Parking Sensor Troubleshooting
The Problem
“Check Parking Sensor System” was the big orangeĀ error on my 2012 Honda Pilot's display. The day that the error showed up was the day our parking sensors stopped working. The button on the dashboard didn't work at all, no light, nothing.
We've had the car for about 5 years and we've become very accustomed to those sensors when parking anywhere, especially in our garage. The car was out of warranty so I was cringing at the thought of taking it to the dealer for diagnosis. I knew that would be expensive.
I did a Google search for the error message and I found that I wasn't the only person with this problem. Many people posted about this issue, and it appeared to occur on other Honda models, not just Pilots.
Ā
The Solution
My issue turned out to be a burned out indicator bulb in the switch. Yup, that's it. IĀ couldn't believe Honda would be so stupid in their design that the entire system would shut down because of an indicator light!
On the other hand, I'm very thankful that it turned out to be something so easy to diagnose and fix! A $7 DIY fix in an hour is much better than a $150 dealer fix after he has my car for a day.
The Honda part number of myĀ bulb was 35474-SZA-A11. I found it on eBay for $6.98 including shipping.
Thanks for the video Chris. Turns out my wife’s 2014 Pilot has the same problem. It was relieving to find out it was as simple as a light bulb!
Unfortunately, the little buggers seem hard to find nowadays. All I could find on Ebay was one bulb for $30 or on amazon $20 for the entire switch assembly.
Expensive but still worth it, in the scheme of things. Itās hard to live without parking sensors after you get used to them.
2011 Honda Odyssey – Left Rear parking sensor stays on continually and the side traffic door indicators also quit working at the same time – No other warnings about checking the system, just a visual on the in the dash for that one sensor. It also doesn’t matter if the switch is on or off – That indicator comes on after turning the Ignition on – What is going on here and how do I fix it ?
Sorry I donāt know. I suggest you take it to a dealer.
I canāt get the inside bits apart. The button came off but the lights are still in what seems to be this second bit that should come out??? Getting frustrated. Any advice.
It’s been so long since I took it apart, I don’t remember there being a trick to it. Just keep working at it, but don’t force anything. There must be a locking tab somewhere that you’re not seeing. Once you find it, it should open right up.
This issue crept up on our 2014 Odyssey the other day. Was really worried this was going to be an expensive fix. Saw your video but unfortunately the dealerships are all closed as itās a long weekend in Canada. Decided to pop the parking sensor button out and switched the backlight bulb with the green one as a test. Amazingly, the parking sensors came back on perfectly (the sensor light is white instead of green, of course and there is no backlight on that button). Will call around and get a replacement green bulb tomorrow but at least itās working again. Thanks!
My pleasure! It’s amazing how dependent we become on these technological advances. It’s really hard to do without after you get hooked.
hi hello im having issue but can you send me the link for the bulb thank you
Search for “35474-SZA-A11” on eBay or Google.
You totally nailed this fix!! I couldn’t get the switch out of our dashboard. So we took it to dealership (we had to deal with a recall anyways). We had to keep repeating ourselves on what we wanted them to do….just change the burned out bulb in the dash switch. Eventually they understood what we were saying, they replaced the bulb and it was fixed. The dealership was surprised they hadn’t dealt with this before and said it was’t what their diagnostic system told them….I just can’t imagine how many things we would have ‘fixed’ if we didn’t watch your video. THANK YOU!!
So happy to hear this! Glad I could help.
I’m having trouble removing the switch from the dash. I can reach if from behind but can’t get it to release. Any suggestions or tricks? Almost 90 min into it and starting to get frustrated.
I donāt know why itās difficult on some cars, but it was easy for most people. Iāve only had a couple of complaints like this.
Thank you so much! The sensors on my 2014 Odyssey went out yesterday. I followed your video & tested the bulb by using the other green bulb. It works! Have new bulbs coming.
Thanks again!
Awesome! So glad it worked for you. I never get tired of hearing that, so thanks for the comment.
Thanks so much for the video. It worked perfectly. I just know that the Honda people in Australia would try to gouge me for a new sensor module.
Glad to hear it worked for you! Thanks for the comment.
This video helped a ton! I replaced the bulbs but Iām having trouble putting the button back in itās place correctly. I have the same broken plastic piece you mentioned in the start of the video. Is there a trick to putting the button back in its place?
No trick that I know of. I didnāt have an issue, it just popped back in.
Thank you so much. Worked perfectly for my 2015 Pilot. Dealer wanted $120 for diagnostic fee. They then advised they would probably need to replace all sensors as they do not sell them individually for another $800 plus labor. They advised they would subtract the $120 diagnostic fee if I choose to replace the system. You saved me around $1,000. We all need to complain to Honda to do better. Thank you again – so happy!
Wonderful! I take donations via PayPal. š JK my pleasure.
Thanks, it worked on my honda accord euro 2011 as well. Save me a fortune. A 2-minute fix that would have cost me a fortune at the dealer.
Glad to hear!
Thank you for this. Worked like a charm and saved me time and money. Was able to get the bulb from hondapartsnow.com.
Thanks for the comment. I’m so glad it was helpful.
I’m having trouble getting that switch out on 2015 pilot…any beller instruction? maybe they changed access in 2015? can it be accessed any other way that you know of?
Sorry, I donāt know of any other way to remove the switch. Keep working at it – Iām sure youāll figure it out.
So Bruce did you have any luck removing the switch? I’m having the same issue on a 2013 Pilot
I had to remove / tug at the surrounding dash (same car 2015 pilot) . It caused enough of a gap that eventually I could get in there and squeeze the button out. No way would have just do it like the video
Thank you! the warning came on and i wiped all the sensors and then googled and found your video. i ordered the replacement and will be attempting to replace the bulb myself! wish me luck! (you make it look so easy1)
Good luck! Let me know!
I was experiencing the same issues as this video and was so happy to find it online. Everything was exactly as stated – THANK YOU! I bought the Bulb B (14V 80MA) part number 35474-SZA-A11 for my 2013 Honda Pilot Touring model from hondapartsunlimited.com for $4.50 plus another $3.92 for taxes and shipping. The parts arrived the same week I ordered them. It took me 8 mins to carefully extract it from the dash and another 7 mins to pull it apart, replace the bulb and put it back together.
Glad it worked for you!
Thanks so much for this info! Saved us money and frustration. Just wish Iād found it before taking my pilot to the dealer where I was charged $75 for them to hook it up to the diagnostics to tell me they couldnāt tell why the alert came on.
I’ll add that your video helped me, too. The part for the 2014 Odyssey Touring Elite was 35856-TK8-A02; I got it from the dealership for about $7. The assembly is a little different, and even easier to access & swap the LED bulb than in the video.
Great to hear, Brian! Thanks for the info.
Hi Brian, I have the same car as yours. 2014 Odyssey Touring Elite. I wasn’t be able to reach any sides to remove the parking sensor from the dashboard. Do you have any guideline and what tools did you use for this process? I greatly appreciate your help.
Thanks a million. It was not easy but I did it and now as good as new. Ordered two new bulbs and will replace both when they arrive. You saved me some serious money.
Thanks for the comment. Great to hear! Glad it helped you.
I will add my thanks
Same car same problem
What is the blue bulb for anyway?
Any harm in just doing the switch and leaving the bad bulb in the lower position
It provides the backlight for the button when the headlights are on. Sure, you can leave the dead one there or probably just leave it empty. Haven’t tried that.
All hail you! Thank you!!!!
Hi Chris, Woud you show me how to mount the parking sensor on the Honda Odyssey 2011 Touring. The fact was that I drove one day on the Interstate. Suddendly, I ran over a piece of tire fell off from the semi truck. That struck my parking sensor on the passenger side. I ordered a new one : the sensor and the assembly. I opened the left side but I did not know how to open it. If you can .Give me some instructions. Thanks.
Unfortunately, I’ve never done that so I can’t explain it. Hopefully you can find another video on YouTube from someone who has. Good luck!
That part number wont pull up? Can you check to see if its right?
There may be none for sale on eBay at the moment. Just Google “35474-SZA-A11” and you’ll find tons of places to buy that bulb.
Simply priceless. The frustration with the “all sensors out” indicator was completely undone with the ease of the repair. Works on 2014 Odyssey as well. They just made the access to the tiny bulbs easier…probably because this was an issue!
Your video has probably helped 500 or 1000 people.
Awesome, Jim. Glad I could help!
I love the idea for handy dad videos. This one on changing light in parking sensor button was exactly what I needed for my Honda can. My wife is also thankful there was no light before she drove the van and it was on the next time I drove it.
This video was awesome. Saved me a lot of time and money. Thanks a lot.
Thank you so much for this helpful video. This help me fix my problem and save me a lot of money. Thank you again
Oh that’s great! Happy I could help.
Thank you verry much that was verry helpful for me. I’m from morocco and i was facing the same problem. My car is a 2012 Honda accord. You saved my time and money š
Glad I could help!
Thank you!!! My ’14 Odyssey just went off warranty and every trip to the dealer somehow requires at least 5 hours with 3 kids in tow. Even for an oil change. I watched your video a couple times. And then, once I had the courage, I completed this fix in about 3 seconds. I am not joking. I owe you at least $200, plus my sanity (priceless). If any of your viewers want the photos from the 14 Odyssey, I can find a way to share. The replacement part # for mine seems to be 35856-TK8-A02, though I can’t find it on ebay, so I might just try a generic 14v 80MA type bulb. (The one I pulled out of my switch looks identical to the one in your video.) Thanks again.
Hi Erin. Thanks for the comment. You made my day. So glad I could help.
Hi Erin,
I’m glad you have this resolved. I have the same ’14 Odyssey but it’s Elite. Do you have the same buttons layout? I would appreciate to see your photos on how to remove the button module from the dashboard. I tried to open from the driver side dash and no luck from reaching to the back of the button with my finger.
Thanks
Hi, I have exactly same problem with my Honda Pilot 2013,
And I’m excited to try this solution
May I know exact name of little tiny bulb.
By the way thank you for your video
Thanks! The eBay listing title was “HONDA OEM BULB B, B (14V 80MA) 35474-SZA-A11”.