Thanks, mmi! I somehow prefer the parking sensors over cameras. I guess, you are right that retrofitting the system I don't have to put the modules in exactly same spot they are fitted at the factory, but I'm guessing the PDC module still needs to connect to the main unit somewhere in the dash, right?
Retrofit rear PDC
- Thread starter Seanpause22
- Start date
Couple of tips:
Check the kit is made for LWB if your van is one - otherwise you may find you need to extend the wires by 50cm or so.
Most difficult part will be accessing behind of fuse board to get OEM like power feed without using piggy back wiring.
Like @mmi said, fitting PDC under left seat might be marginally easier. But measure the wires carefully before committing, you will anyway need to tap into drivetrain CAN bus somewhere and the easiest locations are near the BCM where PDC would go anyway in the OEM setup.
Tool like this will be useful for punching the sensor holes to the bumper: https://www.amazon.de/VS318/dp/B073PW868P
Not absolutely mandatory though, you can get by using step drill bit and filing / sanding for the last 0.2mm.
The sensor brackets should be compressed agaist the bumper for quite long for the 2-sided tape to bond well. It’s hard to do without proper (expensive) alignment kit. Maybe something could be improvised from threaded rod and some plastic scrap pieces.
Don’t do what I did with wire routing: I used the lowest grommet behind the bumper. But it’s not a good route, there’s a very narrow channel behind and hard to get wires through. Would have been better to use a horizontal grommet somewhere where the corrugated tube comes from in this photo or alternatively through the grommet behind left rear light. Other than that, wire routing is fairly straightforward although tedious: through the grommet to lower D-pillar, up the D-pillar, then all the way to front up behind roof panels on the left side. Down to behind dash along A-pillar to reach BCM and PDC. Finally over the steering column to the fuse box.
Other useful tool for the job is a trim tool kit such as https://www.amazon.de/Tapsin-158-Disassembly-Interior-Removal/dp/B09QFY4563 - this includes also terminal pin removal tools you will need with any car electrics.
And finally, consider getting VCDS and coding yourself instead of paying for the pleasure. It will pay itself back if you intend to keep the van for some years.
Check the kit is made for LWB if your van is one - otherwise you may find you need to extend the wires by 50cm or so.
Most difficult part will be accessing behind of fuse board to get OEM like power feed without using piggy back wiring.
Like @mmi said, fitting PDC under left seat might be marginally easier. But measure the wires carefully before committing, you will anyway need to tap into drivetrain CAN bus somewhere and the easiest locations are near the BCM where PDC would go anyway in the OEM setup.
Tool like this will be useful for punching the sensor holes to the bumper: https://www.amazon.de/VS318/dp/B073PW868P
Not absolutely mandatory though, you can get by using step drill bit and filing / sanding for the last 0.2mm.
The sensor brackets should be compressed agaist the bumper for quite long for the 2-sided tape to bond well. It’s hard to do without proper (expensive) alignment kit. Maybe something could be improvised from threaded rod and some plastic scrap pieces.
Don’t do what I did with wire routing: I used the lowest grommet behind the bumper. But it’s not a good route, there’s a very narrow channel behind and hard to get wires through. Would have been better to use a horizontal grommet somewhere where the corrugated tube comes from in this photo or alternatively through the grommet behind left rear light. Other than that, wire routing is fairly straightforward although tedious: through the grommet to lower D-pillar, up the D-pillar, then all the way to front up behind roof panels on the left side. Down to behind dash along A-pillar to reach BCM and PDC. Finally over the steering column to the fuse box.
Other useful tool for the job is a trim tool kit such as https://www.amazon.de/Tapsin-158-Disassembly-Interior-Removal/dp/B09QFY4563 - this includes also terminal pin removal tools you will need with any car electrics.
And finally, consider getting VCDS and coding yourself instead of paying for the pleasure. It will pay itself back if you intend to keep the van for some years.
Besides the sensors and the power the module connects to powertrain CANbus which then transfers data for Infotainment display.
I thought the CANbus was available under left seat - well, it is, but only with 4Motion
Wow, thanks for the thorough reply, n10n! Loads of useful info! ...except, now I'm not sure I'm up to the job, LOL! Taking off the bumper is probably within my comfort zone, but as far as wiring, I was hoping not to deal with anything beyond just connecting plugs - no tapping into CAN network type of stuff. I will need to give it a little more thought. Thanks again though!
Np.
It's not really that difficult a job, I would say involved as there is quite a bunch to be done for sure, basic wiring + multimeter skills needed + some tools which you likely don't have if you haven't done (car) electrics before.
The way T6 is wired very few of the retrofits could be plug and play unfortunately. Or at least it would be uneconomical to develop some 40+ pin adapters for BCM just to get can bus or something else tapped cleanly and hence the price of the kits would go to levels where nobody would buy them.
Keep calling the car electricians, there must be someone willing to take the job although I'm aware retrofits are not a big thing in Finland. Maybe try the ones who usually do custom equipped vehicles (like Carsport)? I'm just afraid it would be quite expensive simply due to amount of work that has to go in - in that sense DIY would make more sense.
oh, so you are familiar with the situation in Finland!
I will call around and to see if I can get anyone to do this for a reasonable amount of money. As far as DIY, I like getting handy, but I know my limits and don't enjoy getting into the stuff that's over my head. I will need to have a clear understanding of what I'm getting myself into before I venture onto this task myself. Thanks again for all the info!
oh, so you are familiar with the situation in Finland!
You could go with something like this in the interim as your search may take a while
I was thinking of somethig like this:You could go with something like this in the interim as your search may take a while
Thanks! Didn't think in this direction at all! Also didn't realize we were neighbors!
Thanks for the tip! Will give these guys a call tomorrow.