Park Distance Control not working?

[gt0336]

Hi, I have just purchased my first E39. She's a 1996 540i. I have a question about the Park Distance Control, if anyone can help me? Since picking up the car I can't get the PDC to work, I have checked the fuses and they are fine. When I put the car in reverse I don't hear anything (no beeps).

I've noticed after some searching that E39's fitted with PDC seem to have a PDC button on the dash, my vehicle does not have this, but when I lookup my VIN to see the option list, it is listed as a fitted option on my car, I also have the PDC module in the boot and of course the sensor on the rear bumper. Anyone have any idea's of what might be the problem? I have tried putting the car in reverse and listening for clicking sounds at the sensors but I hear nothing. Thank you in advance.

[TriniSpeC]

Only facelift cars have the pdc button, the speaker for the pdc in the deck may be fubar.

[gt0336]

Thank you for the reply, you wouldn't know where the speaker is located would you?

[jdjg]

Thank you for the reply, you wouldn't know where the speaker is located would you?

behind the 3er braking light, in your rear deck

[gt0336]

I've been doing a little research and noticed that my 540i has been fitted with a BMW tow bar. But it appears that this was not fitted at the factory, and does not have a removable hitch. Is it possible that a previous owner may have had the PDC system disabled by a dealer somehow, when the tow bar was fitted?

[gt0336]

Still trying to diagnose this problem, does anyone know if the PDC can be deactivated via BMW diagnostic? When the car is put in reverse I hear no beep, I also can't hear any ticking from any of the sensors on the rear bar. Ive checked all the wiring that I can see and all looks fine, the PDC computer etc is firmly connected. Anyone have any other ideas?

[wheelgarage]

It can be deactivated...

If you have the front and rear sensor, the software will count the amount of sensors as 8. If it is set a 0, then it could be shut off....i believe....

When I put on my front M bumper, I tried to deactivate just the front by stating 4 sensors...didnt work thou...didnt spend too much time on it since I was not that concerned with it anyway.....

[gt0336]

It can be deactivated...

If you have the front and rear sensor, the software will count the amount of sensors as 8. If it is set a 0, then it could be shut off....i believe....

When I put on my front M bumper, I tried to deactivate just the front by stating 4 sensors...didnt work thou...didnt spend too much time on it since I was not that concerned with it anyway.....

Thanks for the info wheelgarage.