Aftermarket reverse sensor install

bubs · 10th March 2014, 09:17

I've taken a break from repairing the 75 to add new stuff to it. Spent saturday installing an aftermarket parking sensor kit. I wanted to mount the display discreetly so decided to put it into the high level brake light on the rear screen.
Here's how it looks when in use

I can also see it in the rear view mirror too

apologies to the valet conscious for the state of the car

rathlindri · 10th March 2014, 09:35

Very tidy! Pleased with how it works?

Mikeal1 · 10th March 2014, 09:43

Are you happy with it? If so any chance of a link?

bubs · 10th March 2014, 11:17

Seems to be working ok so far

I got the kit from ebay, but i'm having trouble finding the link because I got them ages ago. I'll have a look through my emails and see what i can turn up. I recall the kit being around £14 which included 4 coloured sensors (i got navy blue which are pretty close to my royal blue paintwork)

Here's some pics of the kit/install
Display removed from casing

Hole cut into brake light cover

Display fixed to cover

View from front, I modified the dark plastic cover from the display unit housing and glued it in with the display. It's not the neatest finish but because the area it goes is quite dark it's not noticeable when fitted.

The unit and wiring in the boot

bubs · 10th March 2014, 11:25

here's the link for the kit (it's from the same seller so i assume it will be the same kit)
Cost has gone down though

Ebay link

Mikeal1 · 10th March 2014, 11:52

Thanks mate,

Do you still get the beeping when you reverse?

How difficult would you say it was to install? For a complete novice like myself?

bubs · 10th March 2014, 12:07

Still get the beeping, the speaker is stuck beside the main display and is still audible in the cabin with the stereo on.

The hardest part of installing was mounting the display in the brake light, if you didn't want to do this it was quite easy. The inside of the bumper has the markings for the OEM sensors so just use the supplied drill bit and run the cables in through the plastic grommet in the centre of the boot panel. Sensor "A" was the far right when looking at the rear of the car (wired D C B A in sequence) in order to ensure the distance markers showed the correct sides. Then it just needs a connection to pins 1 (green and brown, reverse light +) and 4 (black, earth -) on the loom going into the light cluster.

Here's a pic of the wire connection, I had to strip the end of the wires first from the parking sensor unit as they were very thin so wouldn't cut automatically with the connector.

Mikeal1 · 10th March 2014, 12:23

I have a tourer, do you think it would still be possible to fit?

MG Tom · 10th March 2014, 12:29

I think thats a neat job, thank you for sharing!

How effective are the sensors?

bubs · 10th March 2014, 12:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikeal1

I have a tourer, do you think it would still be possible to fit?

I shouldn't see any reason why they couldn't be fitted to a tourer, just need to find somewhere to mount the display.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MG Tom

I think thats a neat job, thank you for sharing!

How effective are the sensors?

They seem to be pretty good, seem to update display quickly. I haven't got out and measured the distance it gives but I would estimate it being about right.

The only thing a bit off is if something is close to the sides it might be picked up and make the display flicker between the 2 measurements but that would be the same with any sensors, and at least with this type it gives you an indication of where any obstruction is.

10th March 2014, 09:17	#1
bubs Posted a thing or two ROVER 75 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Canvey Island, Essex Posts: 1,651 Thanks: 43 Thanked 163 Times in 134 Posts	Aftermarket reverse sensor install I've taken a break from repairing the 75 to add new stuff to it. Spent saturday installing an aftermarket parking sensor kit. I wanted to mount the display discreetly so decided to put it into the high level brake light on the rear screen. Here's how it looks when in use I can also see it in the rear view mirror too apologies to the valet conscious for the state of the car Last edited by bubs; 10th March 2014 at 09:22..

10th March 2014, 12:29	#9
MG Tom Posted a thing or two ex. MG ZT+ Join Date: May 2013 Location: Northampton-ish Posts: 1,484 Thanks: 156 Thanked 98 Times in 95 Posts	I think thats a neat job, thank you for sharing! How effective are the sensors? __________________ '03 MG ZT+ 1.8T X-Power Grey with Monogram 'WTD' black alcantara trim. [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] My project thread HERE

10th March 2014, 09:35	#2
rathlindri Loves to post 2004 MG ZT CDTi 135+ saloon Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ballymena Posts: 427 Thanks: 161 Thanked 52 Times in 38 Posts	Very tidy! Pleased with how it works?

10th March 2014, 09:43	#3
Mikeal1 Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Tourer Club SE CDT Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Albrighton Posts: 1,153 Thanks: 183 Thanked 149 Times in 96 Posts	Are you happy with it? If so any chance of a link?

10th March 2014, 11:17	#4
bubs Posted a thing or two ROVER 75 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Canvey Island, Essex Posts: 1,651 Thanks: 43 Thanked 163 Times in 134 Posts	Seems to be working ok so far I got the kit from ebay, but i'm having trouble finding the link because I got them ages ago. I'll have a look through my emails and see what i can turn up. I recall the kit being around £14 which included 4 coloured sensors (i got navy blue which are pretty close to my royal blue paintwork) Here's some pics of the kit/install Display removed from casing Hole cut into brake light cover Display fixed to cover View from front, I modified the dark plastic cover from the display unit housing and glued it in with the display. It's not the neatest finish but because the area it goes is quite dark it's not noticeable when fitted. The unit and wiring in the boot

10th March 2014, 11:25	#5
bubs Posted a thing or two ROVER 75 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Canvey Island, Essex Posts: 1,651 Thanks: 43 Thanked 163 Times in 134 Posts	here's the link for the kit (it's from the same seller so i assume it will be the same kit) Cost has gone down though Ebay link

10th March 2014, 11:52	#6
Mikeal1 Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Tourer Club SE CDT Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Albrighton Posts: 1,153 Thanks: 183 Thanked 149 Times in 96 Posts	Thanks mate, Do you still get the beeping when you reverse? How difficult would you say it was to install? For a complete novice like myself?

10th March 2014, 12:07	#7
bubs Posted a thing or two ROVER 75 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Canvey Island, Essex Posts: 1,651 Thanks: 43 Thanked 163 Times in 134 Posts	Still get the beeping, the speaker is stuck beside the main display and is still audible in the cabin with the stereo on. The hardest part of installing was mounting the display in the brake light, if you didn't want to do this it was quite easy. The inside of the bumper has the markings for the OEM sensors so just use the supplied drill bit and run the cables in through the plastic grommet in the centre of the boot panel. Sensor "A" was the far right when looking at the rear of the car (wired D C B A in sequence) in order to ensure the distance markers showed the correct sides. Then it just needs a connection to pins 1 (green and brown, reverse light +) and 4 (black, earth -) on the loom going into the light cluster. Here's a pic of the wire connection, I had to strip the end of the wires first from the parking sensor unit as they were very thin so wouldn't cut automatically with the connector.

10th March 2014, 12:23	#8
Mikeal1 Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Tourer Club SE CDT Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Albrighton Posts: 1,153 Thanks: 183 Thanked 149 Times in 96 Posts	I have a tourer, do you think it would still be possible to fit?