The automotive industry keeps getting updated almost daily. Auto manufacturers kept introducing newer sensors, cameras, radars, and safety features to improve the driving experience while keeping you safe on the road.
One of the important features to improve your parking experiences is the Park Assist feature. This feature helps you to enter or back out of a parking space. It detects a parking space whenever you activate it and direct you on what to do.
The park assist takes charge of the steering wheel and directs you on when to brake and select reverse or drive gear. It is important to note that the park assist only finds a parking space and controls the wheel. You’re in charge of the brake and acceleration.
In some newer Mercedes-Benz cars, the Park assist feature will go forward and reverse on its own.
What if you want to use the Park Assist feature and see Park Assist blocked on your driver information center? This will be disappointing and unnerving. To keep yourself prepared for the unexpected hassle, you may wonder, what does it mean when park assist is blocked?
What is Park Assist and Why Does it Get Blocked?
Park Assist is a system designed to help drivers park their vehicles safely by using sensors to detect objects around the car.
These sensors provide audio or visual warnings to let the driver know how close they are to obstacles. It’s a highly useful feature, especially in tight parking spaces.
However, the system relies on clear sensors and proper function to work correctly. If anything obstructs the sensors, whether it’s dirt, debris, or even extreme weather conditions, it can cause the “Park Assist Blocked” warning to appear.
This warning is essentially the system telling you that it can’t detect its surroundings properly.
How does a Parking Sensor Work?
When you are in a parking lot or on a parked street, pressing the Park Assist button of your car activates the Park Assist system.
Many cars use a parking assist sensor to find parking spaces when driving slowly. When reversing the vehicle, your vehicle’s parking sensor works according to the ultrasonic waves principle.
A parking sensor or ultrasonic sensor mounted in the back bumper emits and replicates ultrasonic waves at obstacles to measure the actual distance between the obstacles and the vehicle body and then encourage the driver to stop the vehicle.
The parking sensors are activated automatically when your car engages the reverse gear. Ultrasonic sensors in the back bumper control the ultrasonic emission via a control unit.
The obstacles reflect the ultrasonic waves sent to the ultrasonic sensor, and the ultrasonic sensor further transfers these waves to the amplifier circuit.
Ultrasonic sensors measure the circulation speed in the medium by utilizing the time between the transmission of the ultrasonic signal and the reception of the echo signal.
The information is managed by a single-chip microcomputer, and the distance and direction of obstacles are displayed on the screen to encourage drivers to take timely action.
Types of Parking Assists
When the parking assist feature is blocked, it cannot sense any object in its path, and your vehicle could bump into something. The parking assists have the following two types:
- Electronic Parking Assist
- Ultrasonic Parking Assist
#1. Electronic Parking Assist.
The electronic parking assist utilizes electromagnetic waves to sense the distance of an object in the vehicle path. This type of parking assist system is attached to the outside of the vehicle and appears as a small circular sensor.
It warns the driver by showing the distance to obstacles on your vehicle’s dashboard.
#2. Ultrasonic Parking Assist.
The ultrasonic parking assist utilizes sound reflections to sense and measure the distance of the object in the vehicle’s path.
It is mounted to the bumper of your vehicle and allows the sound waves to move unhindered. If the problem is detected within a specific range, an alarm will sound to warn the driver.
Where is the parking assist sensor?
The parking assist sensor is located at the rear bumper of the vehicle. You can determine where it is by searching for a black or gray piece on the back of the bumper.
Some sensors are painted to match the color of the car, and others are in black or gray plastic housing.
Usually, they’re located in a central location in the middle of the bumper and near the bottom, but you can find them by looking for a small circular piece about two inches across that sticks out from the bumper.
Signs of a Bad Park Assist
As the parking assist sensor goes bad, it produces one of the below-given symptoms:
- Inspect Visually: A visual inspection can determine if the parking sensor is damaged. If the park assist sensor is damaged, replace it as soon as possible.
- Beeping Sound: The beeping noise is one of the common symptoms of a bad parking sensor. If you hear beeps when Park Assist is activated, this could indicate an object is blocking the sensor.
- Sensor Not Operating: If the parking assist sensor is not working, there may be an issue with the sensor or the wiring.
- Sensor Not activated: This is the situation when you try to activate the parking assistant by pressing the button but did not turn on. There may be an issue with the park assist module, fuse, or park assist switch.
- Inconsistent Operation: If the Park Assist system turns on and off inconsistently, you may have a loose connection or an issue with the parking sensor.
- Adaptive Parameters: The adaptive parameters produced by the parking sensors won’t show on the rear camera screen or will point to the wrong place.
Why would Park Assist be blocked?
Several causes may be responsible for Park Assist blocked on Yukon and any vehicle model. To pinpoint, here are the common reasons you should watch out for.
#1. Extreme weather.
One of the common causes of Park Assist blocked warning messages on your DIC is extreme weather conditions.
For example, we have heard several reports where Park Assist stopped working when driving during heavy rainfall and snowfall. If this is the culprit, the Park Assist will start working once you remove the ice or snow.
#2. High speed.
Indeed, we drive in or back out of a parking space at low speed. But if you’re a spirited driver, backing out of a parking space at high speed might cause the Park Assist to stop working.
And if the Park Assist works properly at a lower speed level of around 8 kmph, you have no issues with the system but your driving habits.
#3. Off-roading.
While auto manufacturers engineered some vehicles for safe off-roading, driving on this terrain can cause several issues.
For instance, dust, dirt, and debris can cover the Park Assist sensors when driving off-road. As a result, these moistures may prevent the Park Assist from working as it should.
#4. Car washing.
It is essential to wash our cars regularly. In fact, this will remove dirt and dust covering some safety systems like the forward collision warning system (FCW), adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring systems, and rear cross-traffic alert and enhance their functionalities.
However, not properly washing your cars can trap moisture in the Parking Assist and other sensors. In the case of a Park Assist, it will reduce the performance or even prevent it from working.
#5. Damaged sensors.
Park Assist sensors are typically located on the front and rear bumpers. So, if you hit your vehicle or someone hit you from behind, you’ll receive a Park Assist blocked on Chevy or any vehicle model you own whenever you activate the system.
#6. Trailer Hitches & Tow trailers.
One of the common causes of a Park Assist blocked message on the instrument cluster is trailer hitches. Several drivers have complained on many automotive forums that when towing a trailer, their vehicles will disenable the Park Assist feature.
It is important to note that after towing a trailer, the Park Assist will still be disenabled until you remove the trailer hitch.
#7. Malfunctioning PCM.
The powertrain control module (PCM) is the brain of your car. It receives information, processes it, and transmits the data to various systems. If it malfunctions, it’ll trigger and display several false information.
It can display a Park Assist blocked message on your dashboard when everything is working fine. However, this is unlikely, but it does happen.
How do you test a park assist sensor?
Follow the below-given steps to test your vehicle park assist sensor:
- First of all, remove all parking sensors
- Change your multimeter to 2000k ohms
- Check the terminal pin numbers. Three pins labeled 1, 2, and 3. If you can’t see the numbers, use your phone’s camera to get an improved view.
- Put the red multimeter probe on pin 1 and the black probe on pin 2.
- Pay attention to the results
- Set the multimeter switch back to 20k ohms.
- Put the red probe on pin 1 and the black probe on pin 2 and test the pins again.
- At 20k ohms, it should be about 10.
Note: If the numbers 20k and 2000k are missing, the Park Assist switch is defective. However, if it’s about 800 to 900 at the 2000k setting and below 9.7 at the 20k setting, then the sensor is bad. So, get a new sensor and replace it.
Advantages of Parking Assist
Park Assist has the following advantages:
- Safety
- Convenience
- Avoid Accidents
- Save Time
#1. Safety.
This feature also increases safety. When parking in dimly lit or dark regions, Park Assist helps you evade collisions with objects or people.
#2. Convenience.
It makes parking easier and quick. When you’re in a hurry, you definitely don’t want to waste time searching for a parking space and then struggling to park.
#3. Avoid Accidents.
The parking assistant system helps to prevent your car from accidents. If you are new to the area or trying to park in a tight area, Park Assist can save your car from an accident.
#4. Save Time.
One of the major advantages of the parking assist sensor is that it saves your time. If you’re late for a meeting or appointment, the parking assist feature helps to find a parking place quickly.
How to Fix the “Park Assist Blocked” Issue?
If you’re dealing with a “Park Assist Blocked” message, don’t panic. There are several things you can do to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.
#1. Clean the Sensors.
The first step is to inspect the sensors and clean them if necessary. Use a soft cloth and mild soap and water to gently clean the sensors. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that could damage the sensors.
#2. Check for Obstructions.
Inspect the sensors for any visible obstructions like dirt, leaves, or ice. If you live in a cold climate, ice buildup could be causing the issue. In this case, carefully remove the ice and snow from the sensors.
#3. Examine the Weather Conditions.
If you’re driving in poor weather conditions, such as heavy rain or fog, try waiting for the weather to improve. Sometimes, simply waiting for the conditions to change can solve the issue.
#4. Inspect the Wiring and Fuses.
If cleaning and removing obstructions don’t solve the issue, the problem might be electrical. Check the wiring connections for any loose or damaged wires. You can also inspect the fuses related to the Park Assist system and replace any that are blown.
#5. Seek Professional Help.
If none of the above steps work, it may be time to consult a professional mechanic or technician. A malfunctioning sensor or electrical issue may require expert attention to fix.
How much does it cost to fix Park assist?
The cost of fixing a Park Assist varies from vehicle to vehicle. Several factors like your vehicle type, number of bad sensors, your region, and the mechanic inflects the price.
However, the average cost of fixing defective park assist is $50-$250, depending on the number of bad sensors. One Park Assist sensor costs between $15 and $75.
FAQs.
Q: Why does my GMC say Park Assist blocked?
Just like other vehicles, if a GMC says Park Assist blocked, the ultrasonic sensor is bad or not clean.
The sensor should be always clean to function properly. That’s why it’s necessary to wash your car regularly. And when washing is not an option, locate and clean the sensors on your vehicle.
Q: How do I turn my Park Assist back on?
Different vehicles come with different setups. That said, how to turn on and off Park Assist depends on your car model.
Basically, older model cars have a Park Assist button on the dashboard behind the steering wheel. On these vehicles, you can switch off and turn the Park Assist back on by pushing the button.
If you have a newer vehicle model, consult your owner’s manual for directions on how to turn on and off the Park Assist feature.
Final Words
Park Assist plays an essential role in assisting drivers in locating parking spaces and controls the wheel for the driver.
While it fully takes charge of the wheel, it directs the driver on what to do and allows him to take charge of the acceleration, braking, and gear selector.
Like other system components, it can malfunction or fail and display ‘Park Assist blocked’ on the infotainment screen. So, when you see this on your screen, clean the sensors and try it again.
If it doesn’t work, reset the park assist following the reset procedures above and see if it’ll resolve the problem.
Suppose the issue is still there, test and fix it with the procedures above. However, if you’re not a DIY or don’t trust your guts, contact your dealership to rectify the problem.