How to Repair Faulty Proximity Sensor on Car

Liamherenow on 28/02/2021 - 10:05

Hi automotive ozbargainers!

One of the proximity sensors on my car is making the unit beep non stop. It's fine in cool weather, and only happens in warmer weather. I have tried cleaning the sensor with wd40, which seems the common recommendation on YouTube. Didnt help. If I put a little pressure on the bad sensor, the beeping stops. I'm assuming I need a new sensor. I have a few questions:

  1. For a temporary fix: if cut the sensor (can't find the box where all the wires join), will it stop the beeping? Or would soldering the wires going to the sensor together stop the beeping (I'm thinking it will just be two wires going to the sensor)

  2. Are all aftermarket sensors on eBay/AliExpress same size and interhchangeable?

  3. I'm thinking I need to order new one, solder it to existing wires, and then will need to get a can of paint to spray and match my bumper colour. Or can you somehow change the internals of the sensor so you don't need to paint the new one?

Thanks for any advice.

Automotive

Comments

  • MS Paint on 28/02/2021 - 11:06
    +1

    You will most likely find that the wires behind the faulty sensor have a plug about 30cm back from the sensor for easy exchange.

    Try and get a colour matched sensor from a car wreckers to avoid all the issues you mention above.

    • iamherenow on 28/02/2021 - 12:00

      Ok, I'll try and follow the wire a more. There is a plastic panel in the way, which has heaps of clips I can't get off without breaking. But maybe I'll need to get the new clips too.

      The sensor is aftermarket, so I don't think I'd be likely to find the same colour/style.

  • brendanm on 28/02/2021 - 11:07
    +3

    You've given no vehicle details so it's very hard to say.

    One thing you cannot do, is just cut the wires, or join them together, that's not how it works. There will also be a connector to unplug the sensor from, no chopping/soldering necessary.

    Buy a new sensor, clip it in, plug in the wiring.

    • iamherenow on 28/02/2021 - 12:15

      It's aftermarket sensor unit. Iooks kind of like all the cheap ones on eBay. But I can't find the exact one. Do you think if I walked into Supercheap or Repco they would have them?

      • brendanm on 28/02/2021 - 12:55

        That's the sort of info we need in the op. You would have to find out what unit it is, and get a sensor to suit. Or just replace the lot. Not sure which is cheaper.

        • iamherenow on 28/02/2021 - 13:20

          Ok thanks. I have searched online for a good few hours for the exact model, but it's nowhere to be found. It likely 5 years old, so probably no longer in production.

          The current unit has been installed nicely, and would take a lot of work to replace.

          I wonder if I find the connector box for the sensors, and just unplugged this, it would continue to function properly but only with the remaining 7 sensors. That outcome would be acceptable.

  • JimmyF on 28/02/2021 - 11:11

    You've given no vehicle details so it's very hard to say.

    +1

    • petry on 28/02/2021 - 13:31
      +1

      yeah probably worried its a defamation issue lol

  • iamherenow on 28/02/2021 - 12:16

    Yeah it's aftermarket sensor unit. So I don't think car matters. Thanks.

    • ATTS on 01/03/2021 - 17:20

      curious, how much did your aftermarket proximity sensor cost? was it front and rear and was it an easy install?

      • iamherenow on 01/03/2021 - 19:32

        I purchased car with it already installed.

  • iamherenow on 05/11/2021 - 07:50
    +1

    update: purchased similar looking sensor off aliexpress for a few dollars. Popped out the old one and soldered in the new one as I couldn't follow the wire to where it plugs into controller. used some touch up paint. works great.

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