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Parking sensors...again

2723 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  Sneaky Pete, 
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Following on from this thread http://www.slkworld.com/slk-r171-general-discussion/296017-parking-sensor-not-working.html

My sensors have been working on and off. And I think I have figured out when they stop working..... when it's raining. So I am wondering if anyone has experience in rain causing issues. Is it likely to be rain getting into the control box in the boot? Or the actual sensors themselves.

I am thinking perhaps check the control box and maybe wrap it in a plastic bag or something to see if it stops it (assuming it doesn't get hot??).

Thoughts please?

Thanks!
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C
Hi there... Is the boot damp ??

If the problem is rain-related, a simple test might be to take the car to a carwash when the sensors are working (ie dry weather) and subject the car to loads of water...then see if there is damp in the boot... and if the sensors work.

good luck

Stella 0:)
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Sneaky Pete
I think I read somewhere on the Dutch MB forum that parking sensors when they are on their way out can become very sensitive for rain. I'll see if I can find that post.
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cliveandstella said:
Hi there... Is the boot damp ??

If the problem is rain-related, a simple test might be to take the car to a carwash when the sensors are working (ie dry weather) and subject the car to loads of water...then see if there is damp in the boot... and if the sensors work.

good luck

Stella 0:)
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Not noticed...but I haven't actually looked. Good idea with the test though :)

Sneaky Pete said:
I think I read somewhere on the Dutch MB forum that parking sensors when they are on their way out can become very sensitive for rain. I'll see if I can find that post.
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Oh god please don't say that.
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Seanhump
Check the boot - It's the easiest to access, but given the fact that the PTS ECU is mounted high up on the side wall, it might not be that.

The wiring looms in the bumper can have bad connections at the sensor(s) end - when I installed mine, some of the looms I saw had 'tatty' connections on the individual connector... also, the main link between the front bumper loom and the front to back loom is behind the bumper cover and underneath the drivers side headlight - you can get to it by removing the wheel arch liner - this might be worth checking too.

The rear bumper loom goes straight to the PTS ECU in the boot , via a similar connector ...

I'd check the bumper connections by hosing down the front bumper and seeing if I could replicate the fault

Pics show the front and rear loom connector - so you know what you're looking for - and the front loom with sensors connected - the 3 pin sensor connectors should be cloth wrapped and sealed as shown - I've seen some with the copper wire exposed!!...

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Sneaky Pete
+1 for Sean's suggestion.
Browsing the Dutch forum searching for that post I ran across several posts describing the same problem as you had and they were often releated (though not always) to water getting into the wire loom/bad connectiosn to the sensors.
So yes, better check that first.
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