Hi All,

Firstly, I'm new to the forum. Been on many over the years (FTOOC for 6 years), but now I'm the owner of a 2019 ST-Line.

The car doesn't have any front or rear parking sensors, or reversing camera.

I have found a reversing camera that I can install and it comes with an OBD programmer to make it operational.

However, this is where the fun starts and finishes, as the front and rear parking sensors haven't proved to be that accommodating.

I keep reading about CAN BUS problems with installing analogue aftermarket equipment, and this is where I've come to a halt.

Does anyone have any experience with adding front and rear parking sensors on a Mk4 Focus?

I've done a quick search on the forum search engine, and either I'm blind, dumb and stupid (easy now!), but haven't found anything.

Ta muchly!

Right.......

I've spoken to Chambers Ford where I bought the vehicle from, and they said they can fit the XVision Kits Front and Back.

I've googled the XVision kits, and they are no different to the kits I've found, and they all say that they cant be fitted to a CANBUS system. 

The engineer that I spoke to said he has fitted several kits to Mk4 Focus's and hasn't experienced any CANBUS issues, and the only issues he has come across are sensors that have malfunctioned and replaced them.

So.....I'm at a lose in what to do.

Any advice?

Our Mk2.5 came with Xvision rear sensors already fitted. They just run from the reversing light supply with a bleeper in the boot so purely analog and no connection to the CANbus. I don't know how this compares with the kits you've researched. I'd guess the front sensors would be similar and just run from an ignition-switched supply. In either case you won't have a visual display with any system that doesn't use the CANbus unless it has it's own dedicated display panel.

Thanks for the reply MJT, much appreciated.

Its not that I want to tie in the sensors to the CANBUS, its more the fact that when the CANBUS system picks up a power drain higher than expected on a live line, it registers that there is a fault and switches that system off. 

I've seen on line many instances that when analogue aftermarket stuff is fitted, various systems that have been tapped into have either stopped working or show errors on the instrument panel that aren't actually there. 

The Xvision kits look the same as the other kits I've found, and that's when I asked the engineer if he had had any issues. 

I think the only way to go forward is to fit a set, if it interferes with the CANBUS and I lose anything, I'll just uninstall and reaccess my options.

If someone fitted slightly brighter bulbs then presumably the same thing would happen? Parking sensors are I would guess around 3-4w of power for a set inc buzzer, Each sensor it rated at less than half a watt. If a pair of 2w brighter bulbs dont throw the Canbus out then it should be ok.

When I fitted a set I pushed the bare live wire into the pin for the reverse light and joined the earth to the rear cluster earthing point BEFORE I drilled the bumper to make sure they worked. Might be an idea if in doubt.

The audible indication is all you really need, I have the nice screen view on one car and it makes no odds, you can reverse up to about 12" away easily with buzzers or a fancy display.

Thanks Rob, much appreciated.

When you put it like that, that appears to be logical.

I will definitely conduct a dry fit as you suggest, may save a major headache.

Still might fit the reversing camera along with the audible parking sensors, as the kit I've sort is an extension of the SYNC 3 headunit I have, and the OBD programmer sorts the CAMBUS out. 

Think i need to get purchasing and let you all know how I get on!

The one thing I've tried to ensure is, that I get 6 sensor activation on reverse (All 4 rear sensors and 2 front outer sensors) and 2 sensor activation for front parking. There is only one kit I can find, but its one of those awful pre-moulded sets, and not the flush fit set. I was thinking about splicing two of the front sensors into the two rear outer sensors, but not sure if that little experiment will work. Customising wiring isn't my strong suit.

Interesting idea, but in 30+ years of driving I've never hit anything with the front wings while reversing. Are you making it much harder just for the sake of having a better gadget?

I used to think front sensors were pointless because you can see, but with cars getting bigger and parking more conjested I wish I had a set on the Octavia. Its multi storeys that are a particular issue, unless you are tight to the wall the back end sticks out.

The rear sensors I fitted to the Fiesta I am really pleased with, they look (to me) 100% factory fit. I'm tempted to fit a set to the front of the Occty but wire through a switch so only on when required, which is very occassionally.

I'm also tempted to do a pic of the sensors as its one of those jobs you feel pleased with when completed.