Rear parking sensor not working

[davidfairhurst]

Hi all

My rear parking sensors have been playing up for a while
Had the buzzing sound for approx 5 seconds when selecting reverse and rear sensors not working. Front ones were fine by the way. Put vehicle in reverse with ignition off and did the routine check listing for clicking from each sensor, you need to listen closely as it is very faint. Identified which sensor I thought was causing the fault.
Removed the rear bumper which is simple enough to to do, just be careful not to stretch the sensors wiring etc though. Disconnected wiring connections from no plate lamps and sensors and removed each sensor. They can be a little stiff to remove.
Checked each connection with a sensor that I knew was working to eliminate a wiring or connection fault.
The faulty sensor body had started to split open a little which was obviously allowing moisture into it.
To cut a long enough story short I replaced the sensor and checked operation before refitting bumper back on, all now working ok.
I have taken the old sensor to pieces and attached a photo of what can happen if moisture gets in

 

[dhobbs]

Are they OEM sensors or aftermarket?

 

[davidfairhurst]

The faulty sensor was an OEM sensor, I took a chance and replaced it with a new aftermarket one due to the cost of original ones, it works just fine now tho

 

[ph001]

Assuming we are not talking about an E85 / E86 here?

 

[davidfairhurst]

Yeh, it is a 2006 E85 roadster

 

[davidfairhurst]

Yeh, it is a 2006 E85 roadster

 

[ph001]

My rear parking sensors have been playing up for a while
Had the buzzing sound for approx 5 seconds when selecting reverse and rear sensors not working. Front ones were fine by the way.

....ok, but the last sentence confuses me then!

 

[davidfairhurst]

Hi ph001
Sorry but not sure what’s confusing about the last sentence?
Just that I replaced a faulty original BMW sensor with an aftermarket one in my original post and rear sensors are now working fine

 

[dhobbs]

Did the e85/e86 ever come with front parking sensors?
I would like them on mine if they did.

 

[davidfairhurst]

Hi dhobbs
My 2006 E85 2.0SE came with both front and rear parking sensors

 

[dhobbs]

Mine only has rear, it needs front sensors with the long bonnet.

 

[davidfairhurst]

You are right, the front sensors do make a big difference with the long bonnet

 

[ph001]

I’m fairly sure front sensors were not an option on e86 / 6 - that’s what I found a bit strange. Could they be aftermarket?

 

[davidfairhurst]

Hi ph001
You are quite right
I have attached 2 photos, one of the rear bumper and sensor, the one which I have I replaced, and 1 of a front bumper and sensor. The front bumper sensors have definitely been fitted retrospectively, not sure when they were fitted but they look absolutely fine. Possibly the original owner requested them as an extra before they purchased the car.