Rear parking aid on the x-type stopped working

[Shaguar]

Sometime ago the rear parking aid on the x-type stopped working, when you turned the ignition key you received a constant warning tone, checking the manual this was an indication there was a fault on the system. I read on one of the forums that to test the system you could have the ignition switched on (car not started) and put in reverse, put your ear very close and listen to the sensors, they make a repeating low pitch ticking noise. Sure enough one of them was not working and I ordered a replacement from the main stealers.

Once the part was received and there was a suitable dry and mild day (not many of those at this time of the year!) I replaced the faulty sensor, as usual with anything electrical on modern cars the sensor was held in place with plastic clips which break as soon as you look at them, also the destructions I got from the Jaguar GTR website (Online Global Technical Reference) were not very helpful so it took a little fathoming out. There’s no wonder it had packed up though, the whole rear of the sensor was buried in silt from the road, a design flaw me thinks, the rear bumper just acts like a large scoop, collecting all the muck from the rear tyres.

I purchased a set of rear mud flaps sometime ago but haven’t got round to fitting them yet, not sure if this will help anyway, I did try undoing the two screws with the wheels in place but couldn’t so I’ll have to jack the car and take off the wheels, a longer job for another day.

[NightSky]

I seem to have a very similar problem to you with my rear parking sensors, but it's an intermittent problem. My car is in Austria and seems to be affected by the cold temperatures and/or the build up of frozen slush efficiently provided by the rear wheels in copious quantities. Totally agree your point about a design fault in this respect.

Could you describe in any more detail the sound the individual sensors are supposed to make? I can't hear anything from any of them, but it might be my hearing! Or a fault that affects all four of them.

I just fitted mudflaps all round. The fronts went on easily, but the rears were a nightmare. Definitely need to take the wheels off, but the real problem was that the metal thread inserts in the rear bumper for the wheel arch liners didn't line up properly with the two holes in the mudflaps. It was impossible to get the screws provided into these threads, so instead I had to make up some studs, screw these into the bumper threaded inserts then, while bending them a bit, place the holes in the mudflap over the studs, then secure with a couple of nuts. They still weren't a perfect fit, but were good enough.

[steveisleofwight]

Hi chaps

I had an intermittent problem with the reverse sensors soon after I bought my X-type (late 2008).

Although the vehicle was under warranty we don't have a main dealer here on the Isle of Wight so I went underneath the car to have a look. I found a three-inch nail buried into the back of the left-inner sensor! Removed the nail and worked perfectly ever since.

Immediately fitted front and rear mud flaps (genuine Jaguar) and found that they fitted fine as per instructions although the wheels needed to come off.

Bye for now, Steve Cocks

[J44EAG]

re my post on sensors, yes, these units do suffer a bit buried in crud and damp.

Often the connectors just need a good clean up and normal service is resumed. Best to check this aspect before buying new units.

Also worth noting that painting new units need a little care. The space between the inner and outer components does not like an excessive paint build up accumulating between the two parts. So take it easy with the spray gun or aerosol can.

Mud flaps can be a double edged sword. Again muck can build up between the flap and the body components and wear away the paint. Removal of fitting bolts can be troublesome, especially on an ageing car. Worth soaking the bolt heads in WD40 or perhaps better, penetrating oil well before you attempt to remove and refit them. Be prepared to have the bolts shear when removing and perhaps have some new bolts available before you start work. Corrosion on the exposed threaded portions of the bolt can make them very difficult to remove.

I`ve found mud flaps of questionable value. They do keep the rear of the front wing and lower front door panels a little cleaner but the rear flaps seem not to achieve anything. Being completely cynical, with my lowered S-type, the sole reason I leave them on the car is to act as an early warning device when I encounter speed bumps. The scraping of the flap on the bump tells me I have 1" on ground clearance! Having knocked one off the car, I can`t be bothered to put it back on again as I know I`ll knock it back off again next week!! Joking apart, the flaps will survive well enough on standard height cars.

Mike