Ongoing PDC problem

[andrewwynn]

I'm pretty sure my solution would involve Cutting tools. Bumper cover is very soft material make a new port hole.

Milwaukee makes a set of drill bits 3/4 7/8 1-1/8 I think for cutting holes in metal for installing conduit. They are perfect to make clean holes in the likes of a plastic bumper cover.

Find a space under where you can only see if you are on the ground where you can work the part using orthoscopic methods. Seal the hole with some good tape like gorilla packing tape when done. Zero chance I remove a bumper if this would work.

If the bumper inside is in the way if it's plastic or foam I'd use drill bit or hot knife to make enough room to pass the part.

Without cutting can you make a little room with a suction cup and pull the bumper cover forward? If you are working solo use a pulley attached to the wall or something.

[Overboost]

Once you remove a front and rear bumper a few times you find it takes less than 10 minutes to do either end. Ask me how I know.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by Overboost

Once you remove a front and rear bumper a few times you find it takes less than 10 minutes to do either end. Ask me how I know.

Yeah, OB - agreed - its not that hard. I mostly dislike doing it because on the facelift bumper the two side clips are old and fragile, nearly always break and are very expensive!

Sure as hell aren't taking to the bumper with hole saw!!

Any anyway, there's steel above, below and behind the sensors - a hole saw isn't going to help. And the fronts corners are worse still....

[Overboost]

Totally understand those front corner bumper guides. Broke one the first time and broke the other one the next time. So now $100 later with 2 new guides, they work easily the way they should without breaking.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by Overboost

Totally understand those front corner bumper guides. Broke one the first time and broke the other one the next time. So now $100 later with 2 new guides, they work easily the way they should without breaking.

Given the price of those brackets and that both of mine are currently cracked (but holding fine) I thought I might try these out... not exactly a critical part...



https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-LH-R...6/253204494603

[Overboost]

Give them a shot and report back with your results. For that amount, you really won't lose anything. Great find!

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by Overboost

Give them a shot and report back with your results. For that amount, you really won't lose anything. Great find!

Thinking I will do so - like you say, (next to) nothing to loose...

Might try one of these too - for the same reasoning...



https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AUTOPA-P...9/254170612726

I've actually replaced both front DHCs with this brand of part - AUTOPA - and while they are "cheap knock-offs" they (so far) have been pretty good - maybe their PDC sensor is a good bet too..

[Overboost]

When I retrofitted my front 4.8iS bumper earlier this year it was missing 2 sensors. (1 inner and 1 outer) I just bought used Genuine BMW ones with the same part numbers of the remaining ones off fleaBay for $25 each. I have just read so many of the Chinesium sensors causing issues, I didn't want to take the chance.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by Overboost

When I retrofitted my front 4.8iS bumper earlier this year it was missing 2 sensors. (1 inner and 1 outer) I just bought used Genuine BMW ones with the same part numbers of the remaining ones off fleaBay for $25 each. I have just read so many of the Chinesium sensors causing issues, I didn't want to take the chance.

I've heard both good and bad (mostly bad though) but I guess the chances of a bad used one from eBay is quite high too...

For the cost of this one, it's worth a punt... assuming my issue is a bad sensor. Funnily enough, it only fails one time in 5-6 acivations - so not enough to make me pull the bumper yet!

[PLH-BMA]

Hi Guys, at long last I have tracked down the problem with the PDC's!! On my right hand drive X5 the PDC wiring loom enters from the sensors into the rear through a rubber grommet under the bumper just to the left of the right side rear light cluster. With the the boot floor out and the plastic housings removed, behind the main wiring loom is a small jumper plug, this little critter was causing all the problems!! I separated it and gave it a good dousing in electrical switch cleaner, hey presto everything working as it should!! Not the easiest thing to locate but once there a relatively easy fix!!
Cheers
Paul