If you have a newer car, you may have noticed a safety feature called “park assist” that helps you locate a parking space and park your vehicle safely. However, if the park assist malfunctions or is not working correctly, you may see a “park assist blocked see owner’s manual” message on your dashboard. This can be frustrating, but there are several possible causes and fixes to be aware of.
In my experience, the main cause of park assist being blocked is damaged sensors. These sensors are located on the front and rear bumpers of your car and send signals to the park assist system to help you park. If they are damaged, the system may not be able to function properly.
In this article we’ll discuss how the park assist system works and what you can do to safely reset it.
Park Assist in GM Vehicles
If you own a GM vehicle, you may have noticed the Park Assist feature that helps you park your car safely. The Park Assist feature uses sensors to detect objects around your vehicle and alerts you when you are too close to an object similar to the steering assist feature.
How It Works
The Park Assist feature in GM vehicles uses ultrasonic sensors located on the front and rear bumpers of your car. These sensors emit high-frequency sound waves that bounce off objects and return to the sensors. The time it takes for the sound waves to return to the sensors is used to determine the distance between your car and the object.
The Park Assist feature uses this information to alert you when you are too close to an object. The alerts can be visual or audible, depending on your car’s settings. If you are getting too close to an object, the Park Assist feature will beep to alert you to stop.
If you see the message “Park Assist Blocked” on your dashboard, it means that the Park Assist feature is not working correctly. This can happen if one or more of the sensors are damaged or blocked.
Identifying Blocked Park Assist
If you are experiencing issues with your car’s park assist system, it is important to identify the problem as soon as possible. A blocked park assist system can be caused by a number of different factors and can result in a range of symptoms.
Common Causes
One of the most common causes of a blocked park assist system is a build-up of dirt, mud, ice, snow, or slush on the ultrasonic sensors. These sensors are responsible for detecting obstacles and providing feedback to the driver. If they become blocked or covered, they may not function properly, resulting in a “park assist blocked” message on the dashboard.
Another common cause of a blocked park assist system is a malfunctioning sensor. Over time, these sensors can become damaged or worn, resulting in inaccurate readings or a complete failure of the system. In some cases, the sensor may need to be replaced in order to restore proper function.
How to Reset Park Assist for Chevy/GM
If you are experiencing a “Park Assist Blocked” message in your Chevy/GM vehicle, you may need to reset the system. Here are some steps to follow:
- Turn off the engine and set the parking brake.
- Get out of the car and close all of the doors.
- Wait for five minutes and then get back in the car and turn on the engine.
- Put the car in reverse and slowly back up until you hear a beeping sound from the park assist sensor. This may take a few tries.
If the above steps do not work, you can try the following methods:
- Disconnect the battery and toggle the Park Assist button on and off.
- Turn the ignition on and off.
- Push the rear Park Assist “disable button” and then re-enable it again.
- Ignore the Park Assist Blocked message by tapping the odometer stem, which may solve the issue.
If the Park Assist Blocked message persists, there may be an issue with the sensors or wiring.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Park Assist Blocked message is a warning that indicates that there is an obstruction in the way of the parking sensors. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as dirt or debris on the sensors, or a malfunctioning sensor.
If you encounter this message on your dashboard, you should check the sensors for any dirt or debris that may be obstructing them. If you find any, clean the sensors with a soft cloth to remove the obstruction.
