Parking sensors duff? ** update **

[Zed]

All of a sudden the rear parking sensors have thrown a wobbly, constant "beep" with nothing close and when there is, not sound at all. Searched for any similar problems, found an old thread but there's no follow up (http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8794&p=132918&hilit=parking+sensor#p132918).

Any ideas? Everything else is working perfectly, I have Golf clubs in an out the boot all the time but don't see any wiring exposed, pulled or disconnected. Wondering where the control module/wiring is located? Sensors obviously on the rear bumper (clean) and there's no front assist.

Cheers.

 

[TO//M]

Rear parking sensor? Is it a BMW option? Not available here in the colonies. If they offered one I would love a front parking sensor. After six years of ownership I still feel like I am docking the QE2.

 

[Zed]

Yep rear, OEM install at factory. Had a good scout about the boot, found the module inside the right rear wing and associated wiring, disconnected, rebooted (battery negative) and problem persists but no worse. Will hopefully find out from the stealer tomorrow, gunna be the control module eh?

TO//M, agreed, rather they were on the front!

 

[Zed]

Well the Zed came out to the dealer yesterday and I left minus £330! That's not the best bit though...

Breakdown of the cost:-

Oil Service = £140 + Vat - I'm glad I had this done ahead of the schedule, previous owner had done this himself, actually doubt he did it at all given the report, mechanic told me it was well, WELL overdue! Had another 2K to go on the schedule.

MOT = £53 + Vat - That just needed doing, the Zed flew through it.

Body work £100 + Vat - Had two small dents on the passenger side, on the car when I bought it and negociated the fix in the price. BMW did a 'cold' repair and considering where they were (both on bodywork crease lines) they've done a perfect job so very happy and now 'ding' free (until it's parked next at Morrisons).

The quote for fixing the parking sensors...wait for it...£250! Their report was a broken far left sensor causing the whole system to wobble, that's £100 for the sensor and £150 for fitting, presume because the bumper has to come off. Told them to hang fire, find out if the system can be deactivated (pull the wires out the box in the boot) and try to find out (hopefully here) how easy they are to change over? I mean, come on, £100 for a sensor when you can by full 3rd party kits for a little more? Problem is, what if it doesn't fix it, change the next sensor and so on, could be here all day with a massive repair bill!

Any thoughts?

 

[no fit state]

Buy the sensor and do the swap yourself?

 

[pvr]

Sensor is body coloured though ...

 

[Zed]

Buy the sensor and do the swap yourself?

no fit state, yeah that's whan I'm thinking, dealers to come back and verify there's no coding required but I'm worried that changing the sensor myself doesn't fix the problem. If the dealer does it, are they liable if their report is wrong and another part needs changed? Have no issue with removing the rear bumber long as there's a 'how-to' somewhere

 

[Zed]

Sensor is body coloured though ...

pvr, they mentioned that, it's included in the cost aparently

 

[thestig]

I had this problem with my E46.
Try this to identify the dodgy sensor causing the problem.
Get someone to sit in your car and engage reverse with the clutch dipped (someone you trust!)
gently touch each of the sensors and they should be buzzing at high speed.
If one has a different feel like a weaker buzz, or no buzz at all, thats your man!

Ive never fixed myself, but the guides seem farily straight forward to do.

 

[pvr]

No need to have the engine running, but you will indeed hear a clicking noise from the sensor (well, those that work).

 

[cj10jeeper]

Buy a sensor off ebay for £20. They are the same as the X5. Spray it to match using Halfords or BMW aerosol and fit it. Will take no more than 10 minutes to take the bumper cover off and these little critters just clip in and plug into a loom. Don't turn on the ignition and the car will never know you even changed it. Refit the bumper in another 10 minutes

I'd certainly not give the dealer £275 :thumbsdown: Spend the money on a weekend break and smile all weekend at the saving you made

 

[Zed]

Guys thankyou so much for your input, I'll have a go with the testing and see if the result matches what the stealer stated in the report. I'd been told however that they require a special paint process so not to block/cover the sensor too much....or is that a case of "sniff sniff, I smell sh1te"? Crikey, could do them all for the same price, paint them and have spares for the next time

Thanks again.

 

[Nerra]

Zed, did youmanage to fix the problem? I appear to have the same issue.