Side Detection System Unavailable (Beginners Guide)
Driving these days is made safer due to the development of systems on vehicles that help monitor the roads. However, these systems are not dependable all the time.
They might give false readings or stop operating due to a minor convenience. This article will explain why the side detection system is sometimes unavailable.
As the vehicle moves, the side detection regularly reads its environment to ensure that objects are where they should be. A mounting issue regarding the side detection module will make it fail to sense objects. The side detection module will notice that it wasn’t properly mounted with time. It prompts the “Side Detection System Unavailable” message.
What Is a Side Detection System?
The side detection system is an ultrasonic device engineered to be a cautioning system.
It notifies the driver to be conscious of other pedestrians or objects as the vehicle is making a turn.
The road is full of other users, and safe driving entails being aware of your environment.
Unfortunately, larger vehicles are prone to have blind spots around their curbside.
This blind spot has led to the development of this system to reduce accidents.
A cyclist or biker can occupy the space in-between the curb and the vehicle. The driver might not see this road user.
The driver only notices the cyclist when they ride out at the change of the traffic light to green.
A collision might happen if the driver were to turn as the cyclist tries to go straight.
Pedestrians also are not as careful, especially when they are in haste and move onto the curb. A large vehicle turning a corner can overlap with the curb.
How The Side Detection System Works
The side detection system uses ultrasonic equipment. The system will trigger the internal monitor whenever the car slows to a 10 MPH with the indicator turned on.
The monitor displays turn “on,” and the system observes the environment. If any cyclist or pedestrian is in the area, it broadcasts an audio message, “Warning, vehicle turning left/right.”
The system observes the area around the front curbside of the back wheels and an outward area of 800mm.
If an object is sensed by the system, the driver is cautioned with an audible and display alert. It continues alerting as long as it detects an object in the area.
The ultrasonic detection system can be installed on the front, back, side, and corner of the car.
A low speed or turn indicator through an additional control unit initiates the system. The back system initiates when reversing.
Where Are The Side Detection Sensors Located?
The system must be installed correctly to provide the finest coverage for sensing pedestrians, cyclists, and other objects.
The front sensor is in the curbside wheel arch position. The unit should be around 450mm above ground.
The front middle sensor should be on the nearside front corner of the vehicle’s body.
The rear sensor is over or ahead of the back wheels. Side sensors are between the front and rear sensors.
Cadillac Side Detection Temporarily Unavailable?
Your Cadillac might display that the side blind zone is temporarily unavailable.
This message means there is an obstruction so that it won’t sense vehicles or other objects in the blind zone.
Another reason might be the improper installation of either side detection module.
The side detection modules are installed to a heat-staked brace onto the back fascia.
Any problems concerning the module installation like slack heat staking, damaged installation braces/tabs, or fascia can prompt the message.
When the system discovers it is in an incorrect position, it brings up the message “Side Detection System Unavailable.”
Also, the system is obstructed if the back bumper has mud, snow, and slush outside or inside.
A heavy downpour of rain also hampers the side detection modules, which momentarily deactivates the system.
Check the back fascia’s exterior if an examination of the system has been performed and no clear reasons are detected.
Look out for any defacement that could disturb the installed side detection modules. If there’s no damage, a positional issue may have developed.
It could be that there was a mild collision with the fascia. Most bumpers are products of tough materials.
It means they can withstand hits with almost unnoticeable damage. However, although the fascia is resilient, the side detection module braces joined behind the rear bumper are not.
Examine the side detection modules, the braces, and the connection. You might need to remove the modules to inspect the installation braces properly.
Then, check the heat-staked parts to ensure that they’re still together.
If anything suffers breakage, be it module mounting, installation brace, or rear bumper, make sure to replace it.
Fixing the side detection module mounting problem will not immediately stop the “Side Detection System Unavailable” message.
The message disappears later because the side detection system module takes time to discover that it is properly mounted.
Therefore, the one way to wipe the message is to change and program the side detection module on the location that initially had the mounting problem.
Is side Detection Temporarily Unavailable for GMC Sierra?
The “Side Detection System Unavailable” message signifies that the system has been momentarily deactivated.
It deactivates because the sensor is obstructed and cannot properly sense objects in its vicinity.
Mud, snow, dirt, extreme road spray, and slush accumulation on the rear bumper are some of the reasons.
In addition, the rear cross-traffic alert system records the GPS coordinates on the serial data bus.
It then computes if the car is inside a radio astronomy zone. These zones, found in Japan and Europe, demand that the sensors be deactivated.
The “Side Detection System Unavailable” message will come up in these zones since the radars will not work.
The Sierra might be towing a trailer or pulling another object from the rear.
Unfortunately, the lane assist change alert system might not accurately operate in this situation.
Instead, it makes the indicators light up sporadically or stay on, prompting the message “Side Detection System Temporarily Unavailable.”
Though the GPS situation involves international locations, if your vehicle gets a false reading, it can cause deactivation.
It could also be that the sensors have gone bad, which means they’ll need replacing.
How To Reset Service Side Detection System?
If your service side detection system is unresponsive, you’ll need to reset them. The first thing you have to do is turn off the vehicle.
Next, take out the key from the ignition and unplug the battery. Sensor modules can be hampered by water and fragments, which prevents them from working.
Wipe off any water or mud on the sensor modules. Insect the modules for damage, if any, and replace them.
After replacing them, plug back the battery and start the vehicle to check the side detection system. Allow the engine to run for some minutes.
The system’s behavior varies with each vehicle. For example, some might need to be driven for miles before the system resets.
Your dealership can also reset the system by calibrating the sensors. Finally, if you’re having issues with the system, you can take the vehicle to them for scanning.
Pros And Cons Of Side Detection System
With radars, the side detection system can detect objects that drivers can’t normally see.
It senses objects in the blind spot of the vehicle and alerts the driver, thereby improving safety on the road.
Despite its advantages, the side detection system can prove a nuisance. For example, sensors might detect immobile objects like signposts, barriers, and street lights.
These are false alarms that can be distracting due to the bombardment of audio and visual alerts.
Conclusion
The side detection system is a system that detects objects in the vehicle’s bind-spots.
Wrong installation of the modules or obstruction by mud, rain, or snow can prompt the “Side Detection System Unavailable” message.
The side detection system should be redesigned so it can stop alerting drivers of immobile objects.
