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

[iamholam]

Ok thanks for everyone's help!

Managed to get (most) of the sensors in!

I bought the Steel-mate ones and have to say was very happy with the feel and quality of the unit and sensors, speaker looked pretty good too! Only problem I find with the Steel-mate's are that the speaker is a little shrill.

Only problem was that one of the sensors was faulty so despite taking all day to do the thing I still haven't finished as I am waiting for a replacement sensor before fitting the bumper properly back on.

Thanks for your help. I only broke 2 of those bloody clips!

[Paul-civic]

Could some one please give me a better example of where to connect the wires, I understand the ground, but exactly where does the other wire go to?
The reversing light wire.... were is it? what colour?

I have the dolphin buzzer version Parking Sensors - To Aid Reverse Parking

[Paul-civic]

Found the answer, sorry.
Near the rear drivers seat belt Connect red wire( parking sensor) to the Brown wire (Honda)

[Paul-civic]

I am going to fit my PARKING SENSORS tomorrow, everywhere is says partially remove the Right Hand side wheel arch, surely I will have to release the left as well, won't I?

To remove the bumper stand at the rear of the car push the bumper forward and at the same time outwards, is that correct?

I see these as the two most difficult to fully understand, so any help will be appreciated, thanks

Paul

[iamholam]

Originally Posted by Paul-civic

I am going to fit my PARKING SENSORS tomorrow, everywhere is says partially remove the Right Hand side wheel arch, surely I will have to release the left as well, won't I?

Yes you will, just do the same as you would on both sides

Originally Posted by Paul-civic

To remove the bumper stand at the rear of the car push the bumper forward and at the same time outwards, is that correct?

Paul

The clips that hold the bumper in on the sides are clipped in by pushing the bumper towards the centre of the car. So to remove it you have to pull away from the car. (Away as in outward to the side not backward towards the rear of the car) You push towards the front of the car to help loosen the clips. If you work from the bottom you should be able to take the first one out and get a better view of the rest.

I do have a pic of the bumper off which I can upload for you later tonight if you want.

[iamholam]

bit late I know but here is a picture of the back off the civic with the bumper off.



The 3 red marks point to the clips that hold the bumper in place. I should have take a pic of the removed bumper but you should be able to see a number of clips that hold the bumper in place. The idea behind pushing the bumper forward is so that the bumper "un hooks" from these clips before you pull the bumper off.

Hope that's a little clearer.

[Lebowsky]

Tomorrow, I'll like to install my PDC-System. If someone needs special pictures of the installation let me know, then I'll take some more with my Cam.

[sandz]

Pictures are allways nice.

[Lebowsky]

Here are some pictures of my installation. The system is working perfect

[JoeyF]

Originally Posted by iamholam

I bought the Steel-mate ones and have to say was very happy with the feel and quality of the unit and sensors, speaker looked pretty good too! Only problem I find with the Steel-mate's are that the speaker is a little shrill.

Sorry just seen this post, just to let you know the speaker fits very nicely by the drivers side foot well (Behind the carpet on the side of the wheel!), the wire is just long enough to slide under the trim from the rear to the front just along where the door sills sit.
It sounds enough for you to hear it plus it can not be seen.

[Eutai]

Check this out:

No-Drill Parking sensors

[Koen]

Originally Posted by Eutai

Check this out:

No-Drill Parking sensors

I did install one of these on my Civic, and I can tell they do NOT work very well on this car. Apparently this has got a lot to do with how the rear of the car is put together. Lots of metal in the rear/bumper tend to distort the signal.
I have a movie where you can see how "late" this system reacts on a Civic. For testing I temporary put the metal strip on the outside of the bumper with some tape to find the best mounting place. Then I checked it's sensivity with the grill from my barbecue. (Ok, it was the nearest piece of metal around.)
I must say that I also tested the system in an "error-free environment", where I hung the meal strip between two wooden tripods, and that worked well. So it definately has something to do with the construction of the Civic's rear.
The manufacturer suggests to try an other mounting place, or to add a secondary strip connected to the first one. The first solution did not work, the second one involves an extra metal strip, which I did not have laying around.

Don't know how to upload the movie so: http://users.telenet.be/bluemonkey/parkingsensor.wmv

Maybe this "warning message" could be added to the wiki?

K.

[Naresh]

Great pictures guys - should help alot come installation time. Can you tell us how easy it is to remove the RH trim panel in the boot to get to the wiring loom? Is it simply a case of pulling it off a bit at a time?

Also what size grommet are you guys using for this mod?

[Paul-civic]

Undo the right hand side rubber trim and then undo the light and remove the jack and pull.

that's it

[mikerosyth]

Originally Posted by Koen

I did install one of these on my Civic, and I can tell they do NOT work very well on this car. Apparently this has got a lot to do with how the rear of the car is put together. Lots of metal in the rear/bumper tend to distort the signal.
I have a movie where you can see how "late" this system reacts on a Civic. For testing I temporary put the metal strip on the outside of the bumper with some tape to find the best mounting place. Then I checked it's sensivity with the grill from my barbecue. (Ok, it was the nearest piece of metal around.)
I must say that I also tested the system in an "error-free environment", where I hung the meal strip between two wooden tripods, and that worked well. So it definately has something to do with the construction of the Civic's rear.
The manufacturer suggests to try an other mounting place, or to add a secondary strip connected to the first one. The first solution did not work, the second one involves an extra metal strip, which I did not have laying around.

Don't know how to upload the movie so: http://users.telenet.be/bluemonkey/parkingsensor.wmv

Maybe this "warning message" could be added to the wiki?

K.

I've just completed installing the "No-Drill" sensors and I did fit the additional aerial strip, and also followed the other manufacturer's instructions to cover the strips and protruding body parts with gaff tape to insulate the sensors. This did achieve additional distance but still fell short of the manufacturer's claim of 60 - 70 cm for initial "bleep" warning (alarm sounded at 45 cm from obstacle (garage door)). However the continuous warnings did sound within the specified ranges, ie 25 cm and 15 cm.

I know this is a much shorter distance than the tradional ultrasonic sensors but I suppose it still provides adequate warning (providing I'm not reversing too fast!).

Anyway, many thanks for all who have contributed to this thread as I couldn't have completed this without your advice, using Honda's instructions alone.

[Seth81]

Originally Posted by Lebowsky

Tomorrow, I'll like to install my PDC-System. If someone needs special pictures of the installation let me know, then I'll take some more with my Cam.

Where did you get these sensors? I want sensors but the Honda kits is way to expensive and after market kits don't come painted.
I need them in Neutron Blue Metallic.

[Lebowsky]

Originally Posted by Seth81

Where did you get these sensors? I want sensors but the Honda kits is way to expensive and after market kits don't come painted.
I need them in Neutron Blue Metallic.

I've got them from ebay.de for ~25€. The paintwork did a painter for 40€.

[williams]

Well should be getting my civic on frid and would like to get the cisbo sensors fitted on Sat . Getting nervous bout drilling them holes though . Has anybody taped the area with masking tape before drilling or did you just grow a set and go for it . Im thinking taped up first would be good for paint protection and crack prevention . But maybe the masking tape would clog up the cutting teeth on the drill head . What do ya think , go for it with or without tape .
cheers

[Dimplyred]

Originally Posted by williams

What do ya think , go for it with or without tape .
cheers

I'd go for it without masking tape, there's a danger it could pull some of the paint off around the hole when removing it.

But that's just my opinion.

[Jack The Lad.]

Drill pilot holes from the inner face of the bumper first.
the positions are pre moulded on the said plastic inner face.