Parking Sensors

[timhowarduk]

Hi, first post
Just getting used to an 03 plate Alhambra with 70,000 miles on the clock. Seems to be lovely car.

Now, when I select reverse, I get a long beep, and flashing light on the switch. I've done a search on this and other forums already and tried the following:

1) Read it might be one of the speakers. I got a new speaker from scrap yard, checked it worked by swapping it with back speaker, tried it under the passenger seat. No change.
2) Checked that everything is bone dry under the passenger seat and it is. The rear wiper hose junction problem doesn't seem to have happened.
3) Listened for sensor clicking noises. The front all click convincingly. Three of the back ones click loudly, one of them clicks much more faintly.

Is the next step getting hold of a sensor and trying swapping out the one that clicks quietly? Any other ideas?

I'm willing to try the diagnostic software if someone can show me a fleabay link to the lead that I believe I need. Thanks a lot

BTW when I first got the car they all worked. I have changed the radio, and am hoping I didn't damage the sensor wiring accidentally!!

Tim

[SilverBeast]

VAG-COM Lead http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAG-USB-COM-PORT-OBD2-II-KKL-ECU-DIAGNOSTIC-CABLE-LEAD-VCDS-LITE-409-/161665872903?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item25a4097407

This is the one I use. VCDS-LITE software will show the distance each individual sensor is reading, so it should show exactly which one isn't working.

I wouldn't expect changing the radio to affect the reversing sensors. The wiring harness to the rear sensors seems to be quite exposed to the weather and a common point of failure.

[timhowarduk]

Thank you; it's a no brainier to get that lead at that price, and as you say will take some of the guesswork out of this process!

[Stumuzz]

VAG-COM Lead http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAG-USB-COM-PORT-OBD2-II-KKL-ECU-DIAGNOSTIC-CABLE-LEAD-VCDS-LITE-409-/161665872903?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item25a4097407

This is the one I use. VCDS-LITE software will show the distance each individual sensor is reading, so it should show exactly which one isn't working.

I wouldn't expect changing the radio to affect the reversing sensors. The wiring harness to the rear sensors seems to be quite exposed to the weather and a common point of failure.

Thanks for the link SilverBeast .. just ordered one.
Stuart.

[timhowarduk]

I've ordered one too.
They actually started working a bit today for about 20 minutes, but then died again. Right before they died I was getting the system detect there was something in front of the car when there wasn't, so maybe the problem is one of the the front sensors. I haven't figured out access to the front sensors yet, it looks like you have to get the valance strip out somehow.

Anyway, when the lead gets here I should at least know where the problem is so that will be a big help.

[timhowarduk]

Lead arrived. Download VCDS Lite. (On Windows 8.1 you have to right click the installer and say "Check Compatiibility", then it works)

Plugged it all in, ignition on, on the Electronics 1 page I could go to Parking Assist, and the fault code told me straight away that the mid left rear sensor was faulty. I cleared codes, and tried again, and got the same fault. This was the sensor that I had thought was clicking much more quietly than the others so that seems to make sense.

So now I will replace that sensor and see what happens. Thanks for the help sourcing the lead.

[timhowarduk]

Got sensor from ebay for Ã,£10. Fitted it tonight. So far all working perfectly! 

[SilverBeast]