Parking sensors gone crazy :-(
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2017
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clk w209
Parking sensors gone crazy :-(
Hi,
So i jumped in the CLK this morning and the parktronic inactive light was on, never seen this on before but just figured i would switch it back off! once i did this i was rewarded with 4 red lights on the parking sensor and a nice beeping noise :-( i have checked the rear parking sensors and it appears one of them is loose, not hanging out but a bit spongy to touch wheras all the others are solid in place.
So i wonder if anyone has any experience with this fault?
if the loose sensor could be the cause of the fault or something else?
and... if it is the loose sensor how the hell can i access it, i have a horrible feeling the bumper will have to be removed
So i jumped in the CLK this morning and the parktronic inactive light was on, never seen this on before but just figured i would switch it back off! once i did this i was rewarded with 4 red lights on the parking sensor and a nice beeping noise :-( i have checked the rear parking sensors and it appears one of them is loose, not hanging out but a bit spongy to touch wheras all the others are solid in place.
So i wonder if anyone has any experience with this fault?
if the loose sensor could be the cause of the fault or something else?
and... if it is the loose sensor how the hell can i access it, i have a horrible feeling the bumper will have to be removed
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2010
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2008 CLK550 Cab
I don't think a loose sensor has anything to do with it. The sensors are a sealed unit and will "work" even if they are hanging out by their wire - they just won't work very well because they are not aimed correctly. Plus, the sensor has probably been loose for some time, but your problem only arose when you jumped the car. Why did you have to jump it? Jumping can cause problems, but a weak battery can also cause all sorts of funky issues, even if the battery can start the car.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: Midlands, UK
CLK W209
You can easily access the rear sensors. The fronts are a WHOLE other matter! Just get it on star. Initially try cleaning them though. In the handbook it describes two warning signals, one means dirty needing cleaning, the other way highlights an electrical issue. Which you need star diagnostics for else you're just shooting in the dark. They aren't cheap to replace trial and error either!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,109
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2008 CLK550 Cab
You can easily access the rear sensors. The fronts are a WHOLE other matter! Just get it on star. Initially try cleaning them though. In the handbook it describes two warning signals, one means dirty needing cleaning, the other way highlights an electrical issue. Which you need star diagnostics for else you're just shooting in the dark. They aren't cheap to replace trial and error either!
Thread Starter
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clk w209
Sorry by "jumped in" I meant literally sat in the car. It's a great car, runs like a dream but this just happened without warning. The only thing I have recently done is jet washed the car which I think may be the reason for the dislodged sensor but not 100%. So I need to get the car hooked up to a diagnostic or is there some practical trouble shooting first?
and thanks for all the responses this community is awesome
and thanks for all the responses this community is awesome
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,428
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From: New Zealand
+1 star is the best approach, I just did the same thing and they identified the sensor causing the problem. I replaced 3 in total anyway as it was at the front and they are hard to access. The washing may have something to do with it.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: New Zealand
Front ones are only annoying as the front bumper has to be removed. Actually putting them in takes 10 seconds each.
I put up with occasional beeping when driving at low speeds for months before I finally ordered new sensors, I wished I did it much sooner.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2010
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2008 CLK550 Cab
Sorry by "jumped in" I meant literally sat in the car. It's a great car, runs like a dream but this just happened without warning. The only thing I have recently done is jet washed the car which I think may be the reason for the dislodged sensor but not 100%. So I need to get the car hooked up to a diagnostic or is there some practical trouble shooting first?
and thanks for all the responses this community is awesome
and thanks for all the responses this community is awesome
Thread Starter
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clk w209
Too funny. I read "jumped" and missed the "in." In that case, I agree you need to have the codes read. Although pulling a front bumper may sound like a big job, it really isn't. Bumpers are made to come off relatively quickly. Besides, the problem may not require touching the front sensors at all. I have aftermarket sensors on mine the the original owner had installed since we mostly didn't get parktronic here, but I'd not want to live without them.
Ha ha, i blame my bad terminology!
Well i learned that you can literally hear faulty sensors by listening, i looked like a mad man but low and behold the sensor that looks like it has been knocked loose seems to be the problem. if you place the car in reverse and listen closely to the individual sensors you can hear them make a ticking noise, so no ticking noise = dead sensor! a lot cheaper than paying a garage to hook it up to a computer but slightly confusing to the neighbours watching and a very nervous time behind the car whilst my wife was holding the brakes... guess the life insurance has not matured enough yet
I got under the car and you are right the rear sensors are easy to access so ill be ordering a replacement today and hopefully get it swapped over in the next week... fingers crossed!
