e39 Parking Sensors

[Patrick Bateman]

Need a front and a rear and I've come across these on ebay-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181115101589?ssPageName=...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171026159947?ssPageName=...

The price from BMW and even BMMiniparts is ridiculous, has anyone bought them off ebay before with no issues?

[LC23]

I bought a couple for my e46 from that seller. Found out one wasn't working after I had had them painted and the car was at the Indy having the new sensors fitted. Ended up having to get one from BMW anyway (£142!). The seller provided a refund no problem and even sent a new sensor out as well but wouldn't refund the cost of painting.

[Patrick Bateman]

Sounds quite fair.

The ones on my car aren't painted anyway so sounds like a winner.

[S70JPS]

Just bought one of these and fitted it in the one that BMW diagnosed (£100 diagnosis fee stealing bds). But it has not cured the problem. Seller offered another as a replacement straight away. Not had chance to do anything else yet.

[Patrick Bateman]

S70JPS said:

Just bought one of these and fitted it in the one that BMW diagnosed (£100 diagnosis fee stealing bds). But it has not cured the problem. Seller offered another as a replacement straight away. Not had chance to do anything else yet.

You want one of these- http://bmtechnic.co.uk/bmw-diagnostic-cable/

Would pay for itself soon enough.

This is what I get-

Edited by Patrick Bateman on Monday 29th April 19:37

[MarkwG]

http://www.bmwland.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?p=56... - even cheaper than any diagnostic kit

[Patrick Bateman]

For just that maybe, the cable and software do everything else though, it's the software BMW used so if you plan on having a few BMWs it's handy.

[Patrick Bateman]

Fitted them both just now and working again. Amazing to think what BMW charge for them.

[Patrick Bateman]

The past couple of days I've noticed the sensors didn't seem to be as sensitive as before, they'd suddenly activate as I got closer to an object rather from a decent distance away.

Now I've gone round all the sensors with the PDC activated and there are 3 that don't beep (not the ones I replaced) but this doesn't show as a fault when I run the DIS. I've sprayed them with penetrating oil as I feel the guy who washes the car may have something to do with it but why wouldn't they show as faults with DIS?

[Patrick Bateman]

Right, I've just gone outside to check them all- I've put my ear to each one and can hear each sensor clicking yet those 3 don't cause an audible signal in the cabin when I put my hand in front of them but the others do.

What the devil is going on?

[LC23]

Patrick, will check mine this morning and report back seeing as we have both bought these sensors.

[LC23]

Mine all seem to be working fine still so it looks as though the sensors aren't the problem. Or at least mine are ok.

[Patrick Bateman]

The ones I've just replaced are working no problem.

I'll remove the 2 I can get to (one is in the rear bumper), give them a good clean a soaking with WD40/Penetrating oil.

Edited by Patrick Bateman on Sunday 19th May 15:43

[Esseesse]

Patrick Bateman said:

give them a good clean a soaking with WD40/Penetrating oil.

Can this revive them? I think I've got one not working on my car.

[Patrick Bateman]

Well the penetrating oil I nicked from my work does say it can help to sort various dodgy electricals.

[MarkwG]

It works sometimes, if there's water in them, it disperses it. Can happen after a heavy jet washing, for example.

[Patrick Bateman]

Doesn't seem to have helped. When I get my replacement diagnostics cable I'll fire up INPA and see what it shows.

[Patrick Bateman]

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For some reason it's not showing the front sensor as duff, although it's not working.

What's most likely to cause the short circuit given it's just appeared recently? Pressure washer?