Do reversing sensors get fed up?.......

[iandux]

....and decide to have a change?

Reason I ask is that, earlier this year, I fitted a towbar. No problems, everything worked and the sensors didn't pick up the towball.


Later, I fitted a towball cover, and again, all was well.

Until very recently when the sensors began sounding, even though there was nothing behind. After dropping the bumper, checking the wiring and connectors and all the obvious stuff, the problem still continued. Then, purely by accident, I left the towball cover off and............the sensors began to work ok again. If I refit the cover, they start to misbehave, cover off, problem solved.

But seeing as the cover has been on for some months, why would the sensors not have seen it right from the start and only now have started to detect it? Can their field of detection alter with age, or is there another explanation?

[RayH]

Originally Posted by iandux

....and decide to have a change?

Reason I ask is that, earlier this year, I fitted a towbar. No problems, everything worked and the sensors didn't pick up the towball.


Later, I fitted a towball cover, and again, all was well.

Until very recently when the sensors began sounding, even though there was nothing behind. After dropping the bumper, checking the wiring and connectors and all the obvious stuff, the problem still continued. Then, purely by accident, I left the towball cover off and............the sensors began to work ok again. If I refit the cover, they start to misbehave, cover off, problem solved.

But seeing as the cover has been on for some months, why would the sensors not have seen it right from the start and only now have started to detect it? Can their field of detection alter with age, or is there another explanation?

They seem to be a little temperamental at the best of times, on most cars, ignoring the faults we also experience.

They do seem to react differently if wet, dirty, cold.

So were they wet or dry, were they clean or dirty, were they warm or cold, had you recently polished your ball cover?

Now perm any two from four and who knows what will happen next time?

[DMGRS]

The sensors on my ZT-T and ZS have a mind of their own, despite the wiring and sensors being checked and OK (wiring re-done on the ZT-T too).
The problem I find affecting them at the moment is bubbling paint on the sensors - check yours for this too.