Windstar Rain-Light Sensor Fault

My 2001 Ford Windstar with a gasoline engine (209568 km) has a rain-light sensor fault. Error stored in the error memory. No automatic wiping mode in the rain, no automatic headlight control, no function of the speedometer dimming. Lights switch on. Suspect bubbles forming under the gel pad of the windshield. Anyone else seen this?

4 comment(s)

Windstar owner here. Sounds familiar! You wouldn't believe the weird electrical gremlins these vans can have. Did you check the sensor itself for any visible damage or corrosion before you condemned the gel pad?

Visually inspected the sensor; no obvious damage. The gel pad seems the more likely culprit, given its age. Could trapped moisture be the cause?

Yep, moisture under the pad was exactly my problem. I tried cleaning it, but it kept coming back. Honestly, just get it checked at a shop. It's a pain to deal with yourself, isn't it?

Confirmed. Bubbles under the gel pad. Replaced; cost 62€. All symptoms resolved. Thanks for the confirmation.

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