Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Rear parking sensor muting

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Rear parking sensor muting

    Hi,
    Can somebody tell me if the rear parking sensors are muted when a trailer is connected?

    Have spoken to 2 towbar suppliers and one said yes, the other no
    ​​
    This will be on a 2021 VX

    Thanks

  • #2
    The sensors spring into life at somewhere around a metre.
    A trailer isn't likely to be close enough, otherwise all caravans and trailers would set them off.

    Comment


    • #3
      Would they not detect the draw bar?

      Comment


      • #4
        Don't know. Interesting question tho'.
        If they did all caravans and trailers would set them off.
        The ground gets closer and that doesn't set them off.

        Comment


        • #5
          Aftermarket reversing sensors certainly do go berserk when reversing with a trailer or caravan. There are all sorts of things on the tow bars of trailers and caravans to generate an ultrasonic echo.

          I have a reversing camera mounted on my caravan. I mounted a sensor on the trailer socket cover witch causes the reversing camera source to switch from the Prado's OEM camera to the trailer's aftermarket camera. The circuitry also disconnects the reversing light input wire to the aftermarket parking sensor controller, shutting the parking sensors off when the socket has a trailer plugged in.

          Comment


          • #6
            The parking sensors remain active in my August 2021 GXL when you have a trailer connected with a genuine Toyota Tow bar fitted by a dealer. I'm disappointed, I thought that would have been part of the harness set up. You need to deactivate the parking sensors at the switch at your left knee, then remember to switch it back on when you have ceased reversing (which I fail to do most of the time)

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by GeeWhizz View Post
              Aftermarket reversing sensors certainly do go berserk when reversing with a trailer or caravan. There are all sorts of things on the tow bars of trailers and caravans to generate an ultrasonic echo.

              I have a reversing camera mounted on my caravan. I mounted a sensor on the trailer socket cover witch causes the reversing camera source to switch from the Prado's OEM camera to the trailer's aftermarket camera. The circuitry also disconnects the reversing light input wire to the aftermarket parking sensor controller, shutting the parking sensors off when the socket has a trailer plugged in.
              Thanks, that's what I was looking for.
              Disappointing that Toyota haven't thought of this, my 2018 Ranger automatically muted the sensors once it detected the trailer plug was connected.

              Can you give me some info on the sensor you're using thanks?

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by Gambit1870 View Post

                Thanks, that's what I was looking for.
                Disappointing that Toyota haven't thought of this, my 2018 Ranger automatically muted the sensors once it detected the trailer plug was connected.

                Can you give me some info on the sensor you're using thanks?
                I would suggest one of these Narva | 7 Pin Flat 'Quickfit' Trailer Socket with Reed Switch for use with Normally Open C or one of these Narva | 12 Pin Flat Trailer Socket with Reed Switch for use with Normally Closed Circuits, particularly if you have 'flat' sockets already. The 7-pin switched socket starts at around $30 while the 12-pin version is probably more than double that.

                The limited wiring diagram supplied on the Narva website shows one end of the reed switch connected to pin 3 (ground or 0v) and the other extended with an additional wire, presumably to the interior of the vehicle. This wire would need to reach all the way to near the dashboard switch that is used to turn off the reversing alarm. Unfortunately my vehicle has aftermarket reversing sensors, so I don't know what the Toyota dashboard switch actually does. The trailer socket switch would probably need to operate a small relay (+12v IGN on the other side of it's coil). Switched contacts of the relay would need to duplicate what the dashboard switch does. The wiring diagram appears the show Light Bue and Violet wires going to the switch. Apologies for the vagueness of my reply here.

                Unfortunately, I have not been able to find a switched round socket.

                I'm a (semi) retired electronic engineer, so I have an unfair advantage. I have a 7-pin small round plug/socket on the Prado. I attached a small bracket with a 'super' (neodymium) magnet to the spring loaded cover of the socket. This gets close to a hall-effect sensor when the cover is opened. All a bit over-the-top for the average Prado owner.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by GeeWhizz View Post

                  I would suggest one of these Narva | 7 Pin Flat 'Quickfit' Trailer Socket with Reed Switch for use with Normally Open C or one of these Narva | 12 Pin Flat Trailer Socket with Reed Switch for use with Normally Closed Circuits, particularly if you have 'flat' sockets already. The 7-pin switched socket starts at around $30 while the 12-pin version is probably more than double that.

                  The limited wiring diagram supplied on the Narva website shows one end of the reed switch connected to pin 3 (ground or 0v) and the other extended with an additional wire, presumably to the interior of the vehicle. This wire would need to reach all the way to near the dashboard switch that is used to turn off the reversing alarm. Unfortunately my vehicle has aftermarket reversing sensors, so I don't know what the Toyota dashboard switch actually does. The trailer socket switch would probably need to operate a small relay (+12v IGN on the other side of it's coil). Switched contacts of the relay would need to duplicate what the dashboard switch does. The wiring diagram appears the show Light Bue and Violet wires going to the switch. Apologies for the vagueness of my reply here.

                  Unfortunately, I have not been able to find a switched round socket.

                  I'm a (semi) retired electronic engineer, so I have an unfair advantage. I have a 7-pin small round plug/socket on the Prado. I attached a small bracket with a 'super' (neodymium) magnet to the spring loaded cover of the socket. This gets close to a hall-effect sensor when the cover is opened. All a bit over-the-top for the average Prado owner.
                  Thanks for the informative response mate, I'm an I&E Technician, so understood your explanation. I'll have to hunt down some schematics for the Prado's electrical system. I'm guessing it'll be some sort of Can Bus system these days?

                  I'm running flat 7 pins so should be a straight swap with some extra wiring, I might run a multi core from the rear to the front when I get around to running power for the trailer etc future proof for later mods.

                  Cheers

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Gambit1870 View Post

                    ....I'm an I&E Technician, so understood your explanation.
                    Hey - we talk the same language! The attached screen snip is for 08/2017+ Prados. While there is an ECU for the Parking Assistance system, the control is just down to that one switch. You could either place the relay contacts in series with the +12v input (cut the light blue wire) or parallel with the existing switch (between the Lt Blue and Violet wires). I wouldn't play around with the Buzzer wiring because it might also be used for other functions.

                    Click image for larger version

Name:	Prado 2017+ Parking sensor control.JPG
Views:	2905
Size:	64.8 KB
ID:	761003

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Thanks mate appreciate that

                      Think I'll just parallel the switch, I'll do a bit more investigation once I get the vehicle on Wednesday.
                      Nothing like cutting loose with a pair of side cutters on a brand new car

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Gambit1870 View Post
                        Thanks mate appreciate that

                        Think I'll just parallel the switch, I'll do a bit more investigation once I get the vehicle on Wednesday.
                        Nothing like cutting loose with a pair of side cutters on a brand new car
                        Hey mate,

                        Not sure if this will help, but in my 2020 GXL I have a switch on the LH switch bank next to the steering wheel that will disable the rear parking sensors completely. Your2021 VX will have this for sure. This is the same bank of switches that house the DPF burn button.

                        Click image for larger version

Name:	Prado Parking Sensor Disable Button.jpg
Views:	2370
Size:	57.5 KB
ID:	761274

                        What did you end up doing?
                        HappyChappy
                        Lurker
                        Last edited by HappyChappy; 28-12-2021, 08:21 PM.

                        Comment

                        Working...
                        X