Your vehicle is equipped with a number of advanced systems that work together to make your life easier while driving. One example is the park assist system which alerts drivers of close objects while parking.
Like any other vehicle system, it can malfunction due to a number of reasons. Because of the complexity of newer vehicles, it’s even possible that your park assist can be disabled due to a faulty somewhere else in the vehicle.
Luckily, there’s a warning message that is activated when there’s something wrong with the system.
Because of the complexity of newer vehicles, it’s even possible that your park assist can be disabled due to a faulty somewhere else in the vehicle.
–Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
The service park assist warning message on your gauge cluster indicates a possible problem with your park assist system.
Dirty park assist sensors and damaged wirings can cause your park assist sensors to fail and trigger this message. In some cases, the warning may appear when a trailer is fastened to your ride. On some vehicles, the “parking system blocked” warning message will show instead.
Road dirt, contaminants, and other debris can affect the lifespan of your parking sensors. The debris stocked on the surface of the sensors can be mistaken for a close object, causing the chime to ring when it’s not supposed to. Aside from that, high temperatures can damage the sensors and cause them to fail prematurely.
There are ways to clean up your parking assist sensors. All you’ll need is a microfiber cloth, car shampoo, and warm water. However, these sensors are sensitive. So if you’re not sure about it, it’s better not to touch the sensors and let a professional handle it for you.
If you visit several automotive forums, you’d notice that a number of drivers complain of a service park assist issue when towing a trailer. They usually receive a “park assist blocked” message when the hitch is installed.
Removing the hitch will usually make the issue go away. If the issue doesn’t go away even after removing any blockage, something else is causing the warning message to go off.
Your park assist sensors send messages to the control module using electric signals. These sensors are made up of circuits and wires that all work together to ensure that data is transported to the module swiftly. Loose connections and damaged wires can cause this system to malfunction.
Different vehicle models can have different versions of a park assist system. The rear park assist control module can detect park assist faults and automatically disable the feature when needed.
Once you suspect that there’s something wrong with your park assist system, don’t think twice about having it checked by a trusted professional. It’s best to have this fault diagnosed by someone who knows the ins and outs of your park assist system.
It depends on your ride’s exact year, make, and model. Most vehicles make use of various ultrasonic sensors located in the front and rear bumpers. You can check out your owner’s manual or contact your dealership if you want to know about the sensors in your vehicle.
Again, it’ll depend on the exact vehicle that you own. Most systems make use of a combination of sensors and cameras to help drivers park hassle-free in open spaces.
The rear park assist (RPA) system on General Motors (GM) vehicles, for example, makes use of ultrasonic sensors found on the rear bumper assembly. The sensors usually have an 8-volt supply wire used to power the sensor, a reference low ground wire, and a signal line that sends signals to the control module.
There’s usually three warning lamps located above the rearview window. One amber lamp will illuminate along with an alarm if the sensor detects an object around 40 to 60 inches away from the rear bumper while you’re traveling at around 5 km/h or less than 3 mph. Two amber lamps will light up if the object is 20 to 40 inches away. You’ll see two amber lamps and a red lamp light if the object is now 11 to 20 inches away. If the object is less than 11 inches away, the chime will sound continuously and all lamps will illuminate. Note that there you’ll also hear sound signals as you get closer to the object.
Remember that this is only specific for GM vehicles. You’ll have to check out your owner’s manual, contact your dealership, or read specific articles online that talk about how a park assist system works for a certain make and model.
You’ll need to take your ride to an auto repair shop in order to identify what’s wrong with your park assist system. If it’s a dirty sensor that’s the culprit, a mechanic would know if it can still be cleaned or it would be best to replace your sensor. If the wirings inside the sensor are damaged, it will be best to replace the sensor.
There can be cases when an error can be fixed by simply resetting the system. All you have to do is turn off your engine and make sure its parking brake is engaged. The parking sensor control unit is normally found at the center of your ride’s rear bumper. In most cases, you’ll just have to press and hold the reset button for around five seconds to reset the system.
However, take note that reset procedures can vary depending on your ride’s specific make and model. Resetting your park assist system is also not a one-size-fits-all solution to a park assist error.
The best thing to do is to let a professional diagnose the problem. If you’re an experienced DIYer, make sure to follow safety precautions when inspecting your park assist system.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.