Park Distance Sensors: This Is What Happens When...

jmciver · 09-10-2023, 05:52 AM

….A sniper shot from a piece of road debris executes a precise “one shot, one kill” (see first pic below)…

After that hit (and the first time I put the car in reverse), I got a bunch of messages on iDrive stating that the entire PDC system was now down. A quick scan with my scan tool confirmed the PDC sensor that took the hit and was dead (left, inner). A bit of research revealed this would be a $800-$1000 problem for the dealer to fix due to this not being a warranty issue - the labor really gets you. The cheap SOB in me and my DIY mentality could not handle that so I spent part of my weekend taking the bumper off to replace the busted sensor myself. The “good” news is that the sensor that was hit was the cheaper replacement (front, inner). MSRP for this sensor is ~$200 as it is the black one. The body colored sensors are even more at over $300. I got mine online (eBay, new) for $94. You can also find them used as well as BMW uses the same sensor on multiple models.

A modest PITA to remove the bumper, but I have done it on my other BMWs before. It did not help that the factory procedures I was using were wrong so I had to resort to YouTube. But now all is well and my PDC system in back to being functional. The last pic is the new sensor installed on the back of the bumper for parts number reference as it is an updated part from what was originally installed at the factory.

Anyway, thought I would share in case anyone else has a PDC system failure as this could be a potential cause….

ComingInHot · 09-10-2023, 06:36 AM

Given the hit, at least it wasn’t the paint that was damaged. Thanks for the info but I hope I never have to use it

Saejin · 09-10-2023, 07:14 AM

I share in your luck or as I would call it unluckiness.

A month after I got my X7, the front camera died. When parking mode was on, the front camera would be blurry.

Come to find out, the camera lens had a slight crack allowing water to seep in. Took it to the dealer, who said a rock must have hit it therefore it was not a warranty item.

They wanted to charge $400 to replace. Labor mostly to remove the front bumper.

I needed up ordering the camera from them for around $180 and then removed the front grill only partially which allowed me to easily replace the camera in about 10min.

I applaud your DIY approach.

jmciver · 09-10-2023, 09:57 AM

Yeah, taking the grill off, which I have done multiple times, takes literally 30 seconds. I have also removed/installed that same camera as well (for part of a grill mod I did). I don’t blame you for doing that one yourself.

FlyEagle1 · 09-10-2023, 03:54 PM

Thanks for posting-will definitely do the repair myself if needed now you have shown us how. Well done.

09-10-2023, 05:52 AM	#1
jmciver ///M SubDriver 1848 Rep 2,788 Posts Drives: 2017 M3, 2020 X7 40i Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: DMV iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M3 [10.00] 2020 BMW X7 [0.00] 2019 BMW X3 [0.00] 2009 BMW 128i [0.00]	….A sniper shot from a piece of road debris executes a precise “one shot, one kill” (see first pic below)… After that hit (and the first time I put the car in reverse), I got a bunch of messages on iDrive stating that the entire PDC system was now down. A quick scan with my scan tool confirmed the PDC sensor that took the hit and was dead (left, inner). A bit of research revealed this would be a $800-$1000 problem for the dealer to fix due to this not being a warranty issue - the labor really gets you. The cheap SOB in me and my DIY mentality could not handle that so I spent part of my weekend taking the bumper off to replace the busted sensor myself. The “good” news is that the sensor that was hit was the cheaper replacement (front, inner). MSRP for this sensor is ~$200 as it is the black one. The body colored sensors are even more at over $300. I got mine online (eBay, new) for $94. You can also find them used as well as BMW uses the same sensor on multiple models. A modest PITA to remove the bumper, but I have done it on my other BMWs before. It did not help that the factory procedures I was using were wrong so I had to resort to YouTube. But now all is well and my PDC system in back to being functional. The last pic is the new sensor installed on the back of the bumper for parts number reference as it is an updated part from what was originally installed at the factory. Anyway, thought I would share in case anyone else has a PDC system failure as this could be a potential cause…. Attached Images __________________ ///M3 *COMPETITION 6MT* - 2017 F80 Smoked Topaz Metallic BM3 / MP-HAS / GC Camber Plates / Carbonstructure Interior X7 XDrive 40i ///M-SPORT - 2020 G07 Arctic Grey Metallic X3 XDrive 30i - 2019 G01 Mineral White (wife's) / 128i 6MT - 2009 E82 Jet Black (son's)
	Appreciate 4 keg97170.50 ComingInHot372.00 PinkNinja400Guy515.00 DVEUS1X71.50 Tweet Quote

09-10-2023, 06:36 AM	#2
ComingInHot Newish 372 Rep 528 Posts Drives: BMWs Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Midwest iTrader: (0)	Given the hit, at least it wasn’t the paint that was damaged. Thanks for the info but I hope I never have to use it
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09-10-2023, 07:14 AM	#3
Saejin Captain 735 Rep 991 Posts Drives: None Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Nowhere iTrader: (0)	I share in your luck or as I would call it unluckiness. A month after I got my X7, the front camera died. When parking mode was on, the front camera would be blurry. Come to find out, the camera lens had a slight crack allowing water to seep in. Took it to the dealer, who said a rock must have hit it therefore it was not a warranty item. They wanted to charge $400 to replace. Labor mostly to remove the front bumper. I needed up ordering the camera from them for around $180 and then removed the front grill only partially which allowed me to easily replace the camera in about 10min. I applaud your DIY approach.
	Appreciate 1 jmciver1847.50 Quote

09-10-2023, 09:57 AM	#4
jmciver ///M SubDriver 1848 Rep 2,788 Posts Drives: 2017 M3, 2020 X7 40i Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: DMV iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M3 [10.00] 2020 BMW X7 [0.00] 2019 BMW X3 [0.00] 2009 BMW 128i [0.00]	Yeah, taking the grill off, which I have done multiple times, takes literally 30 seconds. I have also removed/installed that same camera as well (for part of a grill mod I did). I don’t blame you for doing that one yourself. __________________ ///M3 *COMPETITION 6MT* - 2017 F80 Smoked Topaz Metallic BM3 / MP-HAS / GC Camber Plates / Carbonstructure Interior X7 XDrive 40i ///M-SPORT - 2020 G07 Arctic Grey Metallic X3 XDrive 30i - 2019 G01 Mineral White (wife's) / 128i 6MT - 2009 E82 Jet Black (son's)
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09-10-2023, 03:54 PM	#5
FlyEagle1 Private 56 Rep 67 Posts Drives: 2024 Alpina XB7 Green Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: N Georgia USA iTrader: (0)	That's good to know Thanks for posting-will definitely do the repair myself if needed now you have shown us how. Well done.
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