Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Parking sensors not working and I'm 4 hours from BMW

Specific discussion about the E89 2009 Z4 (sDrive35is, sDrive35i, sDrive30i, sDrive23i)
Post Reply
ThaiZ4
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2014 10:04 am

Parking sensors not working and I'm 4 hours from BMW

Post by ThaiZ4 » Mon Jul 07, 2014 10:18 am

Hi guys,

As the title suggests my parking sensors on my 2010 Z4 are not working. Something I didn't realise or think about when I test drove the car.

Anyways, I'm unfortunately about 3-4 hours away from the nearest BMW garage. I've read some threads which show parking sensors are fairly easy to replace after you remove the cars bumper.

However, they also state that there should be some clicking or sound from the sensors. I have no sound at all. Nor is there any 'beep' when the car is put into reverse.

Any help on what else I may be able to check (blown fuse or something somewhere?). Cable not connected?

User avatar
hopz121
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 3711
Joined: Sun Jul 03, 2011 4:33 pm
Location: Guildford Surrey

Re: Parking sensors not working and I'm 4 hours from BMW

Post by hopz121 » Mon Jul 07, 2014 10:35 am

Have you checked the fuse?

Ash
2004 BMW E46 M3 Coupe - Manual - Silver Grey
2017 BMW F31 318d M-Sport - Auto - Glacier Silver
2007 Porsche Cayman 2.7 - Manual - Arctic Silver
2003 Renault Clio 172 Cup - Blue
2003 BMW E85 Z4 3.0i - Gone
2008 BMW E90 330i SE - Gone

ThaiZ4
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2014 10:04 am

Re: Parking sensors not working and I'm 4 hours from BMW

Post by ThaiZ4 » Mon Jul 07, 2014 11:46 am

Thanks for the reply.

Unfortunately I'm not really a car person so wouldn't know where to look for that.

I'll do some Googling.

Open to any other suggestions.

User avatar
hopz121
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 3711
Joined: Sun Jul 03, 2011 4:33 pm
Location: Guildford Surrey

Re: Parking sensors not working and I'm 4 hours from BMW

Post by hopz121 » Mon Jul 07, 2014 11:55 am

If you look in your manual, you should have a fuse box loaction and diagram allowing you to find the fuse box and correctly locate the correct fuse, remove the fuse and look for a break in the wire.

Ash
2004 BMW E46 M3 Coupe - Manual - Silver Grey
2017 BMW F31 318d M-Sport - Auto - Glacier Silver
2007 Porsche Cayman 2.7 - Manual - Arctic Silver
2003 Renault Clio 172 Cup - Blue
2003 BMW E85 Z4 3.0i - Gone
2008 BMW E90 330i SE - Gone

User avatar
dr_john
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 3409
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 4:20 pm
Location: Barrow Upon Soar

Re: Parking sensors not working and I'm 4 hours from BMW

Post by dr_john » Mon Jul 07, 2014 4:50 pm

If none of the sensors are working then it's very unlikely to be problem at the sensor end, more likely a switch, fuse, or loose connection.

I wouldn't consider removing bumpers until all other possibilities are looked at.
Sapphire Black G29 2.0 MSport with Technology pack

ThaiZ4
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2014 10:04 am

Re: Parking sensors not working and I'm 4 hours from BMW

Post by ThaiZ4 » Mon Jul 07, 2014 5:12 pm

Thanks John!

After I've checked the fuse is there anything else you recommend looking at?

User avatar
envy
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1325
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2010 7:54 pm
Location: Derby/ Notts

Re: Parking sensors not working and I'm 4 hours from BMW

Post by envy » Mon Jul 07, 2014 5:34 pm

is there not a local garage you could take the car to. would save you a lot of time and hassle especially if you are not very technical yourself

User avatar
dr_john
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 3409
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 4:20 pm
Location: Barrow Upon Soar

Re: Parking sensors not working and I'm 4 hours from BMW

Post by dr_john » Mon Jul 07, 2014 9:12 pm

envy wrote:is there not a local garage you could take the car to. would save you a lot of time and hassle especially if you are not very technical yourself
Yeah, agreed. It doesn't have to be a BMW garage to diagnose what sounds like an electrical connection problem, any competent garage should be able to do that.
Sapphire Black G29 2.0 MSport with Technology pack

User avatar
sohail360
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 15
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2012 10:33 am
Location: glasgow

Re: Parking sensors not working and I'm 4 hours from BMW

Post by sohail360 » Mon Jul 07, 2014 11:28 pm

This might be obvious but you know that the sensors only become active when the its put into reverse. They then stay active even in 1st until a specific speed.
Black 35i DCT

User avatar
Angie4m
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 3700
Joined: Thu Jan 16, 2014 10:47 pm
Location: Edinburgh

Re: Parking sensors not working and I'm 4 hours from BMW

Post by Angie4m » Mon Jul 07, 2014 11:32 pm

sohail360 wrote:This might be obvious but you know that the sensors only become active when the its put into reverse. They then stay active even in 1st until a specific speed.
That's assuming he has rears only as if you have front and rear they can be activated by the PDC button next to the roof buttons.

However yes if only rears they will only be active when in reverse. So he'd need someone in the car with their foot on the brake to check
Deep Sea Blue sDrive35is - I LOVE IT! Best car I've ever owned :) - Gone
RRS V8 Supercharged - Gone
Abarth 595 Competizione - Gone
Yas Marina Blue M4 Coupe - Gone

Current:
Protonic Blue i8
Amethyst 997
F56 JCW Challenge (19 of 52)

Still Shy and retiring

ThaiZ4
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2014 10:04 am

Re: Parking sensors not working and I'm 4 hours from BMW

Post by ThaiZ4 » Wed Jul 09, 2014 8:42 am

I know they're only active in reverse, yes :)

I had a friend put it into reverse while I went to the back of the car. Appreciate the replies. Fingers crossed I can find a decent garage in Thailand.

Post Reply