Dudeness30

So I decided to replace the gel pack for the rain sensor. Just pull off the plastic covers and turn base of mirror CCW and it pops off. Remove the spring clip retainer and pop out the sensor. Remove the old gel and clean with isopropyl alcohol. I purchased 2 of the gel pads on eBay from China for a total of $8.08. Gel pad looks correct. I peeled the paper side and placed it on the windshield, peeled the plastic off the other side and placed the sensor in. Reassemble and test.

chingwodapigu

I've been thinking of doing this for a while but haven't since I'm lazy. Issue I've been having is the intermittent mode seems to run more than it should, so I assume that it's possible the 13 year old gel pad could be getting old and not as clear as it should be. I know that there's a way to adjust the sensitivity of the rain sensor, but since it worked fine when the car was newer, I think it would be better to just change the gel pad.

I talked to a friend who runs a windshield repair/replacement company that works with all the local dealerships, and he said that Porsche actually has the same exact gel pad (9A795560900 for $30ish IIRC) as the Audi version (4E0955609 which my local dealership sells for around $50), but it sells for a lot less than the OEM Audi model. First time I've ever heard of a Porsche part that's less expensive than a comparable part from the rest of VAG group. Of course it's not as cheap as your ebay part, but it is OEM (sort of).

Dudeness30

I would bet the Porsche and Audi parts are identical, so go with the cheaper one. I wanted to see if the china gel pad worked. Time will tell. I don’t mind paying for good parts, but the gel pad is worth the gamble lol.

J. Patterson

Thanks for this post guys. Had windshield replaced in our 2015 and the installer left an air bubble under the sensor. The intermittent setting worked but not enough. Interval between wipes was way too long. Read this and ordered one of the Ebay gel packs ( $8.00 incl shipping). Replaced it today. It’s raining so I got to test it. PERFECT!

dreadlocks

how long did it take to replace? I need this but im hesitant and last time I tried to remove a rear view mirror I broke the windshield.

Dudeness30

Not long at all. If I remember correctly you need to rotate the base of the mirror a little to the left ccw, and the mirror just pops off, then the rain sensor has a metal clip holding the sensor in and it keeps pressure against it. Remove the metal clip and the sensor will just pop out. It took a couple of minutes to clean the gel adhesive off of the windshield, then peel and stick the new gel in and reassemble.

J. Patterson

Exactly. . Pull the upper trim piece away (top first. squeeze in at wide part to release tabs) twist mirror base ccw and it pops off. Remove clip and sensor can be pried away. One hint. A bit of soapy water on the sensor and windshield helps the new gel pack to seat without trapping an air bubble.
When replacing mirror start with it about 25° off vertical to the left then press in and twist to straight.

dreadlocks

Finally did it, my wipers now work ilke they did originally.. stupid easy, like 5-mins to install.. went with this one off ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/333016966771

J. Patterson

yup. Same one I used. Works great. FYI though, an S5 uses a different one. Had new windshield installed in it recently and had quite a time finding the right gel disc.

dreadlocks

they windshield guy didnt reuse it, he cut down another one from a generic slab, very poorly.. and it just fell out and was not stuck to nothing.