parking sensors fitted...query

**R13hard** · 2nd November 2006, 18:28

hi Guys..

i have fitted parking sensors to my car today, when i got them back from the bodyshop there was small bits of paint in the "sensor" part. would this affect the accuracy as they seem to beep for no real reason when i am reversing.

Thanks Rich

p.s they are cobra sensors

**Harry** · 2nd November 2006, 18:33

i don't see how some paint on the sensor would make them work incorrectly, many people have the entire sensor and the surrounding colourcoded.

got any pics, as its hard to visualize.

as for the beeping for no reason, i don't know why that is happening.

**R13hard** · 2nd November 2006, 18:35

thanks harry, i will post some pics tomorrow

**Madgunner** · 2nd November 2006, 19:15

I had after market sensors on my 150 sri, there was a light unit you fit at the back of the roof so you could see the lights in the rear view mirror, when i put the car in reverse the chime used to go anyway but the closer i got to something the faster the chime & lights would go from green to red. I did look into this & was told that possibly the sensors where fitted in the wrong order! Not sure if this is true but if anyone else has heard of this as i never bothered to sort it at the end of the day it still done its job

**Duncan** · 2nd November 2006, 19:21

Originally Posted by Vectramodz

....when i got them back from the bodyshop there was small bits of paint in the "sensor" part. would this affect the accuracy as they seem to beep for no real reason when i am reversing.

Do you mean in the little gap here......

Whilst maybe not ideal cosmetically, it's not going to affect the sensors.

As for your 'beeping for no reason', it could be that it's detecting the ground as you're reversing down an incline? If it's doing it a lot/all the time on flat ground then probably a trip back to the dealer. I'm assuming they've fitted them in the standard spot? i.e. not too low

The Cobra kit is what I have on my Signum (fitted by Vx dealer) and it works really well.

D

**R13hard** · 2nd November 2006, 19:25

yeah thats the part with bits of paint on. i have fitted the sensors in the factory positions, could it be that the sensors are fitted in the wrong order as madgunner says?

out of interest Duncan, how many times does yours "beep" when put in reverse?

**Ben H** · 2nd November 2006, 19:28

If they've had too much paint on them the sensors will see the paint as an obstruction as the ultrasonic wave will be rebound from the coat of paint if it can't protrude through it. We used to apply two thin coats maximum, we now only apply one coat as the sensor manufacturer has changed the suface of the sensor.
Also check the sensors are in the correct way up, there is a TOP side to them & if incorrectly installed the ultrasonic wave pattern would spread in the wrong direction.

As for being plugged in the wrong order well it is possible, left & right is the obvious problem but inside or outside isn't so critical.

**Ben H** · 2nd November 2006, 19:33

Just read you reply to Dunc, if you have those with a rubber ring surrounding the sensor the rubber ring should of been removed prior to painting as at the end of the day it's a silicone type rubber & any body shop would know there's no chance in hell of the paint adhering to it. With time the paint will flake & look awfull, it's not gonna effect the sensors but do yourself a favour, hook the rubber rings out & roll them between your fingers to make the paint flake off. (Done this a few times after new engineers didn't realise what to do) Note on the rubbers have a flat surface on the top & the other end is rounded as it's slightly wedge shaped so the fit in place.

I'd check they are installed the right way up for certain.

**R13hard** · 2nd November 2006, 19:36

oh bum. i didn't realise there was a top side! i don't think there is any way to tell which sensor is wired in as there is no numbers marked on the insulated wiring

**Duncan** · 2nd November 2006, 20:04

Ben - with ref to the rubber ring bits. What purpose do they serve then? i.e. why can't you just take them out and have all painted surface showing?

Rich - when I put mine into reverse I get one long beep (from memory) so that you know the system is activated and working (and don't reverse into something due to there being no beep!). If you mean once activated, it depends. It'll beep a few times as I reverse off the drive as it senses the pavement/road due to the car pointing down. Otherwise, the odd beep, again depending on surface level etc.

D