New XK8 owner. Mine are not working. Dumb question. if I replace the sensors, will I have to get them painted or is that just cap so I can replace the sensors and it will look as it did before?

 

The sensors are shipped without color.
You will need to have them painted body color.

Make sure they are LIGHTLY painted as a heavy coat will render them useless.(block the transducer signal)

You probably don't need to replace all. (maybe none?)

I think the 4.2 liter XKs has the Reverse Parking Aid system on the SCP network.
You should be able to read DTCs to pinpoint the problem if you have ADVANCED diagnostic equipment.

The 4.0 liter XKs have a 'STAND ALONE' system so diagnosis is a bit 'trickier'.

You can get 'salvage-yard' used sensors that are already painted if they can be removed from a car of the same color?

 

I have a 2005 XK8. The parking assist would fail on start up. A long alert and then no sensors. The code reader indicated the right outer sensor had failed. I removed the sensor, it’s a spring loaded bayonet fixture. Cleaned up with WD40 and voila it worked again. Your results may be different. Cheers

 

Right now, I am not hearing anything so I am wondering if the speaker is bad or anything else. I am going to take the sensors out and then clean them with WD-40 and see if that works. Thanks very much.

 

The control unit is in the boot, either in the spare tire well or near the relay box behind the battery. Check the connections are good. The speaker for the alert is at the back of the console between the seats. Just pop the cover and there it is. I think it is an annoyance when it sounds so folks will disconnect it. Good luck !!

 

Are they clean on the outside ? Dirty sensors will not operate reliably.

Z

 

I’m going to have to take the bumper off I think. They look clean on the outside.

 

Here is a link to a youtube video that shows you how to remove the sensors. It is really quite easy.

 

They can be tested using a screwdriver or such held close to sensor, sensor will "click" repeatedly if working.

 

Surely if none of the sensors are working it's much more likely the control module or the speaker is the problem, not all the sensors having failed at the same time.

 

You can put your ear next to them and hear the “buzzing” or “crackling” on each one when they are activated..


Z

 

When I got my 2006 XKR late last year, the left rear center parking sensor was dead. So I ordered a replacement and procrastinated about installing it because the rear bumper on US spec cars must be removed for access to the center sensors (due to the extra bumper reinforcement to meet US crash standards). For months I just put up with the long beep upon startup and no rear parking “assist”. Then that awol sensor came back to life, then it went back on vacation, then it came back to life. For the past six weeks, the system has been working perfectly. The replacement sensor sits in my parts drawer. Sheesh……

 

I don't hear any buzzing or cracking so it could be that the sensors are fine and module and speaker are bad. Also, I don't hear anything when I put it in reverse and park.

 

I had to put my ear right up against the sensor to hear the “crackle”.

I don’t know if that’s just my 73 year old hearing after numerous rock ‘n roll overloads, or just a normal response from the sensor output .

Z

 

Put the key in the “run” position, shift into reverse and put your ear near each sensor. You should hear a rapid clicking from each. If one is silent, it is dead. That causes a long monotone audible signal when shifting into reverse.

 

The parking assist function has been bad on my XK8 since I bought it, but it has been LOW on the priority list of things to fix.
I discovered early on that you don't have to put up with the long tone when selecting reverse: just go right past reverse from park and go into neutral, then pop the Jgate back into reverse. You'll only get a blip as you pass through R.
Yes, yes - I'll get around to a fix sometime soon... it's only ONE sensor that is out.

 

I've tried twice and can't hear anything from the sensors in back when it is in reverse. Fuse is intact so I have to assume at least one sensor is out as well as the speaker and module in boot. It's low priority but I know its there and not working which is annoying.

 

If the sensors fail you will get a warning tone when you turn on the ignition. As you are not hearing this, and the fuse is good, you either have a bad controller or a disconnected tone speaker (at the rear of the centre console). The source of the problem will be clear if you put a code reader on the OBD2 port. Mine told me the controller was failing to initiate because one of the sensors had failed. Two fault codes, one root cause - the failed sensor. If you don’t have access to a code reader check the connections at the control module and check whether that speaker is connected.

 

Thanks for this advice. I've decided to buy a replacement controller to see if that is the issue. I've never received a warning tone. I am going to check to see if the speaker is connected or should be replaced.

 

is this with all years ? My 2002 had one bad rear sensor and there was no warning whatsoever. Speaker connected, and functional, etc.

once that single sensor was replaced all worked OK.