Had the dealer fit genuine Skoda after fit front parking sensors to my Elegance back in August. I have twice had them go into permanent beep mode when wet. Dealer says there are no fault codes, and it could be because I painted them. He is trying to contact the Skoda technical people for advice. I see from the forums that dirt and wet weather has affected other cars, any ideas what the problem might be?

The aftermarket kit can be painted but I think there are set instructions to follow.

Is this the kit that was fitted?

I was under the impression that this is a free standing kit and won't interface with the car. Do you get any graphics for the front sensors on your stereo.

If this is the kit that was fitted I don't think you can run any diagnostics on them.

Heavy dirt deposits can interfere with the ultrasonic emissions and cause the sensors to beep and twitter to themselves but i've only had this happen once when my car was like a tractor and never when wet. Maybe some water is getting in behind the sensors?

it's Gods way of asking why you need front sensors

Thanks for the reply. As I didn't see the kit before it was fitted, I can only go on what the dealer said, although he did say the sensors were a VW part originally. I have soaked each sensor in turn with water, but no fault appeared. I am thus suspicious of a sensor fault, and wonder if is anything to do with the fact that they had problems fitting it.

Further to my earlier reply, there are no graphics on the stereo.

Also, does the beep come from the same place as the rear sensors? and is there an on/off switch on the centre console below the climatronic controls? It should be between the ASR/ESP button and the Airbag off warning light.

Thanks for the reply. Not sure where the beep comes from, but the off switch is positioned down low on the drivers side facia at about knee level, not where the factory fitted switch is.

Ah right, I am curious to know how the dealer scanned it for fault codes, it doesn't sound like the proper integrated kit like you have at the back of the car and therefore will not be subject to the usual methods of fault finding via VAS that the dealer would use.

I would put money on some water getting where it shouldn't.

Either that or the paint is too thick and is upsetting the ultrasonics but that's an outside bet.

Thanks, I'll post a reply when/if the dealer gets anywhere with the Skoda Tech. dept. Really can't see the paint affecting it, but you never know!!

Spoke to the service manager today, and he now admits that this fault is known about, and has escalated to Skoda UK. He thinks that it might be passed on to Skoda HQ. Fault is now coming on in the dry. Hopefully I'll have more info. soon.

At least you are making some headway with the matter.

After frustration after frustration because the service manager was not available, or did not ring me back, I took the car into the dealer today. Apparently Skoda do not know of this problem, and the dealer has now agreed to have the car for two days later this month to try and bottom the problem. Can't say I'm optimistic about the outcome!