2nd Gen R56 Cooper S Momentarily disabling rear park assist?

Discussion in '2nd Generation: 2007+ R55 through R61' started by TG., Jul 3, 2015.

  1. TG.

    TG. Active Member

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    I'm leaving in a week for a 3000 miles road trip and I'm trying to finish a road spare tire mount project on time. It's almost done. I just need to do the wiring to lite the license plate which you don't see here (I'll give more info on the project later:wink:)

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    I did a first test drive and run into an unexpected issue. The rear park assist sensors are picking up the spare tire. So it's stays continually ON when in reverse.

    I found out you can lower the volume of the PDC (park distance control) but it's still too loud and annoying.

    Any other ideas on how to disable the PDC temporarily?
     
  2. Zapski

    Zapski Well-Known Member

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    I don't know, but I did want to compliment your ingenuity. :)
     
  3. TG.

    TG. Active Member

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    Thanks! :Thumbsup:

    Here's a few more... all of my own work

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  4. Zapski

    Zapski Well-Known Member

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    Very nice! Does it latch in the stowed position, or will the weight of the wheel keep it in place?
     
  5. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    That is pretty nifty.
     
  6. TG.

    TG. Active Member

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    Yes it completely latches to a solid state. I wouldn't want any sort of weight inertia problems so I wanted it secure. If you look at the 4th picture (in the making) you see a pin with a key lock.

    When I did the first test drive this week nothing moved, or made noises, so I was quite happy. I was concerned tolerances being such that things could still make some noise but. Most of the wobble came from the hitch anyway. I fixed that by adding a knob that tightens the contraption to the hitch receiver and "voilà" :cornut:


    thx!
     
  7. TG.

    TG. Active Member

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    I do wish someone would know about the PDC.
    If it wasn't for some study liability reason they could have easily provided a way to turn it off at one's desire in the settings! :mad2:
     
  8. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    #8 BlimeyCabrio, Jul 3, 2015
    Last edited: Jul 3, 2015
    I know about the PDC. $20 buys you a solution. :devil:

    1) check your fuse diagram. I think in my car (a 1st gen cabrio) the PDC has its own fuse. Just pull it, and DONE. CORRECTION: It may share a fuse with the PS fan on the 1st gen. I can't find a fusebox diagram for an R59.
    2) I've also found that covering the offending sensor(s) with a piece of masking tape or racers tape will usually trick that sensor into being "blind". The other sensors and the system as a whole will continue to function, in cases where only one or two of the sensors can "see" the offending object.

    And very nice work. I like it.
     
  9. TG.

    TG. Active Member

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    Thx!

    1) I'll check this out . . . Removing the fuse doesn't trow a code?

    2) But if it's blind isn't going to trow an error relating to sensor not working? I thought I saw something when reading about ice or dirt deposit and such...

    Definitely options to look into :Thumbsup:
     
  10. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    1st gen throws no code in either case.
    If it throws a code, I'm sorry I can't offer a perfect solution. Live with the code for a while. It should clear itself when you undo whatever you did.
     
  11. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Nice metal workin you did there....:Thumbsup:

    Maybe try unplugging the wiring harness that is connected to the rear sensors to see if it lets the front still operate without issues... If that doesn't create any problems, then wire in a on-off toggle switch..... with a little creative selection you might be able to use OEM plugs so its "plug & play" without cutting wires....
     
  12. TG.

    TG. Active Member

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    I hear you :wink: thx!

    I don't have front sensors so no worries on that side.

    I 'll have to try a few things, see what works and probably revise it to a permanent solution once we're back from our trip.
    PS: I don't mind cutting wires in most cases were it's not some form of radio or fancy signals . . . though these could be :biggrin5:
     
  13. rkw

    rkw Well-Known Member

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    On my R52 the PDC had a volume setting but it was dealer programmed. I believe it's user settable in 2nd gen models. Set it to the lowest level (there might even be an off setting). However, some settings only available if you have a Nav screen.
     
  14. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    On our Audi, plugging in the trailer wiring harness turns off the rear PDC sensors, and even tho I know BMW wiring and programming are different, seems like there must be a way....

    Mostly, I'm curious why you think you need a spare tire? I removed the runflats from my car shortly after I got it and in close to 60K miles my car has been to both coasts, as well as north and south about as far as you can go in the states many times without ever having a problem.....seems like a lot of bother for something you'll never use.
     
  15. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    And yet, I destroyed a runflat on my car with only 10k miles on it, sidewall cut. Haven't had a flat since then, on the MINI.... but I carry a spare on long distance runs anyway.
     
  16. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Spare tire because shite happens.........

    All it needs is a hard cover for the continental look!!!
     
  17. TG.

    TG. Active Member

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    Ask and you shall receive! :D:cornut: . . .

    . . . Didn't have time to check the PDC but I did finish this project today!

    For show, without license plate:
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    For driving legally, with license plate:

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  18. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    Very nice craftsmanship !! Hope you're able to solve your sensor problems.
     
  19. TG.

    TG. Active Member

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    thx for the compliment...

    Me too though I'm running out of time so we may have to drive with the annoyance for a while... I think the manual says it stops after 3 seconds of continuous sound so we'll see...
     
  20. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Can't you just remove the fuse or even better unplug the wires from the sensors you are blocking with the tire.

    I.e. No sensor connected, no sound. :idea:
     

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