Hi, can anyone help. E-Class W211 (2005) parking sensors front and rear Fault = when it rains, both front and rear sensors all switch off

[Tiny Ting]

Hi, as per title. Fault codes have been explored at Waterhouse Mercedes specialists in Braintree. Car is still with them. All sensors appear correct and working when dry. If the vehicle is put through a car-wash, all fail again. Waterhouse suggest it's front loom / harness, but this is a 'gut feel'. Anyone else with experience of this fault?

 

[Botus]

some later cars have had water in the multiplugs to the front parking sensors and thrown teddies....

on my father's 2006 W211 the rears were being stupid in the summer last year, often not working or forgetting to beep.... I cleaned the gunk round the sensors with water and a tooth brush and drove the car a bit and its got over itself

if you've been in deep water and or driving too fast through big puddles don't be suprised it complains... (if I throw a couple of buckets of water at you, I expect you'll get some water where you don't want it - why should a car be any different)

 

[Tiny Ting]

Thanks.

 

[00slk]

I have the exact same problem with my 05 s211, wash the car, when raining hard the parking sensors fail. When it dries out they work fine.
I disconnected the rear multi plug behind the rear bumper and cleaned up the corrosion inside the plug. It improved it but still get them fail especially when the front gets wet. I am yet to get the front plug disconnected to clean the terminals which I'm sure is the problem.

 

[M80]

some later cars have had water in the multiplugs to the front parking sensors and thrown teddies....

on my father's 2006 W211 the rears were being stupid in the summer last year, often not working or forgetting to beep.... I cleaned the gunk round the sensors with water and a tooth brush and drove the car a bit and its got over itself

if you've been in deep water and or driving too fast through big puddles don't be suprised it complains... (if I throw a couple of buckets of water at you, I expect you'll get some water where you don't want it - why should a car be any different)

Er,
because it was designed to drive in rain.

 

[Blobcat]

I have the exact same problem with my 05 s211, wash the car, when raining hard the parking sensors fail. When it dries out they work fine.
I disconnected the rear multi plug behind the rear bumper and cleaned up the corrosion inside the plug. It improved it but still get them fail especially when the front gets wet. I am yet to get the front plug disconnected to clean the terminals which I'm sure is the problem.

You have a water problem…

 

[grahamcol]

My parking sensors (parktronic) aren't very good and more often play up whether it's dry or wet. I just switch the system off as soon as the engine starts. Not ideal but otherwise they can start to play up at any point in a journey. Never found them very accurate either. Crap system in my opinion and the sensors in my mate's 20 year old Toyota are far better.

 

[00slk]

My parking sensors (parktronic) aren't very good and more often play up whether it's dry or wet. I just switch the system off as soon as the engine starts. Not ideal but otherwise they can start to play up at any point in a journey. Never found them very accurate either. Crap system in my opinion and the sensors in my mate's 20 year old Toyota are far better.

Maybe the sensitivity can be adjusted some how?? My SL's were brilliant and would always let you know when the red lights and beeps were continuous with about 7" left of space. The E Classes have always been red and continuous with razor blade distance left and by this time the damage is done
If however I drive forward or reverse slowly then the E Class is a better system
The SLK without parking sensors is a worry, because we have both lost the ability to park!

 

[Botus]

Er,
because it was designed to drive in rain.

yes in the "rain", but not in 600mm flood water at 45mph like we see on the news all day long (just before the engine hydraulic locks - twists the crank and the vehicle becomes scrap)