03 745Li - PDC malfunction

I have a 2003 745LI and received a PDC Malfunction Error and am hoping I can try some kind of reset. The error appeared when I was backing my car up and the PDC was audibly beeping; I don't think I came to a full stop and put the car in drive as a car was pulling into the travel lane quickly. It was at that point that the PDC Error lit up.

Hope someone can help me - -thank you.

Originally Posted by whoustonjr

I have a 2003 745LI and received a PDC Malfunction Error and am hoping I can try some kind of reset. The error appeared when I was backing my car up and the PDC was audibly beeping; I don't think I came to a full stop and put the car in drive as a car was pulling into the travel lane quickly. It was at that point that the PDC Error lit up.

Hope someone can help me - -thank you.

Turn the PDC ON ....go round the back of the car and listen to each PDC sensor ...you should hear it clicking.

The sensor that isn't clicking is the one that is faulty and will need replaced.

Get some rubbing alcohol and thoroughly clean all of the sensors, sometimes the dirt can cause problems.

Thanks - - I heard the rear sensors clicking and didn't hear two in the front clicking -- it was hard to hear with the engine running though. I'll try and clean them good.

Do you think there is any benefit to trying to reboot the idrive -- I did read a post from someone else who had a very similar story about backing up and putting their car in drive before coming to a full stop. They recommended rebooting the iDrive, however I wasn't able to duplicate their recommendation as by Nav/DVD is in the trunk and I can't hold the eject button there and the radio/power and CD eject buttons at the same time.

When I scrolled for further detail regarding the "PDC Malfunction" the screen says "No Acoustic Warning Available"

Again, many thanks for your input.

They were likely talking about resetting the MOST bus by pulling the jumper in the glove box for a minute. Open your glove box, then open the little door at the top of the glove box (to get to the fuse box). On the fuse box door there is a loop with two optical cables plugged into it, unplug its connector for a minute and plug it back in. This is considered a MOST bus reset (basically you are breaking the MOST bus network (a ring topology) for a minute, then reconnecting).

i got these errors 3 times when i first got my car, but i think it was due to dirt or moisture in there, because once i washed car and stuff it never happened again to this day.

Originally Posted by TechFreak

Turn the PDC ON ....go round the back of the car and listen to each PDC sensor ...you should hear it clicking.

The sensor that isn't clicking is the one that is faulty and will need replaced.

I checked all the sensors; the back ones clicked -- three in the front clicked but not the 4th. . . Tried the rubbing alcohol but that didn't seem to work so I guess the drivers side sensor on my front bumper is in need of replacement.

Anyone know the part number of the rear left side PDC sensor? I found this thread to be very useful and noticed that the only sensor not clicking is the rear left.

Originally Posted by UltZeven

Anyone know the part number of the rear left side PDC sensor? I found this thread to be very useful and noticed that the only sensor not clicking is the rear left.

For info : your new PDC sensor will also need to be colour coded to match the colour of your car. So you'll need this info when ordering.

I think the Front Sensor part no. is : 66200309541

and the Rear Sensor part no. : 66200309542

Enter part no.s here to check: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do

Originally Posted by TechFreak

For info : your new PDC sensor will also need to be colour coded to match the colour of your car. So you'll need this info when ordering.

I think the Front Sensor part no. is : 66200309541

and the Rear Sensor part no. : 66200309542

Enter part no.s here to check: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do

Thanks bro, you're the man, but honestly $200 just for one sensor . Oh well, I love using the PDC so I'll have to order it.

Thanks

my pdc error comes and goes like couple times a week. what do you guys think maybe a lose wire or do you think the sensor is messed up even though it works sometimes?

It could well be a loose connection. Remove the strips to check all sockets on the bumpers (7s are a delight in that sense) and then make your way to the main wiring harness shall you not find any of the sensors loose.

Originally Posted by TechGuy

It could well be a loose connection. Remove the strips to check all sockets on the bumpers (7s are a delight in that sense) and then make your way to the main wiring harness shall you not find any of the sensors loose.

wait im not the greatest person for that, uhm can you tell me how to do that again in detail? thank you sir

Yes, please give us more detailed instructions. Please.

The first few pictures in my bumper drop set show/tell how to pull off the trim strips that house the sensors --> here.

Originally Posted by Keif

The first few pictures in my bumper drop set show/tell how to pull off the trim strips that house the sensors --> here.

You're pics and help on this forum rule! Thank you.

Any pics for pulling off the back sensors, or is it basically the same technique? My rear, middle passenger side sensor is not clicking. Just bought it 2 days ago, but the owner told me it was "intermittent", which it is NOT. Is it possible that the sensor is good? Maybe it's a connection issure (ie: loose and/or dirty).

It sucks, but at the same time it's nice to know there are people on here like you and techfreak to help. So, thanks again! Both of you!

Originally Posted by tonelab77

You're pics and help on this forum rule! Thank you.

Any pics for pulling off the back sensors, or is it basically the same technique? My rear, middle passenger side sensor is not clicking. Just bought it 2 days ago, but the owner told me it was "intermittent", which it is NOT. Is it possible that the sensor is good? Maybe it's a connection issure (ie: loose and/or dirty).

It sucks, but at the same time it's nice to know there are people on here like you and techfreak to help. So, thanks again! Both of you!

Swap the NON-clicking sensor over with a known good clicking one ....this will tell you if the cable is ok ....

Originally Posted by TechFreak

Swap the NON-clicking sensor over with a known good clicking one ....this will tell you if the cable is ok ....

Thanks for that helpful tip! Should I use the same (or similar) technique for removing the front sensors, as described by Keif?

I haven't done it, but from what it looks like in TIS, it's the exact same way as doing the front -- pull off the side pieces first, starting from the edges nearest the middle of the bumper, pull them out toward the sides a little, then slide back and out, then pry the center piece out in a similar fashion.

Originally Posted by tonelab77

Thanks for that helpful tip! Should I use the same (or similar) technique for removing the front sensors, as described by Keif?

Wot Keif said .....

THANK YOU!

I'm going to try this in the next couple days. I would today, but it's my birthday, and I don't feel like it.

Strip came off very easily and I switched the "bad" sensor with the one next to it (to test the harness). Turns out, the PDC sensor is bad. Anyhow, here's a pic. I can't find a part number that matches "66200309542" anywhere.

Here's what it says:

6 913 942
602 482

GERMANY
602 398
6 907 128
A103
02

Can someone please verify the part number I need. THANKS!

I just got off the phone with the local BMW stealer, and they said the part number is #66202184264

This is so confusing! Please help.

Part #3 on this diagram is what you are looking for... a guy at a local dealership just told me that the part number 66200309542 listed on realoem was superceded last month by the number you gave (so YOU have the correct part number, not realoem.com).

That being said, a known working rear bumper sensor of the same color from a member here on the board should work fine and be much cheaper. Good luck!

Will this part work? http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...72#post5467272 Thanks Keif!

Unsure...there is one part number for the front PDC sensors and a different one for the rear ones...and I haven't taken off the rear bumper, so to be honest, I'm not quite sure what visible design differences there are. I'll try to drop by the dealership after work and see if they have a rear one to look at.

...

Ok, just talked to a parts guy at a local dealership and he said that the front PDC sensors have the connector coming straight off the back, while the rear PDC sensors have the connector coming off the side. So, it sounds like the one at the bottom of the picture in the link you posted is probably the one you want (the one on the top does look like my front PDC sensors).