[HOW TO] Install non OEM parking sensors - and save £250!!!!

[JoeyF]

Originally Posted by mattlittle

I'd be interested to hear the results of this, as I seem to be getting a lot of 'false' readings too. Basically, I think that it may be due to the car being on a slope and it picking up a reading from the ground.

I've never had parking sensors before and wondered if this was 'normal'?

I have been in contact with the suppliers and they suggest moving the control box to a different part of the car and also moving the speaker as far away as possible from the control box, I can only assume that there could be some interferance?

I will try this tonight and let you know.

Joe

[mattlittle]

Originally Posted by JoeyF

I have been in contact with the suppliers and they suggest moving the control box to a different part of the car and also moving the speaker as far away as possible from the control box, I can only assume that there could be some interferance?

I will try this tonight and let you know.

Joe

I'll give it a go, but the speaker and the box are currently about 1m apart. I can try in another part of the car and see if that makes a difference though.

[allan69]

Originally Posted by surfdog29

Fitted the CISBO sensors to my nhb Type S a few days ago. Only took a couple of hours to do the work on the bumper. Accessing the wires behind the panel above rear off side wheel arch proved a bit more problematic and a couple of panel clips were broke in the process.

Anyway system worked perfect after it was all put back together. However later that day when I stuck it in reverse the buzzer beeped constantly despite not being near any object. I put this down to the fact that it was raining which may be affecting the sensitivity. Next day (when dry) buzzers still beeped constantly in reverse so I dismantled the system (removing rear bumper again) and fitted the angle spacers so as to make sure the sensors were not hitting off the ground.. Again they worked fine at first but later in the day the problem reappeared.

Today I extensively tested the sensors swapping them between inputs on the control box, wiring them up individually removing them from the bumper and pointing them at the sky just to make sure there is no ground interference etc. Basically I found that there is little consistency in the operation of the sensors. They may operate as they should for a while and suddenly for no reason they may fail to detect a large object within 24”.

I also found that when they are sensing an object up close (constant buzzer sound) and the object then moves out of range then they often fail to detect this and continue to activate the buzzer. On one occasion I left my car stationary in reverse for a while (engine off) and listened to the buzzing as it changed from intermittent to continuous to off and so on without any objects being near.

I am just after reversing in to a space at my work and when starting the manoeuvre the buzzer sounded constant however as I got near a wall the system started to operate as it should with intermittent buzzes. Who knows how it will behave when I return to it.

I am beginning to wonder if I should have splashed out a bit more on some sensors.
Anyone else experiencing problems with the CISBO kit.

I am also having the same problem with this, it always happens when it has been raining. Could they all be faulty units??
When i done a test with the sensors when it was raining (test one at a time) i did find that the two outer sensor where the ones that kept bleeping. Left them off tried the following day when dry, all was ok again.

[allan69]

Originally Posted by JoeyF

I have been in contact with the suppliers and they suggest moving the control box to a different part of the car and also moving the speaker as far away as possible from the control box, I can only assume that there could be some interferance?

I will try this tonight and let you know.

Joe

i have tried this, you still get the same result, my speaker is stuck on the bodywork near the seat belt mechanism at the top, and the control unit is in the boot compartment (in the foam section) as illustrated in this thread.

[mattlittle]

Originally Posted by allan69

i have tried this, you still get the same result, my speaker is stuck on the bodywork near the seat belt mechanism at the top, and the control unit is in the boot compartment (in the foam section) as illustrated in this thread.

So most people DON'T have this problem - is that correct?

[JoeyF]

Originally Posted by JoeyF

I have been in contact with the suppliers and they suggest moving the control box to a different part of the car and also moving the speaker as far away as possible from the control box, I can only assume that there could be some interferance?

I will try this tonight and let you know.

Joe

OK tried all what was suggested still no joy. Think I may buy another make of parking sensor one with a little more quality, any ideas?

[mattlittle]

Originally Posted by JoeyF

OK tried all what was suggested still no joy. Think I may buy another make of parking sensor one with a little more quality, any ideas?

But I can't understand why others don't report the same problems - is it just a rogue batch?

You could try one of these - you can get them off ebay here (the 'pick up' version means that it has longer leads, that is all).

[surfdog29]

I have been experimenting with the set up of the sensors a bit more. The sensors have been fitted 55cm above the ground on my rear bumper. A web site for these sensors states 50cm should be adequate but that they have been successfully fitted in some applications 40cm above ground. So I thought that I had little chance of them hitting off the ground and producing spurious signals.

Once fitted they were pointing ever so slightly downwards (due to the profile of the bumper) so I fitted the angle spacers to bring them up a bit. Still failed to function properly though. Even with the angle spacers they still looked as though they were pointing a couple of degrees below the horizontal so I pulled them out a bit and packed some blu-tac under the bottom edge so that they are now pointing a couple of degrees above the horizontal.

So far they seem to have settled down and are working more or less as they should. However one thing I have noticed is that when the road surface is damp they seem more prone giving false readings.

I shall continue with the blu-tac for a while and if successful for a few more days I shall seek a more permanent solution to raising angle at which they point.

[mattlittle]

Originally Posted by surfdog29

So far they seem to have settled down and are working more or less as they should. However one thing I have noticed is that when the road surface is damp they seem more prone giving false readings.

I shall continue with the blu-tac for a while and if successful for a few more days I shall seek a more permanent solution to raising angle at which they point.

Nice one - we'll have to speak to grey52 about expanding from fog light covers into parking sensor spacers.

Does anybody who has fitted these successfully have any spare spacers that they could send me? I'll cover postage and packing, etc.

[JoeyF]

Originally Posted by mattlittle

But I can't understand why others don't report the same problems - is it just a rogue batch?

You could try one of these - you can get them off ebay here (the 'pick up' version means that it has longer leads, that is all).

Ok guys,

Spoke to the suppliers of my CISBO sensors who was very good and said to return the kit for a replacement set, I was tempted but then thought that I had to take the bumper of again to take the sensors out and then again to put the sensors back, just on the off chance that I might have the same problem, I couldn't bring myself to do this again and as my patience levels were very low at this point and decided to buy some more expensive sensors.


Ended up choosing a manufacturer called Steelmate, Welcome To The World Of Steel Mate purchased them from a company called Daltec Associates Daltec Associates Ltd, Handsfree carkits, Dashmount, Autoleads, Nokia paid just over £72.00 inc P+P for the PTS400 (4 x sensors and buzzer).

What can I say, these sensors are well worth the money, the quality is much much better (As it should be for £72!) sprayed the sensors plugged them in and hey presto! working sensors.

Point to note though for people who have the CISBO sensors that don't function correctly and are possibly looking at these, the cut-out required for these sensors is 18.8mm compared to 21mm for the CISBO sensors. To stop the sensors from falling through I managed to utilise the external part of the CISBO sensors and slotted these sensors in to them, although this was a pain in the bum and stands out a little more than planned it saves me buying a new bumper!

If you want any info on this guys let me know and I will try to help as it wasn't the easiest thing to do.

Joe

[mattlittle]

Originally Posted by JoeyF

Ok guys,

Spoke to the suppliers of my CISBO sensors who was very good and said to return the kit for a replacement set, I was tempted but then thought that I had to take the bumper of again to take the sensors out and then again to put the sensors back, just on the off chance that I might have the same problem, I couldn't bring myself to do this again and as my patience levels were very low at this point and decided to buy some more expensive sensors.


Ended up choosing a manufacturer called Steelmate, Welcome To The World Of Steel Mate purchased them from a company called Daltec Associates Daltec Associates Ltd, Handsfree carkits, Dashmount, Autoleads, Nokia paid just over £72.00 inc P+P for the PTS400 (4 x sensors and buzzer).

What can I say, these sensors are well worth the money, the quality is much much better (As it should be for £72!) sprayed the sensors plugged them in and hey presto! working sensors.

Point to note though for people who have the CISBO sensors that don't function correctly and are possibly looking at these, the cut-out required for these sensors is 18.8mm compared to 21mm for the CISBO sensors. To stop the sensors from falling through I managed to utilise the external part of the CISBO sensors and slotted these sensors in to them, although this was a pain in the bum and stands out a little more than planned it saves me buying a new bumper!

If you want any info on this guys let me know and I will try to help as it wasn't the easiest thing to do.

Joe

Yes please - I an getting annoyed enough with my cisbo sensors that I am thinking of swapping for another system. I would be really interested to hear how you re-used the original housing.

Either that, or I was looking at a system like this the round sensors are just big enough not to fall through the gap from the cisbo sensors, but the advice from the shop was get the 'shield' sensors - they definitely won't fall through the hole and also they are better at picking objects up.

Both would need painting.

You can get the steelmate sensors here for 39.95

[JoeyF]

Originally Posted by mattlittle

Yes please - I an getting annoyed enough with my cisbo sensors that I am thinking of swapping for another system. I would be really interested to hear how you re-used the original housing.

Either that, or I was looking at a system like this the round sensors are just big enough not to fall through the gap from the cisbo sensors, but the advice from the shop was get the 'shield' sensors - they definitely won't fall through the hole and also they are better at picking objects up.

Both would need painting.

You can get the steelmate sensors here for 39.95

I will get back to you when I get in with some finished images and a sort of how to, I know exactly how you feel about them not working, The e-bay Steel mate sensors are the ones I bought, as usual I always seem to find the bargains after the event!!!

[mattlittle]

Originally Posted by JoeyF

I will get back to you when I get in with some finished images and a sort of how to, I know exactly how you feel about them not working, The e-bay Steel mate sensors are the ones I bought, as usual I always seem to find the bargains after the event!!!

Buy a set form ebay and then return them to the other retailer to get the large amount back

Photos would be great - much appreciated.

[JoeyF]

Originally Posted by mattlittle

Buy a set form ebay and then return them to the other retailer to get the large amount back

Photos would be great - much appreciated.

That is a good idea, I will think about that...

I have attached a couple of images to show you what the end result looks like. The outer ring is from the CISBO sensors.

Now an explanation of how I did it (I didn't take any pictures so a description is the best I can do):-

The first thing is to take out the CISBO sensors I just snipped the wire from the back of them (if the outer barrel comes of don't worry you will do this anyway!).

Once you take the sensor out you need to take out all the innards, the white material behind the sensor along with the remaining cable etc..(This will allow the drill bit to pass through cleanly).

From the front you need to mark the centre of the sensor, then with the supplied hole cutter from the Steelmate sensors (18.8mm) drill very very carefully through the front of the CISBO sensor, you only need to go through the outer ring.

Once this is done you need to remove the outer barrel from the centre section (The bit with the rubber section on). This just pulls out and will leave you with a hole in the outer ring the size of the Steelmate sensors.

The inner section can be transfered to the other 3 sensors to achieve the same result.

Still with me!!!!!!!

After this is done you need to cut of the 4 x stands on the rear of the outer barrel, leaving you with a doughnut shaped sensor mount.

Repeat x 3

At this point I sprayed both my sensor and the mount I created.

Next Step.

On the rear of the Steelmate sensor there is a metal fixing (To hold the sensor in once installed), you will need to remove this, slide on the mount over the cable and over the metal fixing then replace it.

You can then install the sensors in the bumper, making sure that they are installed the right way up.

Hopefully this is all clear (Really wish I'd taken some pictures) if not let me know and I will try to explain.

Joe

[mattlittle]

Originally Posted by JoeyF

That is a good idea, I will think about that...

I have attached a couple of images to show you what the end result looks like. The outer ring is from the CISBO sensors.

Now an explanation of how I did it (I didn't take any pictures so a description is the best I can do):-



Joe

Nice one - thanks for taking the time to do that. If I get the new set, I'll take photos of the process and post them here to add the excellent description above.

[toto]

What color is the wire with +12 V please...?!?
I'm searching this wire for a half a day now and I can't find it...
I am desperate...

[djg]

You need get to the wiring harness connector behind the trim, near rear seatbelt upper anchorage, splice the red sensor lead into the brown harness wire using a connector as shown (All Auto shops have them).
You can connect the black to a earth bolt you will find behind the trim.

[RickyBoy]

Have read through thread and will be fitting Cisbo system tonight. £17.99 e-bay set.

What will I need to buy from autoshop?

Grommet (what size?)
Electrical connector?

Also.

1) Can those who have fitted this system please post wherer they have used the spacers or not to save me taking bumper off again.

2) Did you all disconnect the battery?

Look forward to some replies before drillin the holes in the wrong place lol.

Cheers Ricky

[hgt]

I found the spacers that are supplied do not have enough taper on them, so I made my own to get the sensors to sit vertical in the bumper.
using the supplied spacers the thing was bleeping all the time. I also found the outside sensors not only had to be tilted upwards but also inwards as well, otherwise they were sensing things 3 - 4 feet from the side of the car.
To be honest I was not impressed with the cisbo setup, but for the price and a bit of fiddling around they are not to bad.

[RickyBoy]

Cheers HGT, any one else with thoughts tips on the few questions?

I was held up at work yesterday and didn't get the chance to fit so hopefully will be doing it today....