What does it mean when the parking assist system suddenly indicates a malfunction?
2 Answers
Suddenly receiving a parking assist system malfunction alert is typically caused by a damaged radar control box, which can be resolved by replacing it with a new one. The parking assist system includes ultrasonic sensors embedded in the front and rear bumpers, each with a diameter of approximately 15mm. The ultrasonic detection signals emitted by these sensors reflect when encountering obstacles. Upon receiving the reflected signals, the sensors promptly relay them back to the system for distance calculation, alerting the driver through audio or visual cues about the proximity of obstacles outside the driver's field of vision. During reversing, the parking assist system aids the driver in detecting obstacles and estimating the distance between the vehicle and the obstacles. It can identify obstacles beyond the driver's line of sight and notify the driver of their proximity through specific signals. Whether it's children playing behind the vehicle or low-lying objects like stone pillars, fences, or fire hydrants, the system can detect them immediately. It is essential for all vehicles to be equipped with a parking assist system, as it helps drivers monitor areas that are otherwise invisible to them.
Last time I drove, this parking fault also popped up, which was quite annoying. I checked the manual and found that the most common cause is the reverse radar sensors being covered by dirt, especially after driving on muddy roads in the rain. Just get out and wipe those small round dots on the bumper clean with a damp cloth. Another issue could be poor wiring contact—I once loosened the wiring harness by opening the trunk too frequently. The most troublesome scenario is a faulty control module, which requires a professional shop to diagnose the error codes to pinpoint the problem. But don’t rush to the repair shop just yet—try turning the engine off and restarting first. Many cars nowadays can self-repair the system after a reboot. Last time, the fault code disappeared on its own after a restart, saving me 500 bucks in repair fees.
