A functional parking aid system in Ford vehicles makes the car extremely convenient to manoeuvre particularly when reversing up and parallel parking. But like other systems, parking aids can sometimes malfunction and trigger parking aid fault service required warning message.
The error message can appear due to a dirty or blocked sensor, damaged wires, faulty park aid control module, or drained battery. In most cases, cleaning or resetting the sensor should clear the message. If it doesn’t work, your car park aid system requires deep diagnosis.
Article Summary
What Does Parking Aid Fault Service Required Mean?
The parking aid system is a safety feature in Ford vehicles that helps the driver park the vehicle in tight spaces or make parallel parking. This system uses electromagnetic radiation or ultrasonic sensors to detect objects around the car and deliver guidance to the driver via audible or visual signals.
Parking aid fault service required message on the dashboard indicate the car parking aid system. The error message can come out due to bad park aid sensors and faulty wirings.
The message can also come out when the sensors in the rear bumper get damaged. In some modern vehicles, this warning message is shown as the parking system blocked.
To fix the problem and clear the message, you have to diagnose the vehicle using proper test equipment.
Major Reasons for Parking Aid Fault Service Require Message
It’s essential to fix the parking aid fault service required problem to ensure a reliable parking system. This feature helps avoid misjudging the distance from nearby objects and causing potential damage to the vehicle.
Fixing the parking aid system can also prevent you from getting false alerts and becoming distracted. Below are some potential problems that can cause parking aid fault service required massage:
1. Dirty or Frozen Sensor
Park aid system detects objects around the car while parking through ultrasonic sensors. However, a faulty or frozen sensor can malfunction and cause the power steering EPS to trigger the error message. The sensor can get dirty or frozen due to ice or snow on the sensor’s rear or front buttons.
If so, cleaning the sensor should clear the message. You can clean the sensor using a sponge, soft cloth, and soapy water. Don’t use harsh chemicals or abrasive material to clean the sensor as it can damage it. If the message exists, diagnose your vehicle deeply by hiring a certified mechanic.
2. Damaged Sensor Wire
The park aid system contains lots of wires to operate the ultrasonic sensor network and help the driver park their vehicles safely. But if the wires get damaged, the system won’t be able to detect any obstacles and provide inaccurate readings.
The wires can cause corrosion due to being exposed to moisture and it can reduce the signal strength. Hence the parking aid system can malfunction and trigger warning messages. The symptoms of corroded wires are white or green substance buildup. However, you can clean the corrosion and fix the issue using a pressurized air or wire brush.
A loose wire connection can also trigger a parking air fault service required message. Wires can become loose due to driving vibrantly or on rough roads. If so you can tighten the wires or replace them to clear the warning message. You can also use a voltmeter to check the wire continuity.
3. Faulty Park Aid Control Module
The park aid control module processes the sensor data and provides direction to the driver through the dashboard. If the control module malfunctions, it can activate the warning message. To fix the problem, you have to diagnose the damaged module using an OBD II scanner.
This will retrieve the fault code which will help you fix the internal issue. It’s quite complex to repair or replace the faulty control module. So you should hire an expert mechanic to handle the task.
4. Drained Battery Charge
A car parking aid system can go haywire due to a drained or damaged battery and it can turn on the error message. If so, check engine light will also dash randomly. The other symptoms include hard starts, faulty infotainment systems, and flickering lights.
Battery can mostly get damaged due to debris and dirt build up on the terminals. If so, clean the battery terminal using a brush or cloth. You can also check the battery condition using a voltmeter. If you find the voltage is under 12.6 volts, you have to replace the battery.
5. Faulty ECU
Park aid fault error messages can also appear due to faulty ECU or other software issue. You can reprogram and update the software or replace the unit to fix the problem. You can also disconnect the battery to reset the unit and fix the problem.
6. Bad Parking Aid Button
If your Ford display shows the parking aid fault service require massage constantly, it can be the result of a faulty parking aid button.
You can visually look for damage or discoloration in the button to verify if it causing the problem. Debris or dirt can also obstruct the button from performing properly. Remove the negative cable from the battery and use a voltmeter to check the condition of the button.
If you find the reading under 12 volts, you have to replace the damaged button. You can also check the resistance or continuity of the button. If the voltmeter doesn’t show continuity or a higher resistance than 0 ohms, you need to replace the button.
How To Diagnose Park Aid Fault Service Required Problems?
Diagnosing the park aid system requires higher skill and proper safety precautions. If you are a skilled DIYer, you can start by checking the sensor visually for damages, dirt, or debris. You can also check the sensor condition using a multimeter.
The location of the park aid sensor varies depending on the car manufacturer, model and year. In most vehicles, park aid sensors are placed in the rear and front bumpers. To find the exact location of the park aid sensor, read your car owners manual.
If the sensor is in good condition, you can then check the two fuses of the control module and sensor. The other parts you may need to check are the wiring harness and the parking aid control module. The rear park aid control module can help you detect the faults and disable the feature automatically. If you don’t want to disable the sensor, repair or replace the faulty part with an expert mechanic.
How To Fix Parking Aid Malfunction Service Required?
You can reset the service aid system to clear the error message from the car dashboard. To do this, turn off the engine and keep parking brake engaged. Find the parking sensor control unit that is usually placed at the ride rear bumper’s center.
Press and hold the reset button for five seconds to reset the system. It should reset system and remove error message. If the warning message still exists, hire a professional to diagnose the park assist system.
FAQs
How Much Does it Cost To Fix A Park Aid Sensor?
If you want to replace the park aid sensor, it can cost around $100 to $200. However, before replacing the sensor, you should clean the sensor and check its wiring connection. If the sensor is broken, replacing is the only option.
Can You Turn Off The Park Aid System?
Yes, you can turn off the park assist system using the rear park assist system control. Some vehicles are also allowed to turn off this safety feature through the settings menu or by using a button on the infotainment system.
Do You Need To Recalibrate The Parking Aid Sensors After Replacing Them?
Most OEM parts don’t need to be calibrated after installing the parking sensor. But if the system calls, you may need to calibrate the sensor after removing the bumper cover and using some special tools.
Final Words
Hope you understand what the parking aid fault service required message means and why this error message came out. If you have the error message, clean the park aid sensor and check its wiring.
If the message exists, troubleshoot using a scanner and read the error code. If you need to repair or replace parts like park aid sensors, broken wires, or control modules, hire a professional mechanic.
