5doorwrx

2002 Impreza WRX (Bugeyes)
Had to have a new windscreen fitted at home.
Checked the car over and found the driver side motion sensor mounted on the screen pillar was smashed...the fitter was long gone.

Made a temporary repair to the shell with epoxy putty but need to replace.
Works but looks horrible.

Have located a used one for £12 but don't want to tackle the job without a clear idea of how to do it. No local dealer now Walldonway has gone so would greatly appreciate any help...it looks fairly simple but I don't want to bugger up the alarm through ignorance!

Thanks in advance

500

You should be able to trace the wire, unplug and plug the new one in.

5doorwrx

Thanks for the reply but there is no plug-in connection, just a single wire fixed to the replacement sensor which locates in the pillar with a single screw...somewhat crude!
The signal wire from sensor is a bare wire termination so I presume there is a connector involved somewhere in the pillar.
I suppose I'll have to bite the bullet and hope.
Thanks again

-C-

MR_TOAD_INSTALLER

iTrader: (1)

What Alarm is it

Ian

5doorwrx

Hi Ian
The alarm is apparently a Sigma M30, Thatcham Category 1 compliant according to the handbook. Physically it seems a simple enough job to remove the damaged sensor assuming the single wire connection is accessible. My concern is whether the motion sensing circuit would need some form of adjustment to accept the new unit...I don't want to bugger up the alarm through ignorance. If a straight swap out/in then no problem.
Any info would be much appreciated, thanks.

-C-

MR_TOAD_INSTALLER

iTrader: (1)

I would get an alarm fitter to do it the control box are very awkward to get too
Replacement is plug in no setting up but to get to plug very awkward

can you send a picture of the sensor location as it sounds like a bad sensor location ?

Ian

5doorwrx

Thanks Ian
No way was I going to tackle the job myself after speaking to Bruce, ex-Walldonway so I bit the bullet and had it fixed at his new Subaru service and spares business by Clive, the top man with a spanner ex-Walldonway.
In fact both sensors were damaged so both replaced...not a quick and simple job...half the dashboard out etc....

What didn't help was a faulty alarm siren which kept going off at low volume
but most annoying. Not uncommon so I'm told, due to water getting into the unit. That's history, waiting for a price for a new one...but is it worth it as who takes any notice of car alarms? Security is not compromised.

If anyone wants details of Bruce and Clive's business please email me unless the Mod will allow me to put them here.

Finally I'm told Subaru UK do not intend to appoint a new Subaru dealer in Kent so Bruce should do well!
I wish him every success.

Clive

kwan88

Why not cut the sensor and the solder the new ones to old wires?

5doorwrx

I thought that and was wrong. Good job I didn't try it.
Screening issues mean the new sensor must be connected direct to the alarm control box without a join in the wire which meant having to take out half the dashboard.
Sorted out now by a specialist and working fine...at a price :-(
Thanks anyway.

kwan88

Not sure why it would be a problem? Soldering the new sensor by cutting the cable and soldering it back to the existing cable is no difference, to when people fit stereos or boost gauges and need a power source.

5doorwrx

It's shielded cable. Joins mean you can pick up stray RF which can trigger the alarm.
I understand the reason.

kwan88

Where is the alarm unit located then?

5doorwrx

Either behind the dashboard on the right hand side or behind the glove compartment on the left. It can be either. I had to replace both sensors and my unit was on the left which meant removing the windscreen pillars trims and part of the dashboard then running the cable all the way to the unit. A 2 hour job by a qualified tech but I know it's done correctly.