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21K Miles - It looks like 2 of my radar sensors went out

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by bresna, Nov 1, 2017.

  1. bresna

    bresna Active Member

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    So yesterday I made a lane shift to the right without my blinker and no beeping. So I went back to the left lane and got the beeps. I wondered what was up when I realized that I was directly next to a car and the yellow mirror light did not light up. It didn't light up until I was just about 75% past the car. This happens on both sides of the car. It seems like both front corner radar sensors went out. Does anyone know if both of these sensors are linked somehow? Might this be a software issue? Is it related to the lack of lane shift warning?

    I did check all of the settings screens and toggled the BSM and other settings off then back on and it did not clear up the problem.

    Another oddity - this morning as I headed into work, my center/top display told me that my forward camera couldn't see and that I needed to clean a perfectly clear (to my eyes) windshield. I cleaned it and the error message eventually went away. Again, does anyone know if this is related to the problems I cited above?

    I have an appt with Toyota of Portsmouth (NH) next Saturday (11/11). I hope no other sensors die in the meantime. :(
     
    #1 bresna, Nov 1, 2017
  2. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Have you used RainX or similar products on the windshield? I've seen warnings to not apply those on the glass the sensors see through.

    If the camera and side sensor issues are related, it is probably something closer to the heart of the system.
     
    #2 Trollbait, Nov 1, 2017
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Might be a central item rather than the individual sensors.

    The lane change is based on the monocular camera and BSM is based on the radar mounted in the rear bumper; they are two different items.
     
    #3 Tideland Prius, Nov 2, 2017
  4. DavidA

    DavidA Prius owner since July 2009

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    Any water or dirt covering the sensors? There is a long laundry list in the manual of why sensors seem to be not working.
     
    #4 DavidA, Nov 2, 2017
  5. Rightrudder

    Rightrudder Member

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    Well it is called Blind Spot Monitor. When the cars are directly next to you they aren't in your blind spot. Haven't checked if my car is the same but it seems it's working as the name suggests.
     
    #5 Rightrudder, Nov 2, 2017
  6. huskers

    huskers Senior Member

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    Keep us posted as to the problem.
     
    #6 huskers, Nov 2, 2017
  7. KCWhitney

    KCWhitney Member

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    I'm still suspicious of the lack of audible notice when I backed into a light pole.See my No Bleeping Beeps message.
     
    #7 KCWhitney, Nov 3, 2017
  8. bresna

    bresna Active Member

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    I thoroughly cleaned my sensors yesterday and I seem to be getting a better response now. I'm pretty sure that my front passenger sensor had a small rock hit, as the paint is chipped on the edge. I'm not talking about a boulder or anything, so the sensor should be OK. I'll still have the dealer check it out, especially with that chip of paint gone, but now I'm expecting them to say it's in spec.

    I work in the RF & microwave industry so I am somewhat surprised that these tiny radomes are so susceptible to dirt. I would think that at the frequencies these radars operate at, I'm assuming 77 GHz, dirt should be fairly "invisible". I could see mud being a problem but not dust/film.

    Working in the industry and knowing how most of these radar chips are packaged and tested, I have been more worried about premature failure than dirt. These parts are tricky to package in a way that'll last forever. The geometries are tiny and the industry die attachment techniques require some fingers crossing. :)
     
    #8 bresna, Nov 3, 2017
  9. DavidA

    DavidA Prius owner since July 2009

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    ^ Yup, all that. This is why TESLA has a very strong patent on their sensors, which aren't out in the open like ours. Their 2nd generation sensors are behind the metal fenders, doors, and all their panels and protected from the elements. Can't see them, and can hardly hurt them with dirt, water, etc. Great design idea - gotta commend them on that. Until they break, and you have to somehow get in behind the panel to replace them.
     
    #9 DavidA, Nov 4, 2017
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