So despite living in Florida, the weather has been pretty decent and I've never really had to use my wipers. So now it's raining and my new 2020 Ranger I got in November doesn't seem to be behaving properly. I noticed after work if my wipers were in the auto position and I get in the truck, despite the sun being out with zero rain, the wipers would activate occasionally for seemingly no reason. Fine, I'd turn them off. If it actually starts sprinkling, putting them in auto does nothing after the initial wipe. The sprinklers can turn into a flat out downpour and my truck still doesn't care. Am I dumb and missing something? Common issue? I haven't been to Ford yet for any scheduled maintenance or else I'd ask them. Just looking for some insight.

I did install the mod that let's me have my auto mirrors fold on lock and open on start which did tap into a couple wires for power and the mirrors. Everything works fine on the truck, but wanted to add that in full disclosure, though I doubt they're related.

 

Welcome to the forum

The sensor for the rain sensing is behind the rear view mirror on windshield, it "looks thru" windshield to detect changes, if one wiper stroke clears the windshield at that spot then they stay off, if that spot gets distorted again then they come on again

Turn on engine and auto wiper, wipers should come on once to confirm auto wipe engaged
Now use a bottle of water or hose to spray water on windshield
If you don't get water near sensor then wipers should stay off, this is just to confirm location of sensor on your model

If windshield gets dirty in that sensor area then it could cause issues with wipers coming on and off randomly
Use washers to clean windshield just to see if thats the problem

There is no "water/wetness" detection, its strictly a visual reference that activates the auto wipers

Yes, there could be a problem with the sensor or system, way to early to have a "common" issue list for the new Rangers

 

Thanks for the response so far. To clarify a little, all functions of the truck work, including normal slow and fast wipers. The bright and sunny day example has the wipers coming on once initially on truck start and then they'll randomly wipe for no reason at whatever interval they want. Maybe once every 10 minutes or so. I turn the function off at that point to not run my wipers on my dry windshield.

They do not respond to rain, however. Light mist, full on thunderstorm, etc. It'll just do the initial wipe on start and follow the random interval pattern. I don't know what the function is called, but if I change the little **** that shows like 1 rain drop or 3 (like traditional intermittent wipers) the wipers will respond to that change by wiping once.

I have cleaned and inspected the area where the sensor is located, though. Sounds like this might be a dealership to fix issue. Thanks!

 

hi Popehappycat! I just purchased a 2022 Ranger and cannot believe that the mirrors do not fold and opened on lock and unlock, I saw a video on YouTube we are someone installed the module to do that, but I cannot find where to purchase it, I am thrilled to see that you did it on your ranger can you please contact me or help me out with information to order. I did find one that would also change the way the power windows work and I do not want that one all I want is the module that will affect the mirror is folding in and out upon lock and unlock. Thank you so much