PDC E46 2002 318ti

[nickc4]

Hi there

Hope you are well.

Parking sensors don't seem to work. Recently bought vehicle.

You you guys advised , put in reverse and listened to each sensor and all 4 are ticking away.

Bought Creator 110 code reader and went into pdc and no faults.

Anything else to check?


Stuck

Regards
Nick

[twokcc]

Not sure but don't think creator will pick up fault, had one go on my 2001 E46 seem to remember that I got one for a Rover as a replacement-far cheaper. Info was on BMWLand so unfortunately no longer available.
My indie told me which ones wanted replacing and fitted them for me.

[nickc4]

Hi there

On creator was told it picked up the pdc module.

Went into body then pdc and read faults.there were none

[to3m]

Is it completely silent? Can't remember if there's a separate fuse for the beeper, or if it's one fuse for the whole thing, but if the beeper has its own fuse then it's worth checking that.

[nickc4]

Hi there

Checked fuses number 24 and seems ok.

Where is the buzzer/beeper ?


Regards

Nick

[to3m]

Not sure, I'm afraid... I think it's in the centre console on the driver's footwell side somewhere? I vaguely recall encountering it when taking all the trim out in an attempt to get at the aircon hedgehog thing.

(When mine was completely silent, it needed a new fuse, which is why I mention it - didn't have to investigate any further than that.)

[SebringMan]

You need INPA. Simple as.

As an example my friend's E46 328i has a PDC issue. No fault codes at all. With the live data it showed that the two inner sensors were detecting stuff as if it were a few feet away from the car. They worked as things got closer but they never defaulted to a zero value like the outer sensors did with nothing present in front of them.

He's going to check the connections as we reckon it could be dirt in them but I suspect they are aftermarket sensors ; a bodge to make aftermarket sensors work is to put the two "good" genuine sensors in the outer positions.

That's what a simple code reader can't give you .

If you are local to Warwick I am happy to scan the car and show the live data in helping to diagnose them, or at the Sunday Service tomorrow if you are going along.

Otherwise you can do basic stuff. Do they vibrate with the car in reverse? The car doesn't have to be running for this ; just being in Ignition Position II and the car in reverse will do the trick.

[nickc4]

Thanks for the reply
Gutted was told I could check with the scanner I got.

When parked in reverse, one long beep.

When I go to the rear of car, all 4 are ticking.

Checked fuse 24 5amp seems ok.

Based in Herts. Thanks for the offer.

Have time tomorrow to check. Any other fuses ?

On the scanner went in to several components and no fault codes.

Only one on instrument cluster : 2b, 02, 00, f9 no found. Got no clue what this is

[SebringMan]

Herts eh?

I fancy doing a German night at the Ace Cafe. I did a British night in the Stag but I regret not attending one of the Porsche nights when I had my 944 Turbo.

Failing that, INPA is available from a number of people online. I got a lead and the software from Cableshack in addition to DIS, which probably cold tell you as well.

INPA is awkward to use and the lack of global scan in addition to knowing what module to scan in the menus ; it does them by module revisions (i.e the Mk60 DSC has a separate scan compared to the predecessors). With a bit of experience and playing about them I have found it to be very versatile. Not just on my car but a few other guys, mainly for the error codes other readers don't even register in addition to the clear live data.

Your issue does sound like a sensor, or more likely a connection problem ; dirt in the connections can make the sensors play up.

[nickc4]

Hi

Not too far from the ace cafe.

944 turbo I had one to many years ago!! Se 250 bhp it was amazing. Great car.

I then got the 911 1990 964 of which I still have. Not started for about 7 years due to health. (Cancer) and depression. Goal is to get her back on the road and wanting help just to get her started. I.e turning engine and building oil pressure up and so forth.

So what U think I should check and how in relation to the sensors? How to check for dirt? Just external?

[SebringMan]

nickc4 said:

Hi

Not too far from the ace cafe.

944 turbo I had one to many years ago!! Se 250 bhp it was amazing. Great car.

I then got the 911 1990 964 of which I still have. Not started for about 7 years due to health. (Cancer) and depression. Goal is to get her back on the road and wanting help just to get her started. I.e turning engine and building oil pressure up and so forth.

So what U think I should check and how in relation to the sensors? How to check for dirt? Just external?

While I "sort" of prefer my M3 I loved my 944 Turbo. It didn't help that it was ex-Promax's Andrew Sweetenaham's old car (Alpine White if you are wondering) with quite a kit list including KWv3s, Big Blacks and more. It was a lovely old thing but on the limit it took no prisoners. Part of the appeal mind you.

I'd personally get it onto INPA first, and see how stable/what the readings are doing. ;You could look externally. If they are caked on the outside or quite dirty, the dirt may have seeped onto the connectors if the seals have failed.

My fear with unplugging them is that if the pins have corroded inside they will snap, leaving you from waht was a partially working system to one that won't work at all. I've not see if happen before with my limited dealings with PDC, but I'd seen it on other cars and sensors (external airbag sensor for example).

Edited by SebringMan on Wednesday 22 February 19:49