When my 04 EB was brand new the backup aid would sound off if an object was behind at least 20 feet. Now it won't sound a warning until you're about 3-5 feet away. I have brought this to my dealer's attention twice. The latest response was that the 3-5 foot zone is normal and they demonstrated this by showing the same response in another 04 Expy. Couldn't argue at that point but I seem to recall that in the owner's manual and in promotional literature that the system warn of an object within 20 feet. Anyone with experience concerning this issue?

 

I believe the system is speed sensitive as well. The faster you are backing up, the more sensitive it will be (beep at objects that are further away).

 

I have noticed this too in mine. This is the first vehicle that I have owned with it and it would start beeping fairly far back( about 12 to 15 ft), and then go to to solid beep at about a foot away. Now with 3,000 miles it does it at about 3 to 4 feet. I noticed this when i was going a little faster backing up than normal and I actually hit the pole and then it started beeping. After that I actually went and tried it agianst a wall to see if it was right, and I was. WTF why does it change?

 

Dirty sensors???

 

I just bought an 03 Expy EB, and the backup system sounds when I shift into reverse, then beeps as I back up, getting more frequent the closer I get to an object. And sometimes it goes crazy when I'm backing up and nothing's behind me at all. Dealer tells me this is normal operation. Could it be?

 

The system will beep if there is an object off to the side of the truck as well as directly behind it.
My 04 f150 has about a five foot range.

Mike

 

The later built '03 models and current '04 models, both of which have 4 rear sensors, do not sense up to 20 feet away like the early-build '03 Expedition and current Navigators, both of which only have 2 sonar sensors and one invisible radar sensor, this combination makes for better detection abilities all around. By using both sonar and radar the sensors pick up objects farther away and more accurately. In mid 2003 when the Expedition underwent some minor changes, the sonar and radar system was deleted and the current system with only 4 sonar sensors came into production. This 4- sensor system doesn't detect objects as far away as the sonar and radar system but Ford made some cost-cutting measures in mid 2003 and the deletion of the more advanced sonar and radar system was one of them, leaving only the sonar system with the 4 sensors. The sonar and radar system on the early build 2003 Expeditions and all 2003-present Navigators can sense objects from 8-12 feet away while stationary and up to 18-20 feet while in motion; I'm not too certain on those exact numbers but it is something to that effect. The newer Expeditions with 4 sonar sensors can sense objects something like 4-6 feet away and 8-12 feet away while in motion, not as far as the radar and sonar system; again, I'm not positive on those numbers but you get the idea. This was one of Ford's few cost-cutting measures implemented during the 2003 production year around August or so. The Ford representative that I spoke with told me that in order to draw customers, Ford really put everything into the early '03 Expeditions, then when the excitement over the "redesigned" Expy calmed down, Ford cut a few things, only however so make up for it in other areas such as in the Eddie Bauer with the addition of dual zone automatic climate control which wasn't available on the early '03 models. The early models only had single automatic climate control, not dual for the driver and front passenger. I know you didn't ask for all of this info but I figured you might be a little interested.

 

Very informative. Thanks for the scoop!

 

The radar sensor was just too darned expensive, like about 5 tines as expensive as a pair of sonar sensors. This just helps to increase costs for low speed accidents and higher insurance rates, so it is probably better for you in the long run.

I had one a month ago that had a low speed rear end accident, and the stupid body shop "forgot" to install a new radar sensor. The customer had never even noticed the system was inoperative for like 8 months and then suddenly woke up and brought it in for repair. Well he wasnt too pleased to hear it was going to cost him about 600.00 to fix.

 

But what about all the false echos us 4 sesor customers are getting. It doesn't matter if I'm in a parking lot or in my garage. I shift into reverse it beeps like mad. Then it stops, I haven't even moved yet. Samething in a shopping mall. Ghosts? Dirty sensors? I know it's cheap equipment but it should at least work right?