I washed my Expy yesterday, dried it thoroughly, and drove around town a bit. (I'm not sure if the washing is related or not, so I thought I'd mention it). Late last night, at the last stop I made, as soon as I put it in Reverse, the backup sensors went to a solid tone, as if there was something immediately behind me. This morning, they're doing the same thing. Now, I've had the sensor lenses get dirty before and beep intermittently, but wiping off the face of the little sensor has always cured the problem. Any ideas on what could be causing the sensors to think there's something there? Am I being trailed by a ghost?

Thanks,
Farmlaw

 

No one has experienced the crazed backup sensor syndrome? They're still going at it, although now they seem to think that the ghost behind me is 10' away.

 

I've had them go wrong on my 2000 EB. They were replaced under warranty. Sorry, but I don't remember what was actually the problem. I think the dealer replaced the module instead of replacing the sensors.

 

They might be frozen from the car wash. Try taking a hair dryer to them and drying them up real good.

 

I've got the same problem and the dealership can't find anything wrong with them. I think we have ghosts. I can't stand the problem. I'm about fed up with the 03 Expy's and all the little problems they have. Little problems add up. I just had to have my rotors and brakes replaced after 27K miles. Total b.s.!!!

 

TSB 05-6-4

04/04/05

FALSE PARKING AID WARNINGS

FORD:
2005 Five Hundred, Freestyle
2002-2003 Windstar
2002-2005 Excursion, Expedition, Explorer,
F-Super Duty
2003-2005 Escape
2004-2005 F-150, Freestar

LINCOLN:
2002 Navigator
2002-2003 Blackwood
2003-2005 Aviator

MERCURY:
2005 Montego
2002-2005 Mountaineer
2004-2005 Monterey
2005 Mariner

This article supersedes TSB 05-4-19 to update the description for labor operation F.

ISSUE
Vehicles equipped with the parking aid reverse sensing system (RSS) may sound a warning tone when the vehicle is in reverse, even though there are no objects behind the vehicle. This condition may also occur on vehicles equipped with the forward sensing system (FSS) when vehicle is in reverse or drive.

ACTION
The condition MAY NOT be due to proximity sensor(s) malfunction but may be a normal operation characteristic, or due to sensor contamination (sensor being covered with dirt). Refer to the following description of OPERATION AND COMMON CAUSE OF WARNINGS, before replacing any sensor(s).

SERVICE PROCEDURE

NOTE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTIONS ARE TRUE FOR BOTH THE RSS AND FSS.

OPERATION AND COMMON CAUSE OF WARNINGS

The RSS is only operational when the vehicle is in reverse. For vehicles also equipped with the FSS the system is operational when the vehicle is in reverse or drive. The FSS and RSS give an audible warning to the driver when obstacles are within 6' (1.8 meters) from the vehicle, and when obstacles are within 18" (46 cm) on either side of the bumper.

NOTE CERTAIN OBSTACLES MAY BE DIFFICULT FOR THE RSS/FSS TO DETECT DEPENDING ON GEOMETRIC SHAPE OR PROFILE OF THE OBJECT AND THE MATERIAL THE OBJECT IS COMPOSED OF.

NOTE THE NEAREST OBSTACLE WILL ALWAYS BE THE OBSTACLE REPORTED, WITH THE EXCEPTION STATED IN THE NOTE ABOVE.

NOTE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR MUST BE AWARE THAT THE WARNING TONES ARE AT A MODERATE VOLUME LEVEL AND THAT THE TONES MAY BE DIFFICULT TO HEAR WITH BACKGROUND NOISE (RADIO, BLOWERS, PASSENGER CONVERSATION, ETC). THE RSS/FSS SPEAKER VOLUME IS ALREADY AT MAXIMUM VOLUME AND IS NOT ADJUSTABLE.

In cases where the RSS/FSS give warnings but nothing is within range of the vehicle sensors, or give warnings for 3 seconds then ceases, the occurrence may be due to any of the following reasons:

BLOCKED/CONTAMINATED PROXIMITY SENSOR SURFACE:





Proximity sensor surfaces may be covered with snow, ice, dirt or mud. There is a gap between the sensor membrane and its plastic housing that must remain clear (Figure 1). If this space is contaminated with any foreign material the system may sound a continuous tone or intermittent tone. The sensor surface can be cleaned by a high pressure water spray.

SIDE COVERAGE SENSOR:

There is side/rear coverage that extends approximately 18" (46 cm) perpendicular from the side rear fascia. Side coverage is a desirable feature in a parking situation where the vehicle is involved in a very tight turn with little rearward movement, or where the vehicle is backing parallel to a large, extending obstacle such as a garage wall. If there is no encroachment between any of the outer sensors and an obstacle, then the warning will sound for 3 seconds and cease. If vehicle or the obstacle begin to move closer to each other, then the warning will begin again. Obstacles within 10" (25 cm) of the fascia will always be reported with a continuous tone. This is considered normal operation.

ABNORMAL ROAD SURFACES:

The RSS/FSS may give warnings due to certain road surfaces with surface projections such as rocks, broken pavement, unplowed snow covered roads. This is considered normal operation.

OTHER POSSIBLE CAUSES:

Very wet weather conditions, such as mist, frost or snow may provoke occasional warnings. The system may detect liftgate while open and certain trailer hitches and/or bicycle racks. External ultrasonic noise may be detected (high velocity air, machinery). This is considered normal operation.

SENSOR DIAGNOSTICS

1. Ensure that nothing is in detectable sensor-range 6' (1.8 meters) behind vehicle for the RSS and within 6' (1.8 meters) of the front of the vehicle for the FSS.

2. Clean proximity sensors with a dry shop towel, and if required wash with water or a high pressure water to ensure that the membrane gap is free of any dirt or contamination.

3. Using the New Generation Star (NGS) tester (up to 2004 MY), NGS+ (2005 MY) or WDS observe the following four parking aid module parameter identification displays (PIDs) for distance information:

^ LR_CNTD (NGS)/LRI_DIST (WDS): (Left Rear Center Sensor Distance To Obstacle)

^ RR_CNTD (NGS)/RRI_DIST (WDS): (Right Rear Center Sensor Distance To Obstacle)

^ LR_CNRD (NGS)/LRO_DIST (WDS): (Left Rear Corner Sensor Distance To Obstacle)

^ RR_CNRD (NGS)/RRO_DIST (WDS): (Right Rear Corner Sensor Distance To Obstacle)


NOTE PID IDENTIFIERS ALSO EXIST FOR FRONT SENSORS IF EQUIPPED.

a. If the sensor is functioning properly, with no objects in range of the vehicle, each sensor PID as described above should display a full scale numerical reading of 255 cm (NGS) or 100 inches (NGS+ and WDS).

b. If a PID reading other than 255 or 100 displays, replace only the sensor that is out of specification. Refer to Workshop Manual Section 413-00 as needed for removal and installation procedures.


ACCESSING PIDS WITH NGS, SELECT:

^ Vehicle Line

^ Diagnostic Data Link

^ PAM

^ PID/Data Monitor And Record

^ Select The Appropriate PIDS

^ Start


ACCESSING PIDS WITH WDS, SELECT:

^ Tool box Icon

^ Datalogger, Then Tick (Check Mark)

^ Modules, Then Tick

^ PAM, Then Tick

^ Select The Appropriate PIDS, Then Tick

NOTE FOR SOME VEHICLES, REPLACEMENT SENSORS WILL BE RECEIVED WITH A PRIMED-BLACK PAINTABLE SURFACE AND MUST BE PAINTED TO MATCH VEHICLE COLOR.

REFER TO PAINTING INSTRUCTIONS BELOW.

PAINTING INSTRUCTIONS

^ Use a Ford-Approved paint gun, apply base/clear coat to match vehicle

^ Surface can be cleaned with Isopropyl alcohol

^ Maximum paint curing temperature is 194~ F (90~ C) for 1 hour

^ Maximum coating thickness 125 micro meters (including the primer)

^ Paint or veil of paint must not get into connector

^ Immersion processes ARE NOT permitted

^ Paint must be applied evenly to the surface

^ Functional test must be done after painting

^ Use NGS tester to confirm settling time of the sensor is within the specified limits: 850 micro sec. to 1500 micro sec.


WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME

050604A 2004-2005 F150, 0.7 Hr.
2002-2005 Excursion, 2002
Expedition/Navigator,
2002-2005 F Super Duty,
2002-2003 Blackwood,
2005 Freestyle: Replace
One Or More REAR
Parking Aid Sensor(S)
DOES NOT INCLUDE
Bumper Cover Removal
(Do Not Use With 12651D,
12651D8, P101)

050604B 2003-2005 Aviator, 0.9 Hr.
2002-2005
Explorer/Mountaineer:
Replace One Or More
REAR Parking Aid
Sensor(S) INCLUDES
Time For Bumper Cover
Removal (Do Not Use With
12651D, 12651D8, P101)

050604B 2004-2005 Monterey, 0.8 Hr.
2004-2005 Freestar,
2002-2003 Windstar:
Replace One Or More
REAR Parking Aid
Sensor(S) INCLUDES
Time For Bumper Cover
Removal (Do Not Use With
12651D, 12651D8, P101)

050604B 2003-2005 Expedition: 1.3 Hrs.
Replace One Or More
REAR Parking Aid
Sensor(S) INCLUDES
Time For Bumper Cover
Removal (Do Not Use With
12651D, 12651D8, P101)

050604C 2004-2005 Monterey, 1.2 Hrs.
2004-2005 Freestar, 2005
Montego, 2005 Ford Five
Hundred: Replace One Or
More FRONT Parking Aid
Sensor(S) INCLUDES
Time For Bumper Cover
Removal (Do Not Use With
12651D, 12651D8, P101)

050604D 2003-2005 Escape, 2005 0.5 Hr.
Mariner: Replace One Or
Both INNER Parking Aid
Sensor(S) DOES NOT
INCLUDE Time For
Bumper Cover Removal
(Do Not Use With 12651D,
12651D8, P101)

050604E 2003-2005 Escape, 2005 0.9 Hr.
Mariner: Replace One Or
Both OUTER Parking Aid
Sensor(S) INCLUDES
Time For Bumper Cover
Removal (Do Not Use With
12651D, 12651D8, P101)

050604F Additional Time To Paint 1.0 Hr.
Sensors To Match Bumper
Cover On The Following
Vehicles: Aviator,
Monterey, Five Hundred,
Freestyle, Montego

DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
15K859 42

 

All of a sudden mine started doing this also after I had taken a 400 mile trip while towing a trailer. Immediately upon engaging in reverse the sensors would go batty. The only thing I did different was before my trip I replaced my receiver hitch with a stainless steel one that had a 2 inch greater drop. I
decided to remove my receiver hitch and the sensors started to work properly. My guess is the trailer hitch was confusing the sensors. So now I will keep the trailer hitch off until I need it.

 

Same stuff apparently on a 2010 SuperDuty Laariate I drove today.

Heavy frost. Went to back up the brand new truck out of the spot on dealers lot and this annoying alarm going off and showing on the dash.

That really sucked to me.....big time. What it did was turn an alarm on in my head that I don''t really need this truck to tell me how to drive or back-up. If they want my money they will figure a way to disable the so called reverse aid sensors!

Such an issue is not in my $50,000 truck budget!!!

 

Not sure how to do it in a Super Duty, but you can turn it off in an Expedition. Settle down.

 

My 2002 Excursion has back up sensors that don't work. This was the way it came to me as the 3rd owner. When truck is shifted into reverse the sensor switch turns off automatically. Do I have to take it to my local Ford dealer for diagnosis? Should I just change out the sensors? Where would I even get them?

Thanks
Torie

 

The only way to avoid throwing parts at it to try and fix the problem is to use a scan tool capible of reading the codes. This means likely a trip to the dealer or someone that has the correct scanner. The dealer is the about your only option for parts (or a bone yard). Last one I bought for an Explorer was about $100.

 

I have the same issue with my 2007 Super Duty. Today when I shift into reverse the RSS turn off. Has anybody else experienced this. Found a solution?