[JyRO]

Hi Folks -

First of all, I intensly dislike the Honda clips (used underbody at least) that have two pry areas 180° apart, that must be pryed with 2 flat screw drivers. These are caveman dumb designed.

I wanted to post up a bit of info to make things easy for anyone replacing a front sensor. About a month ago, the wife managed to hit what she said she thought was a 2 X 4 on the interstate, and it damaged the LF parking sensor. She said it was no fault of her own, because it bounced up. Yet ... boards don't jump up by themselves, it had to be knocked around by another vehicle ... which to me implies that she was likely following too closely. I'm a big advocate of leaving PLENTY of room between cars at interstate speeds. Not just for safety but for reasons like this as well. But I didn't say a word to her, cause things happen. There won't be a big gap 100% of the time.

FYI, a parking sensor is like $220. Anyway, I found a shortcut way to get to the front sensors, saving a lot of time. I wish I had taken pictures.

I took the LF wheel off and let the car sit on the jack. It may be possible to turn the front of the front wheel in toward the engine to get it out of the way, but removing it is certainly better.

I took loose the fender liner, 1 screw on the bottom and 3 or 4 clips (maybe two on the bottom and two in the wheel area). Again, I strongly dislike the clips used in this area. They're nearly impossible to pry back with out damaging them, and their material gets brittle and easily break. I didn't remove the liner, just made it where it would flex back without breaking.

Then I took one additional screw out, the screw that attaches the bumper to the fender at the wheel arch. This screw is only accessible once the wheel liner can be moved back to see it. It screws vertically upward.

Once this screw was loose, I was able to pry open the bumper and fender liner enough to get my big arm far enough in to reach the sensor. The sensor pushes forward out of the bumper (easy).

Then the sensor can be disconnected (or the sensor can be disconnected first, but it's blind to try to figure out what to squeeze to disconnect). But mine was previously disconnected by the 2 x 4. Actually it wasn't disconnected, it was broken completely.

I then could not find the wire harness or connector, so I wound up removing the fog light to see up in the area better, and found the wire harness. I still had to disconnect the broken end of the sensor by pulling the connector end of the wire harness back out into the fender well area.

I pushed the new connector into the bumper, then fished my arm back in there with the wire harness and made the connection. I probably could have connected the sensor before I pushed it into the bumper by pushing the wire harness / connector through the bumper hole ... but hey, I'm no rocket scientist!

Then I put everything back together. Except for the broken friggin clips!!! Did I mention how strongly I dislike their design? I had some clips from the Hyundai plant I used to work at. This is at least 1 area (maybe the only one) where Hyundai has done a good job. Their connectors do the same job, but can be easily be backed out of their positions simply by screwing them out, or pushing a central like button, then pulling them right out.

The Honda clips SUCK, just in case you haven't garnered that already!


JyRO

 

[Snobike Mike]

Thanks for the write up.

I do agree the honda clips suck and are very hard to remove without damaging them.

I had the same problem when working on the fog lights.

 

[TouringNY]

any chance of getting the part no. of the front parking sensor?

 

[aleki2424]

TNY, the Passenger sensor p/n on my 2006 is 39680-shj-a61. I am not sure if the driver's side has the same number though...may have to confirm.

Agreed 100%. Those clips are Gawd-awful to work with, and quite ubiquitous too. Any one with their p/ns or how to get some replacements?

 

[CTS-V]

Clips are cheap. Just break em and get some more. All of those plastic clips suck once they have have some miles them. I have started doing the math on what my time is worth. $10 worth of clips or 20 mins of your life.

 

[wamld]

I agree with CTS-V. The price you mentioned above was that for one sensor or a set or I was the labor plus part Honda charge.

 

[rdj]

I agree with CTS-V. The price you mentioned above was that for one sensor or a set or I was the labor plus part Honda charge.

That price is downright outrageous. Cost of that sensor is probably less than $5.
I repaired my broken sensor. It works great.

The bumper fell from my hand while removing it, before I got a chance to undo the sensor's connector. So the sensor was broken in the middle.

 

[aleki2424]

That price is downright outrageous. Cost of that sensor is probably less than $5.
I repaired my broken sensor. It works great.

The bumper fell from my hand while removing it, before I got a chance to undo the sensor's connector. So the sensor was broken in the middle.

That is exactly what happened in my case (attempting to install stupid condenser line guard) and it split exactly where you referred to...Honestly, the harness itself is so short, I don't see how you could remove the bumper w/o risking snapping the sensors.

Still waiting on salvage sensors. I will not pay $220 for the darn things.

 

[ecommish]

My front sensors on both my 2012 Odyssey and 2010 Pilot seem to go off at red lights just after rainfall. Has anyone had simialr experience? Honda tells me there must be left over wax in them from my last buffing, but that is definitely NOT the case.
My Odyssey is still under warranty and I am going to insist they change them out, but the Pilot is now out of warranty and was happy to see it's not so hard to (try and) do myself.

 

[dgsbikes]

Just FYI...Clips are generally $2 to $5 for a 30-50 pack on ebay depending on the type of clip. I think the Ody has 3 or 4 different types based on their location.

Just search for the honda clip part number on ebay, and you will see a bunch of listings. It does generally take 3+ weeks for one to get the clips, as most listings are ship from China.

I got 50-pack of each type a few years back, and used them as needed over the years. Quality is excellent, and they hold in place very firmly.

 

[touring1]

A friend and I were able to replace both front sensors without removing the bumper or wheels on 2008 Ody (following JYro's suggestion in this post). We turned wheels to inside and removed a few screws from the liner to make enough room so that arm could go inside to reach the sensors at the corners. They are secured in place with a plate at the back so cannot be pulled from the outside. I bought these sensors from eBay (part# 39680SHJA61). Same sensors are used on some other Honda vehicles but part numbers are different. The sensors came from China in Honda packaging with Chinese written on it. However, I have one issue after replacement that the sensors only work or beep if object is very close (within about 1 to 2 feet). They are supposed to work from more distance (10 feet or so). Is this issue with the sensors?

Thanks

 

[John Clark]

A friend and I were able to replace both front sensors without removing the bumper or wheels on 2008 Ody (following JYro's suggestion in this post). We turned wheels to inside and removed a few screws from the liner to make enough room so that arm could go inside to reach the sensors at the corners. They are secured in place with a plate at the back so cannot be pulled from the outside. I bought these sensors from eBay (part# 39680SHJA61). Same sensors are used on some other Honda vehicles but part numbers are different. The sensors came from China in Honda packaging with Chinese written on it. However, I have one issue after replacement that the sensors only work or beep if object is very close (within about 1 to 2 feet). They are supposed to work from more distance (10 feet or so). Is this issue with the sensors?

Thanks

You get what you pay for...