Parking Sensor Turns off in Reverse | Ford Explorer Forums

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Parking Sensor Turns off in Reverse

johnskurka

Member
Joined
November 1, 2005
Messages
10
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City, State
Upstate NY
Year, Model & Trim Level
'05 XLT Sport 4.6L
I've searched, and have found other with the same problem, but none of the threads have a solution.

Anyone found what causes the reverse sensors to turn off in reverse, and what to do to fix the problem?
 



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I've searched, and have found other with the same problem, but none of the threads have a solution

Im in the same boat
(actually my father is with is 02)

There doesnt seem to be a solution that anyone has used.
Ill be watching this thread incase anyone can provide any advice.
 






It Works!

I was in the same boat for a little over a year. NOW IT WORKS! My drivers side-rear tire bearing went bad and I had it replaced (luckily covered under warranty). I also changed tire to the spare and now it seems to work. I can't explain what happened, but I am glad that its fixed.
 






Just bought my 2004, and the same was true for it, took it in, and they said it was not covered under warranty because there was "impact damage" underneath the sensor on the right side of the bumper (the damage is a few minor scratches which I didn't even see when I bought it! IMO, it's a poor excuse for not fixing it for free (if the sensors are bad, wouldn't the off light stay ON ALL THE TIME, instead of just when I put it in reverse?
 






The sensors normally operate only when the car is in reverse. If non-plausible readings are detected, it will turn on the warning lamp. A sensor or multiple sensors or the surrounding fascia are likely damaged.

JC
 






No, there is no damage to the sensors, as i said, there was barely a noticeable scratch UNDER the sensors.
 






1 of the 4 sensors on the rear bumper is likely not working.
 






Just because the sensor doesn't look damaged, doesn't mean it's working internally. Trust me, I used to work on copy machines and saw all kinds of sensors that physically looked fine but weren't .
 






Copy and paste this link, " Ford Ultrasonic Backup/Parking Sensors 4F23-15K859-AA ", then go to ebay, paste the link in the search box and you'll see these sensors for $7.99 a piece. Buy all 4 and replace them all. They're improved from the original sensors and a lot cheaper ! I was quoted a price of $120.00 for 1 sensor from a dealership at an hour and a half labor to replace. Bill would have been well over $250.00 to replace the 1 bad sensor from them. I purchased 4, replaced them all and it works great. Just spend about $32.00 (plus shipping) for 4 and problem solved. I know there's a post here on how to remove the bumper just dont have it on hand. It's pretty easy, lift tailgate, remove left and right tail lights, just below removed tail lights, remove the hex screw that's angled with a socket on each side, then remove a screw on each side underneath bumper near tires, then along top of bumper underneath rubber seal, remove all the locking pins, remove bumper and place on a blanket or tarp, disconnect wire harness from passenger side of bumper, flip bumper so you see the styrofoam, remove 3 large steel nuts from the plastic bolts that hold styrofoam in place with a deep 1/2" socket, ease styrofoam out gently, replace all sensors, connect harness and gently lay it back on tarp with sensors facing down ( you may have to prop harness side up a bit so harness has some slack, now go start engine and shift to reverse while keeping foot on brake and you should hear the tone sounding from the reverse sensing system. If so, shut off engine, reassemble bumper in reverse order and then you're done ! It took me 1 hour and 15 minutes to do it so its not time consuming.
 












Well, seems my fix didn't last for too long ! I think water is getting into the connectors at the sensors or at the bumper Harness connector on passenger side so I saw a fix that might solve the problem. Replace defective sensor or sensors as directed before, and once you get the system working again, try this. Unplug main bumper harness and all 4 sensors. Blow out all male and female sides of connectors with compressed air making sure they're clean and dry. Add dielectric grease to the insides of all connectors. Connect all sensors and harness back together and wipe excess grease off with a rag. Wrap a piece of electrical tape around connector lock tab in case you ever need to open connector after this next step. Dip or brush on "Liquid Electric Tape" to all connectors so they will be totally encased and waterproofed ! Let cure for alotted time and then reassemble bumper assembly. I'll be trying this, the next nice day I have here, so I'll message back as soon as I do. I'm about 99% sure that the water is the problem because this happened right after a heavy snow and then rain storm ! Wish me luck
 






Copy and paste this link, " Ford Ultrasonic Backup/Parking Sensors 4F23-15K859-AA ", then go to ebay, paste the link in the search box and you'll see these sensors for $7.99 a piece. Buy all 4 and replace them all. They're improved from the original sensors and a lot cheaper ! I was quoted a price of $120.00 for 1 sensor from a dealership at an hour and a half labor to replace. Bill would have been well over $250.00 to replace the 1 bad sensor from them. I purchased 4, replaced them all and it works great. Just spend about $32.00 (plus shipping) for 4 and problem solved. I know there's a post here on how to remove the bumper just dont have it on hand. It's pretty easy, lift tailgate, remove left and right tail lights, just below removed tail lights, remove the hex screw that's angled with a socket on each side, then remove a screw on each side underneath bumper near tires, then along top of bumper underneath rubber seal, remove all the locking pins, remove bumper and place on a blanket or tarp, disconnect wire harness from passenger side of bumper, flip bumper so you see the styrofoam, remove 3 large steel nuts from the plastic bolts that hold styrofoam in place with a deep 1/2" socket, ease styrofoam out gently, replace all sensors, connect harness and gently lay it back on tarp with sensors facing down ( you may have to prop harness side up a bit so harness has some slack, now go start engine and shift to reverse while keeping foot on brake and you should hear the tone sounding from the reverse sensing system. If so, shut off engine, reassemble bumper in reverse order and then you're done ! It took me 1 hour and 15 minutes to do it so its not time consuming.


Did the exact same thing. Ebay sensors for $32.00 or so and installed all 4. works perfect since Sept. 08. Lots of snow and cold but no problems.
 






Mine had the same problem. Found this on google.

Just a suggestion; to be on the safe side, just turn the key to the on position and put the truck in reverse with the E-brake on. You do not have to have the engine running.

Also, another way to determine if you have a bad sensor is to put your ear up to each one of the sensors with the truck in R. You will hear a light clicking noise from each sensor that is functioning; no clicking, no functioning. I tested mine this way and found the bad one in about 10 seconds!

Middle right rear isn't working on mine. Looks like I know what to order!
 






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