That annoying parking assist alarm...

[crawfdp1]

My new truck came with ultrasonic backup parking assist, and the "collision" alarm sounds when the camper is mounted and I shift to reverse. Not a new problem, saw complaints on a forum somewhere last year but just smiled as it didn't apply...

Got *real* tired of the noise-- no way to turn off sensors other than once per key cycle. So, I made some sensor caps from 3/8 PVC trim board, a PVC vent cap, and some rare earth magnets. Got lots of bumper space on my F350 dually-- these are 3.5 inches OD. All the plastic is solvent welded, mags are a press fit to flush with T-88 epoxy underneath. Inner ring is a snug fit over the sensor so there's no sliding on bumps. Central foam is a piece of 3/4 packing foam. Foam plus compliant cap absorb the ultrasonic-- no more noise when I shift to reverse. They work nicely around town, not yet tested on long road trip, but a strip of Gorilla tape is Plan B to ensure they don't go missing. Made two spares just in case.

Pic up on Dropbox here: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/80200697/Backup%20sensor%20caps.jpg

duncan

[deltabravo]

TangoFox wrote:
On my Chev, whenever you turn it on and it automatically senses something there, it disables the system. After doing this for a few times, it gives you the "Service Park Assist" message, but clears once you take the TC off.

My truck will disable the park assist too, but I've never seen the service park assist message. (this is on my 09).

I am thankful that GM's system is smart and auto disables when it see a camper or trailer. I've also got a disable button on my dash, which is sometimes needed when I am driving around with the WD trailer hitch in place.

[Krusty]

I would've just stuck my head under the dash and unplugged the module

[iwon415]

It reminds me I am about to make a dangerous backing motion...

[jimh406]

I guess some of you backup more than I do. I just hit the Reset button. I might have to press the button 3 or 4 times in a weekend. Not exactly a problem for me. 🙂

[TangoFox]

On my Chev, whenever you turn it on and it automatically senses something there, it disables the system. After doing this for a few times, it give syou the "Service Park Assist" message, but clears once you take the TC off.

[_DJ_1]

DutchmenSport wrote:
No truck camper, but as long as I have my trailer hitch in the receiver, my systems indicates it's disabled. Perhaps you could just get a hitch shank and insert into the receiver. I don't know why it disables mine, but it does.

A hitch shank in a Ford makes it worse. The sensors will "see" it and will set off the alarm. A Ford reads the magnets for the electric trailer brakes thru the pig tail shutting off the alarm.

I also have the simulator brholt speaks of. I also use it when towing a utility trailer without brakes without the TC.

[blueglide]

On new Fords its a push of a button on the steering wheel. The LCD instrument panel defaults to a simple on-off choice. Fast and easy. My truck is also a daily driver so I like the alarm since I back into the driveway and up under my TC cabover when I park at night.

[Henry_Wang]

That's odd. My 2014 Dodge has a dash button that I just press to disable it. It also disables automatically if I plug in a trailer pig tail, which is awesome. I don't even have to do anything.

[crawfdp1]

Before I built these I tried all sorts of different ways to kill the alarm. You can turn it off after you start, but it reinitializes when you shut off the engine. My camper plugs into the 7-pin connector, truck says trailer is attached, but the pesky alarms will be on by default unless you go thru the info display and turn it off. Never remembered until I shifted into reverse. Truck manual is explicit re not being able to disable other than via Info. Sigh.

Anyhow, there are easier ways to absorb the sound, but I wanted to play in the shop anyway and these (assuming they don't drop into a puddle somewhere en route to Alaska) don't need glue, tape, etc. Fun project-- YMMV 🙂

[D_E_Bishop]

Funny if I wanted to turn mine off, I could just pull the fuse. Oh yeah, I installed them when someone rear ended my wife and I got a new bumper. I do admit they are a problem when towing but I don't back up much with the trailer.

[DutchmenSport]

No truck camper, but as long as I have my trailer hitch in the receiver, my systems indicates it's disabled. Perhaps you could just get a hitch shank and insert into the receiver. I don't know why it disables mine, but it does.

[brholt]

There is another way to "turn off" the back-up sensors. The idea is to fool the computer into thinking you are pulling a trailer in which case it deactivates the back-up alarm. One way to do that is to buy a 7 pin tester, one that mimics having trailer brakes. For example:

7 pin trailer simulated

If you leave it plugged in your sensors will not come on.

[gbopp]

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