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Home >> Ford Truck >> 2012 >> Explorer FWD L4-2.0L Turbo >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Accessories and Optional Equipment >> Collision Avoidance and Parking Assist Systems >> Description and Operation >> Side And Rear Vision >> System Operation

System Operation




Side And Rear Vision

System Operation

System Diagram





Network Message Chart

SOD-L (Side Obstacle Detection Control Module - Left) Network Input Messages





SOD-R (Side Obstacle Detection Control Module - Right) Network Input Messages





IPC (Instrument Panel Cluster) Network Input Messages






Blind Spot Information System (BLIS(R))

BLIS(R) becomes active the first time the transaxle is placed in DRIVE (D) after starting the engine and driving forward at a vehicle speed greater than 4.8 km/h (3 mph). Upon that initial sequence, BLIS(R) remains active for all speeds including 0 km/h (0 mph). BLIS(R) is also active if the transaxle is placed in NEUTRAL (N). If the transaxle is selected out of DRIVE (D) or NEUTRAL (N), the system has entered the CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) mode. When the transaxle is shifted back into DRIVE (D), BLIS(R) is activated once the vehicle is driven above 4.8 km/h (3 mph).

BLIS(R) can trigger an alert for vehicles that enter the blind zone from the rear or merge into the blind zone from the side. The exterior mirror BLIS(R) / CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) amber LED (Light-emitting Diode) illuminates in the right and/or left exterior mirror. For vehicles that are being passed or enter the blind zone from the front, the system can trigger an alert only after the vehicle is present in the blind zone for more than 2 seconds. For vehicles that pass through the blind zone quickly, typically less than 2 seconds, BLIS(R) cannot trigger an alert.

For correct operation of BLIS(R) , the rear side bumper cover should be free of obstructions such as a large build up of mud, snow or ice. Small build up of debris and materials does not hinder the operation of the system. There should be no bumper stickers of any type placed in this area of the bumper cover.

NOTE: BLIS(R) does not normally detect parked vehicles, pedestrians or objects such as fences, guard rails, trees, etc. The BLIS(R) does not provide any additional warning when the turn signal is activated.

Due to the nature of radar technology, false alerts and missed vehicles or objects (referred to as targets) may occur under certain circumstances. False alerts occur when the LED (Light-emitting Diode) illuminates with no target present. False alerts up to 3% (3 out of 100 targets) is normal operation. Circumstances that cause false alerts are:
- freeway dividers


- concrete walls


- fencing


- sharp turns around a pole or building


- coming to a stop with a vehicle directly behind and very close

False alerts are temporary and self-correct.

Missed targets occur when a target is present and the LED (Light-emitting Diode) does not illuminate. Missed targets up to 1% (1 out of 100 targets) are normal operation. Circumstances that cause missed targets are:
- debris build up on the rear bumper sides


- certain maneuvering of vehicles entering and exiting the blind zone


- vehicles passing through the blind zone at high rates of speed


- severe weather conditions


- when several vehicles forming a convoy pass through the blind zone

Cross-Traffic Alert System

The CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) system is an alert feature that assists the driver in backing out of a front-in parking space. The CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) system uses the SOD-L (Side Obstacle Detection Control Module - Left), SOD-R (Side Obstacle Detection Control Module - Right), exterior mirror BLIS(R) / CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) LEDs (Light-emitting Diodes), a warning chime from the parking aid speaker and a message in the IPC (Instrument Panel Cluster) message center to notify the driver of impending traffic.

When the vehicle is in REVERSE (R) the CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) system can detect a vehicle that is approaching at a speed up to 24.1 km/h (15 mph) and is approximately 13.72 m (45 ft) from the side of the vehicle on the left or right side. The CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) system's response time and performance can degrade if vehicles are approaching at speeds greater than 24.1 km/h (15 mph).

The CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) system detects a vehicle approaching up to 13.72 m (45 ft) away (approximately the width of five parking spaces). Backing out of parking spots slowly increases the radar sensor coverage in close proximity situations. The CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) system coverage also decreases when parking at shallow angles, which is described in the Owner's Literature.

The CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) system utilizes the same SOD-L (Side Obstacle Detection Control Module - Left) and SOD-R (Side Obstacle Detection Control Module - Right) as the BLIS(R).

When the transaxle is in REVERSE (R), the CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) system is active. The driver is warned of an approaching vehicle when an audio alert chime from the parking aid speaker sounds, the right or left exterior mirror BLIS(R) / CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) amber LED (Light-emitting Diode) flashes, and the message center displays CROSS TRAFFIC VEHICLE COMING FROM RIGHT or CROSS TRAFFIC VEHICLE COMING FROM LEFT to warn the driver from which direction the vehicle is approaching.

The CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) system cannot normally detect stationary vehicles, humans, animals or objects such as fences, guard rails or trees. The system does not function when the transaxle is not in REVERSE (R).

The CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) system has some detection limitations due to the nature of the radar technology for the SOD-L (Side Obstacle Detection Control Module - Left) and SOD-R (Side Obstacle Detection Control Module - Right). There can be certain instances where vehicles entering and exiting the blind spot zone may not be detected. The circumstances that may cause non-detection are:
- Debris build up on the rear bumper sides


- The rear quarter panel of the vehicle is obstructed or partially obstructed by an adjacently parked vehicle or object


- Approaching vehicle passing at speeds greater than 24.1 km/h (15 mph)

- Severe weather conditions


- Driving in REVERSE (R) faster than 4.8 km/h (3 mph)

- Backing out of an angled parking spot

Due to the nature of radar technology, there may be certain instances when the CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) system alerts the operator, however no object or vehicle (referred to as targets) is present when backing up. This is known as a false alert. False alerts up to 5% (5 times out of 100 reversals) are normal. A false alert may occur when backing out of a garage or backing into a parking space and objects or vehicles are very close to the radar sensors. False alerts are temporary and self-correct.

Exterior Mirror Indication

The SOD-L (Side Obstacle Detection Control Module - Left) and SOD-R (Side Obstacle Detection Control Module - Right) run a self-diagnostic check on each vehicle start cycle and illuminate the exterior mirror BLIS(R) / CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) amber LEDs (Light-emitting Diodes) for approximately 3 seconds indicating the BLIS(R) and CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) is operational. If a BLIS(R) fault is present, the LEDs (Light-emitting Diodes) remain illuminated and a message in the message center displays BLIND SPOT SYSTEM FAULT. System faults can occur that cause the associated left or right exterior mirror BLIS(R) / CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) amber LED (Light-emitting Diode) not to illuminate; only the message center message fault is displayed.

BLIS and CTA Message Display

NOTE:The CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) system faults may not occur until the transaxle is placed in REVERSE (R).
BLIS(R) can be turned off by selecting the blind spot on/off function in the message center. The message BLIND SPOT OFF is displayed in the message center. When turning BLIS(R) from on to off or off to on, the exterior mirror BLIS(R) / CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) amber LEDs (Light-emitting Diodes) flash twice. When BLIS(R) is off, the driver cannot receive any alerts. The system is reactivated on the next ignition cycle.
BLIS(R) can be disabled permanently (even after an ignition cycle) by using a scan tool. When using the scan tool disable function in the programmable parameters menu, BLIS(R) remains disabled until it is reactivated using the scan tool. When the system is disabled the message center displays BLIND SPOT DISABLED. A system fault occurs if BLIS(R) is not disabled in both the SOD-L (Side Obstacle Detection Control Module - Left) and the SOD-R (Side Obstacle Detection Control Module - Right).
The CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) system can be turned off by selecting the CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) system on/off function in the message center. The message CROSS TRAFFIC OFF is displayed in the message center. The CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) system cannot be deactivated in the message center when the transaxle is in REVERSE (R). The system is reactivated on the next ignition cycle.
The CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) system can be disabled permanently (even after an ignition cycle) by using a scan tool. When using the scan tool disable function in the programmable parameters menu, the CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) system remains disabled until it is reactivated using the scan tool. When the system is disabled the message center displays CROSS TRAFFIC DISABLED. A system fault occurs if the CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) system is not disabled in both the SOD-L (Side Obstacle Detection Control Module - Left) and the SOD-R (Side Obstacle Detection Control Module - Right).
An excessive build up of materials on the left and/or right rear bumper sides, such as mud or snow, can cause the BLIS(R) or CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) system functionality to degrade. Heavy rain can have the same effect. If the system is in a blocked state, the radar misses targets, but still counts them. After approximately 4 counted/missed targets, the system sends a blocked sensor message over the MS-CAN (Medium Speed Controller Area Network) to the IPC (Instrument Panel Cluster). The message center displays BLIND SPOT NOT AVAILABLE SENSOR BLOCKED or CROSS TRAFFIC NOT AVAILABLE SENSOR BLOCKED message. If the blocked condition is determined by either system the message center displays BLIND SPOT NOT AVAILABLE or CROSS TRAFFIC NOT AVAILABLE and the appropriate left and/or right exterior mirror BLIS(R) / CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) LED (Light-emitting Diode) illuminates.
The message center warning can be cleared by the driver but the exterior mirror BLIS(R) / CTA (Cross Traffic Alert) LED (Light-emitting Diode) remains illuminated. Once the blockage is removed, the system requires some drive time and a system detection of at least two vehicle objects prior to realizing it is unblocked. The ignition can also be cycled off to clear the blocked state. However, if the blockage is still present after the key cycle and after some drive time, the system detects again that it is blocked. The blocked message is displayed again in the message center.
Due to the nature of radar technology, it is possible to get a blocked sensor warning without the radar sensor being blocked. This is rare and is known as a false blockage warning. A false blocked condition either self-clears or clears after an ignition cycle.
There are some system faults that set DTCs (Diagnostic Trouble Codes) which are logged in the SOD-L (Side Obstacle Detection Control Module - Left) or SOD-R (Side Obstacle Detection Control Module - Right). These DTCs (Diagnostic Trouble Codes) that are logged can set a message in the IPC (Instrument Panel Cluster) message center that displays CROSS TRAFFIC SYSTEM FAULT or BLIND SPOT SYSTEM FAULT. There are also some symptom based faults that do not set a DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code).
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