Blind Spot Monitor Problems

Well....my BSM system started to "F" up yesterday.....(I don't even turn it on)

The left mirror light came on by itself and started to flash/blink or whatever...... I didn't even turn on the BSM switch..... if I do then the RH mirror light comes on and goes out like normal.... the left stays on.... then I turn off switch.... LH light still on and flashing... just like there is a loose wire/short or water in a connector...!!

Someone mentioned changing the "rear" sensor and how dirty it gets up there in the bumper.....HUH..???

I've got no sensors in the bumper (that I know of).....I think those are for the guy who has the "cross traffic" alert system or backup alert.....

I don't got that..... I assume the BSM sensor is in the mirror..... Anyone know for sure..??

 

blind spot radar is located under the taillights

 

Cool... Thanx a lot... That would explain why mine was acting like water in a connector.....

Thanx man... I'll look at it..

 

Looks like my BSM failed the other day driving through some heavy snow in Tahoe. I get the blind spot monitoring not available error, and have to switch the system off to keep the error message from popping up. Truck goes to Toyota on Monday.

 

Pls update once you get a resolution. Looks like another thing to worry about.

 

Noticed the problem an hour into my 12 hour drive to Utah from California. Noticed no light on the mirror as I was passing others on the freeway, went to reset the system, & everytime since I get the error message "Blind Spot Monitor Not Available".

 

Where the hell is this sensor?... "under the taillights" ?????? I cannot see anything "under" the taillights.... Do you mean "in the bumper", facing to the side...??? If so, I don't got those sensors.... Confused....

Anyone know where these sensors are located....?????

 

Pg. 236 in your owners manual. I'd suggest giving it at least one full read through if you haven't. If you have the BSM in your truck you do got them.

 

I work at a large Toyota dealer. All 2016 tacomas with blind spot monitoring are susceptible to damage from snow. If your ecu in the bumper is damaged, you will have to get it replaced by the dealer under warranty. There is no guarantee that it will permanently fix the problem until the parts are redesigned to be waterproof. Ice mud and snow will accumulate under the bumper and damage the sensors. Just turn your head the old fashioned way until Toyota can replace the parts. Mudguards are on back order for a bit so you might consider some weather tech mudguards for $70 to help reduce the snow accumulation in the rear bumper.

 

OK...So the sensor is NOT visible like I thought it would be... It resides BEHIND the bumper and senses thru the bumper..?? Interesting...

Who'd of thunk that...?? Not me obviously....!!

By the way Toyota..... a great place to put that thing if it's not weather proof..... It must be caked in 6" in solid snow and ice right now.... It's -20C here today....

Thanx guys.....!!

 

So, after BSM not working for five days, I get the truck to the dealer and of course it starts working. Dealer refers me to the manual and says that the BSM doesn't work in extreme temperatures. I wouldn't call 20*F extreme, but whatever. Plus, the BSM didn't work for a couple days once I was back in 30*-50* temperatures. I'm thinking the snow and ice damaged the sensor, and am expecting it to fail again soon....

Guess time will tell.

 

OK.. I looked behind the bumper today and behold..!! There is a wire running to something in the location noted earlier...

Looks like it's right out there for everything to mess with....snow/ice/gravel, etc..... A piece of protection plastic might have been in order.... OH well,....I'm never turning the darn thing on anyway.... might disconnect it and use the switch for something more useful...

 

Did the dealer even check for error codes in the computer? Mine was working at the time I brought it in, but they were able to see a history of error codes on the computer and determined it was a bad sensor.

 

No. That's a good idea, and one I will remember in the future.

 

Today I watched the technician pull the bumper covers and both ecu master and slave are being replaced with a new part number. I can only tell you that snow somehow damaged the sensors. The parts are being overnighted and installed tomorrow. Will update y'all as soon as I drive thru more snow.

 

Had issues with my BSM yesterday. Was just driving on the freeway and all of a sudden I got "Blind Spot Monitor Unavailable" on the dash. This happened with no cars around me, just a few minutes prior it was working as advertised. The lights on the mirrors stay illuminated as well. Keeping it off until I can get my truck to the dealership.

Later on I tried backing up near cars/walls and didn't get any warnings. Since all this is going on, I'm assuming it's an ECU issue.


EDIT: The rear sensors for the parking assist still work. I originally left the BSM on all the time so whenever I backed up, the sensors would go off; after the BSM issue this was not the case since I turned it off. It appears I have the same case as others with the BSM.

 

Seems like the semi-modern technology Toyota stuck into the new Tacoma isn't up to par. That was a concern when I heard chatter about the 2016 model and that is part of the reason I opted to go with a 2014 rather than wait. I hoep they get things sorted out, sucks to drop that kind of money on a truck with a bunch of bugs.

 

This.

The technology isn't new as other makes and models have had them over the years now. It's a new gen so it's expected there will be some kinks, where I'd be more apt into buying a year or two later after those issues have been resolved but I took my chances this time around. I was more concerned with mechanical failure since most of this tech is not new and I'm sure Toyota has even used it with their other vehicles without flaw.

 

As the person above said, it's not new technology. Have had it on several Toyota vehicles including the Avalon I have now. Just take it your dealer and get it fixed. If you don't like it, or don't want to use it, don't get it fixed and/or don't turn it on.

We were just on vacation and be aware of valets at hotels that turned them off and put your lights on manual. Nothing like being on the 10 and looking down and noticing the BSM was turned off.

 

A little update with my BSM.

I called the dealership today to setup an appointment and later on my BSM miraculously started working again. Since the issue I've always just turned it back off, but today I let it stay on and the warning away. Tested it a few times, turned it on and off a few times also, and the BSM worked as advertised. Gonna cancel my appointment and hopefully there's no issues down the road.