Parking Sensors

[dipstick]

Right, just saved myself 50 quid by fitting the Quanan parking sensors myself to my 98 (mark 2) GS 300 SE.

For what it's worth, if anyone wants to have a go and like me is an utter numpty with pointy tools, here's a couple of hintettes.

Although there's a perfectly good workshop article on this it's not on the Mark 2. I don't think.

Wiring.

The wire the reversing light uses (at least on mine) is colour coded RED/BLUE from the light cluster to the multiplug, and RED/BLACK from then on. The Lexus wiring diagram I have only mentions red/black.

I didn't take the rear cluster out at all - just hooked the thing into the wire near the multiplug.

Sensor mounting.

I drilled the bumper (dear Lord) for three sensors and threaded the cabling through. I then lay on lumpy weedy gravel and pulled the cables through. Ouch. The bumper didn't have to be removed or anything. Gravel laying is possibly optional.

Getting into the boot.

If you look under the spare wheel there's a rubber cap thing on what is I suppose a drain if the boot gets flooded. That just pulls out. So I cut a little slot in that and threaded the cables through it. Hurrah, into the boot with no drilling. If I'm wrong and the car is going to explode with petulance because I've fiddled with its rubber, then that's a price I'm prepared to pay.

Mounting the display in the cabin.

To get the display in the cabin, I lifted the left and right headrests on the back seat and removed the two bolts under the velcroed flaps. That allows the rear seat to come forward a few inches - just enough to pass the cable through. Also just enough to trap your fingers, leaving you with the growing conviction that you and your Lexus are now perhaps more intimately acquainted than you would like, and enough time passes for plans for your new life together to form before an hysterical Mrs Disptick comes to the rescue, but that's by the by.

The cable then slips under the trim along the bottom of the door, then up inside the seam until just over the passenger seat belt, and that's where I velcroed the sensor. I used a blunt instrument to push the cable into the seams, but wasn't tempted to put it to any other use at that point.

Took me an hour or two to do the job, and three days of getting up courage to run a 22mm drill into my bumper, but worth it. They work very well. Mrs Dipstick suggested that for £100 she would go beep frenetically when I was in reverse but I declined the offer.

Would I do it again? Yes. What will I spend the £50 quid on? Suggestions gratefully received...

[ColinBarber]

Do you have any pics?

[dipstick]

No, I didn't pic it - I suppose I could snap the rubber thingy if it will pose for me but other than that it's pretty self explanatory. I'll perhaps have a prod at it with a camera at the weekend then.

[ColinBarber]

Sorry, I meant any pics of the finished product. Did you put the sensors above or below the chrome trim?

[Claire G]

Would I do it again? Yes. What will I spend the £50 quid on? Suggestions gratefully received...

Spend £25 on Gold membership, take a look at the discounts available and then decide what to do with the £25 that's left ;)

[dipstick]

I put the sensors above the chrome trim, and thanks Claire; I'm already a Gold member, and got a discount on the sensors.