Front camera Obstructed message?

[lsherlockl]

Is the little pop up message about the front camera being blocked or unubstructed referring to the one for driver assist package up by the mirror? So is it jsut a simple spray and wipe? I didn't think my car had any other front facing cameras? unless its some sort of a spy car (not sure what it gets up to when i'm not around)?

[murphy]

It's either dirt on the outside of the windshield or condensation on the inside of the windshield in front of the camera. There is reportedly a heater in there to clear condensation but it can't do it instantaneously.

[acdii]

I believe there are 2 cameras, one for the LKA and one for the auto highbeams. I have had that warning when it was foggy out.

[gkinla]

It's either dirt on the outside of the windshield or condensation on the inside of the windshield in front of the camera. There is reportedly a heater in there to clear condensation but it can't do it instantaneously.

 

I had a problem when the inside of the windshield in the camera view port never cleared up. The dealer took the flashing around the camera down and cleaned the inside of the windshield. I occasionally get a obstructed camera warning now, fogginess is on the inside, but it does clear up in a few minutes.

[Barsoom]

I believe there are 2 cameras, one for the LKA and one for the auto highbeams. I have had that warning when it was foggy out.

 

And the variable intermittent rain-sensing wipers. Probably shares the auto-high beam camera.

[GrySql]

Only one camera for Lane Departure and Auto High Beams and one infra-red sensor for Rain Sensitive Wipers, see below.

 

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Lane Departure Warning - Overview

The Lane Keeping System (LKS) has 2 functions, lane keeping aid and lane keeping alert. The Lane Keeping System (LKS) utilizes the camera located in the IPMA to detect and track the road lane markings. The lane keeping alert detects unintentional drifting toward the outside of the lane and alerts the driver through steering wheel vibrations and a visual alert in the IPC message center. The lane keeping aid assists the driver by automatically providing steering torque to help the driver keep the vehicle in the lane.

 

IPMA (Image Processing Module A)

The IPMA is integral to the interior rear view mirror. The IPMA contains a forward-looking camera that is used to detect the position of the vehicle within the lane.

 

Camera Windshield Defrost Heater

The camera windshield defrost heater keeps the windshield in front of the IPMA clear of frost and ice. The IPMA uses input from the front camera and the ambient air temperature to turn the camera windshield defrost heater on and off. Voltage and ground is supplied to the heater by the IPMA. The heater may be commanded on if the ambient temperature is below 5°C (41°F).

 

Camera Windshield Defrost Heater

The camera windshield defrost heater is a resistive-type heater grid that is adhered to the inside of the windshield directly in front of the IPMA camera.

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Automatic High Beams

The automatic high beam system uses an interior rear view mirror mounted camera (IPMA) to monitor surrounding traffic conditions and high beam usage. The automatic high beam feature is active only when the headlamp switch is in the AUTOLAMPS position.

The automatic high beams can be enabled/disabled in the IPC message center.

During nighttime driving, if it is dark enough and no other traffic is present, the IPMA sends a message to BCM, through the GWM to turn the high beams on. When the system detects an approaching vehicle's headlamps or a preceding vehicle's rear lamps, the system turns off the high beams. When the approaching vehicle's headlamps or the preceding vehicle's rear lamps are no longer detected, the high beams automatically turn back on.

 

Auto high beam request > IPMA Indicates to the SCCM (Steering Column Control Module) a request for the high beams based on the IPMA camera input.

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Rain Sensitive Wipers (if equipped)

When equipped, the rain sensitive wiper feature replaces the intermittent wiper feature. The rain sensitive feature is active when the wiper/washer switch is in any of the 6 auto/intermittent sensitivity settings. The setting closest to OFF is the least sensitive to moisture, the highest setting being the most sensitive to moisture.

The rain sensor sends data through the LIN to the driver side windshield wiper motor. Based on the data received from the rain sensor and the auto/intermittent setting from the wiper/washer switch, the system automatically activates and adjusts the wiper speed and frequency when moisture is detected on the windshield.

 

Rain Sensor

The rain sensor uses an infrared beam to optically sense water on the windshield. The intensity of the reflected beam is measured and compared to the intensity of the transmitted beam. If there is water on the surface of the windshield, the beam distorts, reducing the intensity of the beam. If the beam is not reflected completely, it is interpreted as rain on the windshield and the windshield wipers are activated.

A gel-type lens is used as the interface between the rain sensor and the windshield. If the lens is missing or damaged, the rain sensing wipers can be inoperative. The rain sensor gel-type lens can be replaced separately on a rain sensor of this type.

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Edited January 25, 2015 by GrySql

[DeeCee]

Good info/write-up. Thanks.

[GrySql]

Thanks, that took some digging...

Edited January 25, 2015 by GrySql

[Barsoom]

Thanks. That's great information.

[acdii]

Just an FYI, that camera is sensitive to the cold. My Auto highbeams in both Fusions and the MKT function intermittently when its really cold out until the cabin warms, then they function fine. If it happened in just one acr, then I would have the dealer look, but since it happened in the prior Fusion, and happens in the MKT and my mom's MKS too, I dont worry about it. Its only when its in single digits does it happen anyway. I dont know if it affect LKA since there are no lines on any of the roads around me when I first start driving, and by the time I reach one that does, the camera is working normally.

[Iwejun]

Arghh... rain sensing wipers, didn't have it a week before it went through car wash. I'm sitting in the waiting area watching it go through and I see the wipers running when the guy pulls it around I'm mising a wiper blade, luckily he finds it with no damage that was the last time auto sensing was turned on. Why can't they have it so it cancels after your trip is done? My wifes BMW does it that way simple switch to activate it again.

[hybridbear]

Arghh... rain sensing wipers, didn't have it a week before it went through car wash. I'm sitting in the waiting area watching it go through and I see the wipers running when the guy pulls it around I'm mising a wiper blade, luckily he finds it with no damage that was the last time auto sensing was turned on. Why can't they have it so it cancels after your trip is done? My wifes BMW does it that way simple switch to activate it again.

It's the position of the stalk. If the stalk is in the lowest position the system is off. If it's up one level it's on rain sensing, up two levels is constant motion and up three is high speed constant motion (fastest setting). You can also push down and release when in the off position to get the "courtesy wipe".

[Waldo]

Arghh... rain sensing wipers, didn't have it a week before it went through car wash. I'm sitting in the waiting area watching it go through and I see the wipers running when the guy pulls it around I'm mising a wiper blade, luckily he finds it with no damage that was the last time auto sensing was turned on. Why can't they have it so it cancels after your trip is done? My wifes BMW does it that way simple switch to activate it again.

 

But your Fusion is just a simple switch to turn them off before a car wash. Are you suggesting turning the switch on every time you start the car is simpler than turning it off on the few times you're going to a car wash?