Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Overview, rain sensor (additional work when replacing the windshield/sensor replacement)
- 1-Series: E8x
- 3-Series: E9x
- 5-Series: E6x
- 6-Series: E6x
- X1: E84
- Z4: E89
| Sensor type/Sensor shape | With windshield replacement sensor required | When replacing the sensor/Programming/coding necessary | When replacing the sensor/Initialization required | Connecting the diagnostic system required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condensation sensor square 30 x 20 mm | Yes | No | No | No |
- 5-Series: E6x
- 6-Series: E6x
- 7-Series: E6x
| Sensor type/Sensor shape | With windshield replacement sensor required | When replacing the sensor Programming/coding necessary | When replacing substitute visuals Programming/coding necessary | When replacing the sensor/substitute visuals Initialization required | Connecting the diagnostic system required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| all types square 60 x 40 mm | No | Yes | - | Yes | Yes |
| RLS approximately ø 50 mm | No (new substitute visuals required, refer to applicable BMW parts catalogue) | - | No | Yes | Yes |
- X5: E70
- X6: E7x
| Sensor type/Sensor shape | With windshield replacement sensor required | When replacing the sensor Programming/coding necessary | When replacing substitute visuals Programming/coding necessary | When replacing the sensor/substitute visuals Initialization required | Connecting the diagnostic system required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RLPSS (Rain, light and precipitation solar sensor) (Designation is located on the back of the sensor) approximately ø 50 mm | Yes | Yes | - | Yes | Yes |
| RLS (vehicle with no HUD ) (Designation is located on the back of the sensor) approximately ø 50 mm | No (new substitute visuals required, refer to applicable BMW parts catalogue) | - | No | Yes | Yes |
| RLSS (vehicle with HUD ) (Designation is located on the back of the sensor) approximately ø 50 mm | Yes | Yes | - | Yes | Yes |
- 1-Series: E8x
- 3-Series: E9x
- X1: E84
- X3: E83
- Z4: E89
| Sensor type/Sensor shape | With windshield replacement sensor required | When replacing the sensor Programming/coding necessary | When replacing the sensor Initialization required | Connecting the diagnostic system required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| all types square 60 x 40 mm | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
- 5-Series: F1x
- 5 Series Gran Turismo: F07
- 6-Series: F06, F1x
- 7-Series: F0x
- X3: F25
- X4: F26
| Sensor type/Sensor shape | With windshield replacement sensor required | When replacing the sensor Programming/coding necessary | When replacing substitute visuals Programming/coding necessary | When replacing the sensor/substitute visuals Initialization required | Connecting the diagnostic system required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| all types approximately ø 35 mm | No | No | - | Yes | Yes |
| all types approximately ø 50 mm | Yes | Yes | - | Yes | Yes |
| Only for F25: RLS approximately ø 50 mm | No (new substitute visuals required, refer to applicable BMW parts catalogue) | - | No | Yes | Yes |
- X5: F15, F85
- X6: F16, F86
| Sensor type/Sensor shape | With windshield replacement sensor required | When replacing the sensor Programming/coding necessary | When replacing the sensor Initialization required | Connecting the diagnostic system required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| all types approximately ø 35 mm | No | No | No | No |
- 1-Series: F2x
- 2-Series: F2x
- 3-Series: F3x, F8x
- 3 Series Gran Turismo: F34
- 4-Series: F3x, F8x
| Sensor type/Sensor shape | With windshield replacement sensor required | When replacing the sensor Programming/coding necessary | When replacing the sensor Initialization required | Connecting the diagnostic system required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| all up to 03/2014 except operating fluid (01) (Designation is located on the back of the sensor) approximately ø 35 mm | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Operating fluid (01) (Designation is located on the back of the sensor) approximately ø 35 mm | No | No | No | No |
| All as from 03/2014 approximately ø 35 mm | No | No | No | No |
- 2-Series: F4x
| Sensor type/Sensor shape | With windshield replacement sensor required | When replacing the sensor Programming/coding necessary | When replacing the sensor Initialization required | Connecting the diagnostic system required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| all types | No | No | No | No |
BMW i:
| Sensor type/Sensor shape | With windshield replacement sensor required | When replacing the sensor Programming/coding necessary | When replacing the sensor Initialization required | Connecting the diagnostic system required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| all types approximately ø 35 mm | No | No | No | No |
BMW from G series
| Sensor type/Sensor shape | With windshield replacement sensor required | When replacing the sensor Programming/coding necessary | When replacing the sensor Initialization required | Connecting the diagnostic system required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| all types | No | No | No | No |
MINI (all):
| Sensor type/Sensor shape | With windshield replacement sensor required | When replacing the sensor Programming/coding necessary | When replacing the sensor Initialization required | Connecting the diagnostic system required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| all types square 60 x 40 mm | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| all types approximately ø 35 mm | No | No | No | No |
Rolls-Royce:
- RR1
- RR2
- RR3
- RR4
- RR5
- RR6
| Sensor type/Sensor shape | With windshield replacement sensor required | When replacing the sensor Programming/coding necessary | When replacing the sensor Initialization required | Connecting the diagnostic system required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| all types square 60 x 40 mm | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| all types approximately ø 35 mm | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| all types approximately ø 50 mm | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Rolls-Royce:
- RR11
- RR12
| Sensor type/Sensor shape | With windshield replacement sensor required | When replacing the sensor Programming/coding necessary | When replacing the sensor Initialization required | Connecting the diagnostic system required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| all types approximately ø 35 mm | No | No | No | No |
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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