Your Range Rover is equipped with a host of tech that makes the driving experience enjoyable and safe. One feature seen as a godsend to many drivers is the parking sensors. With Range Rovers typically large in size, having some assistance when it comes to fitting your vehicle into a space is always welcome. But, what do you do when they stop working or keep beeping even when stationary or not attempting to park?
Luckily, many issues can be diagnosed easily and even fixed at home, so in this blog, we troubleshoot our way through parking sensor issues on your Range Rover.
How to detect and fix issues with Range Rover parking sensors
Before you start panicking and thinking an expensive repair job could be on the cards, there are a few things you can do that may solve the problem before you book your vehicle in with a Range Rover specialist.
Check if the sensors have been turned off
When your Range Rover parking sensors aren’t working, it can be concerning, but quite often, the problem is easily detectable and fixable. In Range Rovers, you can manually disable the parking sensors. Check if the Park Assist button has been pressed or look at the dashboard for a message saying “PDC Off” or “Parking sensors unavailable”. If you notice either of these, press the Park Assist button, and the system should return to normal.
Check the sensor surfaces
If the sensors are still faulty, they may have been damaged or affected by debris. Dirt, snow, mud and cleaning materials could all compromise the effectiveness of your parking sensors. Slowly walk around your Range Rover. Locate your small round sensors on the bumpers. Look for signs of damage first, and then, using a microfibre cloth and warm water, gently wipe over the sensors. Avoid cleaning products, as they may damage the sensors. Once cleaned, test them by driving into a parking space.
Inspect for damage
Range Rovers are often enjoyed off-road, and this can sometimes be problematic. Add in the odd bump you might encounter on town roads or an aggressive wash from an automatic car wash, and you could find that the sensors get damaged or dislodged. Look for cracks on the sensor lens and see whether your sensors appear loose, crooked or sunken.
If they do, and the system fails to operate, it may be best to seek professional repair.
Listen for clicking
When your parking sensors are activated, they will make a light clicking noise. Turn on the ignition, engage reverse and put your ear near each sensor. If you don’t hear any clicking, there may be no power reaching the sensor, or it could be broken.
Check for electrical issues
It’s not uncommon for an electrical issue to cause havoc with your parking sensors. On your Range Rover, any of the following may have compromised the functionality of your sensors:
- Faulty wiring to the bumper
- Bad connections (possible corrosion)
- Blown fuse
- Glitches with system software
- Faulty reverse switch
Some quick fixes may be able to remedy these problems, though.
- Shut off your Range Rover
- Lock it
- Wait 5 minutes for the systems to reset
- Restart your vehicle.
In the case of minor software faults, this is often all that you’ll need to do to clear them. If you think it’s an issue with the fuse, consult your handbook for the location of your parking aid fuse and switch it out or seek professional help if you are unsure.
Check for error messages
Range Rovers are great for relaying important error messages, and seeing one of these early enough can stop a problem from becoming worse or alert you to it the moment it happens. Look out for on-screen messages like:
- Park Assist not available
- Parking aid sensor blocked
- Parking aid unavailable – contact dealer
Whilst they don’t necessarily give you precise information as to what has caused the problem, you’ll at least be alerted to an issue and be able to run through our assortment of checks before contacting a service centre.
Scan for fault codes
An OBD-II scanner can be a great way to uncover issues that you may have trouble fully diagnosing. Plug in the scanner and look for codes that relate to PDC, ultrasonic sensor failures, or front/rear parking modules. Look for codes:
- B1B44-B1B4B in relation to a sensor being dead, cracked, blocked, disconnected or receiving intermittent power.
- B1B50, B1B52, B1B53 & U0159 for a module that is losing power or malfunctioning.
- B1B51, B1B45, B1B55 for wiring or voltage issues such as water ingress or damaged connectors.
- U0401, B1C55 for faults with the reverse light switch or wiring.
- U0129, U0140 & U0001 for communication errors between modules.
When should you visit a Range Rover specialist to fix parking sensor problems?
Some faults may require a simple reset at home, but others may necessitate investigation from a professional. If any of the following are noticed, you should seek the help of a specialist:
- Water inside the bumper or wiring.
- Multiple sensor failures.
- No power going to the parking aid module.
- System shuts down as soon as reverse gear is engaged.
Problems like these can be common, and simple solutions such as cleaning the parking sensors or inspecting them for damage are sometimes all that’s needed. If you are unsure, the team at RCV can help. We use the latest Range Rover diagnostics, OEM or approved genuine parts and our years of experience to ensure your vehicle functions safely and reliably. Contact us today to book your service or to ask our friendly team any questions you may have.