Limited 2012 - Blindspot problem

[dumalkin]

Hi,
I have Limited 2012 Ex with around 50,000 km.
Recently I noticed my blindspot monitor system is "blind" on the right side.
Occasionally it detects something, but 99% - nothing. The left side works as expected.

Today I was in the service center (air bag warning light was on, returning problem, fixed 2 months ago and now again. Previous time they told me they replaced some part in the driver side air bag, now - it was "bad contacts problem", and they tightened contacts somewhere).

So I reported blindspot problem as well. The "electic systems specialist" was absolute incompetent guy - tried to convince me it should be "this way", it lights only when my blinkers are on etc. Fortunately he couldn't come with plausible story why left and right sides are working so differently and it is still OK.
He told me automatic parking system uses same sensors, and tried to demonstrate me "that it works", but - by chance or not - the car refused to locate parking lot on the right, and did it as expected on the left.
So we agreed I'll bring the car again to them tomorrow, and he will try "to do something".
After I left, and arrived to the office parking lot, I tried to use automatic parking - which I usually don't use - and it parked perfectly on both left and right sides.
So question are:
1. Are automatic parking system and blindspot system sensors related and if normal work of the parking system implies blindspot is OK as well ?
2. Ideas how to test blindspot system when car is stationery - say if I put it on "D" and parking brakе, and will slowly drive another car like it overtakes me on the right, on the distance like 1m from my car - it should detect it ?
3. Are blindspot beams symmetrical on the left and right sides ?

Thanks,

 

[FordService]

Hi,
I have Limited 2012 Ex with around 50,000 km.
Recently I noticed my blindspot monitor system is "blind" on the right side.
Occasionally it detects something, but 99% - nothing. The left side works as expected...

Hi dumalkin,

I'm assuming from your use of kilometers that you live in Canada. If so, I recommend that you reach out to Ford Canada so they can assist you. They can be reached at 1-800-565-3673.

Crystal

 

[peterk9]

Hi,
I have Limited 2012 Ex with around 50,000 km.
Recently I noticed my blindspot monitor system is "blind" on the right side.
Occasionally it detects something, but 99% - nothing. The left side works as expected.

Today I was in the service center (air bag warning light was on, returning problem, fixed 2 months ago and now again. Previous time they told me they replaced some part in the driver side air bag, now - it was "bad contacts problem", and they tightened contacts somewhere).

So I reported blindspot problem as well. The "electic systems specialist" was absolute incompetent guy - tried to convince me it should be "this way", it lights only when my blinkers are on etc. Fortunately he couldn't come with plausible story why left and right sides are working so differently and it is still OK.
He told me automatic parking system uses same sensors, and tried to demonstrate me "that it works", but - by chance or not - the car refused to locate parking lot on the right, and did it as expected on the left.
So we agreed I'll bring the car again to them tomorrow, and he will try "to do something".
After I left, and arrived to the office parking lot, I tried to use automatic parking - which I usually don't use - and it parked perfectly on both left and right sides.
So question are:
1. Are automatic parking system and blindspot system sensors related and if normal work of the parking system implies blindspot is OK as well ?
2. Ideas how to test blindspot system when car is stationery - say if I put it on "D" and parking brakе, and will slowly drive another car like it overtakes me on the right, on the distance like 1m from my car - it should detect it ?
3. Are blindspot beams symmetrical on the left and right sides ?

Thanks,

Unfortunately the "electronics systems specialist" doesn't know what he is talking about. The Active Park Assist (APA) and the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) do NOT use the same sensors. The APA uses the front and rear mounted sensors while the BLIS uses a radar sensor that is mounted behind the lower rear body panel back of the rear wheels. It is shown in the Owner's Guide. The left and right work identically. When you start the Explorer, both BLIS indicators should light up briefly to indicate they are working. The BLIS also is not dependant upon the turn signals being activated.
As for testing it as in #2, I don't that works. I tried it and the BLIS did not activate. I even tried it without putting the emergency brake on and just blocking the front and rear wheels while putting it into 'D' with the engine running.

Peter

 

[dumalkin]

@Crystal - unfortunately no, I am not in Canada
More exactly I am very far from Canada - I am in Israel
But thanks for an attempt

 

[dumalkin]

@Peter
Just returned from the service center.
The guy connected the car to their computer, which allows to monitor all sensors.
He started to monitor parking sensors (4 on the back, 2 on the front), and immediately decided front right sensor is broken (here I can back him because indeed it didn't react to the passing objects like other 5 sensors did).
Front right was or stuck on "zero detection", or "1 meter distance" unrelated to what we tried to do. Front left detected passing people as expected.
So he didn't want to hear anything about BLIS radar, and initiated sensor replacement procedure (they have to get OK from Ford to replace it, get replacement sensor part etc).
He didn't test measurements from BLIS radar on his tool.
If systems are unrelated BLIS won't work even after replacement, and I will have to persuade him to look for something else.

 

[JohnBoyToo]

I can verify that the blind spot system is not dependent on the turn signals being on because ANY time someone or something is there it lights without the turn signal on..

good luck on your repair - sounds like you need another 'serviceman' IMHO

 

[FordService]

@Crystal - unfortunately no, I am not in Canada
More exactly I am very far from Canada - I am in Israel
But thanks for an attempt

Thanks for clearing that up, dumalkin! In that case, I recommend you contact +1 (1) 313 594 4857, our group who assists customers in Israel.

Crystal

 

[dumalkin]

Update:
When I left the car in the service center this morning , I demonstrated photocopied pages from user guide, where radar location is clearly marked.
They got replacement sensor, installed it, somehow (don't know why) decided the original sensor was OK and reinstalled it back.
I hope automatic parking works. Will test it tonight.
So after 2-3 hours I got the call from service center, with the following story: "Indeed you were right, it is the radar. It gets the voltage, but always reports the same measurement. Apparently something is wrong. We took measurements, verified lack of impact marks, verified correct installation angles, and will contact Ford for explanations what to do next."
When I came to pick the car, I got a higgledy-piggledy explanation what radar is, and how complex, complicated and cumbersome it is.
Briefly considered buying him copy of this (nice book, BTW) - but dropped the idea
This poor auto electrician guy didn't planned to work with radars when he chose this profession.
So bottom line - no fix, but at least while they are incompetent, they aren't ignorant and try to do something.
Hoping for better

 

[dumalkin]

@Crystal
Can you get me their email address ?
Thanks

 

[peterk9]

Update:
When I left the car in the service center this morning , I demonstrated photocopied pages from user guide, where radar location is clearly marked.
They got replacement sensor, installed it, somehow (don't know why) decided the original sensor was OK and reinstalled it back.
I hope automatic parking works. Will test it tonight.
So after 2-3 hours I got the call from service center, with the following story: "Indeed you were right, it is the radar. It gets the voltage, but always reports the same measurement. Apparently something is wrong. We took measurements, verified lack of impact marks, verified correct installation angles, and will contact Ford for explanations what to do next."
When I came to pick the car, I got a higgledy-piggledy explanation what radar is, and how complex, complicated and cumbersome it is.
Briefly considered buying him copy of this (nice book, BTW) - but dropped the idea
This poor auto electrician guy didn't planned to work with radars when he chose this profession.
So bottom line - no fix, but at least while they are incompetent, they aren't ignorant and try to do something.
Hoping for better

If the front right sensor is not working, as they initially indicated, you will not be able to use Active Park Assist. When trying it you should get a error message on the MFT screen. That happened to me the very first time I tried the Park Assist. The front right sensor was replaced to fix it. If they do have to replace the sensor, it will also have to be painted by the dealer to match the body colour. Fully covered by warranty.

Peter

 

[FordService]

@Crystal
Can you get me their email address ?
Thanks

Sure thing, dumalkin. You can email them at expcac@ford.com.

Crystal

 

[dumalkin]

@PeterK9
Too many unknowns here ... Practically automatic parking system works now, worked before, and although sometimes it couldn't park in tight slots, it never reported any error.
According to service center they reinstalled my original parking sensor, because it wasn't faulty.
I saw faulty measurements with my own eyes , so if sensor is OK, probably the test equipment was either faulty or used incorrectly. May be today was happy Explorer day,and they got one-in-a-year visit of someone knowledgeable, who caught them doing something wrong ...