I thought I'd write up the installation of parking sensors on the new Leon for those that are contemplating it. All in all it took around 4 hours, although once I know what I'm doing it should take about half that !
Fitting Reversing Sensors to the New Leon
I fitted the Meta SR2 reversing sensors to the Leon, these differ from normal sensors in the fact that minimal holes are needed to be cut in the bumper as they are supplied in a number plate surround. As you can see from the picture they are very unobtrusive.
1) Tracing the wires
For the sensors to pick up the fact you’re reversing they need to tap into the reversing light wire. This is in the boot door which means you must trace it back to where it is accessible in the body of the car. Using a multimeter you can find out which of the three wires going to the light is the reversing feed. (in mine it was the grey/black) The wires then reappear on the left side of the car (n/s) under the rear seat belt. You will need to remove the top black plastic moulding which the parcel shelf sits in to access it. You don’t need to remove the hard backed carpet sides, just peel them back a bit to access it. You will see two multi-blocks, one is coming from the roof with the grey/black wire in which is the reversing light feed. This is where Seat in their divine wisdom?? chose to change the colour of the same wire to black/blue !!
So watch out I would highly recommend you don’t take my word for it on the wire colours but use a multi-meter to test which one you need, it could easily be a different colour on your car!
2) Testing the wires
Frustratingly it’s actually quite hard to get the reversing light to stay on when the engine is off. The light will not come on at all if the boot is open, even with the engine on, and if you turn the ignition on without starting the engine it also won’t come on if you put the gearlever in reverse.
You must start the car in neutral, engage reverse, then turn the engine off leaving the car in reverse. The light will go out immediately but if you then turn the ignition on again without starting the car the reversing light will come on.
Note: do not then open the boot to get at the wires as this will turn the reverse light off and you’ll have to do the whole procedure again !
You can then test which wire in the multiblock is the reverse one by accessing it from the rear seats folded down.
3) Fitting the sensors
The Meta SR2 differs from the factory sensors in that no visable holes are made in the bumper. The big bonus for DIY fans is that you don’t need to remove the bumper. Remove your number plate and then remove the large plastic boot trim around the boot catch. This is done by removing the two round plastic screws by hand then pulling the top vertically up releasing the four spring clips. (it sounds like it’s breaking but don’t worry as long as you’re not too rough)
The reversing light wires go through the large round rubber grommet, if you remove this and shine a torch through you can see the bumper where the number plate attaches. If you tap a long screwdriver through this hole (mind the wires) you can feel where you are on the outside of the bumper. A 14mm hole needs to be drilled to let the wires come through almost exactly in the middle of the number plate. The instructions from Meta state drilling the hole at the bottom of the plate, but if you do this you’ll hit the strengthening bar in the bumper. I’d suggest drilling a pilot hole first (taking care not to hit the number plate light wires) then looking from inside the boot to make sure it’s in the right place before drilling the final hole.
The Meta instructions also suggest fixing the number plate surround onto the car, then clipping the number plate in. I chose to clip the number plate into the surround, then use the old number plate screws and holes to fix the whole lot to the car.
4) Fixing the unit
Once the wires from the senders are in the car these can be fed behind the trim up to the side trim panel. It’s a personal choice but I’ve fitted mine to the inspection panel so it is easily accessible for any adjustments to the range, volume etc.
When you splice into the reversing wire make sure you use an in line fuse (one wasn’t included in my kit) and tape the wires out of the way so nothing rattles.
The earth I took off one of the light mounting points making sure I cleaned away some paint to ensure a good contact.
The speaker location is a personal choice but I fitted mine so you can see it in the boot, but at least it’s easy to hear.
You can now test the system and adjust the range, volume, sensitivity etc.
Fitting Reversing Sensors to the New Leon
I fitted the Meta SR2 reversing sensors to the Leon, these differ from normal sensors in the fact that minimal holes are needed to be cut in the bumper as they are supplied in a number plate surround. As you can see from the picture they are very unobtrusive.
1) Tracing the wires
For the sensors to pick up the fact you’re reversing they need to tap into the reversing light wire. This is in the boot door which means you must trace it back to where it is accessible in the body of the car. Using a multimeter you can find out which of the three wires going to the light is the reversing feed. (in mine it was the grey/black) The wires then reappear on the left side of the car (n/s) under the rear seat belt. You will need to remove the top black plastic moulding which the parcel shelf sits in to access it. You don’t need to remove the hard backed carpet sides, just peel them back a bit to access it. You will see two multi-blocks, one is coming from the roof with the grey/black wire in which is the reversing light feed. This is where Seat in their divine wisdom?? chose to change the colour of the same wire to black/blue !!
So watch out I would highly recommend you don’t take my word for it on the wire colours but use a multi-meter to test which one you need, it could easily be a different colour on your car!
2) Testing the wires
Frustratingly it’s actually quite hard to get the reversing light to stay on when the engine is off. The light will not come on at all if the boot is open, even with the engine on, and if you turn the ignition on without starting the engine it also won’t come on if you put the gearlever in reverse.
You must start the car in neutral, engage reverse, then turn the engine off leaving the car in reverse. The light will go out immediately but if you then turn the ignition on again without starting the car the reversing light will come on.
Note: do not then open the boot to get at the wires as this will turn the reverse light off and you’ll have to do the whole procedure again !
You can then test which wire in the multiblock is the reverse one by accessing it from the rear seats folded down.
3) Fitting the sensors
The Meta SR2 differs from the factory sensors in that no visable holes are made in the bumper. The big bonus for DIY fans is that you don’t need to remove the bumper. Remove your number plate and then remove the large plastic boot trim around the boot catch. This is done by removing the two round plastic screws by hand then pulling the top vertically up releasing the four spring clips. (it sounds like it’s breaking but don’t worry as long as you’re not too rough)
The reversing light wires go through the large round rubber grommet, if you remove this and shine a torch through you can see the bumper where the number plate attaches. If you tap a long screwdriver through this hole (mind the wires) you can feel where you are on the outside of the bumper. A 14mm hole needs to be drilled to let the wires come through almost exactly in the middle of the number plate. The instructions from Meta state drilling the hole at the bottom of the plate, but if you do this you’ll hit the strengthening bar in the bumper. I’d suggest drilling a pilot hole first (taking care not to hit the number plate light wires) then looking from inside the boot to make sure it’s in the right place before drilling the final hole.
The Meta instructions also suggest fixing the number plate surround onto the car, then clipping the number plate in. I chose to clip the number plate into the surround, then use the old number plate screws and holes to fix the whole lot to the car.
4) Fixing the unit
Once the wires from the senders are in the car these can be fed behind the trim up to the side trim panel. It’s a personal choice but I’ve fitted mine to the inspection panel so it is easily accessible for any adjustments to the range, volume etc.
When you splice into the reversing wire make sure you use an in line fuse (one wasn’t included in my kit) and tape the wires out of the way so nothing rattles.
The earth I took off one of the light mounting points making sure I cleaned away some paint to ensure a good contact.
The speaker location is a personal choice but I fitted mine so you can see it in the boot, but at least it’s easy to hear.
You can now test the system and adjust the range, volume, sensitivity etc.
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![[:@]](/forums/styles/seatcupra/oldforumsmileys/furious.gif "Furious [:@]")
... considering I'm useless at this I thoughtr I'd add my muppet two-pennethworth
After investigating that, notice two large rectangular airvents that give access to the bumper area.
