Did you notice the Service park assist message and you are wondering what might have triggered it and how to fix it? If so, you are on the right page.
Learning how to reset this auto parking feature can be easy if you follow the guide in this article. Note that you need to know why this is happening and the possible solution to fix the problem.
Let’s get right in!
What Does Service Park Assist Mean?
The driver information center (DIC) will indicate service park assist when the dedicated module diagnoses an issue in the car’s object sensors and transmits an application directly to the DIC to display the message. Equally, the DIC will display this SERVICE PARK ASSIST message when the dedicated module has some failure or is lost.
Also Read: Service Brake Assist (Meaning, Causes & Fixes)
What Causes Service Park Assist?
The car manufacturers developed this parking assist feature to protect your vehicle from scratch and damage. When the auto parking light is yellow in color, flashing, or both, it means that the parking system has identified an issue and is temporarily deactivated.
The most common defect here is that dirt is covering the sensors.
It is necessary to understand the common defects that can happen with the auto park system so that you can know how you can reset the system when it happens. Here is a list of them.
1. An Issue With One or More Sensors
The Park Assist feature utilizes information from different sensors to ascertain the vehicle’s position concerning the surrounding objects and parking spot. Your car’s sensor will differ depending on the car and the intricacies of the auto parking system. These could be:
- The radar sensor
- Cameras (the entire cameras present in your vehicle)
- Other proximity sensors
When any of these sensors become defective or appear to be transmitting corrupt data to the auto parking system, the system then disconnects and displays the service park assist error message.
The issue could range from very simple if something blocks one of these sensors to very complex if the wiring or sensor is damaged.
When troubleshooting the system, some cars can let you know the particular sensor which is faulty when you insert a diagnostic computer, and others may require you to go through the car’s entire system.
ProTips: A simple thing that could block the vehicle’s rear sensors could be just towing a trailer, which could lead to this error message. Grime and dirt could equally block the other sensors, which can lead to the problem.
Some cars might display a different message when one of these sensors isn’t returning the usual values compared to the other sensors, and it appears to be working fine. The park assist system may interpret this as being blocked but not faulty. The message “Park Assist Blocked’ might be displayed.
ProTips: Your sensors may be damaged if you bump into another person in what may appear to be an accident with no damage and the rear or front bumper crack back. Your sensors that are fragile might get damaged and may need replacement, even if the elastic bumper recovers from the collision.
2. No Control Over One Or More Park Assist Actuators
When the information has been accumulated, the auto parking system requires exact control over the throttle, the transmission (in an automatic), the steering wheel, and the brakes.
The Park Assist feature will not work if a fault exists with any of the following systems.
- Faulty brakes: Your vehicle will refuse to stop and might bump into any obstacle.
- Defective power steering: The auto parking system will not be able to change the car’s directions by maneuvering the steering wheel and driving into a very tight spot.
- Faulty throttle: Your vehicle will not be able to move or accelerate.
- Faulty transmission: The auto parking system will not be able to park the car independently if it cannot change between reverse and drive.
Luckily, these issues can be noted long before the auto parking system recognizes them. For instance, If one is a keen driver, issues with the throttle response and power steering when it’s advanced or with the brakes can be noticed early.
If nothing is done, there is a high probability that the Check Park Assist warning light will come with error codes that an appropriate scanner can detect. These error codes will take you straight to the problematic system component.
3. Damaged Wiring Or Blown Fuses
The entire actuators and sensors communicate electronically with the control module. Just as with any electronic component in the car, fuses and wiring perform a significant task of keeping these circuits open, in the process, ensuring that fire does not break out when faced with a short circuit.
If there is any loose connection, damaged wiring, or blown fuse, then the actuation or sensors will fail.
After making use of a scanner to find out the culprit, One can make use of a multimeter to check if there is a 12v reading or live reference on the connections.
Equally, check if the plugs and terminals are connected fully. A loose connection can mess up the auto parking sensors.
4. A Faulty Park Assist Module
Most auto parking systems possess their own peculiar module for calculating the distance between the items. This module then triggers a beep for an image to be displayed in the driver’s information center. The parking features can equally transmit the signal to two or more computers.
It is often the responsibility of the auto parking system to transmit power and receive the signal right back to the auto parking sensors. When the module becomes faulty, getting a new replacement or resetting the system will rectify it.
Also Read: Electric Parking Brake Problem (Meaning, Causes & Solutions)
What is Park Assist?
Automated parking support is also known as Park Assist. It uses guidance system technology that competes with ultrasonic and other camera-based solutions with greater and exceptional advanced technology to help the driver park better.
This parking guidance system, in many ways, is customer-centric. In addition to opening spaces with the aid of parkers, every stage of the parking experience is elevated with this automated system that confidently guides drivers.
How To Use Parking Assist
The Park Assist feature varies from one vehicle to another. It also varies from model year to model year. Some car manufacturers have systems requiring little assistance at the parking space to dial, while others have advanced autonomous systems.
The conventional approach is:
- When in a parking space, drive around to find a slot to park
- Engage the parking system by pressing the parking assist
- The vehicle assesses the spot using sensors and cameras; the feedback is then displayed on the car’s information screen.
- Dial in the accurate spot by using the screen guidelines and adjustment buttons.
- The parking should be initiated by pressing OK, as far as the computer has ascertained that the slot is big enough to fit the car.
ProTips: If you’re driving a manual car, a prompt will be issued to guide you on the particular gear to change into at a particular time. It will take care of the braking and steering but will require you to handle the clutch and throttle.
The system can be overridden by braking, wheel steering, and accelerating if you choose to.
Some Situations When Park Assist Might Fail
Even though, in most cases, the auto parking system functions flawlessly, there are times it will ‘panic’ and ‘mess up’ when in an unpredictable situation or without sufficient data. The commonest include:
- Animals or humans can surprise the system by unexpectedly running into or across the parking slot.
- For example, heavy rain, snow, and fog can negatively affect the sensor resolution.
- There may be a thin obstacle that the sensors will not be able to resolve, like a post.
- The radar may be dampened by barriers that are soft sound-absorbing (Like powder snow).
- The parking slot may have a sloppy space, for instance, a sloppy embarkment.
- The sensors might be messed up by electrical interference.
- You may be towing a vehicle or carrying something that obstructs the sensors.
How To Reset Service Park Assist?
Your dash will show SERVICE PARK ASSIST when a defect has been detected in the detection system by the object module or when there is no communication with the object alarm module.
Despite the fact that there are different methods of resetting the parking assist system by different manufacturers, there are common methods to apply to the majority of them; they are:
1. Disconnect The Battery To Reset Module
When the battery is reconnected after like 15 minutes, the car will completely restart the battery. It will not retain any charge if you disconnect the ECU, even if a power pull is produced in various locations in the vehicle. Waiting patiently for some “safe” time is ideal for it to be empty.
It is not an ideal approach for you to reset the computer when the battery is connected. This is because it causes memory loss to your computer when you take out the car battery. Things like the car’s shifting point, the preset ratio, and the ideal combination of air and fuel in the car are forgotten.
2. Long Press Park Assist Button
In order to turn off or on the system, press the Park help knob on the car’s central console. Once the system gets switched on, the indicator light on the knob will illuminate and go off when you disable this functionality. If it is disabled, push the park assistance knob for a long period and then wait for like 5 to 10 seconds, after which you’ll hear an extended beep.
This long beep means your auto parking system reset was successful. The feature should function as usual. This gives a simple answer on a method to reset the auto parking system.
3. Resetting Through diagnostic Tool
This type of sensor is used on vehicle sides of a few vehicle parks, and additional sensors could be deployed in the blind-spot surveillance system. If they are ultrasonic ADAS sensors, then there is no requirement for calibration.
However, the bumper covers are positioned elsewhere and should be in precise placements. Diagnostic tools, when necessary, can be utilized to reset these.
Check out this video for more tips on how to service park assist
Basic Care For Park Assist System
Dust, freeze, or dirt can cover the sensors in the auto parking system. Ice or frost can be accumulated, which may sometimes go unnoticed, encircling the sensors; it might occur due to cold waters after the car has been washed. It would be best if you tried to always maintain a clean sensor to ensure the system operates optimally.
Also Read: Service Trailer Brake System (Meaning, Causes & Solutions)
How Much Does It Cost To Fix Service Park Assist System?
For the fixing of the parking assist system, the cost of the sensors may range from $10 – $450 roughly. The cost of the alternate auto parking assist sensor also depends on some determinants.
Majorly the model of the vehicle, how it is compatible with the car make, and manufacture. The price of parking support for the substitution of the camera ranges from $645 – $660.
The cost for parts alone is $587, while the working cost ranges from $58 to $74. Charges and taxes are excluded from this range, and your particular region or vehicle is unaffected.
Frequently Asked Questions – Service Park Assist
How much does it cost to service park assist system?
By utilizing our fair price estimator, you will get an accurate camera replacement estimation for your car’s Park assist. The cost differs from one vehicle to another, but the average cost of the camera replacement for your park assist will range from $383 to $404.
How do I get rid of service park assist?
Simply pressing the ParkSense Active Park Assist knob (LED will turn off) will disable it.
Where is the park assist sensor located?
The rear and front park assist utilize many ultrasonic sensors on the rear and front bumpers. The sensors can identify objects up to about 4 feet in front of the car and up to 8 feet behind the car when you drive at a low speed.
Why does my car say service park assist?
When the DIC ( Driver Information Center) displays this service park assist alert, it means that the ultrasonic rear parking assist (URPA) feature is faulty, and the auto parking feature is not going to function. When you fix this URPA system, the above DIC warning will disappear.
What does it mean when the Park assist light comes on?
In general, the auto parking feature is actively assessing roads around you if its light is showing green on the dash. You may be required to switch the knob in order to switch on the system, or it may automatically switch on when you engage in the reverse mode or when the speed is low.
Conclusion – Service Park Assist
The auto parking system is a fantastic feature that simplifies one of the major complex, mundane and important aspects of parking. However, the likelihood of accidents at a slow speed is still there.
It is of utmost importance to service the system well. When the Service Parking Assist light illuminates, you should not make use of the system. You should wait, ascertain what’s wrong with the system, and then repair the faults.
Equally, while the system is working, be watchful. Regularly check the area and brake once you sense that the system may crash into any obstacle to safeguard yourself.