Retrofit Reverse Sensors.

[Orbiter]

1.4Tsi Leon Mk 3, SC 3 door.

I am looking to fit some reversing sensors as the SE Leon does not have them, nor does it have a mirror that tilts down when reversing, not to mention the feeble reversing light! Seat dealers now charge £300 for these sensors and I assume that they are just a standard audible alert and independent of the visual Media display.

I would like to know in advance whether the reversing light circuit can be accessed from the boot area. You of course will know that the reversing light is fitted into the boot lid and not the adjacent lower light cluster. If I can avoid having to take a cable from the boot lid or under the headlining that would be good.

All replies appreciated especially from those who have done this themselves.

 

[Deleted member 98136]

1.4Tsi Leon Mk 3, SC 3 door.

I am looking to fit some reversing sensors as the SE Leon does not have them, nor does it have a mirror that tilts down when reversing, not to mention the feeble reversing light! Seat dealers now charge £300 for these sensors and I assume that they are just a standard audible alert and independent of the visual Media display.

I would like to know in advance whether the reversing light circuit can be accessed from the boot area. You of course will know that the reversing light is fitted into the boot lid and not the adjacent lower light cluster. If I can avoid having to take a cable from the boot lid or under the headlining that would be good.

All replies appreciated especially from those who have done this themselves.

In respect to the feeble reversing light , thought about fitting a LED replacement bulb ? These have a projector type glass end piece to them, and tend to illuminate the area behind your car more intensely, plus its a brighter light.

 

[dw911]

1.4Tsi Leon Mk 3, SC 3 door.

I am looking to fit some reversing sensors as the SE Leon does not have them, nor does it have a mirror that tilts down when reversing, not to mention the feeble reversing light! Seat dealers now charge £300 for these sensors and I assume that they are just a standard audible alert and independent of the visual Media display.

I would like to know in advance whether the reversing light circuit can be accessed from the boot area. You of course will know that the reversing light is fitted into the boot lid and not the adjacent lower light cluster. If I can avoid having to take a cable from the boot lid or under the headlining that would be good.

All replies appreciated especially from those who have done this themselves.

Yep the dealer retro fit ones are just cheepo ones wired into the reversing light feed, you can get the same fitted at any car stereo for half the cost, or buy a kit and do it yourself pretty easily.
Although it might be easier to just fit a reversing camera

 

[Orbiter]

dw911

Thanks for the reply, do you happen to know if the revering light circuitdrops to floor level after it leaves the headlining area?

 

[Fred99]

I am looking to fit some reversing sensors as the SE Leon does not have them, nor does it have a mirror that tilts down when reversing, not to mention the feeble reversing light! Seat dealers now charge £300 for these sensors and I assume that they are just a standard audible alert and independent of the visual Media display.

They do have them if you order them as an option. If you want them to display on the info screen that is another option including front sensors.

Personally, I would much rather the full display than a camera. The camera just shows what you are about to hit, not how far away from it you are.

 

[dw911]

They do have them if you order them as an option. If you want them to display on the info screen that is another option including front sensors.

Personally, I would much rather the full display than a camera. The camera just shows what you are about to hit, not how far away from it you are.

?
My reversing camera shows how far away, as you get closer to things they get bigger in the screen.
Same thing happens if you use the front windscreen and a mk1 eyeball, as you get closer to things they get bigger

 

[dw911]

Thanks for the reply, do you happen to know if the revering light circuitdrops to floor level after it leaves the headlining area?

Yes it drops back to floor area, you should pick it up quite easily in the loom at the rear as its one of the wires required for the 13 pin electrical hook up if you have a towbar fitted

 

[skk]

I remember someone posting a link of a company, where they retrofitted both front and aft original factory parking sensors and also made the information visible on the radio screen.
It was something around 750 pounds for wiring, sensors, work and VCDS calibration. Quite expensive but worth the money IMO.

 

[Orbiter]

Yes it drops back to floor area, you should pick it up quite easily in the loom at the rear as its one of the wires required for the 13 pin electrical hook up if you have a towbar fitted

Ah yes, I hadnt thought of the towbar requirement. Thanks.

 

[Orbiter]

I remember someone posting a link of a company, where they retrofitted both front and aft original factory parking sensors and also made the information visible on the radio screen.
It was something around 750 pounds for wiring, sensors, work and VCDS calibration. Quite expensive but worth the money IMO.

That is probably a bit expensive. I do wonder though that it seems a bit strange that considering the rear view is a bit obscured by the C Pillars that unless you have the FR model there is absolutely no thought for reversing difficulties, i.e no auto tilt mirror, no sensors and feeble single reversing light. IMO reversing sensors could be more important than a lot of the other gizmos I've got.
On a more positive note, I havent yet had much trouble with reversing, I am reacting more to road testers who mentioned poor rear visibility. At least the Leon has a superbly small turning circle and is relatively short in length, i.e the SC mode is shorter than the 5Door models. My previous Volvo S60 had a turning circle of 13 Metres or more, and on very small roundabouts, occasionally I had to reverse back a bit to get round which could cause problems when someone is hugging the rear bumper,so I am very happy with maneuverability of the Leon.