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richardmoore6

Seat Leon Rain Light Sensor Problem

My Seat Leon, build year 2007 with a diesel engine, is throwing a rain-light sensor fault. The error is stored in the error memory, and basically, nothing that's supposed to be automatic is working! No automatic wiping in the rain, headlights won't switch on automatically, and now I've realized the speedometer dimming isn't working either. The lights switch on constantly, which is weird. I've read online that sometimes bubbles forming under the gel pad of the windshield can mess with the sensor. Anyone else experienced this?

4 comment(s)

rudolfschaefer99

Sounds like a faulty rain light sensor, a pretty common issue on the Leon actually. When you say the lights switch on, do you mean even during the day? The sensor combines rain detection and light sensitivity to manage the auto headlights and wipers. The speedometer dimming is also linked to the light sensor, so all these symptoms point towards it. Have you checked for any visible damage to the sensor itself, like cracks or moisture?

richardmoore6 (Author)

Thanks for the quick response! Yeah, the lights come on even in bright sunlight. I haven't physically inspected the sensor yet, to be honest. Where exactly is it located, and is it something I could potentially check myself without special tools? Also, what do you mean by 'speedometer dimming'? I'm not sure I've noticed that specifically.

rudolfschaefer99

Okay, the lights coming on in daylight definitely seals it. The rain light sensor is usually located near the top of the windshield, behind the rearview mirror. You can visually inspect it for damage, but be careful not to damage the windshield or sensor itself. The speedometer dimming I mentioned is that the instrument cluster automatically dims at night, it's linked to the light sensor so it doesn't blind you while driving in the dark. While a visual check might reveal obvious damage, it sounds like internal failure. Considering all the symptoms, I'd recommend taking it to a workshop for a proper diagnosis and replacement. Trying to fix it yourself without proper tools or experience could cause further issues.

richardmoore6 (Author)

Took the Leon to a local shop and they confirmed it was the rain light sensor. They replaced it, cleared the error, and everything is working perfectly. The bill came to 62€, which is a relief!

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