Newer Fiat Chrysler Automobiles vehicles come equipped with advanced features to help drivers park, and one such feature is rear park sense.
If your Jeep/Ram/Dodge is displaying “rear parksense unavailable service required” on the dashboard, it can be confusing and frustrating, to say the least.
If you’re not quite sure what this message means, In this article, I’ll explain the causes and fixes for this problem.
What is Parksense Rear Park Assists System?
The parksense rear park assist system is a safety feature that helps you park your vehicle.
The system utilizes sensors in the rear bumper to detect objects behind your Jeep/Dodge.
When you put the car into reverse, it alerts you if there are any objects within a certain distance of your vehicle.
What Does “Rear Parksense Unavailable Service Required” Mean?
Now, that I have briefly explained what the system is, I will now explain what the message “rear parksense unavailable service required” means.
In simple terms, this message means that your vehicle’s rear parksense system has failed or needs to be checked.
This issue can occur for several reasons which I will list below.
What Causes the “Rear Parksense Unavailable Service Required” Warning?
As a mechanic, I have seen many different vehicles with this problem. Here are some of the most common causes of rear parksense unavailable service required:
1. Obstructed Rear Sensors
The most common reason for this message is that the rear sensors are obstructed or dirty. This can be caused by dirt, snow, and ice on the sensors.
If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, this is probably the most common cause for this message.
The sensors need to be clear so that they can detect objects when you are backing up.
If the system is not able to detect objects, it will give you this message.
Solution
If the rear sensor is blocked by dirt or snow, here are some steps you can take to fix the problem.
- Wash your car and clean the rear bumper.
- Clean the sensors with a soft cloth moistened with water.
- Use a dry cloth to dry the sensors.
Use caution when cleaning as too much pressure could damage them.
2. Bad Rear Bumper Parking sensor Sensor(s)
If you are still getting the “Parksense Unavailable Service Required” after cleaning and drying your sensors, then it is likely that one or more of them has failed.
Although this rarely happens, parking sensors do fail due to being exposed to moisture and/or corrosion over time.
The easiest way to test if your reverse parking sensor/s has failed is by putting the car in reverse gear and listening to each sensor, you should be able to hear a ticking sound from each sensor.
If you do not hear the ticking noise, then it is likely that one or more of your sensors has failed.
Solution
If you have confirmed that one or more of your parking sensors has failed then you will need to replace them.
The good news is that they are easy to replace and there are several options available on the market today.
You can either purchase new parking sensors from a dealer or online, or you can buy an aftermarket set that will work just as well.
3. Incorrect Sensor Position/Alignment
Rear parking sensors need to be installed in a specific position in order for them to work properly.
If you recently changed your rear bumper or installed a new aftermarket bumper then you may have moved your sensors out of position or misaligned them.
This can cause them to malfunction, not work properly and cause the “rear parksense unavailable service required ” message on the dash.
Solution
The first thing to do is check the sensor position and alignment. If they are misaligned or out of position then you need to move them back into place.
If this doesn’t work then it may be a faulty sensor or wiring fault.
In this case, you will need to have a professional technician come out and diagnose the problem and repair it.
Can You Drive With a Rear Parking Sensor Error?
Yes, you can drive with a rear parking sensor error.
This is because the only thing that will happen if there is an issue with your sensors is that they won’t work when you put your car in reverse.
This means that you will have to be extra careful when you are reversing, as you won’t have any assistance from your sensors.
I recommend that you get this issue sorted as soon as you can.
Additional Sources
http://www.speckcdjr.com/what-is-parksense-rear-park-assist-system/
https://partsavatar.ca/how-to-diagnose-car-parking-sensors
https://www.yourmechanic.com/question/how-do-i-clean-the-rear-park-assist-sensors