Towbar & Parking Sensors

[amjad karim]

Hi Guys

 

I bought a 2001 Galaxy ghia this week and noticed that the parking sensors were not working on it, I recieved my hand book today ( had to buy it on EBAY) in which it states 'on vehicles without a detechable towball arm the system has to be switched off manually'. All i get when reverse is selected is a constant bleep for about 3 secs then the light flashes.

 

I know by reading previous posts that this may be due to a sensor failing but I was thinkning maybe someone has switched the system off manualy as the vehicle has a tow bar fitted to it. Does anyone know how to switch it back on?

 

Any advice will be appreciated

[DougJones]

On my Seat Alhambra there is a push button switch, on the right of the central console which controls the parking sensors.

Not sure if the same applies to the Galaxy but worth looking - has the letter "P" on it and flashes in conjuntion with the audio bleep

 

 

 

 

2003 Seat Alhambra 130tdi SE 30,000 miles

[amjad karim]

Hello Doug,

 

Mine too has a P button on the dash but that does not really do anything. I was thinking maybe there is a way of actually disarming the parking sensors when some one attaches a tow bar as otherwise I guess the sensors would be going mental whilst towing something.

[searcher]

If the light is flashing then it looks like a sensor is bust.

Listen very close to each one to see if you can hear it ticking.

Do a search as loads and loads of posts on hear about them.

[Sher]

'on vehicles without a detechable towball arm the system has to be switched off manually'.

 

This is NOT true. I even have a Bumper protection plate attached and two plug sockets sat there all the time.

 

By bending the Socket plate TOWARDS the Bumper and the Protection plate as well it is possible to find a position were the Parking sensors work as normal.

 

It is only when a trailor is attached that I must manually switch of the sensors with the facia switch.

[bj2004]

same here i fitted aftermarket sensors and a tow bar the sensors only activate when the car is in reverse the only time i have a problem is with trailor fitted and i can cope with the noise for a few seconds Edited April 22, 2008 by bj2004

[searcher]

I think ive posted this before but here goes.

On both my old Galaxy and my current Alhambra i have covered the two inner sensors with black insulation tape and it works fine.

It took the Alhambra a couple of days to get used to the idea but all is fine now with the tow bar, electric socket and the cycle rack mount which is also bolted to the tow bar.

The two outer sensors work fine on thier own for parking also.

[Smilge]

I had a non-detachable towbar without the bumper protection plate and I never had any problems with the parking sensors unless the caravan was attached and then I just pressed the button to switch them off. They are semi-intelligent and the sensing distances can be changed using VAG-COM, so the towbar should be permanently sensed and therefore ignored by the system ...... I think ..... mine did anyway.

[DougJones]

My towbar is fixed, with a protection plate that I bent out of the line of the sensors - worked fine.

When towing there seems to be no problems, the sensors do not respond to either my Caravan or an ERD 3ft x 4ft trailer.

I don't know how, but when hitched up for towing the sensors seem to accept the rear "obstruction" and remain silent.

 

 

 

2003 Seat Alhambra 130tdi SE 30,000 miles

[KevinG]

Bought my 53 2.3 zetec last friday - had dealer install a fixed tow bar. Guess what parking sensors emit continous beep but no flashing of switch light, straight away blamed towball? However finally realised beep was coming from front speaker not the rear. So walked round to back of the car and rear speakers started to beep and went continuous when I was about 30cm from the bumper?

 

So following this forum got out my stethoscope - 3 front sensors ( dark red type) ticking, one not - all rear OK.

 

So swapped over two of the front sensors - same one still not ticking. My conclusion is the sensor is faulty whilst the control box and wiring OK - So can anyone help please - where do I get a new sensor without going to frauds? One sold on ebay last night for