Learn what you need to know about the causes of ADAS sensor alignment issues, how to fix them, and the tools you’ll need to do so.
What Causes ADAS Sensor Alignment Problems?
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Initial installation issues: It’s pretty uncommon, but it isn’t impossible—sometimes the sensors were installed incorrectly when the vehicle was re-assembled.
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Collisions: Anything from a minor fender-bender in a parking lot to a more serious accident can cause ADAS sensors to malfunction or become misaligned.
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Calibration errors: Sometimes, technicians calibrate sensors incorrectly, especially when calibrating manually.
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Potholes: The scourge of roadways anywhere can also cause sensor malfunctions or alignment issues if the driver encounters them and drives through them too quickly—however, some are so deep that even coasting over them can cause sensor damage.
How to Solve ADAS Sensor Calibration Issues
We have a more in-depth guide to ADAS calibrations available, but these are the repair steps at a glance:
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Review the repair order: The vehicle’s repair order is likely your biggest indicator of which sensors or systems on the vehicle need repairs. Depending on the repair required, location, or severity of damage, these will help guide you to alignment issues and malfunctions.
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Pre-scan: Once you’ve connected the tool to the vehicle through the OBD-II port, you can run diagnostics following the steps on the scanner’s screen.
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Reviewing the identified issues: The pre-scan report can identify sensor modules that are not functioning properly, wiring issues, and misaligned sensors.Review the list of identified modules to understand the issues each sensor is facing. Dig into the diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) to understand the reason for the malfunction. Refer to available service information for detailed instructions on how to address the DTCs to confirm or add notes as needed.
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Resolving the sensor issues: Depending on the type of DTC, there are several common ways to resolve sensor issues. This could include replacing damaged or faulty sensor modules, replacing damaged or improperly installed sensor brackets, repairing broken wires, or performing calibrations.
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Post-scan: It’s necessary to conduct a post-scan once you’ve resolved any sensor issues to ensure your calibration or repair was successful. This also allows you to ensure the vehicle is no longer presenting any fault codes.
Common ADAS Sensor Issues and How to Fix Them
Malfunctioning Sensors
ADAS sensors can malfunction for any number of reasons, but they are most commonly associated with some form of physical damage, such as from a collision. A good ADAS diagnostic tool is the key to resolving these problems.
A scanner will identify the location of broken, misaligned, or malfunctioning sensors and provide the DTCs to help determine the repairs required. More advanced ADAS scanners and tools can access the specific sensor module and display live data and perform functionality tests.
Inaccurate Alignments
This issue can stem from alignment issues and improper calibrations—and they can be dangerous in some cases. Collisions, driving over potholes, and even minor fender benders in the right location can cause sensor misalignment for your ADAS equipment. These misalignments can also lead to more accidents if you don’t address them.
However, these issues are easy to identify and repair with the right ADAS calibration tools. Many scanners will even automatically identify when a vehicle’s sensors are misaligned and direct you toward the right repair or calibration.
Incorrect Installation
This ADAS sensor alignment issue is often the result of human error during either vehicle assembly or a previous repair. A visual inspection is often enough to see issues with installation, such as if the sensor bracket is bent. Resolving the incorrect installation still requires having the right scanner in your shop to finish the calibration.
Many ADAS packages from providers like Autel include laser units to help correctly align the vehicle with the targets. By using these lasers with targets that have been properly set up, you can correct this misalignment and make the entire system more accurate as a result.
Wiring Issues
Faulty ADAS systems often have damaged wiring after the vehicle has been involved in a collision—even minor body damage can cause small breaks in the wires that compromise the system’s electrical current.
Having a reliable diagnostic tablet in your shop makes finding the sources of these wiring problems easier. Because the tablet can scan every module connected to the car’s computers, it can help you find the general location of any displaced or broken wires in minutes so they know where to make their repairs. The most advanced diagnostic tools have topology mapping for a clear visual flow chart that can guide the diagnostic pathway.
This is where having a multimeter or battery testing kit in your shop comes in handy. It allows you to detect potential electrical issues associated with damaged wiring through continuity and voltage tests.
Module Issues
Whether the module is outright broken or otherwise malfunctioning, this is another common issue for a vehicle’s ADAS system. Your diagnostic tool can easily identify if the module is completely non-functional.
However, if the module still partly functions, the best indicator is when an ADAS calibration fails multiple times, even after you’ve used the proper procedures. If this is the case, you’ll need to install a brand-new module to replace it.
In this situation, it’s essential to ensure you’ve set up and conducted the calibration and procedure properly—this removes doubts about any outstanding module problems. Having the right tools and software in place will make it easier to have this peace of mind and save you time when having to work through a tricky troubleshooting exercise.
How ADAS Depot Can Help
The Right Tools
Having a reliable package of ADAS calibration tools is instrumental for your repair services. ADAS Depot provides a range of ADAS calibration packages and hundreds of different targets and frames to get the job done right. Some of the equipment we offer includes:
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TPMS calibration equipment
Expertise to Support You
Our team loves helping technicians like you become experts in the products we sell. On top of us providing the products themselves, our tech support partners at NEX Automotive are here to help you get the one-on-one support you need from anywhere you’re working.
Find the ADAS Calibration Tools for You
Ready to get the right ADAS tablet for your shop? Start by exploring our calibration packages and other products to see how these tools can shift your shop into high gear.
