BLIS and CTA Message Display

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: The CTA system faults may not occur until the transaxle is placed in REVERSE (R).

BLIS® 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® from on to off or off to on, the exterior mirror BLIS®/Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) amber LEDs flash twice. When BLIS® is off, the driver cannot receive any alerts. The system is reactivated on the next ignition cycle.

BLIS® 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® 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® is not disabled in both the SOD-L and the SOD-R .

The CTA system can be turned off by selecting the CTA system on/off function in the message center. The message CROSS TRAFFIC OFF is displayed in the message center. The CTA 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 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 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 system is not disabled in both the SOD-L and the SOD-R .

An excessive build up of materials on the left and/or right rear bumper sides, such as mud or snow, can cause the BLIS® or CTA 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 to the IPC . 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®/Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) LED illuminates.

The message center warning can be cleared by the driver but the exterior mirror BLIS®/Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) LED 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 which are logged in the SOD-L or SOD-R . These DTCs that are logged can set a message in the IPC 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 .