Park sensors are distance control devices installed in cars to help the driver determine the distance between his car and any other object nearby. The closer the proximity the car is to the object nearby, the faster the beeping. Beeping could start anywhere from a distance of 1m to 1.8metres. This type of device is common in many of the newer and larger production cars where distance estimation can be a fairly expensive gamble.
Before deciding to install park sensors in your car, you should consider whether you’d put more importance to cost saving or overall peace of mind. If you have general technical savvy and are confident that your DIY skills are more than enough to overcome the installation process, then by all means, go ahead. If however, you tend to have more confidence in your "authorized" mechanic, then you may want to leave the installation process in his trusty hands. Your mechanic would probably be more knowledgeable in diagnosing any after-installation problems, should they arise.
What You Will Need:
- 1 Parktronic kit – These differ according to appearance but are similar in functionality. They include:
o 1 LED light display
o 4 Alarm sensors (depending on kit)
o 1 Operational computer box
- 25 feet of UL-Recognized Hook-up wire
- 10 Crimp-o-butt- connectors
- Socket wrench with a ¼ inch socket
- Flat head screwdriver
- Soldering iron with lead wire
- Drill with assorted drill bits
- Wire stripper
- Duct tape
- Zip Ties
- Scissors
- Velcro or double sided tape
- Electrical (insulation) tape
- Small screwdriver set
- A flash light, extension cord, creeper, pliers and vise-grip should also be kept on hand
Tapping into the Reverse (Back up Light) Wire:
Step 1: Put your key in the ignition and put your car into reverse. Your car does not have to be running. Take a walk to the back of your car to ensure that the both reverse lights are functional.
Step 2: Disconnect the battery.
Step 3: Remove the screws holding the kick panel under the driver’s dash. Unlock the lock holding the connectors in place.
Step 4: Locate a small plastic like box in your wiring harness. It should be the 2nd small box in the harness from the left. For this exercise, let’s call it Sensor “Connector S”.
Step 5: Using a mini-flathead screwdriver, pry the connector holder out.
Step 6: Locate Pin 12 of the “Connector S” and pull it out. Pin 12 should be grey/white in color. Push the connector holder back in and reconnect “Connector S”.
Step 7: Reconnect the battery, put the car in reverse and check the back of the car. One reverse light should not be working. If everything seems according to plan, disconnect “Connector S” and continue.
Step 8: Tap into the Pin 12 wire using an in-line tapper. Connect approximately 15 inches of insulated wire to the wire tapper. Splicing and soldering the wire would be recommended for a good, solid connection.
Step 9: Most of the work from this point on focuses on leading the wires safely through the car to the computer box of the Park sensor. Determine where to put the fuse. Many people choose under the door panel as a preferred option although under the dash kick panel is fine as well.
Step 10: Determine how much wire is needed to get to the intended place where you plan to put the fuse, splice the wires and install the fuse. Butt connectors are fine for splicing and reconnecting.
Step 11: Use electrical (insulation) tape to attach the Pin 12 wire to the wiring harness.
Step 12: Push the lock down to ensure the connectors are locked in place.
Running The Wires:
The process of running wires is car specific as it involves the neat layering of wires under many doors and side panels. One can easily overcome the problem of determining which panel needs to be removed, if one has a fairly clear idea as to how the wire is meant to snake through the car. Remember, the wire is meant to snake from the connecting wire mentioned above, through the side panels of the car, to the back where the sensors will be installed and back to where you intend housing the control module. You may have to drill holes in your bumper to install the sensors.
Once all wires are in place, using a 10mm socket wrench, remove the ground (brown) wire from the driver’s side well area. Then solder the ground wire from the kit to the car’s ground wire and re-attach the ground wire on the car. Connect the back-up light power and ground wire into the power harness. This can be done using a few butt connectors. Place some sort of long-lasting adhesive at the back of the control unit and speaker to connect it to your desired location. Most control units are placed in the door panel of the car. Be sure that your adhesive is fairly reliable as any problem would mean you having to remove all the panels to gain access. Once everything has been connected, give your park sensor a test run before re-installing all removed panels. Finally, re-install all panels making sure that you do not pinch any wires in the process.
References: www.golfmkv.com/forums/showthread, www.bmwe34.net,