Member Since: 06 May 2015
Location: Bromley
Posts: 331
Retrofit front parking sensors
So at some point tomorrow I'll be attempting to retrofit parking sensors to my D3. It already has fogs and I've checked it has the vacant plug under the offside headlight. I've bought a new loom (for both sensors and fogs), all bezels and sensors. Picked up some hole saws too so think I ready to go.
I've never removed the bumper before so will be interesting. I've watched a couple of videos so have the idea of where to find the bolts, screws and torx on the top and bottom of the bumper.
Anyone have any particular tips/gotchas for this job?
For example:
Do I have to remove the whole arch on both sides to get the bumper off?
Will I need to enable the new sensors via IID or will they just work once connected? (I already have rear sensors).
Thanks as always for any pointers
16th Sep 2018 12:49 am
Narpy
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
You don't have to remove the whole wheel arch on either side just release the front ends.
However, unless you're very very lucky, you'll need a number of replacement fasteners as you'll more than likely have to drill some, some will shear off, etc. etc. so don't expect a simple job. Mods:
Front Fogs + Halos
FBH Remote Control
The 1st Ever RRS Modded Grill
Garmin Nuvi + D4 Surround + Reversing Camera.
D4 Steering Wheel.
Rear Boot Spoiler.
Twin Brake Lights.
Wing Mirror Indicator Repeaters.
Long Roof Rails
Make your own Narpy grill thread
I'm not scared, I'm outta here.
16th Sep 2018 1:08 am
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10361
The bottom bolts sheet off. So lub them and start on them.
Yes iid enable required.
16th Sep 2018 7:50 am
webego
Member Since: 06 May 2015
Location: Bromley
Posts: 331
Thanks all. Haven't had the time I hoped to tackle this today so will be next weekend. Maybe I'll order up some spare bolts them to make sure I'm covered. Is it mostly just the bottom torx ones that sheer off?
16th Sep 2018 4:42 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10361
Yeah. Bumper stays in well without them so no rush in ordering.
It's more the fun drilling them out
16th Sep 2018 5:01 pm
webego
Member Since: 06 May 2015
Location: Bromley
Posts: 331
Well, as I still had the wheel arches and liners off after working on a suspension fault (Thanks GS), I thought I may as well get the parking sensors in the front bumper. Sorry but I kept forgetting to take photos but did get a few.
Turns out I was very very lucky and none of the bolts or screws seized or sheared off, not even the bottom ones.
Each sensor bezel has a unique shape, as in they are all the same size circular hole but with two extra nicks out of the edge of the hole in different positions (the two centre ones are the same). I drilled small holes for the 'nicks' first with a regular bit (5mm) then the larger main holes with a hole saw (29mm - maybe 28 would have been better but didn't have that size). These nicks help ensure you get the right bezels in the right place but I also think they stop the bezel from rotating later on.
I fitted the bezels (had to spray the two inner ones as they only came primed, outers were already painted) obviously from the front through to the back. They seem a little slack at this stage but once you fit the actual sensors by pushing them into the bezels from the back, they lock themselves and the bezels in place nice and tight.
I bought a genuine loom with both fogs and sensors to replace my existing fogs only loom. This couldn't have been easier, all the plastic screw plugs fitting in the exact same positions as the old loom and just had to reconnect my fogs and all the sensors.
When refitting the bumper I made sure to pass the end of the loom over the actual steel bumper and up to the offside headlamp area. Put all the screws and bolts back in place and put the headlights and front grill back in.
Then forgot to take a photo of the finished job...doh! Will get one tomorrow.
23rd Sep 2018 10:12 pm
webego
Member Since: 06 May 2015
Location: Bromley
Posts: 331
Now for the not so good news.
I went into car config on IID and into Parking aid and changed setting from "Reverse parking aid" to "Both". The update went well however, it doesn't work properly.
Basically the front sensors sound randomly when they aren't near anything and they also screw up the rear sensors. I was receiving two distinct sounds with the front sensors being a louder and higher pitched sound compared to the back ones.
I reset back to "Reverse parking aid", all good again, then back to "Both" and same problem. Went for a spin and the front sensors stopped sounding for a bit but then came back on when I turned.
I tried the live values in IID and could see when settled they all ready 2.5m but when freaked out the inner ones in particular were flickering between around 0.4 ish and 2.5m.
Firstly 2.5m seems excessive right? I mean you are pretty much always that close to something!
Has anyone else had these issues when retrofitting parking sensors? Is there a way to change there sensitivity?
23rd Sep 2018 10:28 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10361
Well done that sounds just like most peoples factory fitted ones.
2.5 meters is a lot
Ones flickering to 0.4 will be the issue
23rd Sep 2018 10:38 pm
webego
Member Since: 06 May 2015
Location: Bromley
Posts: 331
But they are brand new (although not originals) and all connected well with a resounding click. Checked all plugs again before refitting the bumper. Surely both the inners can't be dodgy out the box??
23rd Sep 2018 10:41 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13613
These were my rear parking sensor readings when I had an work , but pete will know more about the fronts
Wonder if u disconnect the connector plug can get a ohms readings for each sensor
Last edited by gstuart on 23rd Sep 2018 11:15 pm. Edited 2 times in total
23rd Sep 2018 11:05 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13613
Pete K wrote:
Well done that sounds just like most peoples factory fitted ones.
2.5 meters is a lot
Ones flickering to 0.4 will be the issue
Hi Pete
Wonder if they go to 2.5m when there’s an error , as u say does seem a lot going towards 10 foot
23rd Sep 2018 11:08 pm
Dan1720v
Member Since: 28 Mar 2018
Location: Street/Somerset
Posts: 176
2.55m is the range of the sensor.
24th Sep 2018 6:45 am
webego
Member Since: 06 May 2015
Location: Bromley
Posts: 331
But at what distance does it start beeping?
24th Sep 2018 9:26 am
webego
Member Since: 06 May 2015
Location: Bromley
Posts: 331
Also, GS what should I be testing. Are you saying I can do an initial MM test on the plugs under the offside headlight? Clueless when it comes to multi-meters but this seems like a good opportunity to learn
24th Sep 2018 11:22 am
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10361
Well you can swap the inners and outers around (without being in a bumper) to see if the issue follows the sensors. (you need to ensure they don't point/hang down to the ground though)
But unless you want to be taking the bumper off 3 times, wouldn't it be sensible to pay £20 and get a spare pair ? and refund on the others if they turn out faulty.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum