Reversing Sensors Can They Be Disabled?

[Vanroyce]

Just had my first outing with ZT with the caravan and I’ve got to say that I’m very impressed with it as a tow-car and it handles like a dream even in today’s high winds & rain.
But is there a simple temporary way of disabling the reversing audio continuous bleep as I found it impossible ''when reversing'' to hear instructions (from my other half) and extremely distracting from what I normally find an easy task.

[Jakg]

Easy way - unplug the parking sensor ECU

Remove the right hand side boot lining trim, you should find a bracket for the CD changer with the parking sensor ECU mounted with 2 bolts. Remove the bolts, then pull the tabs up on the connectors and they come out.

I have mine unplugged atm as the sensors are playing up, no noises etc :)

[Johnny the Fox]

I thought that if the caravan electrics had been wired using the correct Rover kit then it automatically switched them off when the towing electrics were connected:shrug:

[Jakg]

I thought that if the caravan electrics had been wired using the correct Rover kit then it automatically switched them off when the towing electrics were connected:shrug:

Using the very expensive CANBUS adaptor, probably. But even if its wired "properly", using the "normal" towing electrics it's virtually impossible to detect when a trailer is / isn't connected.

[Roverowner]

I think I will be doing this as the reversing sensors are rubbish in my opinion. Only time I needed them was when I backed into an unladen trailer that had parked up behind me while I put a CD on and before I had got the powerfolds out. No sound at all till I´d hit the trailer. (couldn´t see it in the internal mirror - too low)...... then it wailed. Don´t trust the system and will revert to the old method of making sure there is nothing behind by moving my body (opening window) before reversing. If i SELL THE CAR WILL JUST PLUG IT BACK IN AGAIN....

[Johnny the Fox]

Mmmm mine seem to work very well,including objects slightly to the side too:)

[Roverowner]

Well mine, toot-toot-toot- at just about anything, amd this on both my cars (1999 and 2005), (apart from that one time I needed them). False sense of security to my mind. Have gone back to doing it the way I´ve done it for the last 35 years;) Seems to work:D

[HarryM1BYT]

I think I will be doing this as the reversing sensors are rubbish in my opinion. Only time I needed them was when I backed into an unladen trailer that had parked up behind me while I put a CD on and before I had got the powerfolds out. No sound at all till I´d hit the trailer. (couldn´t see it in the internal mirror - too low)...... then it wailed. Don´t trust the system and will revert to the old method of making sure there is nothing behind by moving my body (opening window) before reversing. If i SELL THE CAR WILL JUST PLUG IT BACK IN AGAIN....

The proper canbus unit does realise a trailer is connected and turns the sensors of. It also allows for the extra length of a tow ball with no trailer connected.

My sensors work very well indeed, I can confidently use them to stop within 2" of another vehicle or a wall. My biggest concern relying so much upon them, is that one day I'll fail to confirm they are working (via the initial beep as reverse is engaged), then hit something because they are not working.

[MrDoodles]

The proper canbus unit does realise a trailer is connected and turns the sensors of. It also allows for the extra length of a tow ball with no trailer connected.

My sensors work very well indeed, I can confidently use them to stop within 2" of another vehicle or a wall. My biggest concern relying so much upon them, is that one day I'll fail to confirm they are working (via the initial beep as reverse is engaged), then hit something because they are not working.

Simply wired up wrong, very easily sorted by a tow bar specialist!

[Roverowner]

The proper canbus unit does realise a trailer is connected and turns the sensors of. It also allows for the extra length of a tow ball with no trailer connected.

My sensors work very well indeed, I can confidently use them to stop within 2" of another vehicle or a wall. My biggest concern relying so much upon them, is that one day I'll fail to confirm they are working (via the initial beep as reverse is engaged), then hit something because they are not working.

Glad you´r happy with them and they work the way you want. Mine, both cars, -peep- when you put the car in reverse but I find the incessant noise irritating. The electrics in my opinion cost a bomb when you think of what they actually do. Personal taste I suppose. Rather spend the money on a decent detachable tow bar and unplug the noise:D

[HarryM1BYT]

Simply wired up wrong, very easily sorted by a tow bar specialist!

Er, no....

There are two ways to add the tow electrics.

1. The expensive way (£140) using a proper Can-bus unit, which then can trun of the reversing sensor system and identify lighting issues on the trailer.

2. The cheap and cheerful (£25) bypass relay system, which does none of the above, but will make your trailer lighting work.

[HarryM1BYT]

Glad you´r happy with them and they work the way you want. Mine, both cars, -peep- when you put the car in reverse but I find the incessant noise irritating. The electrics in my opinion cost a bomb when you think of what they actually do. Personal taste I suppose. Rather spend the money on a decent detachable tow bar and unplug the noise:D

I paid the extra cost for the most part, to be able to have the trailer lighting monitoring system. I see so many trailers with faulty lighting and I like to know mine are working as they should. I used to check them at the start of every trip and double check at any stop on route - now I don't need to, any issues show up immediatly on the dash, identifying which lamp has failed.

[Nicole]

When I had my tow bar fitted my sensors work but the sound doesn't. I am trying to figure out what to do as they want to replace my sensors with their own make. I have backed into my garage (nice big dent) from the tow ball. So not very happy about that. I was semi relying on the sensors but I had enough space with just the bumper.

[Jakg]

I paid the extra cost for the most part, to be able to have the trailer lighting monitoring system. I see so many trailers with faulty lighting and I like to know mine are working as they should. I used to check them at the start of every trip and double check at any stop on route - now I don't need to, any issues show up immediatly on the dash, identifying which lamp has failed.I'd like to have the "proper" gear but when I think about how often I tow (twice so far!) it's easier just to check the lights each time.

[Vanroyce]

But is there a simple temporary way of disabling the reversing audio continuous bleep as I found it impossible ''when reversing''


So I take it that I can’t just snip into a wire somewhere and just put a switch inline then? :shrug:

[cabbers]

Easy way - unplug the parking sensor ECU

Remove the right hand side boot lining trim, you should find a bracket for the CD changer with the parking sensor ECU mounted with 2 bolts. Remove the bolts, then pull the tabs up on the connectors and they come out.

I have mine unplugged atm as the sensors are playing up, no noises etc :)

I think I will be doing this as the reversing sensors are rubbish in my opinion. Only time I needed them was when I backed into an unladen trailer that had parked up behind me while I put a CD on and before I had got the powerfolds out. No sound at all till I´d hit the trailer. (couldn´t see it in the internal mirror - too low)...... then it wailed. Don´t trust the system and will revert to the old method of making sure there is nothing behind by moving my body (opening window) before reversing. If i SELL THE CAR WILL JUST PLUG IT BACK IN AGAIN....

First of all can admit i have no interest or know anything about caravans - no offence meant to anyone.

If you discount the the parking sensors you will need to remember to reconnect them for the m.o.t.

If i remember right i think it says in the new m.o.t rules that if parking sensors are fitted then they need to be working in order to pass a m.o.t

[Jakg]

First of all can admit i have no interest or know anything about caravans - no offence meant to anyone.

If you discount the the parking sensors you will need to remember to reconnect them for the m.o.t.

If i remember right i think it says in the new m.o.t rules that if parking sensors are fitted then they need to be working in order to pass a m.o.t

Can't find any information on the parking sensors in the MOT manual, and mine aren't connected and passed, so I don't think your right...

[cabbers]

Can't find any information on the parking sensors in the MOT manual, and mine aren't connected and passed, so I don't think your right...

i can remember someone saying any electrical components fitted to the vehicle (including parking sensors) will fail a m.o.t if they do not work.

i will have a look through and see if i can find what the member said.

[cabbers]

found it, is was not posted on this forum but on the ford owners club.

a member posted this:-

"Did you know cars fitted with parking sensors as standard will need them to work to pass an MOT"

[Jakg]

found it, is was not posted on this forum but on the ford owners club.

a member posted this:-

"Did you know cars fitted with parking sensors as standard will need them to work to pass an MOT"
I've just looked through the MOT manual, no mention of it at all...

[jonno12]

if i remember right didn't another member say all the new M.O.T rules have been postponed?:}