car just turn on the wipers when it starts raining.

Now on the other hand if you like playing with gadgets then it makes sense. Good luck!

 

I might have used the wrong word. “Mist” versus “Momentary”; mist with its intermittent timing, no, I did not add. That was already present in my vehicle.

What I added was a button that mimicked the pushing of the stalk up which activates the wipers once. Or holding it up and the wipers work at the slow speed until released.

If you wish to add the intermittent wiper function to your truck, such as an SR that does not have that feature that has been previously covered in another thread. It involved procurement of a stalk/switch with the feature and adding a wire IIRC.

 

Decided to purchase and install the German aftermarket one, as recommended by caribe makaira. No time for install right now, but will post results when done. Thanks for the technical support y'all - no thanks for the lifestyle advice.

 

OP, Thanks for this excellent find.

I would be interested in the wiring connections of this Deutsch product. I could not make out the legend in the picture supplied above, but the Deutsch website does have a better picture available, but didn't help much as it is not the one you probably want, AWS12 versus AWS16.

There are several caveats in the manual, such as only one device can be turned on at once: either the vehicle stalk or the installed device - not both. The manual had a warning of something bad happening if both were switched on at the same time. Also, an adapter harness was alluded to in the manual but could find no detail on it, although it is shown as the relay socket and the wires to the splices - no mention of just what specific wires the harness splices to.

That 179.95 euros will go down quite a bit as 19% VAT is included in that price, but oh that shipping from Deutschland and the possible import tax may be a problem.

From the manual, you will have no guarantee and no right of return as is customary within the EU once the package is opened.

I think you want the AWS 16, not the AWS 12 as shown in this thread's pictures.

These are just some of the impressions I got from putting the Installation Manual through Google Translate.

The Deutsch product is designed to replace the "Wiper Relay" found in our case within the big blue box in the schematic supplied in Post #22. Our wiper relay is not assessable to remove without some GREAT difficulty - I've opened mine up to look into doing another mod. Not something I was going to touch.

Here is the manual:
Regensensor55a4c2f0903b8.pdf (carmodule.de)

General Rain Sensor page: each part is available individually
Xanonex | Carmodule

P.S. I went into my Deutsch Amazon account and could not find the company distributing any products in that manner.

P.P.S. I’d buy an extra attachment adhesive pad when ordering.

 

Interesting. I'll watch this thread to see how you (OP) make out. I can't speak for the weather elsewhere, but here in Maine, it can go from sunny to mist to drizzle to downpour, then snow, then repeat the cycle 22 times in 15 miles....and that's on a good day! LOL

 

I am just getting ready for a TDY and then moving. When settled a bit I will take on that project together with the folding mirrors. Will send details when box is opened, and I am ready for the works. Will be a bit more work since I have to remove the fuse and battery isolator panel of my house battery setup which is located on top of the relay box under the hood. The vendor is on leave until 02SEP2024, so I cannot get more info on which version may fit the Taco 2023. When time on TDY I will check on the OEM relay numbers to see if they are the same from various Toyota models, that should give an indication if that project will work or what I have to do to make it work.

 

OP, when you get the parts and figure the wiring, you could de-pin the original connector and insert the terminals inside the female connector (10795) then assemble the wires required to be "cut" with the correct terminals. One side to mating 4 slot connector (10794) the other side to the original connector with new terminals.

 

I had to troubleshoot Lexus rain sensor, but all I had was this ewd. Same system. But found out it was just the gel pad on sensor was degraded. Maybe adding rain sensor is feasible. With your rain sensor you can attach the sensor to a bracket you can buy online, I seen one on AliExpress. Attach the bracket on any clear part of windshield using glass epoxy. And wire as described. From what it appear the same wiper control stalk is used for one with rain sensor and your basic intermittent wiper. The control stalk is just input for body ecu which controls wiper. On control stalk “AUTO” is same as “INT” it’s just an input selector. Hope this helps. Highlander 2020-2022 ewd rain sensor. First diagram is rain sensor. Second is wiper control.

 

@jfm The first diagram/schematic of the rain sensor seems to be complete, the second of the wiper control seems to be missing multiple pages. Any chance you have the complete schematic available in a pdf? TIA

At first glance a true difference is that in the Tacoma, the wipers are not at all controlled or monitored by the Body ECM; see post #22. Plus, the wiper control for the Tacoma does not go through the Spiral Cable; your Lexus controls must be on the steering wheel, while the Tacoma's is on the steering shaft. Even with these differences I'm still interested in seeing that complete schematic of the wiper control.

 

Yes I only posted what’s relevant. There are tons several pages. But it basically is input from control, wiper switch, to body ecu. Body ecu gets info from rain sensor. Then body ecu command wiper controller to do its thing. Most of the drawings are irrelevant to rain sensor. The spiral cable you mentioned is for steering wheel sensor. The flow goes steering wheel sensor thru spiral spring to wiper switch on steering column and into body ecu. What you see on drawing is wiring harness on the steering column and all its associated components. It’s simple system. Input from wiper switch and rain sensor to body ecu then output command from body ecu to wiper controller. It’s all multiplex communication and can bus and computer controlled. There are no direct connection from wiper switch to wiper motor.

 

All, thanks for the extensive info. The German company did not respond to emails, calls, or their contact form. I hindsight, that was good. Since the Taco 2023 does not have a wiper relay as older vehicles have, their system would not have worked anyways on my Taco.
As I ran into electrical issues with trying to install the electric for folding mirrors, I am gotten a bit more prudent before I touch electrics on my Taco. Since I am not CONUS and my Taco is the only one around here and Toyota dealers not experienced with Tacos, I will be in trouble if I shoot an ECU. Will look for a knowledgeable car electrician and ask for support. Thanks again for your support and I will keep you posted on progress (if any).

 

That German solution has a relay to control the wipers via the windshield sensor...

 

My advice to you is get the proper repair and electrical wiring diagram for your car. eBay is good source for manual downloads. It will go a long way towards answering all your questions. It is very worthwhile investment. It also would help you appreaciate your car more. I have at least ewd for all my cars, appliances, any equipment at home. It goes along way toward troubleshooting and repairs.

 

Thanks for advice. The diagrams I have - the brains for it I don't... I am more a mechanic guy than an electric one. Before I destroy vital components, I will seek knowledgeable support.