BMW Rain Sensor & Auto Lights Dead, Quick Help Needed

Had the exact same issue with my 2016 BMW 2 Series last winter. The symptoms match perfectly with what I experienced. Initially thought it was just a sensor malfunction, but when I finally got it checked, there were bubbles forming under the gel pad where the rain-light sensor sits on the windshield. The technician explained that when these bubbles form, the sensor can't properly detect light or rain anymore, which also affects the dashboard dimming since it's all connected to the same module. It was a serious issue because if left unfixed, water could potentially seep in and damage the electrical components behind it. The fix required removing the old sensor, cleaning the area thoroughly, and installing a new sensor unit with fresh gel pad. Took about two hours to complete. The car's been working perfectly since then, all automatic functions are back to normal. If you're not comfortable with your previous mechanic, I'd recommend finding a certified BMW specialist. This isn't something you want to have done incorrectly as it could lead to water damage issues down the line. Cheers

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful since it sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. Quick question, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also, has everything stayed working properly since then, or have you noticed any other quirks pop up? The water damage part has me a bit worried, so I want to make sure I get this sorted properly.

Hey there again! Happy to give you an update! The total cost was 62 € for the repair, which included fixing those pesky bubbles under the gel pad. Honestly, it was money well spent, everything's been working like a charm since I got it fixed. The rain sensor kicks in perfectly now, and the auto headlights and dashboard dimming are all back to normal. I was pretty relieved when it turned out to be just the bubbles in the gel pad. The mechanic did a great job, and I haven't had a single issue since the repair. No water damage or any other problems have popped up, so you can rest easy on that front. Just make sure you get it checked out soon, the sooner you deal with it, the less chance of any complications. Trust me, it's worth getting it sorted by someone who knows what they're doing. The relief of having everything working properly again is totally worth it! Let me know if you need any other info!

Thanks a lot for all the details! I actually just got back from getting it fixed. Turned out you were spot on, it was the same bubble issue with the gel pad. Found a really good mechanic through a 's recommendation, and they sorted it out in about two hours. Ended up paying a bit more than you did, around 75 € total, but honestly, it was worth every penny. The rain sensor, auto lights, and dashboard dimming are all working perfectly now. Such a relief to have everything back to normal! The mechanic also showed me the old gel pad, and those bubbles were pretty obvious once I saw them. Really glad I didn't put this off any longer. The new mechanic was great, explained everything clearly and did a thorough job. No more worrying about potential water damage now! Thanks again for sharing your experience, it really helped me understand what I was dealing with and gave me the push I needed to get it fixed right away.