Parking distance sensor problem

[k_rider]

I've recently started having problems with one of the front parking distance control sensors on my vRS (MY11) after driving in the rain. It would seem that water is getting into one of the sensors, causing the system to think an object is being detected at minimum distance (so continuous tone and red graphic on the screen).

Has anyone else experienced the same thing and resolved it? Anyone know the structure of the sensors themselves or how the system is designed, ie, is each of the four sensors on the bumper a combined transmitter and receiver (this would be my guess), or are there two transmitters/two receivers. I do have a reasonable working knowledge of ultrasonic transducers and range finding.

I'm thinking that water is somehow getting trapped in the sensor and effectively blocking it, causing an immediate 'echo' in the sensor, hence the minimum distance warning. Maybe there's some other gunk in there that needs to be cleaned out? FWIW, I've often wondered about the vulnerability of the PDC sensors to water/road grime/dust/insects.

[vdubmotorworx]

The sensors are a sealed unit. If you use VCDS you can see what the sensors are reading in MM and see which one is incorrect and replace that one by removing the bumper. If you dont have access to VCDS then you might be able to work out which one via your screen display... usually its just a replace item unless water at the connector itself....VDUB...

[wai]

The sensors multiplex, so they are each a transmitter and receiver (although not at the same time).

Do you get a graphic display indicating which sensor is triggering?

[Antiplastix]

My Mk.2 did it all the time. Didn't really worry me. Just get out and thump the offending sensor, to dislodge the water.

[k_rider]

Thanks guys for your replies.

I have access to VCDS, however accessibility is usually inversely proportional to the occurrence of the problem! I'll try dousing the suspect sensor with a hose and check out VCDS. Although when I washed the car last Saturday, I'm pretty sure the problem didn't arise, but it did on Monday evening after driving home from work in the rain...

From the display, indication is the inner RHS (the one next to the front number plate).

I like the idea of a bit of 'percussive maintenance', I'll see if that 'fixes' it next time!

It's a bit of a pest that the sensor has failed (or at least, its weather sealing has) just out of warranty.

[wai]

It's a bit of a pest that the sensor has failed (or at least, its weather sealing has) just out of warranty.

That should not be an issue. The dealers and VW will always try it on, but a component like this should not fail "just out of warranty". There is a reasonable expectation that the sensor should last longer.

Press the issue with VW, and contact Fair Trading if necessary.

[Transporter]

Hmm, interesting. It could also be said that something poked it, or the high pressure cleaner was used to close damaging the sensor.

So, I wouldn't be jumping on the high horse and shouting the "Fair Trading" thing.

[wai]

Hmm, interesting. It could also be said that something poked it, or the high pressure cleaner was used to close damaging the sensor.

So, I wouldn't be jumping on the high horse and shouting the "Fair Trading" thing.

Surely it could be argued that something fitted to a bumper should able to withstand the odd bump (which would be visible), and should be able to withstand some water pressure from a cleaner? It would be another thing altogether if the sensor was mounted inside the vehicle away from the elements.

[k_rider]

Yeah, I'd certainly aim for the 'gentle' approach with the dealer. And I'd have to agree something like this should last pretty much for the life of the car under 'normal' circumstances (ie not being hit or had high pressure jets of water aimed at it).

FWIW, it's never been hit, to my knowledge anyway. There's always the chance it's been bumped whilst parked, but other damage would be evident. I've also never used a high pressure cleaner on the car, I'm always worried that the jet will find a stone chip or some such and start lifting paint! I've also taken care to avoid directly spraying at the PDC sensors even with a normal hose nozzle, as I was never sure how well sealed they are.

[dArK5HaD0w]

There have been a nunber of discussions over at the briskoda forum regarding parking sensors playing up due to water or ice build up.

[Transporter]

The parking sensors are sealed against water and you can't harm them if spraying at them even with the high pressure cleaner from a reasonable distance of course. Remember? We also have the car wash places that use pressurised water sprayers.

Now, to the perception that everything on your car is covered by the statutory warranty just because, it's not unreasonable to expect that the car should last longer than the warranty period. Let's use your word "life of the car", which may be what? Ten years? maybe more to some people? All this brings up the question. Why are there the 3, 5 and now 7(Kia) years warranties? If you could get EVERYTHING on the car repaired for free under the statutory warranty anyway?

Don't get me wrong, I'd like to buy just one product and get it always repaired when it brakes down. Because, it's not unreasonable to me, that the car (and many other things) should last 10-20 years, including fridges, washing machines, TVs and other electronic gadgets, the house roof made of tiles should last me a lifetime - hell, my grandma had the fridge for 40 years and house she lived in was more durable than houses built today, and my Philps TV I bought in 1992 is still working.

So, what do you and other people here think? Do we have a lawyer here who could tell us more. Because honestly I think that this statutory warranties fly only because the repair is still cheaper than courts. Which means that one day the car manufacturers can say enough is enough and say what I've said the above 3 years is 3 years and not 4 years.

Maybe we should start a new debate about the "Warranties" in the general section.

Now, to your parking sensor, I'm positive that you should get the PDC sensor fixed at no cost to you, because as I said, believe that nothing should stop working as soon as the warranty is over. But, it's good to be aware that the statutory warranties don't always have to work 100%.

Let us know how did you go.

[k_rider]

Transporter, I understand exactly what you're saying, every product has some probability of failing and I completely accept and understand that - professionally, I'm involved in product manufacture. The fact that the PDC sensor has (partly) failed just out of warranty doesn't bother me that much and as I said in my earlier post, it's just a pest that it has. That said, I still expected it to last longer than it did, but hey, it didn't, simply the luck of the draw...

I'm not about to start banging the dealer or the manufacturer over the head about statutory warranties, it was more a hope they'd maybe cover it as a goodwill gesture. If they did, then great, if not, then so be it, I'll fix it myself.

I think statutory warranties have come about because of the proliferation of cheap, poorly made products now on the market. For some reason, people expect a $300 "Chonghong" or whatever no-name TV set to last as long as a $1500 Sony and complain loudly if it doesn't.

I'm a very firm believer of "you get what you pay for". If I buy a $10 toaster from K Mart, then I don't think I'd have any right to complain if it fell apart after 6 months, but if I buy a $3000+ Miele washing machine, then I think it's reasonable to expect it to last a good number of trouble free years (despite Miele only offering a two warranty...).

My personal rule of thumb for a reasonable product life is 10 years. In my case, most of the appliances, tools etc I own/have owned have actually done much better than this, but then, my other rule of thumb is not to buy cheap crap in the first place!

Anyway, I'm wandering way off-track! I'll run a few more tests on the offending sensor, see how much a replacement costs and go from there...

[Transporter]

No worries mate, it's good to see that the others view of the products quality and how long they should last is similar to mine.

You're right, some people these days complain even if they get something for free.

[woofy]

Cough U2 album cough.....I think it's reasonable to get it fixed that close. FYI I've had a sensor pop inside the bumper a number of times in the corner spits from people brushing past or possibly thumping it. The dealers just put it back no issue, apparently it's not uncommon for someone to bump your car with theirs and break or push them with hidden damage in behind. One lady at our dealer had 1000s of $ damage and the only sign was a faulty sensor. Great to know people own up to hitting others cars.