I need to know how to get the top left strut out from behind the trim panel  

Turning it off is simply done by turning off the wipers using the wiper stalk.  When the wiper stalk is in the off position, the auto function is also off. Auto only works when the stalk is in the "intermittent position", granted the feature is on in the cluster screen settings. 

This morning's commute to work in a storm made me appreciate the rain sensing wipers - the auto change from intermittent to continuous and speed adjustment based on the need worked flawlessly.

2010 Ford Edge AWD Limited with dual AC control. Both blend door actuators are working properly but the driver side is not blowing as cold as the passenger side. I removed the left side actuator and checked the linkage which seems to move without any issues and I can hear the door close. Installed a new actuator and recalibrated the blend doors resulting in the same issue deiver side is not as cold. HELP if you have any experance I am all ears...

Wow, that's more work than I'd be willing to do for that feature - turning off for me using the screen would also be an issue.   I most often forget to turn it off when approaching the car was and their spray triggers the wipers and I have to scramble to turn the rain sensing off.   My wife's BMW X5 is smarter - it turns off when the ignition is turned off and when you need it again with the first few rain drops you tap the button on the end of the stalk.

It can be done but the difficult part is sanding / polishing the black frit away. https://www.team-bhp.com/news/diy-how-i-retrofitted-adas-my-ford-ecosport Or else mount it on the side. https://bronco6g.com/forum/threads/done-rain-sensing-wipers-installed.84493/post-2099209

I have some question that I am hoping someone with more knowledge than I have will assist me with making the better decisions with what I am facing... I recently (in the last 3 weeks) purchased a 2013 Ford Edge SEL V6 AWD for what I thought was a fair price at $4,000. Since driving it after buying it without driving it I was unaware of the noises that it made until after I purchased the vehicle. (My Bad.) I trusted the dealership owner and took him at his word when he said if you don't like it after you driveitI will get you into something else... On to why you are here now. I realized after taking this vehicle to 2 different mechanics one being a dealership, it is recommended that I get a passenger front control arm because the ball joint is bad, 2 tie rods, both front lowers, seals for the transmission where the CV axles enter because they are leaking oil, a rear drive shaft because the linkage is corroded and the parts cannot be replaced, but the entire rear drive shaft will solve the issue, and a rear driver side CV axle because the boot is showing excessive gear oil ousing through the boot. All of this is in addition to the brakes, rotors, calipers, and shocks that I just replaced trying to solve the noise problem that I noticed after I drove the vehicle,and all of that after having purchased the vehicle. Are there parts listed that I haven't changed already that may not be necessary to change for 10k or 20k miles? Are loose ball joints in the control arm something I need to worry about changing soon? Or even the seals for the CV axles where they connect the front transmission? Or is the linkage something that I don't need to worry about with the rear drive shaft? And if I need to change them all what is a good price estimate to get it done by a good mechanic?

Yes, the rain sensor needs a clear spot. I don't think it will be easy to remove the coating in this area.   Look to see if you can find the yellow and black wires seen in the below photo.

The rain sensor has clear glass on the windshield.

So I pulled the interior shroud off and the mounting spot for the rain sensor is there, but I doubt there should be black paint underneath where it mounts? On a rain sensing windshield that spot is just clear glass? Also, I don't see any wiring to it. Not sure if I could swap a short harness just under the mirror or if I'd have to run the wires all the way down to various areas myself.