21 Yukon Rainsense Wipers

[Reggie Holland]

I just had my windshield replaced and happened to encounter some rain for the first time in months. I switched the wipers to the 1st intermittent position, and they cycled once then went to low speed continuous. This was more than necessary to clear the windshield, but they continued in this mode for a couple of minutes then stopped even though it was sprinkling again. The wipers remained off for a minute or two then started again with the single wipe then to low continuous. So, after I got out of the rain I tried them with a dry windshield, and they did the same. Guessing maybe the installer didn't calibrate the sensor for the Rainsense system? Anyone else ever run into this?

 

[StephenPT]

First try turning the feature off and then back on again in the vehicle settings menu. If that doesn't change the behavior, then contact the glass installer and let them know they are not performing as they did before they replaced the glass.

 

[KMeloney]

I turned the rainsense feature off pretty quickly in my '23. It usually required too much rain before it would wipe the windshield, so I switched it off.

 

[TiGrayMSM]

I just had my windshield replaced and happened to encounter some rain for the first time in months. I switched the wipers to the 1st intermittent position, and they cycled once then went to low speed continuous. This was more than necessary to clear the windshield, but they continued in this mode for a couple of minutes then stopped even though it was sprinkling again. The wipers remained off for a minute or two then started again with the single wipe then to low continuous. So, after I got out of the rain I tried them with a dry windshield, and they did the same. Guessing maybe the installer didn't calibrate the sensor for the Rainsense system? Anyone else ever run into this?

Almost the exact same issue happened with ours following glass replacement. The dealer replaced the sensor under warranty (got lucky there) and it has been working ever since.

 

[schrimsher242]

Thank you for this! I had the exact same problem on my 23 Yukon and the same fix worked! The original owner had the windshield replaced, and the sensor was COMPLETELY dry - no gel or gel pad whatsoever!

Mine wasn't under warranty, so I ordered the parts and did the work myself. Stock seems to vary but I found it at Jake Sweeney Chevrolet (https://parts.jakesweeneychevrolet.com/v-2023-gmc-yukon--denali--6-2l-v8-gas/body--glass-windshield). Part #9 in the diagram. Here's the part info, but double check fitment for your vehicle of course.

Part Number​	Part Name​
84665863​	Windshield Outside Moisture, Ambient Light, and Humidity Sensor​

I decided against trying to replace just the gel. He says the Amazon kits don't last, and the whole sensor was only $38 when I ordered it.

And here's a YouTube video of the replacement procedure.

The video is for a 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS and the Yukon procedure is only slightly different (for example, you have to remove the cable from the sensor itself as it won't thread back through like he does on his CTS).

 

[Sean Michael]

Not my current Tahoe, but the rain sense on my prior 2019 stopped working after a windshield replacement too. I was shopping for my current Tahoe when it happened so just lived with manual wiper control for a few months though. Good to know there's a relatively easy fix if it happens again.

 

[DontTaseMeBro]

Thank you for this! I had the exact same problem on my 23 Yukon and the same fix worked! The original owner had the windshield replaced, and the sensor was COMPLETELY dry - no gel or gel pad whatsoever!

Mine wasn't under warranty, so I ordered the parts and did the work myself. Stock seems to vary but I found it at Jake Sweeney Chevrolet (https://parts.jakesweeneychevrolet.com/v-2023-gmc-yukon--denali--6-2l-v8-gas/body--glass-windshield). Part #9 in the diagram. Here's the part info, but double check fitment for your vehicle of course.

Part Number​	Part Name​
84665863​	Windshield Outside Moisture, Ambient Light, and Humidity Sensor​

I decided against trying to replace just the gel. He says the Amazon kits don't last, and the whole sensor was only $38 when I ordered it.

And here's a YouTube video of the replacement procedure.

The video is for a 2014-2019 Cadillac CTS and the Yukon procedure is only slightly different (for example, you have to remove the cable from the sensor itself as it won't thread back through like he does on his CTS).

Glad I found this post. We bought our Yukon used. Noticed that the wipers would go full blast even at the slightest amount of rain. Closer inspection revealed that the windshield had been replaced by the previous owners. Just ordered a new sensor. Fingers crossed!