Reverse parking sensors

[HIWEX]

I’m lucky enough to drive a 2006 sport/se/xs daily - yes it’s a combination of all three....

Recently, the reversing sensors have packed-up.  I get a continued “bleep” for a second and no function.  How can I tell what has failed?  If it’s a sensor, how can I tell which one?  I’ve read that they should click if they are working, but none of mine click?  The front ones still work fine.

Any help much appreciated.

[Guest]

Hi Mike and Welcome to the Club,

Its unusual for all the sensors at one end, or both for that matter, to fail at the same time. The 'click' in my experience is not very loud and can be difficult to hear but if you're sure you have no sound from all of them then the its more than likely a problem with the controller; you'll find it in the spare wheel well. It can get damp in there and it could be that the wiring connections are corroded or the controller itself may have been damaged. Check the wiring for chafing where it passes through the bodywork and repair as needed. First off I would check, clean (with DWD40) and lubricate the cable connectors to the controller with a little petroleum jelly and at the same time check the cables to each of the sensors for any damage, or again, corrosion. You may find after doing this that the sensors start to work properly. However, it could be that the controller has died and a replacement is needed - check out eBay there are usually some second hand ones available from breakers.

Keep us posted.

Cheers,

Steve

[HIWEX]

Thanks Steve, I’ll do that at the weekend.  I do get some water in the spare wheel well on occasions and recently had to mop-up quite a bit so hopefully that will be the issue, I’ll let you know.  Not sure where the water gets into the spare wheel well? Initially I suspected the drain grommet, so taped it over to check, but still getting some leakage.....

[Guest]

Hi Mike,

The cause of water in the wheel well is usually a fault in the boot seal near one of the rear light clusters. If you do a search on this website you will find threads on where to look and how to fix these.

Cheers,

Steve

[HIWEX]

Thanks Steve, it’s strange that the boot carpet is never wet, just the wheel well?  I’ve decided to put the wheel and kit box in the boot for a bit while I’ve covered the wheel well in paper to try to identify the source of the leak.  Incidentally my spare is unused and immaculate, so it hasn’t been leaking long.  I’ll check-out the post you refer to and have a good look at the seal.

Back to the sensors, I removed the module, the terminals looked OK, replaced but no joy.  I’ve ordered a used, but working module from fleabay as it’s easier than removing the bumper again.....   I have noticed that as soon as I engage reverse, the switch in the roof module by the sunroof switch illuminates red, which I take it to mean it’s registering non-functional?

I’ll let you know if the module change works.

Cheers

Mike

 

[Guest]

Cheers Mike,

A little trick I've used to trace leaks in the past is to use lengths of masking tape to cover the suspect area. Check it after a day or two, or use a hose pipe or watering can to shower the - in this case, rear - of the car. If theres a leak in the suspected area you should see a damp V shape in the tape. The top of the V will indicate the location.

Hope the new module works for you - its a pain taking the bumper off solo.

All the best.

Steve

[HIWEX]

Hi Steve and anyone reading...

OK, I’ve replaced the module and it’s not remedied the situation, I expected as much, it’s was worth a try as it was so easy to get to.  I assume it’s therefore one of the sensors.  Is there a way to tell which one?  If not no matter,  while I’m taking the bumper off, I’ll replace them all.

Cheers

Mike

[Guest]

Hi Mike,

Typically you check the sensors by putting the car in reverse and leaving the handbrake set after blocking the rear wheels. Put your ear close to each sensor in turn, you should hear a quit clicking sound if the sensor is working.

It would be very unusual to lose all of them at the same time in my view. I think I would check that you have power going the control module and that there is no damage to the cable from the controller to the sensors. May also be an idea to check the fuses.

Keep us posted.

Cheers,

Steve

[HIWEX]

Thanks Steve,

Mins is a manual, so no issue putting it in reverse.  I’ll pick-up a car stethoscope and employ a son with better hearing to test.

Cheers

Mike

[HIWEX]

I’m inclined to replace all the sensors while the bumper is off.  I can see that some are straight and some are right-angled, does anyone know what I need to replace all the rears?

[Guest]

Hi Mike,

Check out the specialist suppliers of Jag spares such as SNG Barratt or Rimmer Brothers. These and others will be able to supply sensors individually or in full kits but be ready for a sharp intake of breath when you see the prices! You can also get them from eBay for considerably less but if you go down this route check out the supplier before buying to make sure you're not getting some cheap knock off from China.

Cheers,

Steve

[HIWEX]

OK, I’ve finally changed the faulty sensors, only I haven’t cured the issue, just changed it.

All the sensors now click and I no longer get a red light by the rear view mirror, just the usual green one, but I do get a continuous bleep when I engage reverse, almost as if one or all of the sensors are thinking they are seeing some obstruction.  I’ve cleaned them all and what’s weird is that before we fixed the bumper back fully we tried them all and they all worked?

Ive checked the module and I have a spare and no change, so I’m sure that’s OK, especially as the sensors are all clicking.....

Anyone got any bright ideas?

[Guest]

Hi Mike,

Without checking the manual I'm not sure but the continuous beep on selection of reverse is standard and I think it should go off when you begin moving and there are no immediate obstructions. May be worth just giving it a try to see if this works and to also test whether the sensors detect any legitimate obstacles.

Cheers,

Steve

[Old Peter]

The reverse sensors on my s type only start beeping when I am about 3 feet from an obstacle.  The continuous beep only come on when someone walks behind me as I am staring to reverse out of a car park, or when I am 18 inches from an obstacle.

Peter.

[HIWEX]

OK, I’ve finally changed the faulty sensors, only I haven’t cured the issue, just changed it.

All the sensors now click and I no longer get a red light by the rear view mirror, just the usual green one, but I do get a continuous bleep when I engage reverse, almost as if one or all of the sensors are thinking they are seeing some obstruction.  I’ve cleaned them all and what’s weird is that before we fixed the bumper back fully we tried them all and they all worked?

Ive checked the module and I have a spare and no change, so I’m sure that’s OK, especially as the sensors are all clicking.....

Anyone got any bright ideas?

[HIWEX]

Thanks for the responses.

It’s definitely not how it was before it failed.    The bleep does stop, but when I start moving it starts again.  Irrespective of whether I get near anything it just emits a continuous bleep, no spaced bleeps indicating proximity?  I tried it today in an empty car park, there is no relationship to the continuous bleep and any obstacles.

My painter took the bumper off as he’d done it before when it was repainted.  He told me he checked the sensors before it was refitted and they worked properly.  The next job is to remove it again and see if we can replicate the correct function.  If we can, we can work from there until it’s refitted fully.  I’ll also get another set of sensors just in case.

Cheers

Mike

[david moore]

if I could  just mention that I would check out the wiring ? as it may be a bad earth contact, short in the circuit, break in a wire, many things route itself showing what it is but trying to trace it is very hard,...  I would find a good auto electrician or if you've good at using a multimeter you can check it out yourself. 

 

[HIWEX]

Thanks David, I’ve checked what I can and everything looks OK.  I’ve now bought a complete new set of sensors, fitting them tomorrow.  Fingers crossed.....

[david moore]

lets  hope that it works, and ever thing is straight forward for you, keep us all posted on how it goes..... good luck …. dave. 

[peanuts]

HELLO 56 PLATE 2,7 TTDI  my parking sensors have never worked in the three months i have had it just get the red light near the mirror and nothing else no sign of water damage in the boot ?????

[HIWEX]

It seems that I just had a dodgy sensor, I replaced all four and they are now fine!  I also found that the wheel well wetness was from the area where the boot seat crosses the plastic panel just inside the boot, it makes sense as it’s only leaked since I started messing with the bumper and had to remove the seal to get at it.  A finger of black silicone to each side has it dry again.

Thanks all for your suggestions.

[HIWEX]

I’ve had a very enjoyable 2-weeks with all sensors working, now one of the front sensors has failed, which stops the rears being effective, so I’ll now go straight to a full set replacement.... I’m determined to get everything working on this car!

Keith, if yours are like mine were, they need replacing all together, I tried just changing the non-clicking one, but it didn’t work, they were all clicking and still not working?  Removing the bumper is such a pain, it really is worth changing them all.  I bought these https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F173457820998 , it helps that my car is black so no painting was needed.  Good luck!