Removing Reverse Sensors

[Niran]

Hey guys.

As the title suggests, I want to remove the reverse sensors that were installed on my car by the previous owner. Car in question is a 2003 WRX STI. I am sucker for having my car look clean and these are just way too pronounced and definitely not subtle.

How do you go about removing them? Where are they wired to etc. Is this a job i should attempt or leave to the professionals?

[Joker]

as in the are set into the bumper?

Panel beaters job, or remove it & take to a plastic welder to sort then a painter, bit hard to see from here without pics

[Niran]

Ah sorry should have been a bit more clear. Know I need the panel beating side of things. Was more worried about removing the wiring. The sensors only work when in reverse right? So are they hooked up to the main wiring harness or something? I am no expert on this stuff.

Here is a pic for reference:

[alfie]

Mine had some sort of control box tucked in beside the right rear inner guard that all the wires went to. From there it seems to be a single cable running to the front. I didn't bother tracing that because it was more effort than I was willing to give. I just disconnected it at the guard because the box was in an arse of a place.

[Firenza]

I used to work for a firm installing these, usually they're a fairly simple system.

There should be a control unit with 4 connectors, 2 go to sensors, 1 is the power/signal and the other is for the speaker. Normally this is tucked into a crevice in the boot and stuck with a velco pad. The signal wire should be spliced into the reverse lights to give power. Finally find the speaker and trace the cable back. You could just cut it but if it were me id rather get ALL the wiring out then just do half a job.

Some systems also have a display, these are just connected to the control unit just like the speaker, so again, trace the wire back to the control unit and remove the module.

All in all, its not too complex a system, the hardest part is going to be finding the control unit, but if you start at the sensors and trace it you should find in in no time.

[Niran]

Legend! Thanks for the help guys!

[Zenki]

Covering the other side of things: I'm in the panel and paint business, and as far as the bumper goes, the best way to remove those sensors is to replace the bumper. It's possible to plastic weld then fill over the holes, but it's a finicky repair that will likely cost as much as a good condition second hand bumper anyhow.

Have you not considered painting the sensors silver? They will still function, most parking sensors are painted (either by the factory or by the installer) to match the body.