Retrofit Parking Sensors

[Richiejh]

I've fitted a parking sensor kit to my 2005 (full CAN) C8 using the original loom to connect up to. It worked a treat so I thought I would have a go at fitting them on my C5 X7 tourer.

Has anyone done this? I've found the wiring diagram to identify the wires but can't find the plug that it refers to.

[Richiejh]

Also, does anyone know where the factory ecu would go?

[paul.h]

The parts diagrams for the tourer suggest the ecu is somewhere in the right corner at the back of the car. It may need a side panel removing to find the plug for it, provided the wiring loom with the plug is on your car. To replace the ecu is less than half an hour so it can not need much removing to get to it.

[Richiejh]

I can't find any plugs in the rear right quarter. There is a bung where the loom goes into the bumper in there but no plugs. I couldn't work out from the diagrams if the ECU is in the actual bumper or not. It would seem daft to put it there, but who knows with citroen. As soon as I've shaken this winter vomiting bug I'll get out there to have a look.

[paul.h]

When I fit the towbar to our 2007 C5 estate, the towbar wiring plug was at the left side but taped up out of the way over the wheel arch, so to get to it the side panel had to come off. It already had rear parking sensors and the wiring and bits are at the right side behind the panel but nearer the rear. It might be Citroen hide the unused wiring and plugs a bit further forward than you have looked.

[Richiejh]

I did wonder if I was just missing them. I found the trailer ecu plugs on the other side. I'll take the panel off and go plug hunting then. I know I need to take a wire from the reverse lights as retrofit kits don't work on CAN systems but hoped to take the live and earth from the factory plug.

[paul.h]

You could take a live from the trailer plug if the parking sensor plug is not found.

[Richiejh]

I thought about that Paul but not sure if it's a permanent live or switched. If it's permanent it could drain the battery when left for a while. Hopefully soon the bug which is passing through the family will be gone and I can get back out there to have a look.

[paul.h]

The trailer plug will have a permanent live and possibly a switched live. On our C5 I used the permanent live thick wire as a supply for the towbar but not the rest of the wiring in the plug. A smart relay was part of the towbar wiring kit which senses the voltage and switches the live out on when the engine is running and the voltage rises. An example of a smart relay http://www.towsure.com/self-switching-smart-split-charge-relay-for-towbar-electrics

[Richiejh]

Parking sensors successfully installed, I couldn't find any sign of the original plug so I ended up connecting it on the opposite side. There are loads of wires running to the bootlid etc to link up to. I ended up using an ignition feed to the rechargeable torch and the reverse signal from the reverse lights. Happy(er) wife now the parking sensors work. I also repaired the broken washer pipe whilst I was in there.