With Hyundai Santa Fe reversing sensors not working, it can make things more challenging.
After all, having well-performing parking sensors adds to the convenience of parking your vehicle. It is also safer to park when you have these tools to guide you. But if you have observed that your reversing sensors are malfunctioning, it can be just as tricky to know what has gone wrong.
And with diagnosis not being too easy, fixing the issue can be a bit of a puzzling experience.
So, what’s the deal with these reversing sensors failing? Find out more about the causes of a malfunction and what you can do about it.
Hyundai Santa Fe Reversing Sensors Not Working
Modern technology has made things much easier for everyone. This goes true with driving and parking your car. Thanks to reversing sensors or parking sensors, you can have a more efficient time getting your car parked safely and properly.
But what if it is not working?
And most importantly, why is it having issues, anyway?
First, let us take a look at how your reversing sensors work to have a better understanding of their mechanics and what can possibly go wrong with them.
When you reverse your vehicle into a parking area, your parking sensors will then generate a sound. It gets louder as you approach an object closer. Thus, you are alerted when you are too close to an obstruction, which then cautions you to stop backing the car.
The way parking sensors work is they utilize ultrasonic waves in detecting objects. These waves are sent out and then check these waves when they bounce back. The sensors measure the length of time that these waves take to bounce back and calculate the distance between your car and the object.
Moreover, there are reversing sensors that come with a display, allowing you to see just how close or far you are to the object. You can also use this display to get a better visualization of what’s going on when you back the car, which is particularly helpful when you are not used to relying on sound cues.
But do take note that reversing sensors are not always good at detecting smaller objects. This is why when there are potholes, the sensors may not always be able to alert you when these are in the way.
With this in mind, it is best to be more proactive when driving and stop when you have to. Moreover, you should allot ample space for stopping to prevent any untoward situations.
Why Reversing Sensors Stop Working
Although you can rely on reversing sensors for ease in parking, there are instances when they may stop functioning.
There are so many reasons why the sensors may fail. One thing that causes a malfunction is when there are build-ups such as dirt or debris. As they get exposed to dirt on the road, grime and dirt may accumulate on your sensors. Hence, they will find it more difficult to detect obstructions.
So, if you suspect dirt build-up on your sensors, it is best to give them a good cleaning. Use soft cloth and soapy water but steer clear of abrasive scrubbing tools because these can damage your sensors’ delicate components.
There is also a possibility that your parking sensors are not working well because of some wiring issues. If there are damages to the wiring, this inhibits your sensors’ ability to obtain power or send out signals properly.
In this case, you will need to have a mechanic assess your car and inspect the sensors’ wiring. This should help with providing the right solution to the problem.
And lastly, parking sensors tend to wear out as time goes by. If there are damages to your sensors, or they are worn and old, then they are no longer capable of doing their job as efficiently as they used to.
Thus, you will need to have your sensors replaced. You need to replace the entire unit, which should not be a very expensive – nor invasive – process. In fact, you can do it on your own with some basic skills and not have to take your vehicle to the mechanic.
Maintenance Tips For Reversing Sensors
Your parking sensors need proper maintenance just as the other components of your vehicle. This is why it is best to keep it clean to prevent dirt build-up that can limit its performance.
To clean your parking sensors, you will need microfiber cloth for wiping away debris or dirt on the surface. But if there is more stubborn grime, you need to use WD-40 to get all that gunk out and leave on for a few minutes to let it settle before you wipe it clean.
After cleaning the surface, the next thing is to clean the sensors. Soak cotton in rubbing alcohol and gently insert this into your sensor. Twist your cotton swab around, which should help to clean the inside better.
Once you have cleaned the surface and interior of the sensors, just wipe them all down with your microfiber cloth. This is to get rid of residue and dry it clean.
If cleaning does not fix the issue with your Hyundai Santa Fe reversing sensors not working, you will have to check the wiring.
Disconnect your negative battery terminal to prevent damages to the system as you test it. Look for the parking sensor wire harness and use your multimeter for testing the wires’ continuity. Without any continuity, it means that you have damaged wires needing replacement.
When your wires don’t seem to have a problem, simply reconnect your negative battery terminal and check if the system is working as it should. If not, one of the sensors may be having issues.
You will have to replace the sensor or individual wires, depending on your diagnosis. If only the wires need to be replaced, you need to look for the right type of wires for a replacement. After replacing either the wires or the sensor unit, be sure to test your reversing sensor system and make sure they are working well.
Read More: Causes And Solutions For A Hyundai Santa Fe Driver Side Window Not Working
Wrapping Up
There are many reasons why your reversing sensors may stop working properly over time. It can be due to damage to the sensor unit, wiring issues, or some debris stuck in the unit itself. The best way to troubleshoot this issue is by checking the cause of the problem and taking the right action as we have shared in this post. Then, you can save yourself time and money by knowing exactly what the problem is and the correct way to fix it.