PDC Problem

[stub101]

Got in the car 2nite put the car into reverse and the PDC started sounding at me like there was something 10cm from my bumper - I immediately swung my head round to check and nothing was ther!!!! It sounded for about 5 seconds continuous and then stopped.

Now everytime I put the car in reverse it sounds for 5 seconds and then stops - it doesnt sound at all after that - even if you are about to hit a wall.

Any ideas at all? I dont know where to start.....

[Davidch]

Hi Stu

This happened with my old 330CI, I gave her a good wash and jet down and it went away, maybe a bit of dirt on 1 of the sensors!

[stub101]

To be fair the car is pretty dirty and thats what the problem could be. I just thought it strange thought that as soon as reverse is engaged, the PDC sounds for 5 seconds and then stops!!! It doesnt sound continuously - which is why I thought that there may be a problem.

Does the PDC have a control unit hidden somewhere near the HK amp + stuff?

[Gee]

The continuous beep normally indicates a fault with the PDC sensors. Next time you select reverse and it makes that noise jump out and walk around the car and it probably won't detect you being close by. If so one of the sensors may be faulty.

I think if you then put your ear next to each sensor they should give a ticking sound if they work. If one of them isn't ticking (or clicking) that will indicate a fault.

[Raj]

Gee is right on the money. If the PDC beeps continuosly when you put it into reverse for a short while it will mean that one of the sensors has broke. While its in reverse you can hear for the broken one as it won't/will be clicking compared to the others.

[MistaSmiff]

Agreed, possible faulty sensor.

[stub101]

So are these sensors easy to replace? and costly?

[stub101]

I just checked the individual sensors when I got home and they are all clicking as normal it seems.... Im very puzzled now as I dont know what next to check - any ideas????

[Gee]

Did you select reverse and hear the long beep first? If you don't get the beep the sensors are probably working again. When my PDC was playing up it was an intermitent fault with one of the sensors.

[stub101]

Just to clarify, I still get the constant beep for 5 seconds when selecting reverse. All of the sensors are also clicking at the same time + I am completely stumped with what to try next.

May have to bite the bullet and have a trip to the stealers - damn

[m3cslboy]

i never trust the PDC !!!! whats the clicking noise ? i only hear a beeps when i get close to something !

[Raj]

i never trust the PDC !!!! whats the clicking noise ? i only hear a beeps when i get close to something !

The clicking noise is heard when you put your ear next to the sensor when you have selected reverse. It clicks/ticks as the sensor is actually working. If you don't hear this then it means that the sensor is dead.

[Raj]

So are these sensors easy to replace? and costly?

If it is a faulty sensor then they can be replaced (but it is a bit fiddly). From memory, each sensor is about £35ish. To replace one, I removed the rear diffuser for access. Then using a small flat head scrwdriver, I prised the sensor out (there are 2 clips, one either side of the sensor). The new one just pops right in.