Hi,

Can the rear acoustic parking sensors be switched off from the dashboard controls?

]I have just had a westfalia detachable towbar fitted to my octavia II estate (on a side note this is a really nice bar - you can't easily see that there's a detachy bar fitted once it's removed - unlike some tow bars).

I know the dealer/factory fitted bar automatically does this when the tow ball is attached (I guess it must use some sort of switch to do so, because I have read that the sensors main supply is taken from the reversing bulb supply?).

Thanks

All I see is the word " thanks"..........Anyone else.........:confused:

PJO you have used a crappy type colour that is not visible in 'cobalt' background only with 'fusion'. Can't help with your question other than if you do a search iirc something was mentioned on here a while back?

PJO you have used a crappy type colour that is not visible in 'cobalt' background only with 'fusion'. Can't help with your question other than if you do a search iirc something was mentioned on here a while back?

Thought I'd gone blind.....................

Hi,

Yeah see my mistake - hopefully should be visible now! Thanks (again)

Hi' date='

Yeah see my mistake - hopefully should be visible now! Thanks (again)[/quote']

Eye sight back to normal.............Thanks PJO...................

Hi' date='

I know the dealer/factory fitted bar automatically does this when the tow ball is attached (I guess it must use some sort of switch to do so, because I have read that the sensors main supply is taken from the reversing bulb supply?).

Thanks[/quote']

IIRC it's not just a switch. The original towbar connects onto the CAN-BUS to allow the car to check for trailer lamp failures etc. When the connection is made the computer detects it and disables the parking sensors. I could be wrong of course. I'd say the best way is to identify if there is a separate fuse for parking sensors in the fuse box and then introduce a switch there.

I've got front and rear parky sensors and I've got a button on the dash to switch them off. Works for front AND back...

Thanks Johnny, This certainly sounds better than my theory. I will look into doing something like that as I guess the bar I have fitted has bypassed the CAN-BUS system which is why the car does not know the trailer is attached (I'm guessing correctly bypassed as I'm not having any issues with false bulb failure etc).

Just a pity you can't do something from the dash controls. I wonder if there's any control through the radio (I'll check the manaul tommorow).

Thanks all again.

Thanks Johnny' date=' This certainly sounds better than my theory. I will look into doing something like that as I guess the bar I have fitted has bypassed the CAN-BUS system which is why the car does not know the trailer is attached (I'm guessing correctly bypassed as I'm not having any issues with false bulb failure etc).

Just a pity you can't do something from the dash controls. I wonder if there's any control through the radio (I'll check the manaul tommorow).

Thanks all again.[/quote']

The only PDC adjustment through the radio is the volume level you want the radio to drop to when you select reverse.

Yeah, ta, that's what I saw when I was scanning the radio manual (whilst waiting for the wife to do shopping (more information than req'd I know))...

Oh well, unless anyone has anything other ideas I will have to

a) Put up with the noise whilst reversing the caravan

Fit some kind of switch to cut the supply to the sensors (although this may just simply make the car's computer think that the sensors are broken?)

c) Order a factory/dealer fitted towbar (not really an option...)

d) Get rid of the caravan and stop being a burden to all other road users!!!

Just out of interest, how much is it for a dealer fitted tow bar?

d) Get rid of the caravan and stop being a burden to all other road users!!!

set myself up for that one - very funny:thumbup:

Just out of interest, how much is it for a dealer fitted tow bar?

Approx

Not exactly cheap is it? I will only need single electrics anyway, oh...and of course an Octy. Waiting until next year to change my Freelander for an Octy 4x4 140. Well, unless something else comes on to the market that is.

My dealer charged me

I've got front and rear parky sensors and I've got a button on the dash to switch them off. Works for front AND back...

I only have rear ones but no swtch...could it just be for models with front sensors ? (that'll disable both front & rear)

My dealer charged me

I only have rear ones but no swtch...could it just be for models with front sensors ? (that'll disable both front & rear)

Cars with front sensors have a switch to enable/disable the front parking sensors only. You turn them on manually when you need them.

Cars with front sensors have a switch to enable/disable the front parking sensors only. You turn them on manually when you need them.

Actually, it switches both front AND rear off. Also, putting the car into reverse switches the front sensors on too.

You can also use it to switch them on without putting it into reverse (below a certain speed, 5MPH I think).

But it means that it's possible to wire up a switch to turn them off...

Actually' date=' it switches both front AND rear off. Also, putting the car into reverse switches the front sensors on too.

You can also use it to switch them on without putting it into reverse (below a certain speed, 5MPH I think).

But it means that it's possible to wire up a switch to turn them off...[/quote']

Umm ok but that wasn't the case in the car I test drove. Does the switch turn the front sensors on too then? If for example you drive into a parking space and want to get as close to the car/wall/fence etc in front without hitting it, you will want to use the front parking sensors to assist you but is it not daft that you would have to put the car into reverse to turn them on first?

Umm ok but that wasn't the case in the car I test drove. Does the switch turn the front sensors on too then? If for example you drive into a parking space and want to get as close to the car/wall/fence etc in front without hitting it, you will want to use the front parking sensors to assist you but is it not daft that you would have to put the car into reverse to turn them on first?

You can use the switch to switch the sensors on in this situation.

Rear sensor come on when you engage reverse or turn on ignition while there is an object close behind.

Front sesor come on if you turn on ignition and there is something in front.

Switch enables both ends if pressed at below 15 kpm

all disengage above 15 kpm

Switch enables both ends if pressed at below 15 kpm

all disengage above 15 kpm

but the car I test drove was different. Front sensors didnt come on automatically. Weird.

But it means that it's possible to wire up a switch to turn them off...

Hmm, probably not an easy job though. The switch you are talking about, on the models with front and rear sensors, is bound to be connected to the car's computer and not actually doing something like dropping the supply to the sensors, but probably turning them on and off at a computer control level. I.E. in switching them off, I'm sure this will be just telling the computer to just ignore the data they are feeding back.