Parking sensors activating themselves

[linuxgod]

Driving today my parking sensors came on and the right front started beeping. I though perhaps the shop that changed my oil this week turned them on, but nope it seems pushing the “P” button turns them off, but 5 to 60 seconds later it randomly comes back on and the front right one beeps. (Then I tried to pop the wire off the sensor in a parking lot and promptly broke the connector. Argh).

The button isn’t sticking so I’m wondering if it broke or something as I could’ve sworn it used to click in and out. In the meantime I’ve temporarily wedged a piece of plastic next to the button because as long as I’m holding it the button is disabled. However I’d like to just disable these permanently. Anyone know where the ECU for the sensors is? Or if I pop the dash panel off and disconnect the button will the insanity stop? I never use the sensors so no loss, but I’m slightly afraid it’ll end up with the beeping incessantly.

Oh and I know what y’al are thinking. I checked the door sills and connectors and no signs of water intrusion. I’m pretty sure the button is f’ed up or the parking sensor ECU is horked.

Sadly my TIS site seems to have stopped working on iPhones recently as it was working at home this morning but I’m about 8 hours away now and the wiring diagrams don’t load correctly on the iPhone. But I’m hoping someone can find a diagram for me…

 

[GrouchyTech]

Always suspect the sensor first. The switch is supposed to be a momentary-type switch like you described, sounds like it’s ok.

 

[linuxgod]

Always suspect the sensor first. The switch is supposed to be a momentary-type switch like you described, sounds like it’s ok.

I’d like to rule it out but I’m not sure that’s actually the issue since the system keeps activating itself. Could a bad sensor trigger that?

How the hell do you get the sensor clips apart? The front are right angle and no matter how hard I push on the tab on the clip it won’t release. I’ve had this issue before when I did the rear bumper and needed a screwdriver to separate but the front is a 90 and there’s a brace in my bumper that makes getting a screwdriver in there to add force to the clip impossible.

 

[GrouchyTech]

Check for fault codes

 

[Sandroad]

Can you get at the sensor clips with some spray lube?

 

[linuxgod]

I disconnected the parking ECU for now which shuts it up but also the cameras don’t work now. I’ll try to debug tonight at camp

 

[GrouchyTech]

So what does it display on the MFD when this happens? Does it say “check sonar?” Or do you get any message at all?

 

[thecapedcapper]

I can't be of specific help but the parking sensors on my 2008 200 were disabled the previous owner before I bought it, and my rear view camera works fine. The word from him was that he did it through tech stream and was able to disable them. Exactly what the setting was I have no idea because I haven't messed it at all but it does seem to be possible.

 

[linuxgod]

I can't be of specific help but the parking sensors on my 2008 200 were disabled the previous owner before I bought it, and my rear view camera works fine. The word from him was that he did it through tech stream and was able to disable them. Exactly what the setting was I have no idea because I haven't messed it at all but it does seem to be possible.

Thanks that’s an awesome idea. I’ll check it out when I get home. Disconnecting and reconnecting the ECU seems to have fixed it (temporarily at least), but I suspect the issue will only reoccur at the most annoying time possible

 

[linuxgod]

During my trip I discovered the positive battery terminal was loose when I saw my alternator rapidly varying between 12.7v and 14.0v, and then my GROM CarPlay unit and my ham radio started randomly resetting. After tightening things down the parking sensors haven’t come back on, and if I do turn them on they don’t beep unnecessarily or pop up a check sonar warning. Hoping this was the issue