Maybe I'm behind the curve
2019 Dodge Ram. This vehicle was in a front end collision and repaired at a very reputable body shop. Remote scanners told body shop, due to the front end collision, the distance sensor in the front bumper would need to be calibrated. Now, this is a dynamic calibration and I've done a countless number of these on FCA vehicles. So, first thing I did was attempt to locate the sensor in the front bumper. Hmm, ok, no luck. Next, ask the tech, did you run across a black box in the area of the front bumper during repair? Tech states, "nope, not at all". Hmm, ok.
Next, look at service info. Well, this was a first. Tech Authority states location is behind the windshield. Well, low and behold, it was mounted to the windshield, with THE LANE KEEP ASSIST CAMERA In the distance sensor. Wow. Maybe it's me, I have never seen this set up before.
Hope this helps someone. This is probably a smart move by the OEM.
A radar sensor in the front bumper and a camera in the windshield are two different system. Im assuming it was during a completion scan it was recommended a system needed to be calibrated. Do you have the information as to why it was recommended?
Not sure what you mean. A short range and long range radar are different than a camera. Radars are mounted to the front and rear of the vehicle. Bumpers, quarters, or grille and perform a different function than a camera.
Can I pick on the Astech guy or should I just leave it alone?
I do understand what he posted, but I was asking why it was recommended. The front bumper would have been a different system. Not saying this unit was.
No mistake. This is new to me too. The radar and camera units are combined. Seems like a great idea and it must be able to detect interference from the wipers which is pretty cool. As a mobile tech we love to pick on the remote scan guys. We're out here in these streets working hard and take every opportunity we can get to point out why what we are doing keeps us relevant and the most…
Michael, Without hijacking my own thread here, I think what Mike Reynolds and I are trying to illustrate here, is the fact that remote guys do not have the advantage of boots on the ground, to put it in a non adversarial manner. You are certainly not going to school someone who is actually fixing cars, as to what a vehicle has or has not. We are probably nauseatingly familiar with these…
Training is the issue and why I asked why it was recommended. I research every vehicle. I saw mention of front bumper and wondered why. I have never recommend a domestic scan but maybe once. Most domestic are dynamic and know GM requires a connection.
I see now what is being told. Maybe I should have worded as two different technology. I was focus on the fact he stayed bumper.
We had a Dodge truck come in. The plastic bracket, which holds the camera, fell off. It was necessary to replace the windshield. The bracket is bonded to the windshield and can not be reinstalled due to the precise positioning that is required. I used a Digital Level Box, (DXL360S Dual Axis Digital Angle Protractor Level Gauge) to set the correct angle for the camera.
Phil you might have been dealing with a customer that had a recent windshield replacement. Some glass shops by cheap glas and attempt to glue the bracket from the original windshield onto the replacement glass. The consequences of this is that the lane assist may seem to work but the glass may have the wrong optics or even a wave in the glass. We have had some that were brought in and would not…
It was actually a 2019 truck with less than 1000 miles. But I know what you mean by relating to the pain of trying to calibrate these systems.
I have also had a new Ford pickup for the same. It combines lane assist and distance for cruise control with windshield camera.
Ford has a cruise control module module in the front bumper that is dynamic calibration and be performed remotely. rts.i-car.com is a good source for information and can be access by clicking the non US version when asked to log in.
New Ford without the stop and go feature does not have radar in bumper area. Those that do need to have the radar position checked after an accident as they often have damage to the mounting bracket. I’ve seen some over 20 degrees off vertically and also substantially off horizontal alignment. That’s not fixed with the drive. By the way, are you able to clear codes on new CHRYSLER? Or new…
Robert, I have done hundreds of ADAS programming and calibrations. This was the first time I have seen this. Thanks for the info. Did not know Ford was doing this also. I bet more OEMs will go to this! Thanks,
I agree Dean, moving the sensor inside is a good move. Much less likely to be damaged.
Looks like the early Volvo units. I have not yet run into these thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing, many of these systems use neural networks to make decisions based on fused data. It makes sense that the OEM try and eliminate the need to wire up a private CAN to share data between the camera and radar sensors.
Hi Scott: They're starting to use multi-function sensors to do so. The primary driver is cost. Guido
The vehicles owners manuals are a great place to look for info on systems and options, then you know where to look in the SI. Recently I had a 2017 Subaru Legacy sedan w/EyeSight an additional camera that I hadn't seen before and of course the owners manual wasn't with the vehicle, so I contacted a reputable source and was informed that the center camera was an option on an early variant of the…
Hi Dean, FWIW, I attended the LA Auto Show today and saw that the Jeep products are using the same unit. Here’s are a couple of shots of one of those combo sensors in a 2020 Wrangler with the windshield folded down. Wide Close
This will be the trend from the OEM, for sure. It only makes sense. I can also see dynamic calibration becoming the norm, over static. Thx for the photos Mr Brown. Good lookin out.
Yes Volvo started it a 2 years ago it’s a great idea
I do a good amount of Volvo programming. I have yet to come across a camera in the distance sensor.