When putting the car in reverse (2001 xkr), there is one long beep from the backup warning system but no further action from it. Sound familiar?

 

Nope, no difference in the back up sensors between XK8 and XKR, they only beep when an obstacle is detected. Sounds like yours has a fault.

 

One or more of the sensors in the bumper will have failed. To test put in reverse with parking brake on and put your ear to each of the sensors - if working you will hear a faint ticking sound. I had this on my 2001 XKR a few years back and replaced a dud sensor. The 2 in the middle are easy to do the 2 on the sides are a PITA - they are also different sensor shapes.

 

Some dope decided one of my backup sensors was a doorbell and pushed it in. I managed to get it almost back to normal but it is still a little recessed in the assembly, which causes constant false alarms. I've lived with it for a while because it is such a tight space to work in if you have human-size hands. Some day, I will bite the bullet and compete the fix. The backup system is a nice feature, but I still double check for obstacles, anyway.

 

I think the system is kinda useless. I'd rather not have it honestly.

 

I couldn't live without it, I have reverse sensors and cameras on all my cars. If they didn't come with them I installed them.

The XK8 especially has bad blind spots to the rear and rear side, my sensors and reverse cameras have saved me several times.

 

I think cars these days are making the driving public lazy and worse drivers.

 

The 05's/06's could use them up front as well due to the absurdly low air dam. Every time I park I have to watch out for curbs/parking barriers.

 

I had this same problem and found the connector on one of the sensors had come off, plugged it back on, problem solved. If it is not a connector then you most likely have a bad sensor or broken wire.

 

Why oh why did I open this thread a couple of days ago?


Sure enough, today my car is now doing this...long beep when first put into reverse, then nothing as I back up. Had a very heavy & prolonged rainfall yesterday, could this be the cause? Time to check the sensors I guess.

 

Well some good news today. My back-up warning issue resolved itself. Hopefully it was simply the heavy rain from the day before that caused the issue and it will not return.