For some reason the front sensor was freaking out ever since I bought the car...most of the times it worked, but now it always shows and obstacle.
Any way to fix them? I found new one in my color for $180 or used anywhere from 50-100. But the color is different. Can I pop the cap from and old one so the color on the used one is the same or must I have it painted. I can install it myself.

I dont care for the sensors but it does make my wifes life easier.

Thank you

 

Mine does the same after I wash the car or it rains. Have you tried cleaning them and possibly waxing them

 

I washed my car numerous times... Sometimes it comes back but not for long. Says clean sonar and then goes nuts.
Waxing??

 

If the sensor is faulty, there is no way to repair it. I opened a defective one from my car and it is potted with some sort of white goop, like a sort of silicone.

I ordered the replacement from LexusParts, then noticed I ordered the wrong one! There's 3 different units used on the GS: 4 rectangular ones up front, and 2 each of different diameter round ones on the rear. Just be careful to get the right unit in the right color.

 

I've had my rear ones freak out for no reason, but every time so far... thankfully... it was resolved by thoroughly washing them and/or giving them a few good taps. I think they particularly don't like when crud builds up in the little lip between the sensor and the rubber o-ring type part.

 

You sound just like me DrexLex..... I'm always curious as to how things work, so I take almost everything I own apart..... Unless I know for a fact it is an impossible to reassemble project of course.

 

I had a right rear do the same thing, went crazy every time I went into reverse. Cleaning it never phased it. I just dropped that side of the bumper, unhooked the sensor and cleaned the connections a bit, and put it back in. Hasn't had another issue since.

 

Very good advice. I really should have tried that first! Usually, that's what I do. But curiosity got the best of me, and by opening the unit, it created a "there's no going back" scenario.

 

Haha, trust me I've been there. I usually try to gauge price first, but sometimes I just dig right in. I've just learned with electrical to always check connections before opening things up.

 

Should have put some di-electrical grease on the connections. I need to do this to mine, I always thought the sensor would get soaked internal. I will try to reach into my front bumper and see if I can get to the plugs instead of pulling off the bumper.

 

I wish we had parking sensors, I was in a 3GS recently and its so cool!

Guess it doesn't help people backing into you though.

 

Why would you want to put an insulating grease onto a low voltage electrical connection? Might as well fill the connector up with mud.

 

A bit of an update.
During the winter the sensor worked most of the time. When it got warmer it started acting up again.
Took the car out today in 60 degree weather and it's working fine again. Car sat still for 3 days.

Any clues? If the sensor was bad wouldn't it be bad all the time?
One of the sensors up front that I suspect is giving me problems has a small dent, as if a small rock hit it. It's tiny , but I'm assuming that's what the problem is, but wouldn't that problem always be there ?

 

The sensor has an outer ring, which is the housing flang, and an inner disc, separated by a thin space. That space is filled with some rubbery compound. Try scrubbing that rubber gap with a cloth to make sure there's no layer of buildup or other stuff on it. I cannot remember if I just used a damp cloth or something else, but it stopped my flaky sensor.

 

Interesting piece of advice. Thank you.