Front parking sensors. I really must sort in 2013 !!!

[XK8Dundee]

Have decided this is one of my "must do's in 2013" I have front and rear parking sensors on my car (2003 4.2 XK8 convertible) which I am led to believe from Jaguar were fitted when supplied as new although looking at front set up it looks a very "Heath Robinson" fitting The rear ones work fine but front ones are dead, In the engine bay there is a unit just hanging loose with 2 plugs into it, a yellow wire disappears in through the bulkhead and goes to a rocker switch under the steering column then returns up to a relay in engine bay. The unit looks very rusty and dirty and wound up with tape (I have removed all tape and undone plugs, when I connect back up and flick switch I sometimes get an audible buzz but only for a few seconds). From doing a circuit check there appears to be power coming through the switch and into the unit but after that I am lost. My options appear to be try and get the unit checked/tested by someone or try and get a replacement one (ideally one on loan so I can just connect up to see if unit is faulty) or a cheap second hand one - am I right in assuming there should be one in the boot somewhere for the rear ones or will this one power all? - alternatively will I be able to get a different aftermarket kit that can use the existing sensors fitted to front of car so I dont have to go to added expense of getting sensors colour coded to match. I don't even know if the unit in question is for an XK8 Last option is just to go for a whole new set-up on the front (seen loads on E-Bay) which should be a lot cheaper than a Jaguar kit Any advise or clues welcome and hopefully some pictures attached to show what I'm talking about.

Cheers and all the best to everyone for the coming year, may we get some dry weather to enjoy our cars

[Nik]

Hi Walter ,
LJE7352BB is listed as a reverse sensor module
As far as I'm aware the module for the reverse sensors on later cars such as yours was mounted under the bonnet , didn't think Jaguar offered front parking aids for the X100 but I may be wrong , think I would go for a good aftermarket kit , they can be had for just over £50

Hope this helps mate ,

Nik

[mike020150]

Hi Walter,
As Nik says, front parking aid was not available on 2003 MY cars so what you have was not factory fitted even if it uses some Jaguar components. Equally, the pic displays an arrangement that looks as if it falls somewhat short of factory fitting standards. In the absence of anyone who knows exactly what was done to the car when it was modified, it would probably be cheaper and easier to start again by removing the existing bits and buying one of the readily available and cheap front parking kits. The sensors and control unit are designed to work together so it would be unlikely that your existing sensors will work with a new control unit even if your existing sensors are OK and not faulty. Mike.

[XK8Dundee]

Cheers for the replies guys. I spoke to the original Jaguar supplier of the car when new who advised their records show front parking sensors and Adaptive Cruise control was put on car when first purchased but as you can see from the picture it is a pretty shoddy set up (although to be fair someone else may have butchered it since ). From what you say Nik could it be that the unit actually controls the rear sensors as well (I suppose easy way to test is unplug unit then reverse car, think I can manage that ). Think I'll just go for the "New setup" on the front as local auto-electrician said he can supply, fit and get sensors painted to match car. Much prefer to know exactly how far I am away from something with a warning beep rather than a crunch

Walter

[Nik]

From what you say Nik could it be that the unit actually controls the rear sensors as well (I suppose easy way to test is unplug unit then reverse car, think I can manage that ).
Walter

Hi Walter ,

Unplug the module , place in reverse and get someone to hold a piece of card or similar by the sensors ( that will save you reversing over them )
Can you post a picture of your front sensors Be aware that genuine Jaguar sensors are generally larger than after-market versions so you may have to devise some method of reducing the hole size or insert some sort of spacer between the nosecone and the new sensor .
Another way of overcoming the problem would be to leave the original sensors in place and fit the type of parking aid that utilises a metallic strip that's adhered to the inside of the nosecone , I've heard very good reports on these and they are completely invisible if one doesn't have front sensors already installed ,

Hope this works out ,

Nik

[XK8Dundee]

Good tip Nik, I'd never heard of the one with metallic strip, but have now "Googled" them and they seem perfect if I cannot utilise sensors already fitted, at least they are perfect fit and match car, worried I might have to get different sized sensors and they aren't a 100% colour match and it will look really awful Guidance say's remove bumpers to fit but hopefully they can be attached inside nosecone with it still on car (other option may just be a strip on back of number plate). I'm not worried about all round sensing for getting into tight parking spaces but more for up against walls, fences etc if away at a hotel or something like that.

Here are couple of pics of current ones anyway.

Cheers

Walter

[Nik]

Hi Walter ,
Tip number two............. always reverse into parking spaces

All the best

Nik

PS I'm always moaning at Jan for driving into parking spaces rather than reversing , it's just one of my pet hates or perhaps you could call it OCD

[XK8Dundee]

Well at last a sunny dry day so decided to investigate further, unplugged unit and tested reversing car, no sound so it must operate front and rear. Not a sealed unit so opened up and a right mucky mess inside, cleaned out with soft brush and looks like could be water damage in one corner Could this be the root of my problems? Is this unit classed as an ECU so it could be sent away for test, repair (hopefully) or replacement (if I can find one). Anyone recommend a good place to send it?

Cheers

Walter

[mike020150]

The last time I needed a reversing sensor ECU, I bought a second hand unit from Eurojag at Darlington. They advertise in the magazine and often list components on Ebay. Make sure you get an ECU with the same part number as the one you have because there is more than one type. Mike.

[XK8Dundee]

Result eventually sourced a part ( new ) from David Manners and cost less than couple of quotes I rec'd for repair of old one. Fitted and switched on and I now have front parking sensors that work

Walter