E46 Parking Sensor Failure

[mjcneat]

I've just noticed this morning that my parking sensors aren't working. They were fine yesterday.

When I go into reverse gear, there is a constant beep, as if I am very close to an object, but there is nothing there. Other times it may beep intermittently when there is nothing there.

I've had a read online (currently on mobile so restricted what I can see) and someone suggested putting the car in reverse and listening to the 4 sensors on the bumper. I listened and 3 of them make a clicking noise, the 1 on the rear left does nothing which suggests it has failed.

The only thing I can think of is that there was some very heavy rainfall last night that may have got in somehow. Any other suggestions?

Is this a DIY repair, any idea of the costs involved or can I simply let it dry out?

[mjcneat]

Anyone?

[martin mrt]

If you know one end of a spanner from the other you should manage fine,

Mine did it on my M3, I removed the rear bumper, uncoupled the sensor and refitted the new one, it wasn't terribly difficult.

My guess will be a new sensor

[MarkwG]

Might be worth either playing a hairdryer over it, dosing it with WD40, or, if you get it out, leaving it a couple of nights in the airing cupboard. If it is just water, that may help.
edit: Forgot to mention, the sensors are available, if you need it coloured that's extra: if you can get away with a black one, probably around £70 odd. Feed your vin into www.realoem.com & that should give you an idea.

Edited by MarkwG on Sunday 9th January 19:16

[volvoforlife]

Have you had a powerwash near it? They normally kill sensors if you're too heavy handed.

[mjcneat]

Always washed with a handmit in my ownership in the past 18 months and not been cleaned since December because of the weather.

I've read online about removing the plastic trim that the sensors are set into and simply popping them out for replacement. It seems that because they're in the trim and not in the bumper it may be slightly easier to fix.

[Sods Law]

Quick fix, about £100 for a new one, and you can get them pre painted to match from BMW

Nip onto BMWLAND.co.uk register and you can get a discount from a BMW who will then post it to you for free.

to release just push firmly into the bumper

if you have an M-Sport kit remove the black section at the bottom of the bumper and this will give you plenty of access.

D

[pj11]

I had a similar issue, managed to fix one with a good covering of WD40, and another by replacing the sensor. Luckily it wasnt one of the colour coded ones so found one on ebay, popped it out and hey presto. The ones towards the outside are a lot harder than the ones closer to the middle I seem to remember as you have to remove the bumper...