Back up sensors
03-10-2014, 08:33 PM
#1
Back up sensors
I am new and this May have been discussed but I am having problems with my backup sensors. This switch on the dash acts like there is no power to it. Sensors do not work.
2005 F150 SuperCrew
2005 F150 SuperCrew
03-10-2014, 09:37 PM
#3
Senior Member
Check the fuses but does your switch do nothing at all, or does orange light come on approx. 4 seconds after going into reverse? If it's disabling after 4 seconds, it can't read a sensor (I can explain after how to check that)... if it's dead (no lighting at all) then like Corey_lax wrote, check the fuse. I don't think the PAM fails entirely that often but I have heard of it happening once or twice.
03-11-2014, 08:19 AM
#4
Gentlemen, thank you for your response. I was mistaken, The back light does work on the switch but nothing else. Checked fuses 14, 18 and 28 as I read on line somewhere.
Also check checked visible wiring at the sensors themselves.
Also check checked visible wiring at the sensors themselves.
03-11-2014, 09:50 AM
#5
Senior Member
Ok, the light works on the dash but what happens? When you press it the button does it go on and off? Or.... After being in reverse for 4 seconds, does the light turn on and stay on (i.e. System disabled and cannot be enabled again - pressing button does nothing)?
If the light turns on after 4-5 seconds of being in reverse, that means it can't talk to one or more sensors. In that case, shut the engine off, turn the ignition to ON, place the ebrake on and put the transmission into reverse. Walk to the back of the truck and listen to each sensor. They should make a "tapping" noise. If one or more don't, those are the dead sensors. In my experience, it's usually mostly due to broken wires (especially if snow buildup hangs off of the wiring).
If you have one dead sensor, do the easy part first... Keep the truck in reverse, wiggle the wire a bit. The system wants to see 4-5 seconds of a good signal before it'll re-activate again so if you keep wigging the wire it may not tell you if it's a broken wire or not. Usually what I do now is I disconnect two sensors and swap them. If the same one is still not tapping, you know it's a broken wire rather than a dead sensor.
Again, this all depends on what the wire is doing. It could be as simple as the speaker being dead on the PAM (I know it's rare but I've heard of it).
If the light turns on after 4-5 seconds of being in reverse, that means it can't talk to one or more sensors. In that case, shut the engine off, turn the ignition to ON, place the ebrake on and put the transmission into reverse. Walk to the back of the truck and listen to each sensor. They should make a "tapping" noise. If one or more don't, those are the dead sensors. In my experience, it's usually mostly due to broken wires (especially if snow buildup hangs off of the wiring).
If you have one dead sensor, do the easy part first... Keep the truck in reverse, wiggle the wire a bit. The system wants to see 4-5 seconds of a good signal before it'll re-activate again so if you keep wigging the wire it may not tell you if it's a broken wire or not. Usually what I do now is I disconnect two sensors and swap them. If the same one is still not tapping, you know it's a broken wire rather than a dead sensor.
Again, this all depends on what the wire is doing. It could be as simple as the speaker being dead on the PAM (I know it's rare but I've heard of it).
03-11-2014, 11:11 AM
#6
When I turn lights on the symbol lights up but nothing else. The off light goes not come on. While in reverse I have pressed the switch to no avail. I started there because the off light does not come on. And I will check sensors. I thought it may be the switch.
03-11-2014, 12:51 PM
#7
Senior Member
Sounds like you're talking about the green illumination light when you turn your headlight switch to park or headlights? If so, that's 100% separate. Since you mentioned the OFF light (yellow/amber) doesn't come on, then I'd say your PAM isn't getting power (blown fuse, something broken), or your PAM module is shot. I was going to suggest check your reverse lights however you can still disable the reverse sensors even when in park or any other transmission selection. If that light isn't coming on at all, it's between the fuses and the PAM module to me.
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Timhurst (03-12-2014)
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03-14-2014, 12:04 PM
#10
Goombah Stomper
Woo! Now I know how to check my sensors. My sensors have been out for about 2 years now, just havent gotten around to checking them. But I figured one is out, but now I can find out for sure since it disables itself when I shift into reverse. It doesnt take 4 seconds, it does it immediately.