2022-2026 Audi Parking Aid False Warnings TSB 2024323/13

Symptoms

Owners of 2022-2026 Audi vehicles may experience their parking aid system issuing warnings even when no obstacles are present. The primary complaint is that the "Parking aid does not work / warning is issued although there is no obstacle." This can lead to confusion and distrust in the system's reliability.

Diagnosis / Trigger Conditions

Audi Technical Service Bulletin 2024323/13 identifies numerous environmental and vehicle-related factors that can contribute to false parking aid activations. Technicians are advised to question the customer about these conditions before performing any repairs.

Environmental Conditions

False warnings can be triggered by:

• Plants and Curbs: Growing plants or curbs of certain heights in the vehicle's vicinity.
• Road Surfaces: Gravel tracks, cobblestones, potholes, cattle grids, sharp bends, and slopes.
• Weather Conditions: Water on the parking aid sensors (which widens the radiation pattern), ice or snow on the sensors or bumper, and vehicle exhaust gases or water vapor (which alters air properties affecting ultrasound transmission).
• Noise Disturbances: External ultrasound sources like pneumatic brakes on heavy goods vehicles, anti-rodent devices, or other parking aid systems.

Immediate Surroundings

Specific elements in the immediate environment can also cause issues:

• Fluorescent tubes.
• Induction loops at traffic lights and car park barriers.
• Ramps or driveways.

Vehicle-Specific Factors

Issues related to the vehicle itself include:

• License Plate Installation: Protruding plate carriers, use of advertising carriers, incorrect license plate size, or plates that are not flat or secured correctly.
• Add-on Parts/Modifications: Non-Audi genuine accessories such as trailer hitches, lowered ride height, spoilers, bumpers, sound generators, or anti-rodent devices.
• Previous Damage: Any prior damage or new paint applied to the vehicle.

Repair Procedure Summary

Technicians should perform a series of checks, both without and with removal work, and with or without a diagnostic tester, to identify the root cause of the Audi e-tron parking aid false warnings.

Checks Without Removal Work (No Diagnostic Tester)

1. External Sensor Check: Inspect parking aid sensors for dirt, ice, foreign objects, damage to the bumper or underbody, stone chipping, or scratches. Dirty sensors must be cleaned. Stone chipping and scratches are not covered under warranty. (Refer to Figure 3 for examples of stone chips causing sensor failure).
2. Sensor Seating: Confirm that parking aid senders are securely seated by applying pressure. (Refer to Figure 4 for a pressure check).
3. Decoupling Ring: Verify the decoupling ring is seated correctly, checking for bulging (Figure 6) or folding (Figure 7) compared to a correctly seated ring (Figure 5).
4. Sensor Centering and Evenness: Ensure the parking aid sender is centered (Figure 8 vs. Figure 9) and that the decoupling ring encloses the sensor evenly.
5. Sensor Flushness: Check that the sensor is fitted flush with the bumper (Figure 10 vs. Figure 11).

Checks Without Removal Work (With Diagnostic Tester)

1. Fault Memory: Check the vehicle's fault memory. If a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is stored for a parking aid sender, swap the affected sender. If the DTC does not re-log, replacement is not necessary.
2. Obstacle Warning Analysis: If the customer reports warnings without obstacles, observe oscillation time and distance evaluation in measured value blocks. Decouple the sensor with a foam element that absorbs ultrasound. If the warning stops, check for reflective objects. If the warning persists, replace the sensor.
3. Control Unit Coding: Verify the coding in the parking aid control unit, especially if a towing bracket has been retrofitted.
4. Part Number Verification: Compare the part number read out with the diagnostic tester against the parts catalog.

Checks With Removal Work (With Diagnostic Tester)

1. Connection Integrity: Inspect connections at sensors, coupling points on the bumper, the parking aid control unit, and the sound generator for corrosion, water ingress, bent or pushed-back pins, and correct seating of connector and pin seals.
2. Wiring Harness: Check the bumper harness wires for damage, crushing, and sufficient length (Figure 12 vs. Figure 13).
3. Connector Seating: Ensure connectors at the parking aid sender and coupling point are correctly seated (Figure 14 vs. Figure 15).
4. Sensor Bracket: Inspect the sensor bracket in the bumper for damage, deformation, secure attachment, correct alignment, and dirt.
5. Sensor Inspection: Re-check the sensors for damage, deformation, secure attachment, correct alignment, dirt, and correct part number according to the parts catalog.

Painting Parking Aid Sensors

When replacing sensors, special painting instructions must be followed as outlined in the Paintwork manual. The painting area should range from 2-3mm to 8mm from the outside surface to the rear, ensuring the housing itself is not painted (Figure 16 vs. Figure 17).

Required Tools or Parts

If a repair is necessary, the following causal parts and their associated service and damage codes are identified:

• Parking aid sensor: Service Number 9175, Damage Code 0040
• Parking aid control unit: Service Number 9174, Damage Code 0040
• Wiring harness: Service Number 9759, Damage Code 0040

Important Warnings

This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2024323/13 is intended for warranty claims using the applicable service number and damage code. If your vehicle is outside of its warranty period, this TSB serves as informational guidance only. Audi of America, Inc. is not notifying consumers directly about this bulletin. Owners should be aware that all part and service references are subject to change.

Additional information regarding "Parking aid incorrect warnings" can be found in the Audi Knowledge Tank videos: SoST_0012 (causes on the vehicle) and SoST_0016 (external influences).

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Source: NHTSA ID: 11030985