Alfa 147 Multiple System Failures, Radar Sensor Alert

As someone with moderate experience working on Alfa Romeos, I had a very similar issue with my 2003 Alfa 156 last year. The symptoms match exactly what you describe, multiple system failures and warning lights, particularly affecting safety systems and driving assistance features. In my case, the radar sensor was simply dirty, causing these widespread malfunctions. The sensor malfunction triggered a chain reaction of error messages since many systems rely on its input. The fix was straightforward, a thorough professional cleaning of the sensor and recalibration cost 45 Euro. The technician explained that these sensor failures are quite common in this model range, often due to accumulated road grime and salt rather than actual hardware issues. Regular cleaning has prevented any recurrence since the repair. To help diagnose your specific case, could you share: Current mileage, When did these symptoms first appear, Whether the issues occurred suddenly or gradually, If you notice any pattern when the errors appear (weather conditions, speed, etc), Location of error codes if you have them This information would help determine if your issue matches the sensor problem I experienced or if it might be something different.

My car is also showing 128791 KM and just had its annual service last month. The collision avoidance sensor started acting up right after a particularly dusty week. After reading about similar automotive sensor issues, I did try cleaning the sensor area myself, but the problems persisted. The safety systems still show errors, particularly during highway speeds. The driving assistance features become completely unresponsive at times. The error codes point to multiple system failures, but given the age of these Alfas, Im wondering if a full sensor replacement might be the only solution. Has anyone found a reliable fix without complete replacement? The dealer quoted 780 Euro for a new sensor unit plus calibration.

Thanks for the additional details about your Alfa. After dealing with similar issues on my 156, I can definitely relate to your frustration with these sensor failures. While cleaning worked in my initial case, I actually ended up facing recurring problems a few months later, which ultimately required sensor replacement. The high quote from the dealer matches my experience. I initially tried avoiding the full replacement, but after multiple cleaning attempts and recalibration sessions, I finally bit the bullet and replaced the sensor. The total cost was around 750 Euro including calibration. The adaptive cruise and other safety systems have worked flawlessly since then. The dusty conditions you mentioned are notorious for triggering these sensor malfunctions in our Alfas. While cleaning sometimes helps, the age of these sensors (15+ years) often means internal degradation has occurred, making replacement the only reliable fix. A few tips if you decide to proceed with replacement: Ensure proper radar calibration after installation, The new sensor may need coding to the vehicle, Get the error memory fully cleared post-repair, Consider protection for the new sensor to prevent future contamination The investment was worth it in my case, as all the affected safety systems returned to normal operation. The constant error messages and system failures completely disappeared.

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice. After weighing the options and costs, I've decided to proceed with the full radar sensor replacement. While 780 Euro is steep, the recurring issues with multiple safety systems and driving assistance features make it necessary. The similarity of symptoms with other Alfa owners who eventually needed replacement rather than just cleaning helped confirm my decision. Going to schedule the work next week and make sure they do proper sensor calibration afterward. Will also ask about protective measures to prevent future dust contamination issues. The car has been reliable otherwise during its 128,000 KM, so investing in fixing these automotive sensor problems seems worthwhile to keep all safety systems functioning correctly. I appreciate learning from others experiences with similar issues. At least now I know what to expect with the repair process and costs. Really helps to hear from people who have already gone through this specific radar sensor replacement on these older Alfas.