Typical parking sensors malfunctions

Parking sensors are by far one of the most common driver assistance systems. Although a few years ago we could only find them aboard premium cars such as BMW, Lexus or Mercedes, today they are equipped with most new cars. However, this is not an element that lasts forever - unfortunately, drivers often forget about it, which can lead to scratches or dents on the bumper. Luckily, parking sensors malfunctions are not a major problem, and in the vast majority of cases, you will get over them quickly. Find out how.

What will you learn from this post?

• What are the most common parking sensor failures and what are the symptoms?
• How can we check their condition?
• Parking sensor - repair or replacement?

Shortly speaking

The parking sensor system proves to be very useful in a wide variety of situations. Many drivers cannot imagine driving without such assistance. However, like any electronic system in a car, this one is also prone to malfunction. Fortunately, parktronic breakdowns do not cause serious complications and in most cases are limited to replacing one failed sensor.

When parking is no longer a hassle

You find yourself in a crowded parking lot near the shopping center. You wander for several minutes, trying to find a place for yourself. You search in vain for a free space, but eventually you notice it. You pull up closer and you already know that parking there will require a lot of skill. Single, reverse, single, reverse - you insult everyone around under your nose and out of the corner of your eye you see other drivers standing next to you, impatient with your attempts. You have chosen an enclosed parking space, which is always difficult, and you are already starting to regret it. Sounds familiar?

Of course, each of us once had a similar situation. Parking sensors are very useful in such cases because they can inform us of an impending obstacle on the road behind or in front of the car. So we don't need to worry about assessing the distance "by eye" or constantly checking our position with the door ajar (which, by the way, is not always possible). Assistance systems of this type fulfill their role well in everyday work, making some aspects of driving easier for us. But what if the parking sensors go crazy? This could be a sign of heavy dirt or a malfunction. Then it is worth solving this problem as soon as possible in order to continue to enjoy driving without stress.

Through GIPHY

Parking sensor malfunctions - how do they manifest themselves?

If the parking sensors do not work properly, they could be mechanically damaged (for example, due to a bumper hitting an obstacle on the road or another car), the central unit, that is, a control module, or a wiring malfunction. In certain cases, they can also be damaged by improper repair of sheet metal. Parking sensor malfunctions can be easily recognized. It is enough if we answer yes to any of the following questions:

• Are parking sensors going crazy?
• Parktronic squeaks smoothly?
• Do we hear several short beeps when shifting into reverse gear?
• Has the sensor's field of view decreased?
• Is there any message on the dashboard related to the operation of the touch system?
• Parktronic not working?

It is worth knowing that the cheapest parking sensor systems usually do not tell us that something is wrong with them. So you should always rely on your driving skills firstbecause the use of poor quality equipment can lead to quick scratches on the bumper.

Parktronic malfunctions. How to check the parking sensor?

Parktronic problems and malfunctions are not always associated with their mechanical damage. First, make sure they are not covered with dust or dirt. - A dirty parking sensor can give symptoms similar to malfunctions. Therefore, they should be thoroughly cleaned, preferably with compressed air and water. If removing dirt does not help, it is worth checking the condition of the sensors yourself by performing a few simple tests. To do this, we can cover them and listen to audio signals or use a meter. However, the second method requires the removal of one sensor.

Parking sensor repair

If we are sure that the parking sensors are really out of order, we must go to the diagnostic station. Depending on the type of sensor system in our car, the repair will be slightly different:

• Factory Parking Aid System – in most cases, it is possible to replace one sensor, which usually takes several / several minutes to install. The specialist evaluates in advance which sensor refused to obey, and whether there is a malfunction on the side of the damaged electrical wire. If the wiring is out of order, it is replaced with a new one without spending money on a new sensor.
• Advanced Parking Aid System – In the case of cheaper systems, it is generally not possible to replace one sensor. It is usually necessary to remove the bumper and disassemble the entire installation, which takes more time and is more expensive. However, it is worth replacing the entire system at a time, even if only one sensor has failed. There is a high probability that the rest will soon fail.

Malfunctions of parking sensors - not the problem of avtotachki.com

Having problems with your parking sensor system? Or are you just thinking of installing it in your car? Visit avtotachki.com for a wide range of parking sensors from trusted car accessory manufacturers. This is the only way to understand that parking can be really worry-free!

Also check:

How to facilitate parking in the city?

Parking in a small garage. Patents that make it easy for you!

Photo source:, giphy.com