Parking Sensors Fault Repair?

[Weimster]

Our 08 plate Galaxy has served us well so far but the parking sensor has suddenly developed an intermittent fault. Sometimes when you start the engine it makes a loud beep and then the sensors don't work, others times it works fine. Has anyone got any ideas on how best to resolve this please? Thanks

[gregers]

i get this on my smax,

from what i have gathered,

it could well be moisture getting into 1 or

the paint on them flaking,apparently this is a common problem.

[Weimster]

i get this on my smax,

from what i have gathered,

it could well be moisture getting into 1 or

the paint on them flaking,apparently this is a common problem.

Thank you for the reply. Is there anyway to resolve the issue? I can't see any paint issue so guessing is the moisture.

[bobbyrabs]

yes its water I get this on the galaxy they are fine if It  doesn't rain for a while and they get time to dry out

[gregers]

the only thing i can think of is find which sensor is the culprit and maybe wipe some silicone sealer around it.

[Weimster]

Thanks. The strange thing is that it has been exceptionally dry here for weeks now. In fact I can't remember the last time it rained, and I'm embarrassed to say it hasn't been washed for a couple of weeks either. It was working today, so its all very strange.

[gregers]

then maybe you have a loose connection somewhere???

[Weimster]

then maybe you have a loose connection somewhere???

 

I think you could be right. Although I'm guessing that is worst case scenario as would I be right in thinking it would be quite a job to find and fix?

[gregers]

blind stag m8.

[Sher]

I had a similar problem when I purchased my 08 MK III.

Check the multiplug connector behind the rear bumper. In my case this had been tampered with at some stage as it was cracked. I cleaned it, sprayed with WD 40, wiped dry on the outside. Wrapped it in the only tape I had available at that time Aluminium sticky foil acouple of times and it has worked ever since.

I know I should have used self amalgamating rubber tape but it was not to hand at that time.

 

If it works when dry then moisture is your problem. Just make sure that there is little chance of further moisture entry.

 

P.S. I had problems in the past with Dirty & wet sensors, in which case a quick wipe tends to restore function ( on a MK II)

[steveo82]

You say about not cleaning it for a while, well it only takes a thin layer dust/dirt to fool the sensor there's something there and cause faults.

 

A way of checking them and yes you can look silly doing it, is to kneel down and put your ear next to the sensors one by one with ignition on and it in reverse and you can hear them clicking a bit like a gas hob igniter. might give you a better idea which one is causing problems.

 

Might be worth soaking the front or rear which ever is dodgy then test them