Rear parking sensors fault

[IH1]

Hi

My rear parking sensors do not work anymore.

I went to Glastonbury at the weekend and as far as I can remember they worked fine before but after driving back they don't work. My car did get splattered with mud but I've cleaned the car and can't see how mud could affect them.

Any advice on what could be the problem and if mud can cause them to stop working would be greatly appreciated.

Its an 03 MCS so it is out of warranty so I'm a bit worried it may cost me a small fortune

Thanks

Inga

[oldmots]

Any time something suddenly stops working, trace the fuses and relay, making sure they are correct and working. If that is not it, move to the harness to look for bad connections and damaged wiring. After that, you look at the sensors and control module, whcih may take testing to verify.

[IH1]

Quote: Originally Posted by oldmots (original)

Any time something suddenly stops working, trace the fuses and relay, making sure they are correct and working. If that is not it, move to the harness to look for bad connections and damaged wiring. After that, you look at the sensors and control module, whcih may take testing to verify.

Where would I find the fuses and relay? The manual doesn't help.

Thanks

[IH1]

Update - I noticed the fuse had blown so I changed it and the sensors worked. Next time I used the car the sensors did not work again and the fuse has blown. What's the next thing I have to check for and how do I do this? Or does anyone have a code reader in the area which I can borrow? (Starting to worry this is going to have to go to BMW soon which'll cost lots of money )

Thanks

[Martin England]

My parking sensors, on my convertable Cooper, now make a continuous sound, for about 10sec.

Where is the sensor unit located? I had a look behind the trim at the rear of the boot and on the right hand side of the boot, but couldn't see anything.

[Steve Essex]

The parking sensors on my 1st gen convertable Cooper S suddenly stopped working and also make a high pitched continuous sound for about ten secs when put in reverse. It started after the recent snow and cold weather. Did anybody fine a resolution to this problem?

Thanks in advance.

[Henry103]

I've got the same fault after the snow, the 10 secs of high pitch sound when recerse is engaged. The manual quotes this as being the fault warning. Has anyone successfully repaired theirs ?

[DaFlake]

I have this as well but have yet to get the sensors tested. I planed on pulling my bumper to check for chaffed wires later this year (too cold outside to do this now). The down side to this is that if it is a sensor, you will have to have it painted to match the bumper.

[racing-f1]

Hi just joined this site when i googled mini parking sensor problem!
just wondering if anyone could advise me on the problem.
Ever since the first bit of snow about 6 weeks ago the parking sensors have made a constant beep for 10 secs then dont work. the first time i noticed it there was snow on the bumper, which i carefuly wiped off before continuing to reverse, but noticed the sensors werent working. i thounght i'd see if it started working again now it has warmed up a little but it still doesn't work.
I notice quite a few people have had this problem and wonder if there is a solution, preferably cheap and easy!

Please let me know,

if you want will paypal you some money or something for the person who comes up with a solution!

Yours sincerely,

Dean

[kimmo]

My Mini cooper convertible began making the continuous noise every time I put it in reverse.

I couldn't take it anymore after a week so I took it to the garage where they told me I had a faulty sensor. I then had to get them to order me a new parking sensor that was painted to match my bodywork which would take three weeks to be delivered. Meanwhile they couldn't do anything to disable the noise the car makes when in reverse.

However, a week after having the problem diagnosed my parking sensors have started to work again and I no longer require the new sensor. Unfortunately the garage made me pre pay for the part and theres no way of getting my money back.

But if you have this problem try and live with it for a few weeks and you never know it might sort itself out like mine did.

[DaFlake]

Quote: Originally Posted by kimmo (original)

My Mini cooper convertible began making the continuous noise every time I put it in reverse.

I couldn't take it anymore after a week so I took it to the garage where they told me I had a faulty sensor. I then had to get them to order me a new parking sensor that was painted to match my bodywork which would take three weeks to be delivered. Meanwhile they couldn't do anything to disable the noise the car makes when in reverse.

However, a week after having the problem diagnosed my parking sensors have started to work again and I no longer require the new sensor. Unfortunately the garage made me pre pay for the part and theres no way of getting my money back.

But if you have this problem try and live with it for a few weeks and you never know it might sort itself out like mine did.

Mind if I ask how much you paid?

[M.O.S]

I think they list at £105...

[JAMBO77]

Same problem here on an 04 convertible. Started doing it today and have checked the fuse but it's ok. Which relays are affected as a rule, does anyone know?

[DaFlake]

Well, I never got around to looking at mine. However, on a hot day they will work fine so what I think is happening is that the cover on the sensor is coming lose and causing a gap which sets the sensor off like you are right on something. I plan to eventually pull the sensors and see if I can take them apart and repair them. No relays are affected that I no of and if it is the high pitch scream, it is a failing sensor in some manner.

[MiniGemCabrio]

SNAP!!

I have also experienced the 10sec high pitched noise when putting car into reverse. I have had the diagnostics run by BMW and they say it's a faulty sensor. Replacement needs to be ordered and painted, cost £110 plus fitting and vat.

The problem also started on my MCSC just after the snow in december. This seems to be a continuing theme, which really shouldn't happen. I think I am going to approach BMW about this!

Has anyone had any joy with fixing the problem?

An aside- my sensors also broke last year - they worked intermittently and sometimes even when not in reverse. The sound also became quite. That turned out To be the speaker in the car- which i's burried behind back seats!!