Modern cars all come with an incredible amount of options, but, by reason of your budget or the year of your Ford Ka, you may not be lucky enough to have them all. Today we’re gonna help you correct this concern by explaining how to install parking sensor on my Ford Ka? In reality, this option is highly helpful, particularly if you live in the city and have to park habitually in narrow parking areas. To help you out, we’ll first look at how parking sensors work, then we’ll check out how to install a parking reverse sensor on a Ford Ka, and finally, how much does a parking sensor cost?
How does parking sensors work on an Ford Ka?
So we begin with the functioning of a parking sensor. As we explained to you in the intro, this particularl interesting option permits you to know the distance between the back of your Ford Ka and an obstacle when you move back. It is consequently especially honest for persons who have to maneuver often, whose field of vision is bad, or whose vehicle size is big.
Often times fitted as standard, the reverse sensors of a Ford Ka integrate a kit of sensors (minimum 4) that will be turned on with reverse gear and will spot obstacles in the vicinity. The technology used is ultrasounds, which will send a signal that will bounce off the obstacle and be delivered back to the sensor. A computer will evaluate the duration of this journey and calculate the distance between the obstacle and the radar. In most cases you will have a sound indicator in the cabin which will increase in intensity with the proximity of the obstacle and in some cases a visual indicator in complement. The reversing radars of a Ford Ka will help you for parking, but also for security and staying away from pedestrians.
How to install parking sensors on a Ford Ka?
We now go forward to the step that you are likely most interested in, installing reverse parking sensors on a Ford Ka. This part is for you if you don’t have a standard reserve sensor set up and you still desire to make use of this technology, or if you have to replace a broken one. You are lucky, it is possible to buy auto aftermarket parking sensors to install yourself on your Ford Ka.
How to change a damaged backup sensors on a Ford Ka
First we’ll see how to change a damaged parking sensor on an Ford Ka. In cases where your Ford Ka has suffered a rear shock and one of the sensors of your reversing radar has been destroyed, it will have to be replaced to allow the system to function effectively. Luckily for you this procedure is extremely simple, you can even carry it out yourself without any particular mechanical skill:
- Get a replacement radar of the manufacturer’s brand name.
- Disconnect the old backup sensor from the back of the bumper.
- Take off the broken parking sensor from your Ford Ka, this part is fairly intuitive, it is just clipped on.
- Remount the new sensor and connect it.
- All you’ll have to do is test it to make sure it’s functioning effectively.
- You will only need to stick to the installation guidelines, but we summarize here the main procedures.
- Take off the bumper if you don’t have access to the inside of it.
- Think about the best location of the sensors to avoid blind spots, using the supplied drill bell, drill your bumper.
- Place your various sensors.
- Route the cables to the headlamp unit that contains your reverse light.
- Get the current from the wires to connect your parking sensors to this one.
- Test it all out.
- Follow the installation guidebook which is accessible with some electrical bases.
- Find the best sensor position, either behind the bumper for the electromagnetic reversing sensor(adhesive tape) and or the different locations of the ultrasonic sensors.
- Glue them together and connect them using the box provided.
- Give it a try all out.
How to install an aftermarket parking sensor kit on an Ford Ka
Now we proceed to the part you’re most certainly most interested in, how to install a reverse sensor set up on a Ford Ka that doesn’t have one? As we mentioned earlier, you’re lucky because many of OEMs now sell auto aftermarket backup radar models. But, the best performing and least fragile models will be models that fit into your bumper. We will concentrate on these types in this section. It is important to have some notions in electricity, and some notions in do-it-yourself to consider the fitting up of the kit. You will definitely have to remove the bumper of your Ford Ka for the set up, do not hesitate to browse our article on this subject matter to learn the method to follow. If you don’t feel like it, you can call a specialist, the procedure should take him between 1 and 2 hours, and for you around 3 hours.
Install a parking sensor without drilling on a Ford Ka
And finally, we will now present you the installation of a drill-free parking sensors system on a Ford Ka. There are two types, the ultrasounds more weak because subjected to the shocks, and the electromagnetics which stick behind the bumper and which are thus protected, it does not affect your bumper and will thus be easy to take off. This type of radar sticks on the bumper. The set up of these types of sensors will be similar.
What’s the price of parking sensors for a Ford Ka?
Price of changing a damaged reversing parking sensor for an Ford Ka
The replacement of a destroyed reversing radar will depend on the model, but the price will range between 10 and 30 euros per sensor. It is important to count about one hundred euros for the installation of the kit by a specialist.
Price of an ultrasonic parking sensors with drilling for Ford Ka
For the models with holes there are many kits and different brands but you will have to count around 50 euros for a high quality system.
Price of a parking sensors kit without drilling for a Ford Ka
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To finish, for the price of a reversing radar without drilling for your Ford Ka, what ever version you choose, you will have to pay among 30 and 60 euros.
If perhaps you have any further questions about the Ford Ka, do not hesitate to consult our Ford Ka category.
