General Parking sensors - issue

[Crazyj]

Hi folks. When I ordered my Panda Cross, one of my specified options was reversing sensors. I was pleasantly surprised when the exact car was found to be in stock and I wouldn't have to wait for weeks for it to be built. When I took delivery, however, the parking sensors were not factory fitted and had been retro-fitted and mounted in the silver trim rather than the painted bumper above. They didn't even quite match the silver of the trim. There were also four sensors instead of three. I was disappointed with the after-market look, but decided not to make a fuss. I have since discovered that the sensors often beep randomly when there is nothing behind, instead warning me of objects alongside (the outer sensors are mounted in the black mouldings which house the reversing light and fog lamp). The dealer had the car back for 48 hours but the upshot is that they are still playing up. A mobile technician is coming out to my house to have a look and see if the problem can be rectified. I was told that if not, a genuine Fiat kit will be used (!) but there will still be four sensors and will be mounted exactly where they currently are, and not where they would have been had they been factory fitted.

So, I've made it clear that I'm not happy with the after-market kit when I had ordered factory fitted sensors and that I am taking advice. At this stage I'm thinking that if they cannot fix the 'cry wolf' issue of the beeping, and they cannot use the same paint code to properly match to the silver trim, I will ask the dealer to either:

Supply a new silver lower bumper and correctly fit the Fiat sensors in the painted bumper above, or

Supply a new bumper and not have sensors at all, and take a refund.

Thoughts, peeps?

 

[PuntoHowTo]

After market sensors are very cheap and very poor quality, you can literally buy a set for under £10.

When a manufacturer retro fits genuine parts then they are fitting a genuine kit but it’s generic (often) meant for any car in the range, hence 4 sensors. Older fiats had 4 sensor set ups, the newer 3 sensor kit was a cost cutting exercise.

Even with the best sensors in the works there will still be the odd erroneous reading. In slow moving the traffic the factory fitted front sensors on my VW, pick up signals from the rear sensors of other cars.

If fitted correctly they should only activate when the car is in reverse on the back, and therefore shouldn’t be a problem unless you are reversing. They are also a supplementary system so if you are aware of your surroundings and know there is nothing there then you can ignore the warning and carry on. The occasional tall weed or branch sticking out will also catch the sensors. And some materials are more reflective of the signals from the sensors than others, meaning they can be a bit more sensitive.

 

[trevorwat]

I too had aftermarket reversing sensors fitted to my new Panda Cross by the dealer as the car was already built when I ordered it - your story sounds the same - when in reverse the sensors have a mind of their own that seems to bear no relationship to what is behind me... Never found a solution and have just got used to it.... However, the salesman did warn me beforehand that aftermarket sensors on the Panda were often not very successful, so I didn't have much room for argument - unlike you in your situation.....

 

[Crazyj]

After market sensors are very cheap and very poor quality, you can literally buy a set for under £10.

When a manufacturer retro fits genuine parts then they are fitting a genuine kit but it’s generic (often) meant for any car in the range, hence 4 sensors. Older fiats had 4 sensor set ups, the newer 3 sensor kit was a cost cutting exercise.

Even with the best sensors in the works there will still be the odd erroneous reading. In slow moving the traffic the factory fitted front sensors on my VW, pick up signals from the rear sensors of other cars.

If fitted correctly they should only activate when the car is in reverse on the back, and therefore shouldn’t be a problem unless you are reversing. They are also a supplementary system so if you are aware of your surroundings and know there is nothing there then you can ignore the warning and carry on. The occasional tall weed or branch sticking out will also catch the sensors. And some materials are more reflective of the signals from the sensors than others, meaning they can be a bit more sensitive.

I’ve owned many cars with parking sensors and never had this issue before. Coupled with not being told my sensors would be retro-fitted, the fact that they are beeping at thin air is causing me to be a little miffed.

 

[Crazyj]

I too had aftermarket reversing sensors fitted to my new Panda Cross by the dealer as the car was already built when I ordered it - your story sounds the same - when in reverse the sensors have a mind of their own that seems to bear no relationship to what is behind me... Never found a solution and have just got used to it.... However, the salesman did warn me beforehand that aftermarket sensors on the Panda were often not very successful, so I didn't have much room for argument - unlike you in your situation.....

For what it’s worth, my sensors have been fixed and now work properly. Turns out the middle two were pointing down slightly so we’re picking up the road surface! A couple of cuffs were fitted which bring the sensors out to a 45 degree angle. Hey presto. Might be worth speaking to your dealer maybe...?

 

[LegionsX]

Sorry to hear your trouble, glad it,s resolved.

any chance of a picture?

also how are these presented in the car?

is it just a beep, or some sort of indication??

 

[Project 192]

Sorry to hear your trouble, glad it,s resolved.

any chance of a picture?

also how are these presented in the car?

is it just a beep, or some sort of indication??

It's a beeping sound that gets more intense the closer you get to an obstacle.

 

[Project 192]

Hi folks. When I ordered my Panda Cross, one of my specified options was reversing sensors. I was pleasantly surprised when the exact car was found to be in stock and I wouldn't have to wait for weeks for it to be built. When I took delivery, however, the parking sensors were not factory fitted and had been retro-fitted and mounted in the silver trim rather than the painted bumper above. They didn't even quite match the silver of the trim. There were also four sensors instead of three. I was disappointed with the after-market look, but decided not to make a fuss. I have since discovered that the sensors often beep randomly when there is nothing behind, instead warning me of objects alongside (the outer sensors are mounted in the black mouldings which house the reversing light and fog lamp). The dealer had the car back for 48 hours but the upshot is that they are still playing up. A mobile technician is coming out to my house to have a look and see if the problem can be rectified. I was told that if not, a genuine Fiat kit will be used (!) but there will still be four sensors and will be mounted exactly where they currently are, and not where they would have been had they been factory fitted.

So, I've made it clear that I'm not happy with the after-market kit when I had ordered factory fitted sensors and that I am taking advice. At this stage I'm thinking that if they cannot fix the 'cry wolf' issue of the beeping, and they cannot use the same paint code to properly match to the silver trim, I will ask the dealer to either:

Supply a new silver lower bumper and correctly fit the Fiat sensors in the painted bumper above, or

Supply a new bumper and not have sensors at all, and take a refund.

Thoughts, peeps?

In my opinion you should get what you paid for ie 'factory fitted' reversing sensors, not some bodged aftermarket setup!
If they've mounted them in the silver skid plate part, it sounds like they are too low and will pick up the road surface as an obstacle?
I have them fitted standard to my Antarctica and they really do make a big difference reversing into a tight parking space.
Hope you get it resolved.

 

[Crazyj]

All sorted - correctly positioned now and beeping correctly

 

[DenburyPanda]

I bought my Cross secondhand but it came with “genuine” parking sensors. Mine work fine but I agree they do look like an afterthought and the silver colour doesn’t match. Irritated at first, now ignoring it.

 

[murphyv310]

The standard fitting ones on mine are in the painted area of the bumper. They work faultlessly and I have to say the best ones I've come across, after driving many different works vehicles and my Rover 75's