Problems with blind spot monitoring system in cars | How to solve them?
Let’s be honest! No system is ideal, and no equipment is genuinely error-free. It is factual that you will face numerous errors while operating any systematic equipment. The same goes for the blind spot monitoring system. Its functioning is quite simple. Yet, there are complexities seen that could initiate some minor and significant issues. As a matter of fact, most of these are customer-originated errors. However, it’s still a necessity to fix these problems.
Before jumping in to see what those problems are and how to deal with them, it is best to understand what actually a blind spot alert system is and how it functions. Keep reading to see how easy it is to fix these!
What Is A Blind Spot Monitoring System And How Effective Is It?
As simple as it states, the blind spot monitoring system monitors two side blind spot of your vehicle. It alarms you about the spots you cannot monitor. Being a car driver, you must be aware of your surroundings. However, the structural pillars of a vehicle make it impossible. That’s where this system comes in.
It’s not just a tiny equipment kit with a warning light and detection box. Instead, the blind spot monitoring system kit has a massive range of items. The blind spot detection kit constituents vary with the technical specifications, type of vehicle, and the choice of clientele. However, a general blind spot system has the following items.
- A radar; either millimeter microwave or radio wave
- Indicator lights
- Buzzer
- Wire sets for connection
- Radar mounting double-sided stickers or silicon glue
- A User Manual
Effectiveness Of An Optimum Blind Spot Monitoring System In Cars:
After witnessing what a blind spot monitoring system is, you might ask, does it really work that well? How effective is it? Well, the statistics say it does what it claims! It monitors and detects the target objects in the designated alarm area. That is why it effectively performs the one thing it is designed for—preventing unwanted collisions. Here are some of the stats of the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety on how blind spot systems significantly reduced accidents in past years.
- Decrease in the rate of lane-change crashes up to 14% to 15%.
- 23% to 25% decrease in injury-causing collisions.
How Does Blind Spot Monitoring System Function?
The basic functioning principle of all the blind spot monitoring system variants is the same. Every blind spot system detects and warns about risking objects in the no-zone. However, the frequency band, ways to alert, and specific functions vary with the type.
Some blind spot systems have only one indicator light, while others have two. These also include buzzers, and some don’t. Some blind spot camera systems have built-in cameras. So, the equipment inside the blind spot detection kit depends on the functions given in the blind spot indicator system package.
General Working Principle Of A Blind Spot Monitoring System:
A blind spot monitoring system has a millimeter-wave radar that emits microwaves. These microwaves have a specific alarm area that they can essentially reach. The radar won’t detect any object outside the designated area.
The alarm area of a blind spot detection system depends on the frequency band of the radar. Some of the varying frequency band radars are.
- 24 GHz (25m to 35m)
- 77 GHz (up to 50m)
- 79 GHz (according to the speed modes)
The emitted radar waves keep oscillating in the detection area until the target object enters. After entering, it disrupts the waves that lead to the detection of objects.
The successful detection of the moving vehicle starts the alarming procedure. The blind spot monitor alerts the driver in two ways.
Indicator Light Warnings Failure Of A Blind Spot Monitoring System:
The first and simplest method is indicator light warning. In this method, the blind spot monitoring system causes the lights to flash, which alerts the owner about the presence of moving objects in the blind area.
However, the number of lights used can vary. Some systems have 2 lights that warn the driver about corresponding sides. So, whenever the left indicator light flashes, it warns the driver about the unseen danger on the left and vice versa.
Buzzer Sound Warning Failure Of A Blind Spot Monitoring System:
Blind spot monitoring systems initiate this alarm usually when the turn signal is on. This warning depicts a higher risk chance. So, the driver becomes much more cautious after the alert. The buzzer installed inside the vehicle prompts a sound that warns the drivers even if they are distracted.
Moreover, some blind spot warning systems use a combination of buzzers and blind spot warning lights to warn the driver.
Range Accuracy Of A Blind Spot Monitoring System:
- Accurately detecting vehicles in the blind spot is necessary for the driver’s ideal protection. Radar makes it possible by recollecting the reflected rays from the object’s body. The millimeter wave radar picks up the rays and calculates the object’s relative speed, distance, and displacement. Moreover, the ideal blind spot sensor has a detection accuracy of more or less than 0.1m
- The range of the radar also depends on the system’s built-in mode. Some blind spot monitoring systems have low and high-speed modes in which the range and warning method varies, just like the blind spot monitoring system Toyota.
- Additionally, the blind spot detection systems have a speed limit, under which the equipment is non-functional. It can change throughout the manufacturer, type of system, and vehicle. Most of these have a limit range of 10km/h to 25km/h
What Are the Problems In The Functionality of A Blind Spot Monitoring System You Can Face?
Every industrial product manufacturer tries that its product gives the most value to the customers. However, sometimes the carelessness of the purchasers or mere bad luck can cause problems with the equipment. It could be frustrating, right? So, how can a typical car driver fix these?
It is better to understand what these problems are and what could be the potential cause of these. Some of the common issues the drivers face are as follows. Keep reading; who knows, this might be the solution you were looking for!ß belts, tunnels, or walls reflect the waves. Therefore, the possibility of recollection of waves by blind spot sensor and detection chances increase.
Complete Failure Of Detection Of A Blind Spot Monitoring System:
This error kills the whole aim of the blind view monitor. There could be several reasons leading to the prescribed error. Some of them are as follows:
- Incorrect Wire Connection.
- Wrong Angle Radar Installation.
- Blockage Of Radar With A Metal Object.
- Malfunction Of Millimeter Wave Radar.
- Disconnection Of Wire Harness.
Along with that, there are some conditions as well that can lead to this problem. Such as, if a vehicle keeps the same speed as the car for a long time, the blind spot monitoring system can have difficulty detecting it. Furthermore, if the vehicle distance exceeds the range of the detection area, that can also cause detection failure.
No detection means no alarm and failure of warning. That poses a severe risk to the driver to the driver as well as other road individuals. For that reason, it is crucial to deal with the problem as soon as possible.
Reverse Indicator Flashing Of A Blind Spot Monitoring System:
The error seems simple, although it can cause unwanted severe collisions and injurious accidents if left untreated. In this problem, the blind spot monitoring system fails to light up the corresponding indicator. That’s why if the system detects an object on the right side of the car, the left indicator light starts flashing and vice versa.
There can be several reasons for that. Some of them are as follows.
- Swapped terminal connection of left and right warning lights.
- Installation of the millimeter wave radar in an inverted position.
- Wrong connection of the radar wire harness.
As the driver is alert about the wrong side, he won’t see the incoming danger from the opposite side. Therefore, driving the vehicle while this error remains in the blind spot monitoring system is a risky move for both drivers and other road individuals. So, the driver must deal with the problem quickly.
No Buzzer Sound Error Of A Blind Spot Monitoring System:
This error has pretty much the same outcome as the failure in detection issue. So, in such cases, the driver is never alarmed about the incoming danger, at least not with the buzzer. However, the blind spot monitoring system has the ability to warn the driver with an indicator alerting light.
The leading causes of a buzzer sound failure are:
- Incorrect wire connection.
- Malfunction of the buzzer.
- Damage to buzzer
- Damage to the buzzer wire harness.
Moreover, in the case of cars with blind spot cameras, the driver can oversee the moving object and act for safety.
Smaller Detection Area Of A Blind Spot Monitoring System:
Another minor yet significant error. In this case, the area under which the blind spot monitoring system detects any object becomes smaller. A tiny detection area can affect the alarming time, reducing the time for the driver to act. For that reason, the chances of collisions increase.
Some of the main causes of the prescribed problem are as follows:
- Incorrect radar installation
- Uncharged car battery
- Wrong radar angle
- Incorrect orientation of millimeter wave radar
However, if the built-in detection area of a blind spot Monitoring system is smaller by default, there is no other choice but to upgrade it.
System Malfunction Of A Blind Spot Monitoring System:
Complete system malfunction can be a serious issue that is resolved by different methods depending on the causing factor.
In the state of complete malfunction, the blind spot warning system stops working entirely. It ceases to monitor, detect and alert the driver about all no zones. Therefore, the blind spot monitoring system remains terrible for the driver. The causal factors can be:
- Broken microwave sensor.
- Missing harness.
- Poor contact connector.
No LED Blinking Of A Blind Spot Monitoring System:
Like a buzzer malfunction, the LED error also stops the system from warning the driver. Even after the object detection, the blind spot monitoring system can never initiate the light indicators due to the following reasons:
- Broken LED
- Disconnection of warning light wires
- Damage to the wires
On top of that, the damage to radar or radar wires can also cause the LED to stop blinking.
Alarm Delay Of A Blind Spot Monitoring System:
Under some conditions, the blind spot monitoring system might delay the alarm. It can put the driver and others at risk. The factors that force the system to delay the alarm are:
- Driving on steep slopes.
- When a vehicle merges from two lanes to an adjacent lane.
- During small changes in radius, such as a deep turn.
- The altitude difference between the driving lane and adjacent lane.
What are the step-wise fixes for the problems Of A Blind Spot Monitoring System?
Being a car driver, you cannot effectively repair the equipment with technical exceptions. For that purpose, you need a tech worker with adequate knowledge about the product. However, it’s not the case with blind spot monitoring systems. These have easy fixes for almost all of the problems. Even if one of the parts is permanently dysfunctional, you can easily replace it.
The general steps to solve any problem in the functioning of the blind spot system are the same. These steps are as follows:
- Check the wire connection of both the radar and warning lights.
- Check the orientation of the radar sensor.
- Check whether the buzzer is working properly
- Check the angle of the radar sensor.
- Check if the warning lights are correctly connected and attached firmly.
- Check for any damage on the buzzer, wire harness, or radar.
- If there is any damage to the warning lights, buzzer, wire harness, or radar, either repair or replace the part.
- Change the orientation and angle of millimeter wave radar if it is incorrect.
- Change the wire lines of lights if you accidentally swapped those.
How To Ensure the error-free experience of a blind spot monitoring system?
Believe it or not, 80% of the errors and problems are user interface initiated. The fix to these is as simple as its installation. However, even a slight step mistake can lead to permanent system dysfunction.
Proper Installation Of A Blind Spot Monitoring System:
Installing the equipment on your car is the foremost and the primary step. A firm, solid and technical installation ensures that the blind spot monitoring system works up to the mark. However, for some people, it might become complex and cause several errors.
To minimize those errors, firms provide installation manuals and guides that completely describe the process to the owner. Although, still some of the drivers hire technical workers to install the blind spot monitoring system for them. It minimizes the risks of any unwanted problem due to human error.
Accurate Wire Connection And Rechecking Of A Blind Spot Monitoring System:
Along with the installation, the wired connection is also a crucial step. It is more complicated than simple radar and warning light installation. Therefore, we require special care and attention to perform a particular function.
- Check all the wires and if there are any damaged ones, replace or repair them.
- Attach the wires to the respective spots according to the wire connection program manual in the package.
- At last, recheck every wire and try to take a test drive to find if the installation worker misses anything.
Conclusion:
No matter how ideally a firm designs its products, there is always a chance for errors and problems. The thing that matters most is if customers can solve that or not. If the answer is yes, then how?
In the case of a blind spot monitoring system, the situation is crystal-clear. There isn’t any extra mess to clean if you face any problems. Any typical driver can diagnose and deal with the errors easily.
Keep in mind that every blind spot system functions differently. For that reason, the errors can vary as well. It is better to understand what is causing the problem and then solve it from the root. The blind spot monitoring system mechanism is basic. There isn’t any rocket science. So, solving problems is also the same as child’s play.
However, you can minimize and even eliminate these problems if you install the system with care.
