Page 1 of 1

intermittent fault on reversing sensors

Posted: 18 Nov 2016, 09:24
by thefacepainter
Hello everyone. I seem to be forever having trouble with my Tink....................this time it is reversing sensors that were professionally installed a year ago. They had an intermittent fault. I would put it in reverse, and sometimes, not always (intermittent, see) the sensor alarm would sound. I'd get out and check that the cat/child/old lady/passing badger, was or wasn't there. I never knew. The chap blamed the sensors. The company sent two new sensor buttons.....still not reliable....the company sent a new module...still not reliably working. The mechanicy man blamed the Company I had bought them from. He said I needed the ones he sold and fitted. They were the type production companies fit on new cars. I cut my losses, trusted him (of "you need a new engine" fame) and mechanicy man fitted the sensors..............you must know by now what happened. So it's a year later and I've had reversing camera fitted by a different mechanicy, because I need to know what's behind me when I reverse. I use my mirrors etc but have been used to reversing sensors for years on a different vehicle.
I have been backwards and forwards to the naughty mechanicy man and he has been doing things to them.....the latest is that he says it's my tow ball.......I'm waiting for him to let me know when he can put a new module in now.........he is often too busy. He has bought a T25 and is doing it up.....bet the reversing sensors will take less than a year, and I bet they'll work first time!!!!!
What can I do? Shall I ask for my money back? I'm an old lady, and fed up being treated like an idiot.
Fed up and sad. Piles of smiles everyone. xxxxx

Re: intermittent fault on reversing sensors

Posted: 18 Nov 2016, 12:55
by petethefeet
Hi,
I fitted reversing sensors when I fitted a new rear bumper, the sensors were bought from ECP, about £40 for the set.
Prior to fitting them I got them working in the house connected to to small 12v battery, I then fitted them to the van and I had the same issue as you with them 'going off' as soon as i put it in reverse, but occasionally they would work OK when reversing off the drive. They have been semi cured by angling them up slightly using a angled collar that was supplied in the kit.
I think they will sense the floor if they are fitted into the bumper as they will point down.
BTW a lot of the sensors say they are not suitable for use with metal bumpers.

Hope this helps

Pete

Re: intermittent fault on reversing sensors

Posted: 18 Nov 2016, 13:30
by thefacepainter
Ah. Thank you. My bumper is metal then??? As soon as I posted that plea, I got strong and phoned citizens advice. I asked for my money back........he's going to rectify the situation on Tuesday. ......thank you for your help. That's incredible that you had the same thing happen!!!! Thank you!!!! I'll contact him now with your finding. (Why must we do the work for the people we pay to do the work??)
Piles of smiles xxxxxxxxxxxx

Re: intermittent fault on reversing sensors

Posted: 18 Nov 2016, 15:04
by tforturton
I don't have these on my van, but I do have them on my car. When I put it into reverse, it does 'beep' initially, and as I move, it will 'beep' whenever I come close to anything, be it a bollard, gate post, side wall. Not that I'm going to drive into them - I can see them - but it still 'beeps' anyway, to let me know they are close. When I reverse up to a wall, or into a parking space, the 'beep' speeds up as I get closer to something. Within six inches, it emits a continuous beep, and there's still room to go back a bit further.
So my point is this - aren't they supposed to beep at the times you both mention? If they start with the continuous beep - that's when you know you're about to hit something.

Re: intermittent fault on reversing sensors

Posted: 18 Nov 2016, 16:16
by Oldiebut goodie
I mounted mine in a block of wood - that way it is a more directional beam.

Image

If anyone needs new ultrasonic sensors I have a box full of various ones going spare!

Re: intermittent fault on reversing sensors

Posted: 18 Nov 2016, 19:52
by petethefeet
tforturton wrote:I don't have these on my van, but I do have them on my car. When I put it into reverse, it does 'beep' initially, and as I move, it will 'beep' whenever I come close to anything, be it a bollard, gate post, side wall. Not that I'm going to drive into them - I can see them - but it still 'beeps' anyway, to let me know they are close. When I reverse up to a wall, or into a parking space, the 'beep' speeds up as I get closer to something. Within six inches, it emits a continuous beep, and there's still room to go back a bit further.
So my point is this - aren't they supposed to beep at the times you both mention? If they start with the continuous beep - that's when you know you're about to hit something.

When they are working "correctly" I get the initial beep then as per your description with the increasing frequency beep as you get close to an object. I am quite happy with them if they worked OK every time. I will have a go at pointing them upwards slightly again when I get a chance.