Sorting/bodging parking sensor wiring connection.

JustAnotherSaver

Obviously the best fix is to start ripping stuff out, test properly by someone who has a clue what they're doing and sort the job proper.

Or install new.

I didn't want a new install so went to someone who'd have a clue. He didn't seem too interested in the job though - told me to just check the connection. To be honest i didn't expect him to really want the job as i suspect it's a bit of faff for what wouldn't be much of an earner. Anyway...

Bought the car with these installed. Clearly a DIY job.

Sensors work but the connection is poor. When they no longer work what I have to do is reverse up fairly close to a wall, stick it in reverse and then wiggle the power cable on the end close to where it connects in to the unit until it starts beeping at me. Then just place the unit back down and that's it job done. It can last like this for 1 more drive, it could last like this for a month or more but when it stops working I have to repeat the process.

I could velcro adhesive the unit to the side wall inside the boot so it's at least fixed in to some kind of place rather than just being loose but how would you secure the wiring so that once it's connected it stays connected?

Electrics is probably the area I struggle most at so may be an obvious fix to you but not me - aside from rip out and start new which I'd rather just carry on as is tbh.

facade

Judging by the rust on the screw, likely it has been wet, and as that is the end of the module where the power connects it is probably corroded inside and the connector is loose.

Might just want cleaning up and soldering, but a new unit would be more reliable.

It won't hurt to undo the screws and pull the lid off (when it isn't in reverse so the power is off) ad see what state it is in inside.

knightstyle

Plenty of kits on Ebay for under £10. Buy one and just use the new box, they all seem to use the same connectors, make sure it does not get wet in future.

JustAnotherSaver

I'd say it's got wet at some point yes. The design on these boots seems pretty terrible tbh as when it's been chucking it down and you want to get in the boot I really can't see how you can do it without letting a load of water pour in.

I suppose this is where my lack of knowledge is going to get exposed though....

because I would've thought that if water was the issue then it would've totally knackered the unit and it simply wouldn't work.

I would've also thought that by wiggling the wire (and keeping the box still even) being the difference between getting the beeps or not, that the issue would be with the wire itself and not the box.

I've previously disconnected the power connection and see no signs of corrosion although I haven't opened the unit up.

I tried finding the same box but can't. Parksafe or parksense, something along them lines. I'd have to go digging for wherever i put the paperwork for it to know for sure. Either way, these units are interchangeable are they? Is that a definite?

Jenni_D

The connector in the unit will (probably) be soldered to a PCB inside the unit. If water has got inside and caused some corrosion then you wiggling the wire (which would move the connector) may be enough to reset the joint on the PCB to an extant that it starts working again - until it fails again. (And I expect the recurrence of failure to start increasing).

I think that's what @facade was alluding to.  

JustAnotherSaver

Having a look on the bay of E...

This one looks like it MAY do. Appears to have an extra port which I imagine is for a 5th sensor and I only have 4. Whether that'd cause an issue or not I don't know.

Although as you scroll down the images the unit seems to change, so who knows what you'll get.

And this one looks fairly identical to mine, although twice the price.

Do you think the cheaper one of the two is likely to work (if simply putting in a new unit will work that is)? Would rather not spend too much on a maybe that's all.

forgotmyname

Not a 5th sensor,  sounder or the posher display unit as shown in the picture or both.

The pictures do not match anyway, some show exactly the same as you have now. No matter what name they
are fairly generic. Pay an extra 60p and order a crateful and get any name on them you like.

JustAnotherSaver

forgotmyname said:

Not a 5th sensor,  sounder or the posher display unit as shown in the picture or both.

The pictures do not match anyway, some show exactly the same as you have now. No matter what name they
are fairly generic. Pay an extra 60p and order a crateful and get any name on them you like.

I was looking for one that matched mine and I only came across £20 units.

If you saw one at an extra 60p, so £10.60 for arguments sake, that matches mine then I've missed it and would be most grateful if you could link me.

bob_a_builder

I'm getting a sense of Deja Vu from April

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6256329/inconsistent-reverse-sensor-beeping/p1

"Either way, these units are interchangeable are they? Is that a definite?"
NO - as we demonstrated in the previous go at this

Start with a whole new set
1p under budget ! @ £10.59
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185139001838

JustAnotherSaver

bob_a_builder said:

I'm getting a sense of Deja Vu from April

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6256329/inconsistent-reverse-sensor-beeping/p1

"Either way, these units are interchangeable are they? Is that a definite?"
NO - as we demonstrated in the previous go at this

Start with a whole new set
1p under budget !
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185139001838

Still can't get to grips with this message board and its features. Struggle enough with messing up quotes. Old board was much easier to use.

Anyway, checked out that link & noticed -

First image shows 2 pin power, 3 pin monitor, 2 pin (i assume beeper)

Looking at mine, the power is wide as 3 pins. The monitor is certainly a smaller connector so that's 2 pins.

But the 2nd image in that link is 3 pin power, 4 pin monitor and then a gap. That'd certainly be not the same.

So you see why I was struggling.

JustAnotherSaver

Hmm, I tried tucking the existing unit behind the carpeting at the side to at least keep it away from the rain when I open the boot as I wait on a new unit.

Put it in reverse and no joy.

I always thought it was as the power cable connects in to the unit, and it may well be, but I then started wiggling this end...

And as the red wire connects in to that blue plastic thing which then connects to the plug connecting to my rear light unit (so i assume the reverse light wiring)

When i wiggle that red wire while it's in reverse and against a wall, it comes in and goes out of beeping.

So perhaps a new unit wont fix the issue after all.

Problem is i know naff all about electrics to be able to do anything with that connection.