Fixed towbars and parking sensors

[johnikgriff]

Folks

Getting my XC90 in a few weeks, will my parking sensors work okay with a fixed towbar. Looks like I will be okay, but obviously the towbar fitters are all trying to sell me a detachable one (which I'll never detact).

Thanks

[gillberry]

Should be picking my xc90 up in a couple of weeks and have ordered a fixed flange towbar (need to mount a stabiliser as classic caravan) . The rear parking sensors can be switched off but there should not be a problem for everyday use .

[Frank]

Agree it should not be a problem. I have a detachable Brink but when the ball is in place it does not affect the sensors.

Frank

[JackRussel]

Have had a fixed towbar on 2 XC90s and have one on current XC60. Never caused a problem.

[SKH]

I had an XC90 with a fixed towbar and now have an XC60 also with a fixed towbar, never had any problems with the reversing sensors. When the 'beeping' goes to a continuous noise the towball is about 4" from hitting anything.

[XC90caravanpuller]

Sorry to bear bad tidings, but on hols in Italy, France, Germany and Switzerland a message came up on the display saying "parking sensor service required".
The sensors now don't work.
No "beep beep beeeeeeeep" reverse parking now we are back in Brighton is a pain.
Anyone had parking sensors "serviced"?
We washed the sensors as advised in the manual.
No luck.
We were reversing with caravan on the back when it happened.
I thought the sensors were turned off when you plugged in the 2 sockets to the car?
older and not much wiser!

[TruckbusUK]

Originally Posted by XC90caravanpuller

Sorry to bear bad tidings, but on hols in Italy, France, Germany and Switzerland a message came up on the display saying "parking sensor service required".
The sensors now don't work.
No "beep beep beeeeeeeep" reverse parking now we are back in Brighton is a pain.
Anyone had parking sensors "serviced"?
We washed the sensors as advised in the manual.
No luck.
We were reversing with caravan on the back when it happened.
I thought the sensors were turned off when you plugged in the 2 sockets to the car?
older and not much wiser!

I believe the sensors are only deactivated if you have a Volvo Trailer Module fitted.

hope it helps

[NCS XC90]

Hi,
I have had the same message on mine before now (after fiddling with the park assist wiring). I'm afraid it can only be reset with one of the electronic tools that Volvo has (VIDAS) or if you know an Indy who has the relevant software. Alternatively if you know someone with a PPC scanner they can reset the error message and obviously read the code to tell you why it went into error.
Basically whilst fixing the cause of the error may be a DIY job turning the error off without the proper scanner isn't.
Regards,
Neil

[XC90caravanpuller]

HI and thanks for the posts replying to my query.
Lots of helpful info.
I've been offline thanks to Virgin Media!!!!!!
Seems like their switch to Google servers has messed everyone in the South East. Now have no email, having got the broadband and TV back. Old set top box has internal modem which isn't up to the new software they squirted down the cables.New modem in the post. My complaint posted to Ofcom, and on Twitter.
Took car into independent (Amber, Southwick) yesterday for MOT (passed no problems!), oil and filter change (£49 quid for semi synthetic? more expensive than champagne! I nearly fainted), parking brake check( I drove towing caravan for about 0.5 miles with brake on!? That is one powerful engine!) and to check sensors.

Back to sensors:

Invoice says, "REM 6001,4F44 No. 3 sensor fault", and they were talking about having to strip down the whole bumper, off the car at huge cost.
Something about series or parallel, and whole system shutting down to avoid assumptions from one sensor out of 4 not working.
Car is covered by extended warranty, but insurers didn't know if sensors are included in "what's covered".
I have to get garage to phone them with diagnosis and to ask for go ahead or not!
I get to pay anything over £40 per hour, if it is covered!
I'll keep you all posted.
Advised by them (Amber) not to change ATF.
Will post that on the other thread about geartronic.
Oh Well!

[XC90caravanpuller]

Originally Posted by TruckbusUK

I believe the sensors are only deactivated if you have a Volvo Trailer Module fitted.

hope it helps

How do I tell which I've got?
Witter fixed towbar added when I bought the car from PW Cars near Slough.
Looking at the info booklet the trailer module seems to work the sound for the indicators, so appears compatible with loom and electronics.

The garage asked if they'd been "hit" and I had to admit an bump when reversing into a tight site, but they don't appear damaged.
Does anyone know how they work?
Sensitive sensors seems a bit daft!