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I need at least one new front sensor (dealer tested it). A few sites only have rear sensors listed and some have the same part number for both front and rear. I would like to genuine ones but pelican parts only has the rear listed. Are they the same?
Also I found some info that for the w211 at least, you don't need to remove the bumper, is the same for us too? It looks like the strip in the bumper can be gently prized out from the sides.
Not sure if the parts are the same, but what strip in the bumper are you talking about? That part that looks like an insert where the thin chrome strip is located is not a separate piece. It's all one piece with the bumper cover. Only the chrome strips are separate.
Yes that's correct. Have a look at the pdf links in the second post- front bumper stip https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...c-sensors.html
It looks like it comes out. I assumed the whole bumper needed to come off.
Well, since we do not have parking sensors in the US on the W209, even as an option, for reasons that stupefy me, then I cannot say for sure that your bumper covers are not different. My strips do not remove. But it won't take 5 seconds to look and see if yours have a seam and are separate parts.
Parktronic was available in the USA, but only as an option on the AMG models. I have no clue why it wasn't an option for other trim levels. As for the bumper trim strips, on the sport-style bumper, they are not removable; they are molded into the bumper. But on the non-sport, I am not sure - I think those are separate parts.
Parktronic was available in the USA, but only as an option on the AMG models. I have no clue why it wasn't an option for other trim levels. As for the bumper trim strips, on the sport-style bumper, they are not removable; they are molded into the bumper. But on the non-sport, I am not sure - I think those are separate parts.
As I typed that I thought maybe they were on the AMG, but certainly not on 550s, so I remain stupefied.
Wow, I never would have assumed that it wasn't an option for you guys.... my C32 had it too. That reference was from the E55 forum which I would assume would have the same "trim" or sports style bumper as the CLK55. I guess I will gently try and see.
Maybe I need to ask about the front/rear sensor in the E55 forum, I presume it would have to be standard on an E class?
I don't think you really need to "gently try." Just look at it. It's very obvious looking at mine that there is no seam where two "parts" fit together. It's just one smooth molded single piece. You can just look for a seam. it will be obvious if there is one and even more obvious if there isn't.
Nope. No CLK is the strip removable like it was on the w211.
You have to take the bumper off in order to do it. Much more of a faff than it should be, however having done it a few times now, it's fairly easy. And to change the sensor you won't have to take the whole off, just the one side.
Parking sensors are identical front and rear.
If the dealer tested it using SDS they should have told you exactly which sensors were faulty. My local specialist was able to diagnose which ones were faulty.
Should say, be mindful of plastic bits that go between the clamps and metal, like on the wing. Also there are a few plastic pieces that fell off when I was changing my sensors, and repairing the bumper. They go in places to prevent metal-metal contact, I believe. Managed to put most on, but atm I'm waiting for a convenient time to take it all off again and try fit this last piece I found on the floor, after refitting.
Thank you that is extremely helpful. I guess since it was a rarely used option on our cars they didn't bother making access easy. The dealer identified one sensor which is likely responsible for 90% of the problem. I get occasional errors on the other side of the front too so I will get 3 sensors which will replace the problem one and the two others that have cracks.
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Yep! On the W209 the bumpers are one piece unlike the W203. I can confirm front & rear sensors are identical. Parktronic & BiX were deal breakers on my car.
Got a whole lot of things that I did not need in the process like heated seats, heated mirrors, heated screen & headlight washers. etc. but that's how you take them from Germany.
Like this except being a 2009 mine has the blue laurel center wheel caps.
Yep. While I'd agree in the logic that they were faulty if cracked, however it turned out that the two most damaged were actually the two with no damage to the surface at all. So I'd test it out before you put the bumper on and realise it was a different one.
Both however had some obvious stressed cracks on the back side of the sensors. No obvious explanation. But both failed with exactly the same crack pattern in exactly the same place, in different locations on the car. So not impact related.
Undoubtably this is the reason the sensors were failing... Allowing water right into the inside of the sensor, resulting in it working intermittently.
It'd be interesting to see whether yours show a similar failure in the casing...
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
My car has only done 26K miles but Parktronic sensor failure is not common. One thing the sensors don't like is persistent use of high pressure washers directed directly on to them for long periods.
I'll have to dig the old ones out and put a picture up. It's quite odd. Having not had the car for more than a few years I can't say what the history in washing is. I'm not sure I totally agree though. Having looked at the sensors and had them apart... When they're in the bumper, I don't think they're that susceptible to the water direction a jet wash would throw. It's just a lacquered paint, and a rubber seal into the bumper, then the collar behind that is stepped, and the collar is very tightly fit with a seal, but again that's covered by the bumper. So wouldn't ever take a direct hit, except for the lacquer on the front. But that wouldn't cause damage. Both CLKs I have had have had functioning PTS for a period, then it'd malfunction after a short while.
I'll find a picture of the casing failure; it's quite odd!
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Benz warns against direct pressure washer blasting on the center disc of the sensor in their publications. It initially affects sensitivity & thus calibration & ultimately leads to failure. That said they are pretty robust. I've never seen one with housing cracks other than accident damage. I've owned a number of models with Parktronic & it's a popular option in SA especially on C Class with our factory here where you tick the box for your car configuration rather than tolerate packages as in the US.
Language over the years has varied in owner's manuals & other literature. Some specifically mention high pressure washing. In one of their publications that I could not be bothered to look for is a picture of a pressure washer wand spraying a Parktronic sensor with a large red cross over it.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Feb 14, 2017 at 11:30 PM.
Yep. While I'd agree in the logic that they were faulty if cracked, however it turned out that the two most damaged were actually the two with no damage to the surface at all. So I'd test it out before you put the bumper on and realise it was a different one.
The dealer only found the inside one on the left as being faulty when testing them all and they only wanted to replace that one (for $700). I would like to buy all 6 but they are fairly expensive, 3 will put me under the import duty tax cap, 6 will put me well over at ~US$65 each for genuine ones + shipping and currency conversion.
I can only tell which side it comes from using the dash display but the false alerts are 80% of the time on the left which is what the dealer found. I was simply going to replace the cracked ones and hope for the best. If I still get an occasional false alert I am ok with it. As it is I have to turn the sensors off on the dash almost every trip and back on again when needed.
So I purchased 3 sensors, had them painted and put them in today. It all works perfectly. Then I remembered I forgot to take the little clear rubber seals off the old ones and put them onto the new ones...
I guess I will drive around for a week and make sure the sensors are working perfectly before I pull the bumper off again.
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