How to check the parking sensor

How to check the parking sensors for performance with a tester (multimeter)

You can check parking sensors at home. This will ensure its operation by correctly determining the distance from the machine to the nearest obstacle.

Diagnostics

Checking the parking sensors sensor is required if problems and errors occur:

• the device does not signal when reversing in the parking lot;
• there are false alarms of the parking sensors caused by vibrations due to the unreliable installation of the sensor;
• unstable operation of the device during temperature changes;
• error messages appear on the parking sensors screen after self-diagnosis.

Parktronic sensors can be diagnosed in various ways. The first of these is to check for clicks emitted by the touch controller included in the design. It is also possible to identify malfunctions of parking sensors by vibration by touching them or using a multimeter.

Check for clicks

To check the performance of the parking sensors, you must first turn the key in the ignition and engage reverse gear to activate the system. Then you need to go to the bumper, on which the touch controller is located. If it is correct, you will hear a click. This operation is best done in a garage or a quiet place.

If you can't hear the click, you can record it with a voice recorder or camcorder with a sensitive microphone. If a click is clearly audible on the record, then the sensor is working. You can also record the warning sound made by the parking sensors inside the car. In the absence of clicks and sounds in both cases, the rear parking sensors are faulty. A more detailed check or replacement is needed.

Vibration test

Some parking sensors can be tested for vibration by vibration. In this case, you need to start the car engine by turning on the neutral gear. After that click on the controller shells. In case of service, they should vibrate. Please note that not all parking sensors can be tested in this way.

With a multimeter

The state of the sensors of the car parking system can be read by resistance using a multimeter. Verification of two-contact sensors with a measuring device is carried out as follows:

1. The tester switches to ohmmeter mode at the limit of 2 kOhm.
2. The multimeter probes are connected to the outputs of the part.
3. To test a three-contact sensor, it is necessary to connect the probes of the autotester in turn to each of its outputs.

If the resistance is in the range of 100-900 ohms, then the sensor is considered serviceable. If the counter shows 0, then a short circuit has been detected.

With an infinitely large resistance, a breakdown is suspected due to the failure of the semiconductor elements of the sensors.

You can ring the wiring of the parking system with a multimeter to make sure it is intact.

Repair

In some cases, you can repair the parking sensors yourself. To do this, first wipe the case with a lint-free cloth. The sensors should then be removed from the vehicle and placed in a warm place away from strong heat sources to prevent damage. After that, the cover is removed from each of the parts, and the oxidized contacts are cleaned with sandpaper.

The next repair step is to replace the damaged sensor wiring. Use a cable of the same thickness or thicker for better signal transmission. To protect against negative impacts, the harness placed under the floor of the car body should be placed in a thick-walled flexible plastic or metal tube. The latter will also protect the parking sensors from false alarms due to external electromagnetic interference.

Replacement

If it is not possible to fix the malfunction of the parking sensors on your own, it needs to be replaced. If it is placed on a sealant, care must be taken when removing it so as not to damage the bumper and adjacent parts. After that, a set of new parking sensors is purchased.

If they are installed on the bumper, it is necessary to provide sufficient protection against negative influences. To do this, new sensors are placed in the sealant. It must be applied carefully so that it does not come into contact with the workpieces. Otherwise, the parking sensors will not work properly. After that, the harness block is connected to the sensors, coming from the main unit of the parking system.

How to check the parking sensor for operation

A malfunction of the parking sensors or the wiring leading to it is one of the most likely reasons for the failure of the parking sensors. How you can check the performance of the parking sensors - we'll figure it out further.

There are several different ways to identify a failed device.

How is the car parktronic sensor

The simplest parking sensors included only a receiving-emitting element made of a piezoelectric material.

The piezoelectric effect is the ability to generate electricity when exposed to mechanical stress and, conversely, to change dimensions under the influence of electrical stress. Thus, the piezocrystal can simultaneously emit and receive an ultrasonic signal.

Modern parking sensors often use electromagnetic emitters and receivers of ultrasonic signals, such as a telephone headset and a microphone. Such devices require an additional electronic amplifier circuit and an information pre-processing unit (comparators) to digitize the signal.

The main symptoms and causes of malfunction

Common causes of parking sensor failure:

• wear as a result of corrosion processes, moisture ingress through cracks;
• manufacturing defect;
• failure of the built-in electronic module;
• malfunction of the car's electrical equipment;
• contamination of the working surface;
• mechanical damage as a result of shock or accident.

Signs of a malfunction of a particular sensor are:

• failure of parking sensors readings on this channel;
• the absence of slight vibrations when touching the sensor during the operation of the parking sensors;
• message about self-diagnosis of parking sensors;
• standard parking sensor diagnostic results.>

How to check the parking sensor using simple methods

The most effective method of checking the performance of parking sensors is mutual replacement. To do this, it is necessary to swap (reconnect) a known good sensor to a possibly faulty one. If, as a result of such a replacement, the faulty one starts to work, then the problem is not in it, but in a wiring fault. You should look for damage on it.

The next way to determine your performance is a sound check. If you turn on the parking sensors and approach the sensor control zone, a working device will make a barely audible click. The specified control must be carried out in a place free from interference and extraneous sounds.

The third method, touch, must also be carried out with activated parking sensors. If during the test you touch the working surface with your finger, you will feel a slight vibration. This indicates the likely operation of the sensor.

How to check the parking sensor with a tester

The operation of some parking sensors is based on the piezoelectric effect. The piezo element has a finite resistance, so you can use a multimeter to check it. Switches to the resistance measurement mode at the limit of 2000k. If the multimeter probes are connected to the terminals of a two-contact sensor (it must be disconnected from the parking sensors), then a working sensor should give readings on the multimeter not 1, which corresponds to infinity, and not close to zero.

Three-contact parking sensors have a different switching circuit and electronic filling.

Each sensor has its own control zone. The transceiver module of all sensors is connected in parallel. Ultrasonic receivers transmit a separate signal for each interference tracking channel. Such sensors have a built-in electronic circuit and amplifiers of the received reflected signal.

It is difficult to perform a full check of such modules with a multimeter, usually they are limited to checking the voltage between the sensor power wires. Repair of such devices is unprofitable, they must be changed.

Its replacement

To disassemble the sensor, you need to gain access to it. To do this, disassemble the structural elements of the car, sometimes the bumper.

In some designs, the parking sensors are glued to the bumper; surface treatment is required. After disassembly, it is disconnected from the connector.

Replacement selection.

Most of the sensors installed on the parking sensors have analogues. The exception is staff. They are usually interchangeable only within the compatibility range of the same manufacturer. In order to have a 100% guarantee of compatibility of sensor models, you must familiarize yourself with the technical documentation and the connection diagram. Information can be found on dedicated forums.

If you connect an incompatible sensor to the parking sensors, you can disable both the sensor and the parking sensors. Therefore, it is better not to take risks and buy the original or an exact analogue.

If only the emitter on the sensor is faulty, you can try to repair the sensor by installing a working replacement part.

How to properly install and connect.

Installing a native sensor usually does not cause problems. If it doesn't match the body color, you can paint your body. It is better not to cover the working area of ​​the sensor with paint, as paint can affect its performance. When installing, you must use a special sealant. When connecting a non-native sensor, check the correspondence of the connection connectors, the polarity of their connection according to the diagram.

Additional tips

After the accident, check the elements of the damaged bumper. Maybe they have parking sensors, they need to be dismantled.

Regularly check the cleanliness of the working surface of the sensors, remove dirt with a damp cloth. This will increase the life of the sensors.

Checking parktronics with a tester?

Modern car owners have a huge arsenal of electronic assistants that make driving easier and safer. Among them, an important place is occupied by parking sensors.

Drivers of large metropolitan areas, forced every day to perform miracles of maneuvering in order to hitch a car to a crowded area, have long appreciated the advantages of this device. Thanks to this small device, every beginner will be able to park the car even in the most adverse conditions.

Of course, for the device to give correct readings, it must be in good condition. If the device is out of order, there will be little sense from it. Why parktronics fail, how to diagnose the device with a tester and how to fix the problem with your own hands - we will tell in this article.

Why did the parking sensors fail?

If you notice that the device is unstable in temperature changes, or periodically receives false signals about obstacles behind the car, then the ultrasonic sonar sensors are most likely not working properly.

The reasons for the breakdown can be different. The most common of them:

• mechanical damage due to strong impact (accident);
• defective goods;
• faulty electrical wiring;
• wear and tear from use.

However, it is not so important why the parking sensors broke. It is much more important to detect a device malfunction in time and replace or repair it.

Simple Ways to Diagnose Ultrasound Sonar

There are many methods for diagnosing parking sensors, but we will talk about the simplest ones that you can apply on your own.

1. Get as close to the sensor as possible. If it is in good condition, you will hear a click.
2. Swipe your fingers across the sensor; if the device is OK, you should feel a slight vibration.
3. Use a tester. We'll tell you a little more about how to do it.

Methods 1 and 2 require the vehicle to be started and the parking brake applied.

How to check the parking sensors with a tester?

Such a check will take several hours, but will give the most accurate results. Before proceeding with the test, it is necessary to turn off and remove all sensors of the ultrasonic probe from the machine.

Taking the sensor in hand, you will see several contacts. To one of them you need to connect the tester probe. Switch the multimeter to the resistance measurement position with a threshold of 2000k and touch the probes to the sensor contacts. With this action you will see the resistance value on the screen. If it is not equal to zero or infinity, the parking sensors are working properly.

This method is good because it allows you to check the health of not only the sensor itself, but also the wiring with which it is connected to the receiving unit. As we have said, faulty electrical wiring can also cause the ultrasonic sonar to malfunction. Therefore, if you have already taken up the diagnosis of this device, then at the same time “ring” the wiring. In such a simple way, you can find where the integrity of the wire is broken and solder it at the break point or replace it with a new one.

How to fix the parking sensors with your own hands?

To repair an ultrasonic sonar, most often it is enough to simply replace the faulty transducer. If you buy a replacement in the car market, be prepared for the fact that they will be sold to you in the amount of three or more; selling them separately is not very profitable.

When starting installation, do not forget to turn off the car engine and remove the positive battery terminal. Otherwise, you risk becoming a victim of a short circuit, which, as you can see, is not very pleasant. Install the new sensor in place of the old one and connect the wiring. If everything was done correctly, then after starting the engine, your electronic assistant will be back in service!

How to check the parking sensor

Many modern cars are equipped with special parking sensors that can fail. How to check the parking sensors sensor, we will tell in our material. Some motorists today do not even imagine parking a car without this useful additional system. Even a schoolboy will be able to park a car with parking sensors, and we are not exaggerating.

The variety of shapes and types of parking sensors makes these devices very popular. Structurally, these systems are easy to install even for those who are at least a little familiar with electronics. Of course, we are not talking about top models with numerous bells and whistles, but about simple parking sensors. In some cases, the device fails, like all other devices in the modern world. How to identify the problem and fix it, we will describe below.

Diagnostics: how to check the parking sensors sensor

There are different ways to check the parking sensors, from the simplest to connecting a special PC for searching. It depends on the severity of the damage.

The first method

Engineers note that if you get close to the device, then in good conditions it should click. You can also wear a phone with a voice recorder on and then listen to the recording; you will clearly hear a click if this happens.

Before that, it is enough to turn the key to the "start" position, release the parking brake and put the reverse gear. As you understand, all this will not take more than a few minutes.

The second option

Depending on the type of device, it is necessary to apply neutral, release the parking brake and start the car. Swipe your fingers across the front and rear parking sensors. Under working conditions, they should vibrate slightly. Please note that not all types of parking sensors respond to touch in this way.

So if you feel the vibration, it's ok. Otherwise, it is better to conduct additional diagnostics.

Parktronic diagnosis

There is a specialized technique called "VAG". We will not describe it, since the mechanism is structurally very complex and is intended for use by professionals.

You may notice instability in operation during sudden changes in temperature. If your parking sensors do not work in the cold, and as soon as it gets warmer, they are back in service, then it is better to replace the system, since the sensors will not work for a long time.

Independent repair

If you want to try to repair the parking sensors of your car yourself, you need to know the main causes of malfunctions:

• mechanical damage from impact or accident;
• manufacturing defects;
• consequences of weather conditions in which the car was operated;
• wiring problems.

Of course, we have listed only a general list of problems. So, first you need to disassemble the faulty sensor and buy it on the market or in a mechanical workshop. We note right away that the sensors are not sold by the piece, since it is simply unprofitable for sellers, so be sure to buy the minimum quantity - three pieces.

Turn off the car engine, remove the positive battery terminal to avoid a short circuit and system overload. Remove the old sensors and install new ones in their place, connecting all cables. Put the terminal and test the device.

It should be noted right away that some manufacturers paint the sensors in the color of the car, so when replacing sensors, be prepared to go to a paint service or drive like that. There is no difference in operation, but sensors that differ in color spoil the whole view.

So, now you know how parking sensors are checked and what this may require.

How to check the parking sensors? Broke or not?

I don’t hear a click from behind or how to check the parking sensors sensor? Nowadays, many people cannot imagine parking without this helper. Not because such a device is cool to have, but because it really helps in the most incredible situations. Even a schoolboy can park a car on it, without exaggeration.

A variety of types and forms make it more and more popular. A structurally simple mechanism can be installed without problems even by those who are more or less familiar with electronics, of course, we do not take into account top models with a bunch of bells and whistles, where the only way out is a car service. But sometimes it happens that the device can break, however, like everything else in this world. How to identify a breakdown, how to fix it, we will consider in detail in the instructions below.

Device diagnostics

How to test parking sensors? There are many ways to check, from the simplest to connecting a PC to perform a search. It all depends on the extent of the damage.

To do this, turn the key to the “start” mode, pull out the parking brake, and without fail turn on the reverse gear. As can be seen from the description of the time spent, well, a maximum of 2-3 minutes and it's in the bag.

“Attempt No. 2” - depending on the type of device, it is necessary to turn on the neutral, pull out the parking brake, start the car without fail. Swipe your fingers across the sensors on the front, back, or both. Under operating conditions, they emit vibrations, I emphasize that not everyone has such an installation.

We use equipment called "VAG", it makes no sense to describe it, since structurally it is a very complex mechanism for professional gas stations.

I must say right away that instability in work can be noticed with sudden changes in temperature. When the apparatus does not work in the cold, but a little warmer, and again in the ranks. It is recommended to change them immediately, since they do not have a long “life”. Also, if for some reason a stone got into the area of ​​​​the side mirror in your car, know that the parking sensors have already failed. Nobody says that he is not a worker, just a loss of orientation. You can drive into the neighboring parking lot, it will give a false signal about the obstacle.

Self-repair

If we finally decided to fix the problem ourselves, then let's give the main sources:

• Mechanical damage as a result of an accident or impact;
• Manufacturing defects;
• Problems with electrical wiring;
• Consequences of climatic operating conditions.

This is, of course, an approximate list, in a different situation it can be changed. So, first of all, we need to listen to a non-working sensor and buy the same one in a car shop or car market, only in good condition. I must say right away that no one will sell you piece by piece, it is not economically profitable for sellers, be prepared to buy up to 3 pieces, the minimum amount

In the garage, after turning off the engine, be sure to remove the positive battery terminal so that there is no short circuit and the system is reset. Install the new sensor in its place, after connecting the electrical cables. You can test the device.

We immediately noticed that some manufacturers paint the parking sensors in the color of the car, so be prepared to go to a car service to paint or drive like that. Of course, there is no difference, it just visually spoils the view.

Well, now you know how to check the parking sensors and what is needed for this. And for those who have not yet purchased an electronic assistant, be sure to get one, which will simplify your parking process.