Side detection off warning alert
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 334
Likes: 165
From: Door County WI
Side detection off warning alert
So yesterday I got a "side detection off warning" alert in my instrument cluster. I went to the info display and the box was checked for side detection. I started and stopped a few times later and it never showed again. Of course this drive was to the storage facility and the C8 is hibernating under cover, with tender, peacefully.
Any ideas as to why I got the alert? Thanks in advance.
Any ideas as to why I got the alert? Thanks in advance.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,401
Likes: 8,560
I found this in the 2020 Service Manual:
"SIDE DETECTION SYSTEM UNAVAILABLE
This message indicates that the system has been temporarily disabled because the sensor is blocked or can otherwise not accurately detect vehicles
or objects. Such instances may be mud, dirt, snow, ice, or slush build-up on the rear fascia, heavy rainfall, excessive road spray, fascia damage or
stickers. An over or under-voltage condition or over-temperaure will also cause the message to display.
The rear cross traffic alert system will read the GPS latitude and longitude on the serial data bus and calculate if the vehicle is within a Radio
Astronomy zone. These zones are located in Europe and Japan and require the sensors to be turned off. The â€oeSide Detection System
Unavailable†message will be displayed to the driver when this occurs.
The system is continuously fine tuning the radar alignment. If the B218 Side Object Sensor Module is removed or significantly disturbed, such
as removing the rear fascia or sensor bracket, an initial alignment is automatically performed by the system to enable system operation. However,
the SIDE DETECTION SYSTEM UNAVAILABLE may remain for several hours of driving as the system fine tunes the radar alignment to
ensure satisfactory alert performance."
"SIDE DETECTION SYSTEM UNAVAILABLE
This message indicates that the system has been temporarily disabled because the sensor is blocked or can otherwise not accurately detect vehicles
or objects. Such instances may be mud, dirt, snow, ice, or slush build-up on the rear fascia, heavy rainfall, excessive road spray, fascia damage or
stickers. An over or under-voltage condition or over-temperaure will also cause the message to display.
The rear cross traffic alert system will read the GPS latitude and longitude on the serial data bus and calculate if the vehicle is within a Radio
Astronomy zone. These zones are located in Europe and Japan and require the sensors to be turned off. The â€oeSide Detection System
Unavailable†message will be displayed to the driver when this occurs.
The system is continuously fine tuning the radar alignment. If the B218 Side Object Sensor Module is removed or significantly disturbed, such
as removing the rear fascia or sensor bracket, an initial alignment is automatically performed by the system to enable system operation. However,
the SIDE DETECTION SYSTEM UNAVAILABLE may remain for several hours of driving as the system fine tunes the radar alignment to
ensure satisfactory alert performance."
Last edited by Vetteman Jack; Nov 28, 2024 at 05:40 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,401
Likes: 8,560
Yes, I know. The Service Manual did not list that message. I have found inconsistencies between written documentation regarding messages in both the Owners Manual and the Service Manual.
Examples are "Change Transmission Fluid Soon" and "Change Transmission Oil Soon" - or things like that. So, the message you got may or may not be the same as the "Side Detection System Unavailable" message. It is described as being displayed when the system is "disabled" which is like "off". But anyway, I provided the info because it listed reasons the the Side Detection System might be disabled, and it was the only info I found that articulated possible issues with the system. Could be just a software glitch.
Examples are "Change Transmission Fluid Soon" and "Change Transmission Oil Soon" - or things like that. So, the message you got may or may not be the same as the "Side Detection System Unavailable" message. It is described as being displayed when the system is "disabled" which is like "off". But anyway, I provided the info because it listed reasons the the Side Detection System might be disabled, and it was the only info I found that articulated possible issues with the system. Could be just a software glitch.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 334
Likes: 165
From: Door County WI
Yes, I know. The Service Manual did not list that message. I have found inconsistencies between written documentation regarding messages in both the Owners Manual and the Service Manual.
Examples are "Change Transmission Fluid Soon" and "Change Transmission Oil Soon" - or things like that. So, the message you got may or may not be the same as the "Side Detection System Unavailable" message. It is described as being displayed when the system is "disabled" which is like "off". But anyway, I provided the info because it listed reasons the the Side Detection System might be disabled, and it was the only info I found that articulated possible issues with the system. Could be just a software glitch.
Examples are "Change Transmission Fluid Soon" and "Change Transmission Oil Soon" - or things like that. So, the message you got may or may not be the same as the "Side Detection System Unavailable" message. It is described as being displayed when the system is "disabled" which is like "off". But anyway, I provided the info because it listed reasons the the Side Detection System might be disabled, and it was the only info I found that articulated possible issues with the system. Could be just a software glitch.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 386
Likes: 167
From: Denver, CO
I got that very intermittently. Like once a month. I took it in for service recently and they scanned for codes or anything and nothing came up so they did some sort of software update. Not enough time is gone by to say whether it's completely gone or not.
I was getting "Side blind zone alert off" and "Service park assist system".
I was getting "Side blind zone alert off" and "Service park assist system".
Sr.Random input generator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,798
Likes: 2,229
From: Sammamish, WA
I have the side detection off light on the car dash all the time since I've removed the OEM seats. It looks like at least some of the required modules are under the seat. That might also be the potential source of your intermittent issue...
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 615
Likes: 347
From: Kannapolis, NC
So yesterday I got a "side detection off warning" alert in my instrument cluster. I went to the info display and the box was checked for side detection. I started and stopped a few times later and it never showed again. Of course this drive was to the storage facility and the C8 is hibernating under cover, with tender, peacefully.
Any ideas as to why I got the alert? Thanks in advance.
Any ideas as to why I got the alert? Thanks in advance.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 334
Likes: 165
From: Door County WI
Yeah, I detailed mine to like new as I was putting it in storage. Won't get to drive it till April. Thanks for sharing. LMK if it happens again. Thanks.