Do-it-yourself parking sensors repair

Parktronic is a device that facilitates the process of parking a car. Thanks to its presence, the driver knows the distance that remains to the object located in front or behind the car. The need to check the parking sensor may arise in the event of a device malfunction.

The main structural elements of an ultrasonic car parking sensor:

1. Microprocessor control module. It is used to receive and process pulsed signals that come from ultrasonic controllers. The element is the “brain” and central core of the parking system. The main purpose of the microprocessor device is to promptly warn the driver about the presence of malfunctions.
2. Controllers, their number differs depending on the model and class of the device. Sensors are used to timely identify objects and obstacles. The controllers transmit information to the microprocessor module. Installation of elements is carried out both at the back of the car and at the front. The action of the controllers is based on the use of ultrasonic pulses.
3. Beeper. The sound device is mounted in the passenger compartment. It is located in the middle of the center console, under the rearview mirror, or on the left next to the side mirror. When the sensors detect an obstacle, the beeper plays a warning tone. The element can be equipped with a display showing the distance in meters or centimeters to the obstacle.

The principle of operation of the device:

1. During operation, the controller installed on the rear bumper of the car emits an ultrasonic pulse without interruption. If the sent signal detects an object in the form of an obstacle, then the pulse returns back like a mirror. The exact time for the ultrasonic pulse to be reflected determines the distance to the object.
2. The controller detects obstacles up to two meters from the vehicle on average. If an object is more than two meters away, it can be seen in the rearview mirror.
3. The parking radar is activated after the driver engages in reverse speed. But the machine can be equipped with a sensor that functions in a non-automatic mode. The use of such devices is advisable in cities with heavy traffic or in traffic jams. Automatic parking radars emit warning pulses without interruption. To warn the car owner, both sound and light components can be used.

If the device does not work correctly, this can become a reason for unpleasant consequences for the car owner. The check can be performed if the user is aware of the causes and symptoms of a malfunction.

Reasons indicating the need to diagnose and repair the device:

It is necessary to repair a damaged parking radar after the first signs of damage appear. If the system was installed routinely during the production of a car, then there should be a corresponding indicator on the control panel. The appearance of this symbol on the tidy may indicate a malfunction of the device.

If the parking sensors were installed independently, then the problem can be determined by monitoring its functioning. When approaching an obstacle, the parktronic will continuously give signals about the presence of an object or not react at all to it.

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Before you check the parktronic sensor, you need to decide on the diagnostic method. There are several options for checking the device, one of them is implemented using a multimeter. You can come close to the touch controller mounted on the bumper. If the device is working, then when an obstacle approaches, it will emit a click. You may not hear it, but if you record on a dictaphone, the click will be heard well.

Before performing diagnostics of the parking sensor, you must release the parking brake lever of the car, turn on the ignition and move the gearshift knob to the reverse speed position.

Some devices allow you to implement the following type of diagnostics:

1. The ignition is switched on and the transmission lever is moved to neutral.
2. The parking brake lever is released.
3. The power unit is starting up.
4. The car owner runs his fingers over the controllers located in the front or rear bumper. If the devices are functional, they may emit vibration. But we must remember that not all types of devices react to such touches.

If instead of traditional controllers, a metallized tape is installed on the bumper, then its condition can be assessed visually. Malfunctions can occur as a result of physical damage to the device. The belt is visually diagnosed for defects. Cracks and deep scratches on the element can lead to malfunctions. If the tape is intact, the problem should be looked for in other system components.

You can visually identify malfunctions in the functioning of the microprocessor device. The block board is subject to diagnostics for the presence of burnt components. The device is disassembled, the cover is dismantled from it, then a visual check of all the constituent elements of the circuit is performed. It is necessary to pay attention to the diagnostics of capacitor devices; during long-term operation, they can swell. The reason may lie in the negative impact of dust and dirt on the elements, so it is recommended to clean and dry the board.

The Corvus Gold channel has shown clearly effective ways to diagnose parking radars for cars.

Diagnostics with a multimeter will take longer, but the results from its implementation will be more accurate:

1. Before performing the check, it is necessary to disconnect all ultrasonic controllers from the vehicle's electrical circuit.
2. After disconnecting the wiring, the sensors are dismantled.
3. Taking the controller in hand, you can see the contact components on the element. A multimeter probe is connected to one of the contacts.
4. The diagnostic device is configured in the mode of measuring the resistance value, while it is necessary to set a threshold of 2 thousand ohms. Then the tester probe is connected to the contact elements of the controller.
5. Readings are read and displayed on the scan tool. The controller operates without interruption if the received resistance does not correspond to zero value or does not tend to infinity. In other cases, repair or replacement of devices is required.

The diagnostic method using a tester allows you to determine problems in the functioning of the controllers and the electrical circuit to which they are connected. For this, a check is performed on the conductors through which the sensor is connected to the microprocessor module. Diagnostics of the integrity of electrical circuits is performed. Damaged wires must be replaced or re-soldered, it is recommended to wrap the soldering point with electrical tape or install a heat shrink tube.

Channel STO Garazhok talked about the features of diagnostics of parking systems using multimeters.

It will not be possible to repair the parking radar only if the problem lies in the operation of the microprocessor module.Detailed diagnostics of the printed circuit board and its repair involves the soldering of the constituent elements. And to complete this task, special equipment and tools are required.

The parking system repair procedure is performed as follows:

Channel Arsis44 provided detailed guidance on how to perform repair actions to restore the parking radar to work.

The procedure for replacing a parking system device consists of three stages:

1. Disconnection of controllers and their dismantling.
2. Installation of new sensors.
3. Connecting devices to the mains of the machine.

When replacing one sensor with another, it is necessary to take into account that the devices must be interchangeable in size and parameters.

If the parking systems to be replaced are fully consistent with the operating parameters and dimensions, then the change procedure will not take much time. You do not need to touch the wiring to connect the device, which makes the process easier.

The dismantling procedure may differ depending on the model of the device and the vehicle, therefore, the universal removal instructions are described below:

Install a new parking radar in the reverse order:

If the devices are interchangeable, then there will be no connection problems. You just need to connect all the connectors and test the operation of the parking system. When the sensors are different, the connection procedure is performed according to the diagram that is included in the system. It is necessary to connect the electronic module, the beeper and all the sensor elements to each other. Also, the device is connected to the battery and the reverse speed sensor, so that when it is activated, it turns on.

Parking sensors connection diagram

To prevent a quick failure of the parking system, the sensors need periodic diagnostics and maintenance. If there are traces of dirt on the sensors, these elements must be cleaned. The presence of moisture on the control unit will lead to its breakdown, therefore, wet traces must be removed. One of the features of the metallized tape, which is used in place of the sensors, is the possibility of moisture accumulation underneath. Therefore, the tape must be periodically removed and removed from dirt not only from it, but also from the surface of the bumper.

When cleaning the microprocessor unit, be careful not to damage the device. The correct operation of the system depends on the correct installation of the constituent elements and their connection. In addition to the connection, you need to configure the operation of the device. This will allow him to react to obstacles from a distance, which is necessary for the driver. When setting up and connecting the system, the service manual is studied, it may indicate the nuances of use and connection.

Channel "CarEra Auto - It's Simple" presented a visual instruction on how to install a parking device from scratch and connect it to the car's power supply.

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The parktronic sensor stopped working. The display shows an E1 error. I checked the wires visually in place, the insulation is not broken, there is no contamination. To solve the problem, I decided to purchase parking sensors from the Chinese.

Radar for car parking, which is better known as parking sensors, has ceased to be a luxury of business class cars in recent years, and now it is offered as an additional option to almost any car. This system can significantly reduce the risk of collision between the driver and the surrounding objects when parking in a confined space.

The principle of operation of the parking sensors is very simple. The car has built-in sensors that are triggered when approaching other cars.When the sensor is triggered, the driver is immediately notified of this by a sound signal, which increases depending on the distance between objects, as well as a graphic image on the screen. Due to this, the driver has the opportunity to stop in time in case of a dangerous approach to the object in order to change the direction of movement.

At the moment, ultrasonic and electromagnetic parking sensors are actively used, which differ in their principle of operation. In Russia and the CIS countries, ultrasonic versions of the system are more common, which can be of two types - wired and wireless.

Ultrasonic parking radars are a system that consists of a "brain" (control unit) and ultrasonic sensors installed in the rear (and sometimes in the front) bumper to control the distance to nearby objects. The principle of operation of the sensor is extremely simple - it generates an ultrasonic signal that is directed away from the car. Depending on how the signal is reflected from other objects, the control unit calculates the approximate distance to them and decides whether to notify the driver about the danger of a possible collision.

It is worth noting that ultrasonic parking systems can be both wired, that is, the interaction between the elements of the system occurs directly using wires, or wireless. The wired option is more common and reliable.

The design of electromagnetic parking sensors is somewhat different from the ultrasonic options. In such systems, a metallized tape acts as a sensor, which is attached to the inside of the car bumper. This tape creates an electromagnetic field around the back of the machine. When any obstacle is in the area of ​​this field, the "brain" of the parking sensors understands this and notifies the driver. It is worth noting that for the first time electromagnetic parking sensors were presented by Audi, which to this day actively uses them on its cars. Such parking sensors are considered more reliable, since the generated electromagnetic field does not have "dead zones", unlike sensors that can control a strictly defined area.

Please note: Recently, the development of parking sensors has stepped forward. Nowadays, parking radars are often part of a car's all-round vision system, which allows the driver to even better monitor the presence of foreign objects around the car when parking.

As you can see from the parktronic design described above, such a radar is a very simple device that consists of a minimum number of components. Accordingly, there cannot be many reasons for the malfunction of the parking sensors. You can name the following main reasons why parking sensors do not work:

The above are the main reasons why parking sensors do not work. As you can see, they are quite commonplace and do not differ much from the causes of malfunction of other electronic equipment in a car.

The task of parking sensors is to detect the presence of an obstacle in front or behind the car, and inform the driver about it. If the system does not do this, or it does it with errors, you should understand the reason in order to fully use it in the future.

If the parking sensors have recently been installed on the car, and immediately it does not work correctly, most likely the reason for this is a factory defect or improper fastening and connection of system elements, which must be checked.

In a situation where a previously functioning parking sensor stopped working, the first step should be to pay attention to whether this is due to the pollution of the sensors, which is a very common problem. Examine the sensors for dust and dirt. It is better to clean them immediately upon inspection to exclude the possibility of their malfunctioning due to contamination.

Important: When cleaning the sensors, pay attention not only directly to their sensors, but also to the mounting points, and also carefully see that the devices were securely fixed.

When cleaning the sensors does not work, you need to make sure that they work at all. Determining the performance of a sensor is very simple:

1. Start the car engine at idle speed;
2. Bring your finger to each of the sensors in turn. The working sensor should vibrate or crack slightly. If this does not happen, then the sensor is out of order and needs to be replaced or repaired.

The complexity of sensor repair depends on the cause of its failure. Some problems can be fixed by yourself, some can be solved by wizards in service centers.

Please note: The cost of parking sensors can vary greatly, and the advisability of repairing the sensor by specialists will differ from that. It is often more profitable to simply replace the device with a new one.

Quite often, the parktronic sensor fails due to water ingress into it. This can be overlooked when visually inspecting the device, so the first thing to do when repairing a faulty sensor is to remove it from the car. Next, dry the sensor, reconnect it to the wires and check the operation. If the situation has not changed, the problem is most likely more serious. Try to disassemble the sensor and inspect the inside of the membrane for damage. If damaged, the membrane will need to be replaced. It is important to note that it is better to entrust such work to the specialists of service centers.

If the parktronic sensor is faulty and you need to replace it, it is extremely simple to do this. It is enough to disconnect the old sensor from the wires and install a new one, securely fixing it in the existing place. But here it is important to note a few nuances:

• Sensors differ from each other not only in size, but also in other parameters. Accordingly, a replacement sensor should be selected with the same parameters as was installed. At the same time, service center specialists often offer to order a sensor for a specific car model "from the manufacturer" and install it. It is not necessary to do this, since such sensors are much more expensive than conventional options that can be purchased at car stores;
• If you purchased a non-native sensor, most likely it will differ in color and stand out in the exterior of the car. But the design of the sensor is such that it is quite possible to repaint it by applying a thin layer of paint over the body. Do not forget to degrease the surface before applying the paint.

Diagnosing a malfunction of a metallized tape of electromagnetic parking sensors is much easier than checking the health of ultrasonic sensors. The simplest device of the tape indicates that it can malfunction only if it is physically damaged. Examine it for defects - deep scratches, cracks and other damage. If the tape is intact, you should look for the cause of the malfunctioning of the parking sensors in other elements of the system.

The parktronic control unit is the least likely to fail, but a similar problem may nevertheless arise, which means that you need to consider how to diagnose the device. There are two methods of checking the device - visual inspection and short circuit diagnostics:

• Visual inspection of the parktronic control unit involves checking the printed circuit board for the presence of "burnt" elements. To do this, it is enough to remove the cover from the device in order to get to the printed circuit board, and then carefully inspect all its parts, especially the capacitors, which are inflated upon failure. It is worth noting that often a large amount of dust and dirt accumulated in the device body leads to the combustion of the elements of the parking sensors control unit;
• A short circuit test is carried out using an ohmmeter. - a device for measuring resistance. Get one and connect the probes of the device to the terminals of the control unit. If a short circuit occurs in the "brain" of the parking sensors, the ohmmeter will not show anything, that is, its arrow will be at zero or infinity.

It is important to note that the parking sensors control unit is practically indestructible, let alone independent. If it has a short circuit or burned out elements, most likely, it will be necessary to replace the entire "brain".

The likelihood of damage to the car when driving in a confined space depends on the correct operation of the parking sensors. Accordingly, it is important to follow simple rules in order to always be sure that the system is working properly:

• Be sure to clean the sensors from dirt and moisture, it is especially important to do this on a regular basis during precipitation and when there is slush on the roads;
• If you have an electromagnetic parktronic installed, then check the tape for contamination and defects. It is important to note that the tape should be completely cleaned from dirt - from the inside and outside. Do not forget to regularly remove and inspect it;
• From time to time, clean the control unit from dust, but do it carefully so as not to damage the components of the printed circuit board of the device.

It should be remembered that in many respects the correct operation of the parking sensors depends on its correct installation. Make sure that the sensors do not "dangle", and in case of damage to the bumper, be sure to diagnose them to make sure that they are not damaged.

Parktronic is a transceiver device. The purpose of this device is to detect unexpected obstacles in front or behind the vehicle and alert the driver.

Parktronic works on the principle of a radar. That is, the device sends a sound signal in all directions, usually ultrasonic frequencies are used.

The signal, bumping into an obstacle, is reflected from it and returns to the parktronic receiver. In the parktronic control unit, the signal is processed and the driver is warned of an obstacle.

Parktronic is structurally made in three versions:

1. In the first case, it consists of a control unit, sensors, connecting wires.
2. In the second case, the wires are missing.
3. In the third, instead of sensors, a metallized tape is used. It is believed that such tape parking sensors are devoid of dead zones. It is installed on the inside of the bumper.

You can find out about installing parking sensors with your own hands in a practical guide: how to install sensors, equipment and conduct testing.

It doesn't matter what kind of equipment the parking sensors are installed on, on a car or on a warehouse trolley, the malfunctions, in principle, are the same, except perhaps for minor insignificant damages associated with the specifics of the car or trolley.

The system must react to the arising obstacle. If this does not happen, then the first thing to do is to clean the sensors or tape from dirt and moisture. They are very often the causes of malfunctioning of the device.

You also need to clean the places where they are located. That is, the inner part of the bumper under the tape and the sockets in which the sensors are installed. Doesn't help - we examine the transceiver devices.

If there is no damage on the metallized tape, then the cause of the malfunction of the tape parking sensors is in other parts of the device.

When a non-working sensor was identified, then first it should be dried, perhaps moisture has simply got into it. If so, then after drying it will start working normally, if not, we will open it, it is possible that the membrane is damaged, it can be replaced. But it is better to entrust the replacement of the membrane to the master, since such work requires skills.

A malfunction of the parktronic control unit is probably the biggest problem with this device.You can only visually inspect the device on your own and check it for a short circuit. To inspect the printed circuit board of the device, you need to remove the cover.

It is possible that the inspection will also establish the cause of the malfunction, for example, a deposit of dirt or dust, or scale. Scale may indicate that radio components have become unusable, for example, capacitors.

1. The reverse gear is on, and the parking sensors do not give a signal. It is possible that the control unit is not connected to the power supply or is improperly mounted, or the wiring is broken. In this case, we change the connection diagram, restore the integrity of the wiring. Be sure to check if the grounding of the unit is reliable.
2. The distance to the obstacle is determined incorrectly. It is possible that the sensors are dirty. The sensors need to be cleaned.
3. The device often responds to non-existent obstacles. It is possible that the parking sensors are configured for high sensitivity or there is contamination of the sensors. It is necessary to reconfigure the control unit or clean the sensors.
4. Parktronic does not detect any interference at all. It is possible that the device is set to low sensitivity, again the sensors are dirty or the interference is in the so-called dead zone of the parking sensors. You need to either increase the sensitivity of the device, or clean the sensors, rebuild the sensor installation scheme, add, for example, a few more pieces to the existing circuit.
5. The tape parking sensors have the same malfunctions as the parking sensors with sensors. Parktronic tape may be damaged. Malfunctions can also occur when the tape location is dirty. There are malfunctions in the connecting wires and the parktronic control unit. The steps for diagnosing the device and repairing are, in fact, the same as when working with other types of parking sensors.

First of all, you need to follow basic security measures. Sensors, metallized tape, wires, contacts must be regularly inspected, if dirt appears on the sensors and tape, then it must be removed, like moisture.

No moisture or dirt should accumulate under the metallized tape. Therefore, you need to periodically remove it and clean the inside of the bumper.

Dirt can also collect in the control unit, it is worth opening it sometimes and cleaning it from the accumulated dirt and dust inside. Please note that dirt, dust and water are highly conductive and can therefore cause a malfunction.

It is necessary to strictly follow the recommendations and requirements set forth in the parking sensors operating instructions. It is very important to correctly install and select the device, as well as to fine-tune it. You can find out detailed information on choosing a parking sensor in the following detailed article. Compliance with the instructions, correct installation, precise tuning of the parking sensors are the key to its long trouble-free service.

Parktronic or parking radar is a small device that not only makes parking a car easier. It also provides road safety by signaling when an obstacle or other vehicle is too close. And if the parking sensors are broken in the car or the parking sensors simply do not work, then for inexperienced drivers, as well as those who are used to its constant prompts, this can become a real problem.

It is quite simple to determine that the parking sensors have stopped working. If the car has a parking radar installed from the factory, then there is an indicator on the dashboard that will indicate that it is broken. But if you installed the acoustic parking system yourself, then in order to identify a breakdown, you should observe its work. He will either be constantly silent until you hit something, or he will constantly give signals about non-existent obstacles. But to recognize what exactly went out of order is already a little more difficult.

Parktronic malfunctions are often associated with the failure of one of its elements. An acoustic parking system consists of several important components.

1. The control unit is its main part, which is responsible for the operation of the entire system.

It is this element that fails quite often. How to check the functionality of the electronic control unit? You must first disconnect it. Then the ohmmeter terminals should be attached to the conclusions. If the ohmmeter shows nothing, then the cause of the malfunction lies precisely in the electronic control unit. If you are not an electrician and do not have sufficient experience with such mechanisms, it is better not to do parking sensors with your own hands. It is worth contacting specialists here.

Incorrect adjustment of the control unit can also be one of the reasons why the parking radar does not work. If the control unit is configured for high sensitivity, the parking radar will react even to non-existent obstacles. Or the opposite situation, he does not notice the existing obstacles. This may indicate that the sensitivity is too low. And in fact, and in another case, it is necessary to reconfigure the parking radar.

1. Indication devices: a monitor (data on the presence of obstacles and the distance to them are transmitted to it) and a sound warning system (it emits warning signals). These elements fail less often, since they work in the most gentle conditions, inside the car.
2. Sensors or metallized plates are transmission devices that detect the presence of obstacles nearby. In a car, there can be from 2, 4, 6 or even 8. Most often 4 or 6 are installed. If 4, then all of them are installed on the rear bumper. If 6 is installed, then 4 of them are on the rear, and 2 on the front bumper. The latter option allows you to control not only the space behind the car, but also in front. The principle of operation of the transfer device is very simple. It sends ultrasonic signals that, when hitting an obstacle, return back. The system reads the round trip time of the signal, thus calculating the distance to the obstacle.

The parktronic monitor fails less often than other elements, as it is located inside the car

Sensors most often fail, because they are the ones most affected by the external environment. They are installed on the bumper of the car, and, accordingly, they can get dirt, snow or water.

How to determine that the parktronic sensor is not working? Simple enough. Start the car and touch the sensor with your finger. A serviceable one always vibrates slightly, and if touched, it should emit a crack. If this was not found, then the reason is precisely in it.

But before you go to a car repair shop, you can try to repair the parking sensor with your own hands. The first thing to do is to clean it, dry it. If, after these manipulations, the system did not work, then the cause of the breakdown may lie in the membrane. In order to identify a malfunction of the membrane, the sensor should be opened. If it is faulty, it must be replaced. However, it is not recommended to change the membrane with your own hands; it is better to entrust this to an auto mechanic.