E39 PDC problem...
Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW 5 Series
Forum Discription: This forum will deal with any issues on the BMW 5 Series (E12, E28, E34, E39, E60 & E61)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=41875
Printed Date: 02-June-2024 at 12:17
Topic: E39 PDC problem...
Posted By: denishogan
Subject: E39 PDC problem...
Date Posted: 24-July-2008 at 15:47
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Hi all, Just picked up a 2003 525d sport touring with PDC among other things. When I test drove the car, both front and rear sensors were working correctly. However, now (about three weeks later), every time I drive slowly, the PDC light (on the switch) flashes quickly. And every time I engage reverse, the PDC makes a solid beep for a few seconds. The front PDC doesn't appear to work anymore either. There is a hitch installed, but it was also on the car when I test drove it - so I'm pretty certain it's not the problem. Any ideas? Thanks, Denis ------------- 
http://www.irishhillclimb.com - Irish Hillclimb and Sprint Championship |
Replies:
Posted By: stephenperry
Date Posted: 24-July-2008 at 16:27
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i don't have a light or a switch for my rear pdc, although admittedly mine has a build date of july 2000 sure it's not a laser park pro "parking sensor"? ------------- 2007 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCI Titanium X Auto 1983 Ford Sierra XR4i 2000 Alpina B10 3.3 #118 1999 BMW 323Ci 1995 BMW 318i SE 1994 Vauxhall Omega 2.0 GLS 1995 Ford Mondeo 1.8 LX 1990 Honda Concerto 1.6 EX 1986 Ford Orion 1.6 GL 1989 Ford Fiesta 1.1 Firefly |
Posted By: denishogan
Date Posted: 28-July-2008 at 08:43
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No, it's a standard BMW jobbie... In mine the PDC switch is beside the ASC (under the front cup holders). I believe it controls both front and rear PDC. The light on the switch automatically starts flashing when you move the car at low speed. And it makes a solid "beep" for a few seconds every time I put it in reverse. Very strange. Anyone? -------------
http://www.irishhillclimb.com - Irish Hillclimb and Sprint Championship |
Posted By: Dazz
Date Posted: 29-July-2008 at 10:17
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i had the same noise solid beep coming from mine to i found on a different forum how to check this whats happening to the reverse sensors is that one of them is broken to check this turn on the ignition to position II do not start !!!! then put the car in reverse go to the back of the car and put your ear to each sensor you should hear a clicking sound that means the sensor is working correctly keep checking until you find the one or two! that are not making any nose as for the front i dont have this on my car i do know that when you are parking or you have to switch on the front sensors so you dont keep seeing the car in front of you in traffic maybe the car senses the slow movement as parking and the switch flashes to remind you the front sensors are not switched on ????? only a guess ------------- Dazz 1999 E39 523i auto 1996 E39 523i 1990 VW corrado |
Posted By: denishogan
Date Posted: 29-July-2008 at 10:46
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Thanks for the info Dazz... You are right that it is speed related (i.e. you can't turn them on while moving faster than a few mph). I'll try testing them tonight. -------------
http://www.irishhillclimb.com - Irish Hillclimb and Sprint Championship |
Posted By: denishogan
Date Posted: 30-July-2008 at 09:39
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Did the test last night. All sensors, front and rear are making a clicking noise. Looks like I'll have to get the car plugged in to see what's wrong. Any other ideas? Does anyone know where I can get a "PDC Manual" - the owner's handbook isn't very detailed. -------------
http://www.irishhillclimb.com - Irish Hillclimb and Sprint Championship |
Posted By: Andrew Rolland
Date Posted: 05-August-2008 at 17:33
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When my towbar is plugged in the parking sensors do not pick it up! This worried me slightly as I could appear to reverse into an object and they would not pick it up. Sounds like some part of the unit is faulty. Or it could have been a cowboy installing the towbar and he has upset the wiring circuits as some towbars will cut out the reverse sensors when it knows there is a trailer hitched. Something may have come adrift with the towbar wiring where it has been chopped into the wiring loom. It will be worth poking about in the boot. I fitted my towbar myself and did a proper job of the wiring but did not interfere with the reverse sensors so I manually switch them off when reversing the car with the trailer as they pick up the trailer drawbar. Is it an E39 or E60? Wait a minute you didn't get an E60 tourer in 2003 did you. Still worth checking the towbar wiring. Andrew ------------- Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series! Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto |
Posted By: denishogan
Date Posted: 06-August-2008 at 12:03
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Hi Andrew, Good to see you managed to get back into another 545i. Well wear!  Mine is an E39 (November) - one of the last ones. Like I said, it was working previously with the hitch installed... so something has gone wrong since. But you are right, a wire/joint may have broken. I believe it was installed by BMW in the first case... but that doesn't mean it wasn't installed by a cowboy unfortunately! -------------
http://www.irishhillclimb.com - Irish Hillclimb and Sprint Championship |
Posted By: Shamus
Date Posted: 14-August-2008 at 00:24
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Double check the clicking My 5 was like that just after I bought it. I thought they were all clicking but after a few go'z found a rear one wasn't.
-------------  Gone but not forgotten.. |
Posted By: UweM3
Date Posted: 15-August-2008 at 12:15
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My rear sensors detect the tow hitch of my trailer when backing up to hook it up. Once hooked up PDC is quite.
BMW removable tow hitch. ------------- E61 520d, slow and buzzy but my wallet likes the mpg..... |
Posted By: denishogan
Date Posted: 31-August-2008 at 21:49
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Thanks, still haven't had any luck with them. I'll check them again tomorrow. -------------
http://www.irishhillclimb.com - Irish Hillclimb and Sprint Championship |