E46 330i - Intermittent rear PDC fault
Discussion
Hi All,
I have an intermittent fault on my 2005 E46 330i Sport saloon with the rear PDC. When the car is cold the rear PDC works fine, however once the car has done 8+ miles, if I engage reverse the PDC goes mad and starts beeping franticly. This happens 90% of the time, however now and again I can do a decent run and the rear PDCs will work fine, although this generally isnt the case.
Now when the sensors have been going mad, I've jumped out and checked to listen and they are all merrily clicking away, indicating that it's not a single sensor bringing the 'system' down. Anyone else had something like this?
I have an intermittent fault on my 2005 E46 330i Sport saloon with the rear PDC. When the car is cold the rear PDC works fine, however once the car has done 8+ miles, if I engage reverse the PDC goes mad and starts beeping franticly. This happens 90% of the time, however now and again I can do a decent run and the rear PDCs will work fine, although this generally isnt the case.
Now when the sensors have been going mad, I've jumped out and checked to listen and they are all merrily clicking away, indicating that it's not a single sensor bringing the 'system' down. Anyone else had something like this?
Had something similar to this a while ago where the sensors seemed to randomly beep when in reverse as though I was close to something and there was nothing behind me. Checked all the sensors and all were clicking fine. Left it a while to see if it cleared by itself - it stopped doing it a while ago and seems to have been OK since. I put mine down to possibly getting water in one of the sensors due to over zealous pressure washing (I'm usually really careful!).
No solution I'm afraid - but have exactly the same problem on my 2001 330 Ci - started immediately after washing the car a few weeks ago - did not use jet wash. Anyone any ideas. Only other thing is about 12 months ago one of the pdc's packed up (as diagnosed by BMW) - so just replaced it with one from e-bay - assumed it was correct part as has worked for past 12 months - could this be related?
scratch pervert said:
I've got a similar issue with my 330, what's the click test?
- with the ignition on, & in gear so the PDC engages, listen to each sensor in turn: if it's working you should hear a faint clicking sound, which shows it's working; if not, that one's probably dead. As mentioned, though, that's for the e39 - it may be worth checking an e46 forum, just to be sure it's the same. (Also, no one monkeying about with the keys & gears as you test, or you could go the way of the hedgehogs...
)MarkwG said:
scratch pervert said:
I've got a similar issue with my 330, what's the click test?
- with the ignition on, & in gear so the PDC engages, listen to each sensor in turn: if it's working you should hear a faint clicking sound, which shows it's working; if not, that one's probably dead. As mentioned, though, that's for the e39 - it may be worth checking an e46 forum, just to be sure it's the same. (Also, no one monkeying about with the keys & gears as you test, or you could go the way of the hedgehogs...)Exact same problem on my 2002 318 as the OP is having. Exactly the same symptoms, word for word.
Done the click test. All is well in that area (all clicking away). Might try the hair dryer next. It seems to have been playing up since we had the bad weather in around January / February.
Done the click test. All is well in that area (all clicking away). Might try the hair dryer next. It seems to have been playing up since we had the bad weather in around January / February.
john_p said:
Weird that it stops working when the car gets hot, is it something to do with heat from the exhaust causing a sensor to go faulty? Or faulty wiring in that area etc
Yes that's something I'm going to check over the next few weeks; prob put something in as a heatshield and see what effect it has. Mind you, we've had some colder weather over here (Austria) lately and the sensors have been fine. Hmmmm, however I remember it being very warm and them being ok initially also, so maybe it's purely heat-soak related.Oh, and when it does exhibit the fault, all the sensor can be heard clicking away therefore I don't believe it to be them.
Progressive said:
Exact same problem on my 2002 318 as the OP is having. Exactly the same symptoms, word for word.
Done the click test. All is well in that area (all clicking away). Might try the hair dryer next. It seems to have been playing up since we had the bad weather in around January / February.
Will be very interested to hear if your hair dryer experiment has any positive effects.Done the click test. All is well in that area (all clicking away). Might try the hair dryer next. It seems to have been playing up since we had the bad weather in around January / February.
ghibbett said:
Progressive said:
Exact same problem on my 2002 318 as the OP is having. Exactly the same symptoms, word for word.
Done the click test. All is well in that area (all clicking away). Might try the hair dryer next. It seems to have been playing up since we had the bad weather in around January / February.
Will be very interested to hear if your hair dryer experiment has any positive effects.Done the click test. All is well in that area (all clicking away). Might try the hair dryer next. It seems to have been playing up since we had the bad weather in around January / February.
I'm skating on the thin ice of my experience only, but, if they're all clicking & the problem is intermittant, that sounds like the "black box" controller gizmo to me, which is probably buried either in the boot, under the rear seat or the rear parcel shelf? www.realoem.com might help to locate it. I doubt you'll need the whole lot, though, & a good indie should be able to suss it out.
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