I recently bought a 2004 Lariat with backup sensor. The truck is perfect in all other ways but that sensor does not work. The button on the dash is always illuminated saying it is off and pushing it will not reactivate it.
Curious if anyone knows of any possible solutions to this at all.

 

I bought my '04 in January. The reverse sensors have never worked and i have not had time to try and fix it. I did notice that both of the outside sensors have the wires ripped out of the sensor. My truck does the same thing as yours...except my light doesn't say "off" until i put it in reverse, then after being in reverse pushing the button does nothing.
I just finished my last exam at university today and now i plan on pampering my truck with some much needed TLC, and this RS problem is one of the first things on my list. So maybe there is a faulty wire somewhere in your system...I'll keep you updated.
Sorry for such a long reply
Scooter

 

Fuse maybe? Disconnected wires would also act like a bad fuse if the sensors are wired in series. Sorry, I can't check on this for you, but I think it's worth a look.

- Jack

 

Update:

I finally got checking out me reverse sensors this weekend, and they are too far gone. The only way to fix them on my truck is to get new ones, so i cant tell you if that is the only problem with my RS system.
Good luck

 

i had this happen 2x. it was one of the sensors both times.

 

Hi, I have similiar issues with the reverse sensors on my 2004 F150 (four sensor flavor) You mention you tested your sensors.... how did you do this? Did you use a multi-meter (if so, what were the numbers you were looking for?) Much appreciated.

Jason

2004 F-150

 

Anyone have any further data on how to check the backups sensors? Thanks!

 

Mine's flakey too..

 

I wish I could give you good news, but I spent several hours in repairing mine. It could be anything from a bad sensor to a dirty connection. First I'd check the fuse: then I would buy a new sensor, and replace the ones on your truck with the new sensor one at a time: If you find the bad one that's great. If not check the connection on the side of the Trans: right where theres 2 small 7/16 bolts (driver’s side of Trans). When you check the connections make sure you use an electrical cleaner then some dielectric grease on the connections before you reconnect them… I would rather spend a few hours myself than pay the stealer a couple hundred bucks.

 

I hope mine don't stop working. When they do whatever spot I'm backing into, someone's going to need a new bumper. I don't even pretend to look anymore...I'm so used to my F150 I almost backed my fiance's fusion right into someone's car the other day in a parking garage...didn't even look, just waited for a beep.

 

you can find complete kits on Ebay for about $39.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BACKU...spagenameZWDVW

 

Got the reverse system fixed yesterday. To test each sensor individually, I blocked each sensor, one at a time, started the truck, and put it in reverse. Even though the system does a self check and then shuts down, it does actually chirp right before shut down if the sensor is working and detects interference. So you just need to repeat this 4 times to determine which sensors are working, and which aren't. You have to turn the vehicle off and restart it each time to reset the system.

New sensor installed, back in business.