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[terry paget]

1.8  petrol manual Vectra estate
I am fitting reversing sensors to a 2007 1.8 Vectra estate. The reversing lights are in the tailgate. What is the best way to power the reversing sensors?

[Doctor Gollum]

From the appropriate fuse in the rear SAM via the reversing light switch on the gearbox

[Doctor Gollum]

I should add, that being wholly canbus, simply hacking into the rear light loom may well throw a bulb warning...

[dave the builder]

I should add, that being wholly canbus, simply hacking into the rear light loom may well throw a bulb warning...

it does on astra H
I took a permanent live from the rear electrical center switched with a relay ,coil powered by the reverse lamp circuit

[biggriffin]

Reversing sensors.. Now were are they on my 45ft trailer


The Saab has them,but I'm in the space before they get beeping properly..

[STEMO]

I drove for years, obviously, without parking sensors, and could very easily estimate the position of my vehicle(s). But I must say I've become totally reliant on them now.

[terry paget]

Thank you gentlemen. I feared something of the sort. I note fuse 28, Haynes page 12.18 rear fusebox, is labelled Parking distance sensor, and on this car has a 7.5 amp fuse in it. Do I use this fuse for the reversing sensors? I must admit, on all my other Vauxhalls, I simply hacked into the reversing light wiring for the reversing sensors.
 Should I run a lead from fuse 28, through the reversing light switch, and to the reversing sensors, or must I install a relay and put the current from fuse 28 though it to the reversing sensors? How would I energise the relay?

[Doctor Gollum]

If there's a spare fuse slot, use that and use a relay switched by the reverse lights to switch it.

30/87 should be the reverse feed through the relay... Probably from the reverse light fuse listed.

[terry paget]

If there's a spare fuse slot, use that and use a relay switched by the reverse lights to switch it.

30/87 should be the reverse feed through the relay... Probably from the reverse light fuse listed.

Are you saying I should mount a relay somewhere, feed it 12v from fuse 28, and activate it with current, also from fuse 28, and fed through the reversing light switch?

[Doctor Gollum]

If there's a spare fuse slot, use that and use a relay switched by the reverse lights to switch it.

30/87 should be the reverse feed through the relay... Probably from the reverse light fuse listed.

Are you saying I should mount a relay somewhere, feed it 12v from fuse 28, and activate it with current, also from fuse 28, and fed through the reversing light switch?

Nothing of the sort.

On the rear SAM identify the following...

1. An empty fuse, ideally ignition fed.
2. An empty relay spot.
3. The supply to the reverse lights.

Connect 1 to pin 30 on the relay, pin 87 then feeds the supply to the parking sensor unit. Ground from the parking sensor unit completes this circuit.

2. Is a cosmetic luxury, you can duct tape the relay in the glovebox for all I care Obviously don't do this.

3. Confirm that this is the power for the reverse lights... Looking for continuity with ignition on 2 and reverse selected. Two torx screws and some clips free the tailgate trim.

Once this is confirmed, cut this wire. Attach one end to pin 85 on the relay. Connect the other end to pin 86 on the relay.

Can't make that much clearer, but Dave or Nick may have more to add

[Andy B]

I thought SAMs were Merc only .... 

[Doctor Gollum]

I thought SAMs were Merc only .... 

Funky acronym for fuse box

[dave the builder]

I thought SAMs were Merc only .... 

Funky acronym for fuse box

Vaux call it REC
rear electrical center

[terry paget]

If there's a spare fuse slot, use that and use a relay switched by the reverse lights to switch it.

30/87 should be the reverse feed through the relay... Probably from the reverse light fuse listed.

Are you saying I should mount a relay somewhere, feed it 12v from fuse 28, and activate it with current, also from fuse 28, and fed through the reversing light switch?

Nothing of the sort.

On the rear SAM identify the following...

1. An empty fuse, ideally ignition fed.
2. An empty relay spot.
3. The supply to the reverse lights.

Connect 1 to pin 30 on the relay, pin 87 then feeds the supply to the parking sensor unit. Ground from the parking sensor unit completes this circuit.

2. Is a cosmetic luxury, you can duct tape the relay in the glovebox for all I care Obviously don't do this.

3. Confirm that this is the power for the reverse lights... Looking for continuity with ignition on 2 and reverse selected. Two torx screws and some clips free the tailgate trim.

Once this is confirmed, cut this wire. Attach one end to pin 85 on the relay. Connect the other end to pin 86 on the relay.

Can't make that much clearer, but Dave or Nick may have more to add

1.F28 rear fuse box is labelled Parking distance sensors in Haynes, and is ignition switched.
2.There are no empty relay slots in the rear box. There are several in the engine box.
3. I cannot find a fuse supplying the reversing lights, nor indeed many of the lights.
I do not understand canbuss wiring, and am at a loss to how to proceed. Please advise.

[dave the builder]

A relay needs a neutral plus a live to power the coil (to activate it ) use the switched live that powers the reverse lights
relay will now switch when reverse is selected
that leaves the 2 switching contacts of the relay
one needs non canbus power live (ignition or permanent live) , the other terminal (becomes live when reverse selected )will power your sensor box

[Doctor Gollum]

1.If you insist on using F28, make sure it doesn't feed anything else.

2. Irrelevant, although you want the relay in the same postcode as 1 and 3.

3. Identify the feed to the reversing light bulbs and use that. Be advised it may not be happy.

[terry paget]

The only vacant relay bases are in the under bonnet fuse box. I presume the reversing light switch is under the bonnet too. Is the best solution to run a cable from bonnet to back of car?   

[Doctor Gollum]

The only vacant relay bases are in the under bonnet fuse box. I presume the reversing light switch is under the bonnet too. Is the best solution to run a cable from bonnet to back of car?

Didn't you read my post?

It is possible that the rear lights are all operated by a single ecu*, which illuminates each light on demand, in which case you really don't want to hack into it.

Factory parking sensors were basically a £1,000 option and only fitted to both ends.

Trying to use any prewiring to fit aftermarket sensors won't end well.

* I never got that involved with my Vectras, but I know that it will repurpose any rear light in the event of brake light failure so a single lighting control ecu wouldn't be a surprise.

I have two suggestions, but you might not like them...

[terry paget]

The only vacant relay bases are in the under bonnet fuse box. I presume the reversing light switch is under the bonnet too. Is the best solution to run a cable from bonnet to back of car?

Didn't you read my post?

It is possible that the rear lights are all operated by a single ecu*, which illuminates each light on demand, in which case you really don't want to hack into it.

Factory parking sensors were basically a £1,000 option and only fitted to both ends.

Trying to use any prewiring to fit aftermarket sensors won't end well.

* I never got that involved with my Vectras, but I know that it will repurpose any rear light in the event of brake light failure so a single lighting control ecu wouldn't be a surprise.

I have two suggestions, but you might not like them...

I did say I do not understand Canbuss wiring systems. should like to hear your suggestions I wonder now whether I should wire the reversing sensors independent of the reverse gear, n a simple switch.

[Doctor Gollum]

Wire them directly to an ignition live and call it done.

They should only sound if something is anywhere near whilst you are in the car, so as effective as factory ones.

The other suggestion is not to bother.

[STEMO]

Wire them directly to an ignition live and call it done.

They should only sound if something is anywhere near whilst you are in the car, so as effective as factory ones.

The other suggestion is not to bother.

I would use a switch. It's a bit annoying when someone walks past the rear of your car or the driver behind gets close in a queue.

[Andy B]

....
The other suggestion is not to bother.

I only use mine cos they're there .... I'd not go to the effort of fitting them. 

[Nick W]

There is no point fitting reversing sensors that don't automatically switch on when you select reverse. You'll never use them!


If I couldn't wire them using resources near the back panel, I wouldn't fit them at all. When you buy them, pay the extra couple of quid for sensors that match the bumper colour.



I doubt that any of the aftermarket sensor kits draw enough current to need a relay; the ones I fitted to my estate were powered directly off the towbar wiring, although I did fit a fuse. I don't know enough to say if that method would work on canbus. If it were mine, I would power the sensors off a separate ignition feed(tow bar socket or charging accessory if there is one) and before doing anything irrecoverable, would experiment with the reverse light wiring to switch everything on. If that caused problems with the canbus, then I wouldn't bother with the install. I was surprised how useful parking sensors are - I paid about £12 for the kit - but it's not worth a lot of grief fitting them

[terry paget]

Thanks, Nick. I am making hard work of this installation, to my dismay. There are 2 sockets in this car boot, see above pic, which may include a reversing light on power pin. Any idea which it might be? Also I am struggling to remove the rear seat cushion. Haynes says 'pull the front of the cushion upwards to disengage the front mountings'. I have done that, to little effect.

[Doctor Gollum]

Re rear seat try harder, it just hoiks out same as the Omega

[Doctor Gollum]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-signum-vectra-Park-Pilot-Sensors-Module-Switch-loom/143573916292?hash=item216dac1a84:g:zvMAAOSw5Xxeiz7f

Not sure what else is required, possibly front bumper sensors/loom, but this should be plug and play

[ronnyd]

Has it got a tow bar fitted Terry? if not, fit one. If yes, there's your rear parking sensor. Job done.

[Doctor Gollum]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-signum-vectra-Park-Pilot-Sensors-Module-Switch-loom/143573916292?hash=item216dac1a84:g:zvMAAOSw5Xxeiz7f

Not sure what else is required, possibly front bumper sensors/loom, but this should be plug and play

Vectra owners forum suggests that the factory Bosch system is pretty much plug and play. You're biggest issue will be collecting the parts, and it won't cost a tenner.

The ebay link I posted is everything you need for the genuine rear system, and I believe that it only requires the front bumper loom and sensors to complete. Also being a used system, it should be easy to identify the connections to existing wiring. 

Or you can spend the rest of the month getting frustrated... 

[terry paget]

I have a Vectra 08 saloon DN08, on which I have successfully arranged that engaging reverse gear activates the reversing sensors.
There the power cable is black/white and the earthy cable is brown.

[terry paget]

On the Vectra estate the earthy cable again is brown, but the power cable is black, as are several other cables. Engaging reverse gear, ignition in position 2, the only black cable that has 12 volts on it is the thin black cable top right of the bottom group.
Accepting that I do not know what I am doing dabbling with canbuss wiring fitting reversing sensors, and having got away with it once, I am inclined to try it again.

[terry paget]

On the Vectra estate the earthy cable again is brown, but the power cable is black, as are several other cables. Engaging reverse gear, ignition in position 2, the only black cable that has 12 volts on it is the thin black cable top right of the bottom group.
Accepting that I do not know what I am doing dabbling with canbuss wiring fitting reversing sensors, and having got away with it once, I am inclined to try it again.

That worked. Unhelpful of Vx not to colour code the Vectra estate reversing light wiring, but a little probing round found me the right wire, as noted above.

[Doctor Gollum]

Well done

[STEMO]

Yes, well done Terry.