Hi All
I have now managed to find the time to install a set of dolphin parking sensors onto my Honda Accord.
The missus got me a parking sensor kit as an anniversary present this year but up until now I didn’t have the time to install them.
The kit she bought me was the dolphin parking sensor kit in gloss black which was the best match to the Honda Accord night hawk black paint work.
The kit can be bought here
http://www.dolphin-direct.co.uk/product ... stem-audio
and after reading many positive reviews and also great customer service with lifetime warranty on all components it was the one to go for. The kit also features detachable sensors which allowed sensors to be replaced without having to remove the entire loom to the main control box.
Dolphin Sensor Parking Kit
Model: DPS400
The kit came with everything needed to get the system up and running and with a two wire connection the electrics is pretty easy.
After reading up on a few threads about the subject I was pretty confident in getting them installed. There was a worry in my mind about drilling into the bumper as it would only be a one time shot otherwise the bumper would be knackered, but triple checking measurements was key.
I gathered some tools which were required
- Cordless Bosch drill (and various drill bits)
- Masking tape
- Marker pen
- Cable ties (various sizes)
- Some string
- Something heavy to attach to the string (used an old padlock)
- Tape measure
- Scotchlocks
- Screwdrivers
- 10mm socket wrench
- Parking Sensor Kit (include hole saw for the sensors)
First job was to apply masking tape on the rear bumper, this gave a good surface to mark your measurements on and protects the paint work when drilling the holes
The bumper was gently cleaned to remove any dirt to allow the masking tape to have a good clean surface to adhere too
I then attached the string to the boot catch and tied a padlock to the end of the string. I then dangled it down. This now gives a good indication of the centre of the bumper.
Now it was time to measure up the sensor positions. I used the measurements
400mm + 200mm (CENTRE OF BUMPER) 200mm + 400mm
The height I decided on was 610mm from the ground
Once the measurements were triple checked and I was confident there were no errors it was time to drill.
First I made a pilot hole using a 3mm drill bit
Then upped it to 6mm
Then I attached the hole saw, the pilot holes gave the hole saw a good accurate drill action so the drill couldn’t wonder off and cause damage etc
It was relatively easy, the drill and the hole saw did all the work with only light pressure being applied
Once all four holes were completed I was happy with the finish. The holes were clean cut and no ragged edges were present.
Pilot Hole
Sensor Holes Complete
With masking tape removed
At this point I fitted the sensors in to the holes; I inserted the wires though first and then gently pushed the sensors into the holes. The rubber lining on the sensor body provided a smooth snug tight fit. Very impressed J
Once all the sensors were fitted it was time to remove the bumper
It was very simple, it consisted of two 10mm bolts located under cover caps next to the light clusters and 3 Philips head screws around each arch. I also had mudflaps so these had to be removed aswell. There are a couple clips on the under side of the bumper which attaches to the rear diffuser.
The bumper unclips from the sides and it pulls away.
Whilst the bumper was off I took this opportunity to clean out all the mud and dirt from the areas behind the bumper
I used my mobi V17 portable pressure washer
Bumper Removed
Bumper itself
After a quick jet wash cleaning all dirt, mud and grime
At this point I decided it was time to remove the boot interior, I removed the carpeted side of the drivers boot interior. Once off, the cars wire loom harness was revealed. I found a suitable location for the parking sensor brain box and attached it using the supplied double sided tape. The speaker buzzer was placed on top of the alarm siren also located very closely. The surfaces for both locations were thoroughly cleaned to give a good long lasting adhesion.
Pic of Boot with interior trim removed
For the parking sensor power supply, the positive red power cable was connected to the green solid wire on a large white connector harness located on the back of the driver’s rear passenger seat. This is the cable feed for the reverse light. I used a scotch lock to tap into this connection.
With the negative connection I used the main OEM ground connection located at the front of the boot. Again I used a scotch lock to tap into the ground connection here.
I neatly routed all wires using cable ties
Pic showing Positive and negative connections complete and brain box location
Then it was time to connect up all the sensors, first I needed to route the cables into the boot. A grommet was located behind the bumper, there are two but the obvious choice was the one on the driver’s side. A hole was drilled into the grommet to allow all four sensor connectors and its wires to pass through.
Once the cables were in the boot they fed back to the brain box where all the wires was neatly routed and tided up.
A quick test by putting the car in pre-ignition and selecting reverse showed everything was working well.
Before putting the bumper back the sensor cables was tied to the rear bumper beam
Grommet with sensor wires passed through
Sensor wires attached to the bumper beam
All wiring cable tied and neatened
Once complete the bumper was re-installed
Once complete the system was tested again to check for adjustments.
The brain box was adjusted to minimum sensitivity which gave a good sized gap before the constant beep sounded.
After this the boot interior was re-installed
They work really well and really happy how the installation turned out
The only real worry was the drilling but the key here is to double check all the measurements and take your time
The sensors really match the paint work well and look as close to OEM as the real thing. You probably couldn’t tell the difference.
Highly recommended kit