Collision Avoidance and Parking Assist Systems: Testing and Inspection

BLIND SPOT MONITOR SYSTEM

WARNING: To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbag, seat belt tensioner, impact sensor, or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the SRS. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment.

The following textual message May appear within the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC):

1. BLIND SPOT SYSTEM OFF - Message to the vehicle operator at "Key ON" to indicate the system has been turned off.
2. SERVICE BLIND SPOT SYSTEM - Message indicates that the BSM system is permanently unavailable. An EVIC message will be displayed and the BSM warning display in both mirrors will be permanently illuminated. This may be due to a hardware failure.
3. BLIND SPOT SYSTEM TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE - Message indicates that the BSM system is temporarily unavailable as a result of one of the following reasons:

- Sensor blockage - BSM display in both mirrors will illuminate as long as blockage exists.
- Radar interference - BSM display ICON will illuminate ONLY on the side of the interference during the first 15 seconds of interference. If the interference remains present, the system will illuminate the opposite side ICON and send a "temporarily Unavailable" message.
- Sensor over temperature - BSM display in both mirrors will illuminate as long as condition exists.

NOTE: If the "BLIND SPOT SYSTEM TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE" message is received for a minimum of 5 minutes, please verify that the area of the rear fascia where the sensors are located is not blocked by snow, ice or road debris. If the area is blocked, remove the blockage and verify the message is no longer present in the EVIC display.

NOTE: If the vehicle has experienced any trauma in the area where the sensors are located, even if the fascia is not damaged, the sensor may have become misaligned. A misaligned sensor will result in the BSM system to not operate properly.

The hard-wired circuits between components related to the blind spot monitor system may be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wiring information includes wiring diagrams, proper wire and connector repair procedures, details of wire harness routing and retention, connector pin-out information and location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.

However, conventional diagnostic methods will not prove conclusive in the diagnosis of the blind spot monitor system or the electronic controls or communication between modules and other devices that provide some features of the system. The most reliable, efficient, and accurate means to diagnose the blind spot monitor system or the electronic controls and communication related to BSM system operation requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.