Removal Of Rear Bumper

[bruckshaw]

I need to remove the rear bumper of my latest model C5 hatchback to fit a reverse parking sensor. Does anyone know how to do this please?

 

Thanks

[citroeneddie]

Unfortunately I can't, but I'm sure Kfk or Iannez will be along shortly to help you......... :rolleyes:

[bruckshaw]

I need to remove the rear bumper of my latest model C5 hatchback to fit a reverse parking sensor. Does anyone know how to do this please?

 

Thanks

 

The reason that I need to access the back of the rear bumper is that I have a tried and tested Taurus reverse parking sensor which I know will work OK with a towball on the car. This consists of a metal foil strip stuck to the back of the bumper. It is an electrmagnetic system rather than the usual utrasonics.

 

I now suspect that all I need to remove is the lower section of the rear skirt. I can undo the central fastener under the skirt but there are two others which I cannot work out how to release. Any ideas please?

[paul.h]

Last year I fit a towbar to my mark 1 C5 and this involved removing the lower black skirt. The 2 end fasteners I remember as being very awkward being inside the bumper, probably about 10mm nuts. I had to get into the back from underneath and sort of up and back down whilst bending the end of the plastic out of the way - confused ? - I can not remember much more. Using a torch feel up inside the bumper following the black plastic to find the fasteners. If you do a post on removal of lower bumper panel to fit a towbar you may get some more replies.

[bruckshaw]

Last year I fit a towbar to my mark 1 C5 and this involved removing the lower black skirt. The 2 end fasteners I remember as being very awkward being inside the bumper, probably about 10mm nuts. I had to get into the back from underneath and sort of up and back down whilst bending the end of the plastic out of the way - confused ? - I can not remember much more. Using a torch feel up inside the bumper following the black plastic to find the fasteners. If you do a post on removal of lower bumper panel to fit a towbar you may get some more replies.

 

Thank you Paul.

 

Today I have released the fastenings on the lower edge of the rear black skirt and managed to feed the sensor foil along the inside of the skirt. I have also managed to run the end of the sensor foil into the spare wheel well. The next stage was to connect the contol box to a reversing light. To my dismay I now see that the reversing lights are on the boot lid! As the car has 4 holes in the skirt I assume they are intended to take ultrasonic sensors when ordered as a factory fit. If this is so there may well be a conection point to the reversing light somewhere down at the back. I'm hoping so.

 

I intend to havev a tow bar fitted by the local professional but he says that he does not remove the skirt on the C5. He makes a couple of cuts as shown on the Witter website. Come to think of it he must know how to connect to the reversing lights too.

 

Anyway thanks again.

 

If anyone knows of a reversing light connector down near to spare wheel well please let me know. My C5 is the latest model with 07 plates.

[paul.h]

If you have a twin electric towbar fitted i.e. the grey one for a caravan, then you will have a reversing light connection to that. Should be the yellow wire to terminal 1 (the top one) on the 12S socket. You could wait until the towbar is fitted and then connect to that.

 

It may not be a good idea to wire direct from the car rear lights (but would be ok from the towbar wiring), for the towbar I had to use relays. Might be worth doing a posting on fitting reversing sensors for some advice on this.

 

I have the C5 ETAI French manual and it tells you how to remove the rear bumper (probably too late for you now). For the hatchback:

1. Remove the rear lights.

2. Remove the 2 screws at the front bumper edges in the rear wheel arches.

3. Under the bumper at the 2 ends remove the 2 screws and slacken the one in the middle.

4. Inside the car in the rear light openings there are 2 screws (bolts) to remove just below the hole.

5. Use a second person to help remove the bumper.

The estate is similar except the rear light removal is not needed since the bumper bolts are on the outside.

 

The ETAI manuals are worth getting. They can be ordered direct from ETAI in France via their website. They are like a Haynes but with good photos and drawings. You need a French dictionary but it is possible to follow the instructions near enough without.

[bruckshaw]

If you have a twin electric towbar fitted i.e. the grey one for a caravan, then you will have a reversing light connection to that. Should be the yellow wire to terminal 1 (the top one) on the 12S socket. You could wait until the towbar is fitted and then connect to that.

 

It may not be a good idea to wire direct from the car rear lights (but would be ok from the towbar wiring), for the towbar I had to use relays. Might be worth doing a posting on fitting reversing sensors for some advice on this.

 

I have the C5 ETAI French manual and it tells you how to remove the rear bumper (probably too late for you now). For the hatchback:

1. Remove the rear lights.

2. Remove the 2 screws at the front bumper edges in the rear wheel arches.

3. Under the bumper at the 2 ends remove the 2 screws and slacken the one in the middle.

4. Inside the car in the rear light openings there are 2 screws (bolts) to remove just below the hole.

5. Use a second person to help remove the bumper.

The estate is similar except the rear light removal is not needed since the bumper bolts are on the outside.

 

The ETAI manuals are worth getting. They can be ordered direct from ETAI in France via their website. They are like a Haynes but with good photos and drawings. You need a French dictionary but it is possible to follow the instructions near enough without.

 

Thanks agin Paul, you are most helpful. I have succeeded in fitting the foil sensor strip without removing the bumper or skirt. Loosening thr trailing edge of the skirt gave just enough room for me to get my hand and arm under the bumper. The sytem now works (temporarily tested using the rear side light connector as a 12v source). The only job now required is to get a connection to the reversing light circuit. You are probably correct in saying that it may be better to get the towbar fitted and use their connection.

 

I have read in a couple of places on the forum that there is a trailer connector in the boot somewhere. I cannot find anything like that on my 2007 car even after removing the trim.

[dalex]

Thanks agin Paul, you are most helpful. I have succeeded in fitting the foil sensor strip without removing the bumper or skirt. Loosening thr trailing edge of the skirt gave just enough room for me to get my hand and arm under the bumper. The sytem now works (temporarily tested using the rear side light connector as a 12v source). The only job now required is to get a connection to the reversing light circuit. You are probably correct in saying that it may be better to get the towbar fitted and use their connection.

 

I have read in a couple of places on the forum that there is a trailer connector in the boot somewhere. I cannot find anything like that on my 2007 car even after removing the trim.

[dalex]

Opp's

Should send before going to the pub !!

What I going to ask was did you succeed in fitting this type of sensor, and does it work ok after the tow bar was fitted. I've just fitted a tow bar and am now looking for a reliable reversing sensor .

Thanks in advance

Dalex