Parking sensor panel removal

[BrianRC]

Hi everybody. Can anyone tell me the best way of taking off the black panel under the rear bumper, that has the parking sensors on it. I have a 54 plate 2.5lt V6 SE auto, and I need to check the sensors and wiring, as they have started going off at random times as soon as reverse is selected, even if there is nothing behind the car! I've taken the 3 plastic rivet type fasteners off, but there still seems to be something else holding it in place with the main bumper. From what I can see, there seems to be some flat pins fixing it to the bumper. Does the black panel just prize off these? I don't want to force anything incase of damage. I hope I don't have to take the whole of the bumper off!

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

[johnw777]

Had mine off this week to paint the panel, as fed up with the grey look. 

Where it raps around the corners the are two tags that you need to ease down & out of their slots, you can then just pull the panel directly towards you, there are many tags that just go into slots in the bumper!

My car is an estate, so not certain if the saloon is any different.

[johnw777]

[BrianRC]

Hi John. Thanks for that. Aha, I've had a look there, and there also seems to be a screw/bolt attaching the bumper to a bracket on each side where it wraps round. It looks awkward to get at, as the exhaust tail pipe is very close (twin exhaust on my 2.5lt). May need a 90 degree cross head screw driver to get in to it, if there is such a device!?

[johnw777]

Other thing to check, is the control module in the spare wheel area, as this has been known to have condensation.