Rear Park Sensor Holes - Different Sizes

[Sarah's A3]

Just realised that the rear bumper I now have to add when doing the front conversion has 18mm park sensor holes! The holes in my current bumper are 25mm, slightly larger. Do you know when they changed them to the smaller size and wheres the best place to pick some 18mm sensors up as ebay never seems to have the 18mm ones!

thanks in advance and i'm slowly getting bits together!!!

 

[Ash187]

from what i know there are only the 2 different size sensors, as i just managed to source the larger sensors for my replacement S-Line bumper. I know a guy who might be able to help you with the sensors if you need them as he said he has both size sensors for sale.

 

[Sarah's A3]

from what i know there are only the 2 different size sensors, as i just managed to source the larger sensors for my replacement S-Line bumper. I know a guy who might be able to help you with the sensors if you need them as he said he has both size sensors for sale.

Yes please if you can PM me his details, ta!

 

[auroan]

I think the larger holes are dealer fit sensors and the smaller holes are factory fit.

 

[Ash187]

as far as i know the larger ones were the old sensors fitted in cars upto 56 plate when the smaller sensors came in on 56/07 cars.
i have a 56plate s-line rear bumper that has the larger sensors.

 

[Lee_R]

They are big on the older style bumpers, the 06 onwards cars have a smaller one, probably due to the bumper being smooth and the bigger ones look a bit obvious.

Its easy to spot the difference, the old big ones have a circular trim round them and the new ones and just a falt circle.

 

[Khufu]

As Lee says, they were able to make them smaller so less noticable. The may also also mate up with a different loom/PDC unit too.

 

[Sarah's A3]

As Lee says, they were able to make them smaller so less noticable. The may also also mate up with a different loom/PDC unit too.

So if I 'm able to get t set of the smaller sensors they should just plug in my wiring thats already there? Or will I need new wiring too??
thanks for all replies already!

 

[Ash187]

from what i heard the wires are the same, as are the modules. but you can confirm with others here

 

[scott b]

if you get genuin audi ones they should just plug in, i can get small sensors, there made by a company called laserline, but they wont plug and play

 

[Lee_R]

Yeah i'm sure they just plug in but I think they are something stupid like £80 each from Audi

 

[Ash187]

the guy i bought my sensors from sold 4 perfect fit sensors for £40 (£10 each)
he also has the wires to connect from the sensor to the module for £10
i'm sure he said he had the smaller sensors and would do it for the same price

 

[Pii]

Wasn't there a thread here a while back about rear parking sensors?

I think there was mention that that the larger ones were the old style and are are now predominantly used on aftermarkets.... There was a lot of good information in that thread but I can't remember much of it; memory is like a goldfish...

 

[mattandrew]

Just to clarify a few things the newer style bumpers do use a smaller sensor which have a different size plug on them so are not compatible with your plugs. you would need to buy 4 new plugs and a load or repair wires and rewire each of the pins. You could also buy a new loom BUT the wriring in the new loom is different so extra wiring would still be needed.

The best solution would be to drill out the holes and fit the old sensors, on the back of the old bumper there is a plastic bracket which is double-sided sticky tapped on, this needs transfering to the new bumper. Easy enough to do, I did it on a mates A3

 

[thejolster]

What size drill did you use to drill the holes out bigger as I was planning on swapping my bumper this weekend until I saw the thread about different size parking sensor holes. This method does seem the easier way of going about it instead of buying new plugs and rewire.
Thanks

 

[jameo84]

you would be best using a cone style drill bit its the best way to enlarge a hole like this
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Pow...um+Coated+Step+Drill+422+mm/d80/sd1400/p78333