screenwash leak parking sensor fault

[76Barney]

To cut a long story short… I bought a 2003 Audi A6 Avant some months back. It turns out it had an intermittent fault with the parking sensors (factory fitted front and rear). Diagnostics at Audi suggested a faulty sensor which was replaced but did not solve the problem.

I’ve also noticed the washer fluid getting low very quickly with minimal use. The back wiper motor has packed up so I’m waiting for a replacement. More recently I’ve noticed washer fluid leaking from under the car on the nearside.

I stumbled upon this discussion and now wonder whether the hoses have come apart under the front passenger carpet which could be causing the washer fluid issue. I plan to take a look this weekend:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=952...

So my question is - if there is a leak could this be related to the parking sensor issue?? – the fault seems less common when the fluid is running dry but that might be wishful thinking…

If so, I note that the convenience ECU box in under the passenger seat, does this have anything to do with the parking sensors? If not what am I looking for eg. Am I looking for a broken wire sleeve, corrosion, any idea what coloured wire??

Any help would be really appreciated.
Kieran

[FLAT 6]

Hey Kieran,

My car doesn't have parking sensors so I can't say whether or not they are controlled by electronics in this box or not. The box is already pretty full with a couple of contol units so I suspect parking sensor controls are elsewhere, like in the boot lid?

If your connection has been leaking for any length of time then your carpets will be wet. I noticed it in the back floor first since this doesn't have a space underneath it for the water to run into.

I didn't ever see water dripping under the car - the floor is well sealed. I think there may be plugs that could be removed to let water pour out if it was that bad but I didn't want to break any seals and went the sponge and newspaper route.

Sorry I can't be of more help. If you're going to check under the carpet then I think the best place to start would be the plastic trim to the left of your left toe if your sitting in the passenger seat. It's just held on with two screws.

Good luck!

[76Barney]

Think problem may be solved... Replaced rear wiper motor and pulled up carpet in front passenger side. The pipes had indeed blown apart under the glove box and there was water everywhere so simply pushed them back together. It remains to be seen whether this will solve the parking sensor fault but I'm hopeful!

Thanks for the help!
Kieran