E46 330D parking sensors - One long beep

[fjord]

Mr-B said:

Let me know how it goes.

I have learned to park by touch, that's what bumpers are for aren't they?

Well, i fitted them and low and behold, they don't work

Instead of a big long beep, i now get silence. I can hear them clicking. One of the 4 clicks a bit quieter than the others but i cant be arsed buying yet another sensor for £25 on an off-chance it might be this one. Basically, fk it.

Edited by fjord on Friday 14th December 17:27

[Mr-B]

fjord said:

Well, i fitted them and low and behold, they don't work

Instead of a big long beep, i now get silence. I can hear them clicking. One of the 4 clicks a bit quieter than the others but i cant be arsed buying yet another sensor for £25 on an off-chance it might be this one. Basically, fk it.

Edited by fjord on Friday 14th December 17:27

Sorry to hear that. Your experience kind of mirrored what I was expecting for myself if I had taken that first step to fixing the problem. I ended up thinking pretty much the same way you ended your post, fk it.

[Teddye4687]

I had a not too dissimilar experience myself.

I Googled the possible causes and someone mentioned it could be due to moisture on a sensor. They also went on to state that jet-washing the area is a no-no, as this could be damaging the sensors.

How much of this is true, I have no idea, but I stopped jet-washing the area and the problem seemed to figure itself out. I, too, was looking on eBay for replacements, but the standard course of response is that you'll likely be buying a duff one.

Worth a shot at least; I found out mine weren't working when a pillar let me know of it's presence.

[Ray Singh]

Reviving an old thread....

Do you have to clear error codes after installing new sensors?

I have felt my sensors pulsing and only one seems to be dead. I will replace this with some parts i have from ebay, but want to know if i need to clear error codes to see sucess?

Thanks

[helix402]

No, fault code does not need to cleared on the E46 for the pdc to work.

Be aware that non BMW sensors do not work.

[g3org3y]

helix402 said:

Be aware that non BMW sensors do not work.

Seems to be the case.

I had the 'one long beep' situation, did the click test. Seemed sensors #1 and #3 weren't working. Got a pair from eBay. Installed today. No more 'long beep', all 4 click...but square root of fk all when it comes to actually beeping in reverse.

Should I buy second hand OEM items instead you think helix402?

[d_a_n1979]

Not sure why it's being said that non-BMW sensors don't work as I've never had nay issues with these from this reseller:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-PDC-Parking-Sensor-...

Used them on a previous E46 320i and 325i as well as x2 E39 530i's

They're covered with a 2 year warranty too

[g3org3y]

Dan, did you replace all 4 or just a couple? From what I've read (now!) on the forums it appears all 4 sensors need to be the same for the system to work properly.

[helix402]

g3org3y said:

Seems to be the case.

I had the 'one long beep' situation, did the click test. Seemed sensors #1 and #3 weren't working. Got a pair from eBay. Installed today. No more 'long beep', all 4 click...but square root of fk all when it comes to actually beeping in reverse.

Should I buy second hand OEM items instead you think helix402?

I buy used gen BMW sensors after all the new aftermarket ones I’ve tried have never worked.

[g3org3y]

helix402 said:

I buy used gen BMW sensors after all the new aftermarket ones I’ve tried have never worked.

I've bought two second hand that have the same code AI:03. Hopefully will work.

[d_a_n1979]

g3org3y said:

Dan, did you replace all 4 or just a couple? From what I've read (now!) on the forums it appears all 4 sensors need to be the same for the system to work properly.

In pairs as well as all 4; no issues

I've had it though where I've been chasing my tail and one duff sensor (old OEM one) took them all out; at the prices as per the listings, it's worth doing all 4 for peace of mind IMO

[g3org3y]

helix402 said:

No, fault code does not need to cleared on the E46 for the pdc to work.

Be aware that non BMW sensors do not work.

You were right. Got 2x second hand OE items and now the parking sensors work fine.

[helix402]

g3org3y said:

You were right. Got 2x second hand OE items and now the parking sensors work fine.

Glad to hear it’s sorted.