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D2 - Interior Electrics Airbags, Sensors, climate modules, instrument clusters, switches etc

 
 
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Old 14th December 2012, 12:03 AM
71camaro 71camaro is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Cambridge, MD, USA/Penn State University
Posts: 280
Default Auto wipers/ Auto headlamps

One of the great omissions of the D2 was auto wipers and auto headlamps when raining and dark. It seems odd these would be skipped since even Golfs and Polos of the era had these on better optioned models.

Hella had the Raintronic system available for a short time that acted as an add-on auto-wiper system. It was large and didn't add auto-headlamps in rain or darkness, however. Raintronic appears to have been discontinued as well. So, what do we do?

A system is available here in the United States called Rain Tracker.

Demo video on a Yaris:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woW1Z38GDok

http://www.raintracker.com/

I've been researching for quite some time how to add these features, and this system is by far the most reliable based on user reviews, and in fact some say it operates in a manner more favorable than even most OEM systems. The great beauty of Rain Tracker is that it not only operates lights and wipers with these features otherwise in the "off" position, but one can also operate the wipers and lights if they so choose independently of the module. And, if you want to turn off the systems it's quite easy to do as well with toggles that can be hidden anywhere (I'll be placing mine on the base of my driver's seat memory trim, hidden but easily accessed).

So then, we have a module to operate this. What about the sensor then? It is placed on the window behind the mirror. I'll be painting the windshield where it mounts to match how most OEMs hide the sensor from the outside. For the wiring I'll be using a plastic trim channel, either from a VW Golf mk4 or a T5 that will look fine. I'll trim/reshape the ends of the channel to fit the headliner and sensor as necessary. All wiring and modules go under dash for a clean looking install.

Rain Tracker provide great wiring diagrams and support as well. Apparently our wipers are controlled in a manner similar the C5 A/S6, and they have diagrams for our cars as well as the C-chassis cars, here:

http://www.raintracker.com/compatibi...i_s6_02-04.pdf

I ordered the unit tonight, when it arrives next week I'll have further information.
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