Parking Sensors Issue.
 

Hello,

So my parking sensors (PDC) work very well as I use them often, but there is one major issue I am experiencing with them. As I turn on the angel eyes or lights on my X5, the PDC starts to malfunction. They start beeping continuously and it's super annoying I have to manually turn them off.

At first I thought it was because they were picking up light from my headlights, but I tried turning them on in the daytime with a lot of sun along with my angel eye lights and they still started beeping like crazy. :dunno:

Anybody know anything why this could be? it has to be something with the lights.

Thanks in advance. :thumbup:

Could be a poor ground connection.

Dear 80stech,



Thanks for your reply, but could you please elaborate more deeply as how can I check the ground connection for parking sensors or how can I repair it?


Thanks.:thumbup:

You'd have to trace the grounds on the system to wherever they terminate. Usually a grounding block (BMW calls them combs) behind the headlights for systems in the front of the car. But check the TIS to find exact locations for the PDC system.

While ground faults are a good working theory, I just checked the wiring diagrams and the PDC sensors themselves are not grounded - they are wired all the way back to the PDC module (in the trunk/boot). The PDC module itself uses a ground comb (X493) in the trunk/boot area, just in front of the spare wheel.

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/obj/CTzxIPPT

It would pay to check this comb (it's easy to get at) but I can't see this being the issue. You never know though... :dunno:

I'm looking over the diagrams to see if there is any other connection between the AEs and the PDC...

BTW, the parking sensors don't "pick up light" - they use ultrasonic sound waves to detect near objects - kinda like a bat using echo-location.

Bingo - maybe. Fuse F6 (behind the glovebox) powers the PDC system, the electrochromic rear-view mirror and the adaptive headlight control....

Not sure how this ties the AE operation to the PDC going crazy but you should certainly check out F6 and it's contacts.

tsotnek, you don't indicate which car (model) you have, or if the headlights are modified in any way but I can see the many owners that have added CCFL AEs have your issue...

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...-eyes-pdc.html

Got any more info on your car (and any mods) that might be relevant? ;)

Hello,

I thank you for your reply full of good possible solutions. My vehicle is 2002 3.0d engine. I got this car for fairly cheap, from a guy in need of money 2 years ago. The car was not in perfect condition, I had it repaired and restored best I could. I’m still going and still improving the best I can. When I got the car only 2 sensors were attached out of 8 and I bought 6 sensors and reconnected them. The headlights themselves don’t seem to be original headlights, they are all white with angel eyes installed probably later. I will check the trunk and also the fuse and let you know. :thumbup:

Also I purchased bmw scanner 1.4.0 from aliexpress and instaled it on my laptop. When I connected it to my car and scanned it, on the PDC tab it showed Not Found. I tried rescanning with ignition started and also turned on PDC but it still was empty when scanning showing Not Found.

If they are not factory head lights and angel eyes. You may want to check the wiring and make sure it's not using a PDC wire for trigger or power or something else weird.