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Thread: DIY troubleshooting PDC system fault

  1. #1
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    DIY troubleshooting PDC system fault

    Can anyone please recommend a good place to start with tracking down a PDC fault? There is nothing obviously wrong with the system from driving the car. It seems to be working exactly as designed, but the car diagnostics say otherwise. I suspect there's a dead ultrasonic sensor in one of the bumpers not doing its thing, but how do I scientifically test them to find which one it is?

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    Well could you not just cover each sensor one by one until you find one not responding right?
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    That's how it's done in the E39 world.

    Replace all the sensors and call it a day.

  4. #4
    tmaxx445's Avatar
    tmaxx445 is offline E38 6 Speed Club Member! BMW CCA Member
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    Easiest thing to do it plug up a high level BMW scanner and pull fault codes from the module if you are getting the long beep and flashing indicator light. Alternatively if you get really close to each sensor while the system is on you should be able to hear a high pitched clicking or buzzing from each. Whichever ones are silent generally need to be replaced.
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  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by tmaxx445 View Post
    if you get really close to each sensor while the system is on you should be able to hear a high pitched clicking or buzzing from each. Whichever ones are silent generally need to be replaced.
    Just done this and not unsurprisingly, it turns out to be an intermittant fault of the left centre rear sensor. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. The other seven sensors appear to be reliable, it's just this one centre rear one in the bumper that seems to have a problem.

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