PDC errors seen on INPA

[Overboost]

I wish you had BMW Scanner and we could turn off the fronts and see if the system works. I would suggest getting this tool, it can be had with dongle for about 25 quid.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Scann...cAAOSw2xRYPQey

[brucemillar]

I have now listened to the sensors with the ignition on > car in reverse > Green light on PDC On > SO PDC ON..

The rear outers and one of the inners tick. One inner (RHS Middle) does NOT tick. So that has to be considered faulty?

None of the fronts tick. Nothing, nil, zilch.....

On INPA and on NavCoder I can see the PDC with INPA listing errors 20 & 22 ?

I will replace the "suspect" rear sensor to see if that helps. But I am baffled as to why the fronts have no clicking/ticking at all? The loom is connected behind the front RHS Fog Light.

Will a single rear sensor failure cause the fonts to cease operation?

[Overboost]

OK a quick question. When you hear the 5 second beep when going into reverse, is the beep in the front or the rear? From your findings, I think you may have 2 separate issues. In the rear you need the one sensor that has no faint clicking. In the front, there must be a wiring issue. Maybe a closer inspection to make sure the wiring is intact and not broken. I have read where some faults have been caused by rodents chewing the wires. Just an idea...

[brucemillar]

Originally Posted by Overboost

OK a quick question. When you hear the 5 second beep when going into reverse, is the beep in the front or the rear? From your findings, I think you may have 2 separate issues. In the rear you need the one sensor that has no faint clicking. In the front, there must be a wiring issue. Maybe a closer inspection to make sure the wiring is intact and not broken. I have read where some faults have been caused by rodents chewing the wires. Just an idea...

I believe that the Beep is the rear higher pitched tone.

It is continuous for around 5 seconds with a constant green light. The tone then stops the light changes to flashing and eventually stops after about 30 seconds (not sure on the exact timing)

I am unsure how you activate just the front sensors apart from using inpa?

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by brucemillar

I believe that the Beep is the rear higher pitched tone.

It is continuous for around 5 seconds with a constant green light. The tone then stops the light changes to flashing and eventually stops after about 30 seconds (not sure on the exact timing)

I am unsure how you activate just the front sensors apart from using inpa?

When I retrofitted PDC on my X5 I got the rear 4.8is bumper with sensors. I added the module, gong and console switch but had the fault as I had no front sensors or harness. I used BMW Scanner 1.4 to change the 8 sensor settings to 4 and it picked up the rear only and has worked perfect. I am still looking for a 4.8is front bumper with sensors to finish the 8 sensor setup. It is not a huge rush as I can see the front distance so as long as I have the rears, I'm happy for now.

[JokerElite]

Any updates OP? Experiencing the same issue. The front harness is connected and the wiring is intact. I have to inspect the rear next.

[brucemillar]

Apologies. Christmas got in the way of car fixing ;^)

Using NavCoder, It shows that only the two middle rear sensors out of the eight on the car, are reporting back as functioning.

To be very clear here: NavCoder shows all eight sensors, then when I select reverse - with the Ignition on - Engine Off, I see the two middle rear sensors change colour and start blinking between yellow & red on my PC. All other sensors remain blank (dead)

Using INPA, It shows All Eight of the sensors, as a black bar with no green bar. That tells me that INPA thinks that all eight are dead? I have tried to watch the screen as I stand right in front of the sensors waving my hand over them. This makes no difference to the black bars on the PC.

Conclusions:

I struggle to see how all eight (or even six) sensors can be dead. SO I am now thinking it more likely that the ECU is the culprit here.

- Both front & rear looms are connected at the bumpers and at the ECU.
- I have tried a brand new OEM sensor moving it's position in the rear with no change. (Apart from NavCoder see's it in the middle slots).

Again to be clear here: INPA says there are NO Errors in the PDC system and shows all eight sensors as solid black bars with equal distance measurements next to each bar. I can test the system, switch it on or off (it beeps in response) I can <select> "front & Rear" and the system gives the corresponding tones. But it says no errors.

My choices now are to buy another ECU, but I fear throwing money after money. Or, but another six OEM sensors. But I still struggle to see how six would fail all at the same time.

INPA seems very limited in it's capabilities. I had hoped it would allow me to select the ECU or switch on/off individual sensors? If it does? then I cannot find that option (and I have looked).

Fed Up....

[Overboost]

Hey Bruce, I agree that the PDC module may be bad. I have read about some failures. When I did my retrofit, I bought my module from eBay for $35. It might be worth a try, at that price, if it does not solve the issue, you can always resell it for the money you paid.

[brucemillar]

Yup. eBay is the way I shall go now.

You know what’s so frustrating is trying to diagnose these cars. I have, INPA, iCarsoft & NavCoder + an Autel Scanner. When looking at the car as s whole, all of them report different errors or no errors at all.

I thought that INPA would be accurate. But on both the PDC and the Air Suspension it is hopeless, giving vague pointers. It tells me my air suspension has no errors and is “okay”. Despite the car telling me it has an error and the suspension not working. Likewise with the PDC.

It is very frustrating. Reading the forums suggests that I am in the majority here.

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by brucemillar

Yup. eBay is the way I shall go now.

You know what’s so frustrating is trying to diagnose these cars. I have, INPA, iCarsoft & NavCoder + an Autel Scanner. When looking at the car as s whole, all of them report different errors or no errors at all.

I thought that INPA would be accurate. But on both the PDC and the Air Suspension it is hopeless, giving vague pointers. It tells me my air suspension has no errors and is “okay”. Despite the car telling me it has an error and the suspension not working. Likewise with the PDC.

It is very frustrating. Reading the forums suggests that I am in the majority here.

I would be curious what BMW Scanner 1.4 showed. That's what I used for the PDC retrofit on my E53 and E46. It had a complete list of sensor faults when I didn't have my harness completely plugged in on my E46. I wish you had that tool.