Front Proximity Sensors In A Bull Bar Running Amuck

[WHID]

Hi all,

Yesterday (Friday), I had a (non-genuine) bull bar fitted to my PS Exceed. The supplier/fitter is a well known company and I'm lovin' the asthetics of the bull bar, the driving lights and recovery points as fitted. They tell me that a number of the local Mitsubishi dealers send vehicles to them to have the same bars fitted, so they're 'almost genuine'.

However, not all is well and I am going back to see them just as soon as I can (probably Monday), to have a chat about the transferred parking/proximity/sonar sensors in the new bull bar. They (or one or more of them) are not functioning very well. In fact, they are mal-functioning.

If there is a vehicle in front within 35 feet. the alarm kicks in and emits that continuous, piercing alert tone and will not stop until I manually activate the isolating switch. The alert also operates when stationary (at lights) with not a car in sight. It's as though they are sensing the road surface.

I can't live with all that - it's just too much.

I'm hoping, but I don't expect the bull bar company to be right across the technology associated with the proximity/parking sensors. I am hoping, though, that I might have a positive conversation with them.

Do wisened forumites have expertise and/or knowledge as to what kind of conversation I should have with these (very personable) folk?

Thank you in advance . . .

[old Jack]

Is it parking sensors or the forward collision mitigation generating the alarm?
Can the FCM be turned off to check?

I seem to recall reading that the FCM system will not function correctly with some bullbars and or some driving lights.

OJ.

[WHID]

Is it parking sensors or the forward collision mitigation generating the alarm?
Can the FCM be turned off to check?

Thanks OJ,
I'm pretty certain it is not the FCM/UMS systems - thay appear to be functioning as expected.

The company which fitted the bull bar was especially willing to assist with the problem and invited me to return the vehicle to them today. They did some work readjusting/reorienting the sensors which has improved the situation markedly. I think we'll need another look though, as things are still not quite as they should be . . . yet.

Given the postive response from the fitting company I am confident that we'll get there.

When that happens, I'll put their name up (in lights?) as good people with whom to deal.

Thanks again . . .

[DibbyDibbyDJ]

FYI the sensors must be fitted in the correct orientation IE connectors must go horizontally in to sensor not vertically

[NFT5]

Parking sensors designed to fit in a plastic bar will often give false positives when transferred to a metal bar, since they read the proximity of the metal.


It is very important, when removing and refitting sensors, that they be refitted correctly with the silicone isolating ring and, of course, as noted above, that they be oriented correctly.



On a few cars the sensitivity can be adjusted, otherwise the sensors need to be replaced with the correct type

[swilson150]

Also worth noting is the sensors are subject to inteference. In all three PS's I've had (QE and QF Exceed).

When stopped at lights, if there is a BMW in front of you (directly and/or to either side) the parking sensors will randomly alert.

Pay attention to the cars around you next time it goes off, odds are a BMW is in the forward view of the car.

I can only suspect their sensors are interfering with the PS. It would be interesting to know what's happening inside the BMW, perhaps their sensors are going off to.

[olliej]

Also worth noting is the sensors are subject to inteference. In all three PS's I've had (QE and QF Exceed).

When stopped at lights, if there is a BMW in front of you (directly and/or to either side) the parking sensors will randomly alert.

Pay attention to the cars around you next time it goes off, odds are a BMW is in the forward view of the car.

I can only suspect their sensors are interfering with the PS. It would be interesting to know what's happening inside the BMW, perhaps their sensors are going off to.

Yup. I noted the same thing and it’s mostly BMWs that does it. Always the right and middle parking sensor.