I recently took my Expedition in for few items and they came back with some rather obnoxious numbers on a quote. I had them fix about $700 worth of items but couldn't choke on what they were charging for a backup sensor replacement. The diagnosis alone was $109 to pinpoint the outer RH backup sensor was faulty. They wanted an additional $440 to fix it. Rather than say yes I figured I would attempt the fix on my own. Taking the complete bumper assembly off of the Eddie Bauer version took me roughly 30 minutes. Not too bad for not knowing how to do it. Of course the Chilton manual didn't have that information in their book.

I took the bad sensor out, drove to the Ford dealer and went directly to the parts counter and matched it up wth exact replacement ($134.00). I put the whole thing back together hoping it would work perfectly.

I did disconnect the battery overnight prior to doing anything! The last thing I did was re-connect the battery (as that is what I had read might allow the system to reset the sensor).

Anyway, upon starting the vehicle and placing the automobile in reverse the same 'check backup aid' continues to appear. Is there any way to reset the diagnostics so that the sensor can be active again. I certainly don't want to head back to the dealer for them to charge me for something I can do at home. Even if there is a diagnostic/reset tool I can purchase I'd be happier owning one then having to continue to pay their outragous fees.

Thanks in advance for any helpful information anyone can give me on this.

-David

 

There's nothing saying that the sensor was bad to begin with. All anyone knows is that the backup system couldn't communicate with the sensor. So either the wrong sensor was replaced, or the problem is with the wiring and not a sensor.

 

Any way to bench test the sensor that I took off? I would suspect for $109 I would have received the correct diagnosis to pinpoint that sensor. I trust your opinion as I noticed you are one of the knowledgeable posters in this forum. Do you concur that the battery disconnect would correctly reset the system? The tech behind the desk (for what it is worth) said that I should try the battery disconnect but it may not reset with just that.

 

I'm fairly certain that repairing the problem will automatically clear up the warning message at the next ignition off/on sequence without even having to disconnect the battery or perform any sort of reset. This is why I believe the sensor you replaced wasn't the problem. By outer RH you did replace the one on the passenger side furthest out from the centerline of the vehicle, correct?

 

I appreciate the question regarding replacing the correct one. As I am sure there are alot of idiots who post things on here. I can confirm I changed the passenger side outside sensor. Maybe I will take it back to the dealership and tell them I replaced it and obviously their diagnostic was bad (if their reset device doesn't make it work). Maybe they won't charge me another $109.

If anyone else has any ideas - please post it. I will certainly post the final conclusion once I figure it out.

-David

 

Have you scrolled through the message center to the reverse sensing system section just to make sure it's enabled? While there you might try disabling, then re-enabling it to see if it forces a reset of the system.

 

That option to OFF / ON is not available in the message center on the 2003 Eddie Bauer that I have. I also have a 2006 Lincoln Navigator and that option to enable and disable the backup sensor is there. Unfortunately on this vehicle there isn't that capability. Believe me, I wish it was there as I would disable it so that I don't hear the "check backup aid" signal everytime it is placed in reverse. It is quite annoying.

 

You can disable it on an '03, you need to go through the message center with the vehicle in reverse. It will not turn it off forever though, once you cycle the key it will be back on. It will at least let you cycle it as alloro has suggested.

 

I was hoping you would be correct as that was something I had not tried. Unfortunately it gives me no options when in reverse other than CHECK BACKUP AID. Dang, I had my fingers crossed on that one.

 

What if you put it in reverse, wait for the message, then press (or maybe hold) the reset button?

 

Oh it's correct. I've done it. Maybe since yours isn't working it will not allow you to do it. From page 224 of yopur manual...

"The system is automatically enabled when the gear selector is placed in R (Reverse) and the ignition is ON. The RSS control in the message center allows the driver to disable the system only when the ignition is ON and the gear selector in R (Reverse)"

 

I set up an appointment for the Ford dealer to plug in whatever it takes to reset the sensor on Monday afternoon. I'm hoping that is all it needs otherwise I am sure they will tell me it must be something else and they will diagnose it for another $109 and offer to fix it for $440. I sure hope all it needs is some fancy reset done with their programming device as I really don't want to get pissed off fighting for their misdiagnosis fee to be refunded and applied to their new diagnostic. I miss the good ole days with my 66 Mustang where things either ran or they didn't. Life! If you don't have a car, you don't have car problems.

 

I know it has been two years since you had this problem, but can you share the result of taking it back to the dealer? What, if anything, did you end up doing to get the reverse alarm working properly again? Mine started acting up a few years ago and then quit altogether. My wife just backed into another truck and I'd like to get it working again. The Information Display does not give any indications when I shift into reverse, no sound comes out of the speaker, nothing, nada.

All of the troubleshooting I have read on the boards says something should be showing up on the display. BTW, the fuse is good and I checked the connectors on the module in the drivers side rear panel and everything look OK.

Thoughts anyone??

 

I just purchased an 04 Expedition EB and I see the backup sensors on my bumper but have not witnessed them working. How do I know if it's activated / working? Sorry, clueless, any help would be appreciated.

 

Back up near something.