Rear Parking Assist Sensors

[SwansSaab]

I have two sensors out .. my indie specialist just rang to say they are £83 each plus labour .. I thought that was expensive, is that about right or can I get cheaper

[phoenix]

I think that is about right for individual sensors, yes. When I found myself in a similar position a couple of years ago, it was more cost effective to buy the entire kit (you sometimes see them on http://www.carpartsconnexion.com/ for not very much at all) and keep a couple spare for the next time.

[SwansSaab]

Thanks Mark, I was not amused by the price ... if I buy an after market kit can I just use the new sensors and straight swap for the old or do I have to replace the whole system??

[phoenix]

I'm not aware of any compatibility between aftermarket kits and the OEM one, so I think yes, you'd have to replace the entire thing. Interesting idea about aftermarket- they are very cheap, around £25 or so IIRC for the complete kit. I would think it might be a little tricky to get the sensors to fit in the holes but for the price it's worth a go.

One more thing, before they condemn the sensors, have they taken them apart and cleaned them- sometimes this works.

[SwansSaab]

I'm not aware of any compatibility between aftermarket kits and the OEM one, so I think yes, you'd have to replace the entire thing. Interesting idea about aftermarket- they are very cheap, around £25 or so IIRC for the complete kit. I would think it might be a little tricky to get the sensors to fit in the holes but for the price it's worth a go.

One more thing, before they condemn the sensors, have they taken them apart and cleaned them- sometimes this works.

As far as Im aware no they have not taken them apart ... thats a great point actually, definitely worth a go to save 200 quid plus.   What am I looking for, I think I read on another thread that sometimes the connection between the sensor and the cable gets a little dirty/rusty and cleaning this may help??

[Leon TurboX]

Aftermarket kits won't interface with SAAB OEM, best bet is as phoenix has said, get a cheap genuine kit from the site mentioned.
You can swap bits yourself, pretty simple to do.

[sgould]

On the 2002 model the sensors are fitted to the black bumper trim.


The book says that you have to lever off the black corner pieces before you can pull off the centre strip.  Then unclip each sensor from the holder and unplug it.

[SwansSaab]

On the 2002 model the sensors are fitted to the black bumper trim.


The book says that you have to lever off the black corner pieces before you can pull off the centre strip.  Then unclip each sensor from the holder and unplug it.

Top man as usual 

[Louis]

If you know (or can find) the Saab part number of the Saab Park Assist (SPA) for your car, then you can download complete fitting instructions from www.saabdocs.com

[kevpuk]

Could always put up a query on Partsmaster or similar ?
That's what I did, and ended up paying about £25 for a used sensor.....

[SwansSaab]

Could always put up a query on Partsmaster or similar ?
That's what I did, and ended up paying about £25 for a used sensor.....

Done thaNKs Kev

[nine-fiver]

BMW 5 series from the same MY era seem to run the same sensors in the rear. Same purple coloring as on my '02 Aero. Same size. Bosch part.
Wonder what BM charge these days...