R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 Reverse sensors Fixed - easy trick they don't want you to know about.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 26, 2019 | 07:35 AM
  #1  
RLucky82's Avatar
RLucky82
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 38
Likes: 4
From: Medina, Ohio
Reverse sensors Fixed - easy trick they don't want you to know about.

I sanded my reverse sensors with 1000 grit sandpaper and no more long beep at first reverse shift.

that is the short story. I polished and waxed my S and for the next few days I noticed that the reverse beep was gone. That got me thinking, "what if?" So I had some 1,000 grit sandpaper nearby (500 grit would be fine also) and taped off the surrounding area then proceed to sand away some clear coat. After a few quick tests, nothing changed so I kept sanding, kinda broke through the clear coat and figured I would stop there. On the next few tests it was still beeping so I figured it was a fantasy and wasn't going to work. I peeled the tape off and got ready for work and on the next start up and ever since No more long beeeep when put in reverse! YRMV but its cheap, easy, worth a try and alot easier than pulling the bumper and replacing sensors )
 

Last edited by RLucky82; Jun 26, 2019 at 07:48 AM.
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2019 | 10:37 AM
  #2  
Andy_S's Avatar
Andy_S
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 202
Likes: 51
From: Midwest USA
Sweet, I'm going to give it a try. I bought my R52 used last year, and it had the long beep on reverse. With the help of my son (young ears) I determined which of the four transducers was not sounding. Then I bought a couple of sub $20 generic black transducers from different suppliers and swapped it out with the first to arrive.

The long beep went away, but the system doesn't function... I've never heard it beep as I back up close to things.

I haven't yet tried swapping it for the second cheap one. I think OEM paint matched sensors are about $280 each.
 
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2019 | 11:23 AM
  #3  
A383Wing's Avatar
A383Wing
6th Gear
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 255
I had a "long" beep in my R52 yesterday.....never heard it before......I was backing out of the garage and it would not stop......

turns out I left the trunk lid open after I got stuff out of it to put in the house.......

Learned something new that day

Bryan
 
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2019 | 07:12 AM
  #4  
ECSTuning's Avatar
ECSTuning
Platinum Sponsor
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 36,759
Likes: 2,548
From: Wadsworth, Ohio
Mine got water in the sensors in my R52, pretty typical behind the seal. Then you set it out in the sun and let dry out and its works. Once i drive it through the ran or wash it really good it comes back.
Watch on those high-pressure hoes as it can force water in there and cause the sensor to have a long beep again.

Put the car in reverse and of course on but not running, put your ear up to the sensor and you can hear it ticking, If no ticking you know which sensor is bad.
 
__________________

MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2019 | 08:17 AM
  #5  
Andy_S's Avatar
Andy_S
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 202
Likes: 51
From: Midwest USA
Originally Posted by ECSTuning
Put the car in reverse and of course on but not running, put your ear up to the sensor and you can hear it ticking, If no ticking you know which sensor is bad.
My ears are old and I've had a bunch of ear surgeries. My hearing is nearly normal for my age, but I couldn't hear anything from any of them. My 17 year old son had no issues telling which one was not ticking.

Note: you can do this test with the engine off but key on, so no danger to the person squatting down behind the car which is in reverse.
 
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2019 | 08:21 AM
  #6  
ECSTuning's Avatar
ECSTuning
Platinum Sponsor
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 36,759
Likes: 2,548
From: Wadsworth, Ohio
Yes, its very faint,,, tick , tick tick from the ultrasonic sensor.
 
__________________

MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
Reply
Old Jul 2, 2019 | 07:45 PM
  #7  
Marine Blue's Avatar
Marine Blue
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 69
Likes: 17
Can the sensors be changed without changing the exterior color (ie is the sensor internal) and how do you remove the sensors?
 
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2019 | 05:13 AM
  #8  
ECSTuning's Avatar
ECSTuning
Platinum Sponsor
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 36,759
Likes: 2,548
From: Wadsworth, Ohio
Sensor has a little seal on it , i thought the same thing but i did not damage that seal as thats how water gets in there and ruins the sensor. I have seen people just switch to the black/non painted ones we have, but then you can see those black dots on the bumper.
 
__________________

MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Gen1
JCW Garage
22
Sep 26, 2022 12:39 PM
minicountry
1st Gen Countryman (R60) Talk (2010-2015)
5
Jun 5, 2014 12:42 PM
margaritame
R52 :: Cabrio Talk (2005-2008)
3
Aug 11, 2010 05:57 AM
jjamie99515
Stock Problems/Issues
5
Jul 26, 2010 06:14 AM
bluerain
Stock Problems/Issues
1
Aug 2, 2002 07:41 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:11 AM.