hi everyone, anybody fit reverse sensors on there mk3 mx5, did you get into any problems or is it just a straight forward job as seen on you tube, thanks for any answers. Ā steveĀ
Simple as can be, I have used Cobra kits, this time the A0358 low profile version although I had them fitted by propark uk who used a ātank cutterā to pull the holes from the outside, that gives a nice rolled edge to the hole.
There were only two ponts marked on my bumper, the spacing put the second pair very close to a brace bracket but it was okay, if you use traditional A0258 or similar top hat sensors you will be able to drill from the outside.
Using the ātank cutterā to do the low profile sensors you only pilot drill from outside, use a bradawl to press through from the cross marks on the inside of the bumper, hope this helps.
Hi PJR, thanks for the reply, sensors ordered,so hopefully fitting next weekend. Steve
Do you mean on of these?
How does that āPullā the hole from the outside to give a ānice rolled edgeā
Cheers,
Josh
Hi Josh, sorry my description is probably wrong, that is what I would call a trepanning tool and it is known as a tank cutter. The tool I meant would be a called a q-max cutter which requires a pilot hole to be drilled and then the cutter part pulls through.
If you have the top hat type it is not required, hereās the sort of thing.
Ā
Ah yes, a q-max cutter that looks more like it. So you cut from the outside inwards, so that you get a nice radius to the hole? Does it chip the paint or is the hole quite clean?
Cheers,
Josh
Nice smooth rolled edges, it really did a nice job, it almost looks like the paint stretches into the internal bore.
I cannot remember the exact size used but might still have the cut parts to measure, will have a look when I get home.
Just found this on ebay, looks like it would be 17mm, although not exactly the same part number as mine the sensor size looks familiar.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rear-R0394-Cobra-Parkmaster-Parking-Sensors-with-17mm-punch-toll-included-/271447796434
Hereās a picture of mine on Proparkās website
Not sure if youāre planning to fit aftermarket orĀ Mazda sensors, but we had the Mazda reversing sensors fitted to a new Sport Tech last Autumn, and I have to say Iām not very impressed with them. Maybe itās that Iām spoilt with the system in my beema, but my observations of the Mazda system are as follows:
- It makes a loud (and quite annoying) beep every time you put it in reverse - this isn't too bad if you're doing a simple/single reverse, but if you're manoeuvring in a confined space that requires a bit of forward/backward action, the loud BEEEEEEEEP each time gets on your wick
- Despite the fact that the sensors are all working fine and are not dirty, they seem to give a lot of random false detects, randomly making the odd beep / beeps while reversing
I have had three sets of Cobra sensors, they were dealer fitted on my first Mk3, I fitted the same to our Honda and the later flush ones on my new MX5.
I did have a sensor fail on the Mk3 but my local Mazda dealer replaced it free of charge, it was a tight cable problem but otherwise they have been great, the beeper is loud and the installer put it in the cab of the latest car, I soon moved it back into the boot as it would have been similar to yours, too loud by half.
Thanks for the replies so far,but now I have your attention,can someone ( auto electrician) please tell me how I check if my car electrics are CAN BUS electrics as I believe I will need to run the bleepers through a relay if that is the case, if my car is run on CAN BUS how do you wire up the relay, I am a mechanic by trade but electrics are a different science to me as I have always had a auto electrician at work to suss this sort of thing out ( now retired), hopefully someone will put me on the right track, thanks, Steve. P.s. Aftermarket not Mazda bleepers kit.
Really not an issue, Cobra sensors and imagine most of the others are just two wire units, the feed comes from your reversing light supply and you need to earth the other wire, thatās it, MX-5 Mk3ās are Can-Bus but that does not matter in this case.
hi PJR thanks for the info, great i can now fit these myself no probs, i was just worried about doing any damage to wiring or whatever, i will put on here how i have got on once fitted, Steve
As PJR says, connection is simply picking up power from the feed to the reversing light bulb and an earth.
Most kits come with a hole-cutter. There are several different sizes of sensors, so use the one that comes with the kit !!!
Make sure you mount the sensors on a vertical part of the bumper - you donāt want them pointing at the ground.
Get brave. Drill some holes 
2 scotchlock connectors used on the back of the reversing light.
Long cables to the sensors need to be tied up!
Speaker in the picture (bottom left) Ā is mounted in the boot behind the number plate, but I have since moved it to under the parcel shelf just behind the driver.
Ā
Good luck with your fit.
Donāt forget to paint them if you can, it does make a difference.
Some people think there is no place for parking sensors on a 5 but anything that helps me avoid reversing into stuff is well worth it.Ā
Cobra even have a youtube video for fitting ideas
thanks again PJR & NICK & ANNA, did you have any problem with the metal panel behind the bumper?, i suppose its just a matter of drilling through the bumper and through the center of this panel which by luck is just about the right height, but as always measure twice and drill once!!! LOL, as for painting them, the sensors come in different colours so hoping they match, Steve
If you want to do a āproperā job then the bumper could do with coming off, then you will find a grommet to feed the wires through, it does take a bit of time but saves any problems, it is also the only way to see the Mazda cross marks for sensor location.
Hi PJR thanks again for the info, i did not know there would be markings for the sensors on the back of the bumper, and yes of course i will take the bumper off, do you know if the panel behind needs to be drilled as well or are there holes already there for the sensors and do they line up with the markings on the inside of the bumper, this is why i thought i would have to drill with the bumper on and go straight through both. steve p.s. really appreciate your help!!
There will be enough space behind the bumper for the sensors and cabling, all you will have to drill is four holes in the plastic bumper, you will see the grommet to run the cables through to the control box in your boot.
This really is a simple job as you will see by the time you have finished, it takes a little time to remove all the plastic boot liners but thatās the most time consuming part, do make certain if you take the bumper off that you undo the two screws behind the rear number plate.
Hereās an online guide for bumper removal,
http://www.mellens.net/mazda/Mazda-Miata-2006-2007/exterior_trim.pdf
Section 10, page 8 of 29 shows how. Remember this is an American guide, our bumpers do not have reflectors and neither of mine have had an absorbant foam panel, I think removing the negative terminal on the battery is a bit of overkill but as you will be splicing into a 12v supply to the reversing lamp it could be argued necessary.
Hi again PJR, kit arrived (although at post office) so hope fully will be fitting on Thursday or Friday, just to say thanks for all the info and I will post how I got on with the job when done. Steve