Technical Service Bulletin
91 Parking assistance provides false warnings
91 14 72 2024323/4 December 19, 2014. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 91 number 13-74 dated
February 5, 2013 for reasons listed below.
Model(s)

Year

VIN Range

Vehicle-Specific Equipment

All

2005 - 2017

All

Not Applicable

Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

4
3

Purpose
Revised header data (Added models and model years)

2/5/2013

Revised header data (Added model years)
Revised Service (Added info about stone chips)

2

10/1/2012

Revised header data (Added model years and models)

1

9/28/2010

Original publication

Customer states one of the following:
• Parking aid sporadically warns of obstacles when none exist.
• Parking aid is inoperative or provides constant warning.

Technical Background
• Various parking aid sensor fitting issues.
• Environmental conditions.

Production Solution
Not applicable.

© 2014 Audi of America, Inc.

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All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
Service
Misaligned parking aid sensors or various vehicle mountings can cause parking aid malfunctions. This TSB
provides tips for diagnosing parking aid systems.
1. Verify that the coding within the parking aid control module, J446 (address word 76), is valid for the
equipment installed on the vehicle (i.e.: trailer hitch, tow bar, etc.).
2. Check the vehicle fault memory and proceed according to GFF.
• If GFF identifies a problem with a specific sensor, proceed with the test plan.
• If GFF does not identify a specific sensor, check MVBs in the parking aid control module, J446 (address
word 76), starting with MVBs for oscillation.
MVBs for internal sensor oscillation (if applicable) (acceptable values = 0.8 to 1.5ms). If the oscillation
is not within specification, proceed to step 10.
MVBs for distance calculations (255 = no obstruction). If an obstruction is identified but none exists,
proceed to step 3.
Tip: Vehicles can be equipped with 4- or 8-channel parking aid systems. Refer to Elsa for vehiclespecific information.
3. Check parking sensors (Figure 1) for obvious issues:
• Mechanical damage (stone chips, scratches).
• Dirt, ice, foreign bodies, foil adhered to sensor.
• Damage to the bumpers that may indicate an accident
(or paint indicating a previous incident).

Figure 1. Stone chips causing sensor failure.
Tip: Exterior damage to the vehicle, including stone chips and scratches, is not covered by Audi
Warranty. When painting sensors, the special painting instructions for parking sensors in the paint repair
manual must be observed.
4. Check for non-Audi Genuine Accessories which can interfere with parking aid operation, including:
• Aftermarket towing bar.

© 2014 Audi of America, Inc.

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All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
• Aftermarket lowering kit.
• Aftermarket spoiler or air deflector.
• Aftermarket bumper.
5. For 8-channel systems, check the installation of the front license plate holder for:
• Protrusion. The license plate and holder must fit on flat.
• Bent corners. Any bent-open corners may cause false readings.
• Correct fit. Oversized license plate holders or frames can obstruct parking aid sensors.
6. Pressure check for a tight fit and correct attachment of the
parking sensors (Figure 2). If the sensor is not snug or feels
loose, remove the bumper and reinstall the sensor.

Figure 2. A pressure check on a parking
aid sensor.
7. Check that the decoupling ring is correctly seated (Figure 3,
Figure 4, Figure 5). If the ring is folded or bulging, remove the
bumper and reinstall the sensor.

Figure 3. A correctly seated decoupling
ring.

© 2014 Audi of America, Inc.

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All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin

Figure 4. An incorrectly seated decoupling
ring (bulging).

Figure 5. An incorrectly seated
decoupling ring (folded).

© 2014 Audi of America, Inc.

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All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
8. Verify that the sensor is centered inside of the mounting hole
(Figure 6, Figure 7). If the sensor is mounted off-center, remove
the bumper and reinstall the sensor.

Figure 6. A correctly centered parking aid
sensor.

Figure 7. An off-center parking aid sensor.
9. Ensure the sensor sits flush with the bumper (Figure 8, Figure
9). If the sensor is recessed or bulging, remove the bumper and
reinstall the sensor.

Figure 8. A correctly installed parking aid
sensor.

© 2014 Audi of America, Inc.

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All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin

Figure 9. A recessed parking aid sensor.
10. Re-evaluate the concern:
• If an issue was identified and the concern was remedied, proceed to step 15.
• If no issues were identified and the concern cannot be duplicated, proceed to step 15.
• If the concern still persists, continue to step 11.
11. Remove the bumper and check the connectors on the sensors, the socket box of the bumper, on the control
unit for parking assistance and on the sound generator of the parking assistance for:
• Corrosion.
• Water ingress or water marks.
• Bent-open pins.
• Pushed-back pins.
• Correct fit of plug seal.
Tip: If a specific sensor is identified by the diagnostic tester, proceed forward for that specific sensor
only.

© 2014 Audi of America, Inc.

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All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
12. Check the cables in the bumper for damage and sufficient
length 9Figure 10, Figure 11). Cables that are too short can
cause damage to the harness.
• If the cable is damaged, repair the cable using VAS Repair
Kit 1978.
• If the cable is too tight, correct the routing by moving the
support clip so the cable is no longer under tension.

Figure 10. A correctly installed cable with
sufficient length.

Figure 11. A sensor cable with insufficient
length.
13. Check the connectors on the parking sensors and the socket
box for correct installation (Figure 12, Figure 13). If the
connectors are not installed properly, reinstall.

Figure 12. A correctly installed parking aid
sensor connector.

Figure 13. A parking aid sensor connector
that is not seated correctly.
14. Re-evaluate the concern:
• If an issue was identified and the concern was remedied, proceed to step 15.
• If the concern still persists, swap affected parking aid sensors or control modules until issue is identified,
remedy the concern, then proceed to step 15.

© 2014 Audi of America, Inc.

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All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
15. Various environmental factors can cause incorrect warnings. Notify the customer that the following may
affect parking aid operation:
• High plants and curbs.
• Gravel paths, cobblestone paths, pot holes, grates, sharp bends in the road, slopes, driveways, or ramps.
• Water on the parking sensors.
• Ice or snow on the parking sensor or the bumper.
• Exhaust gases of the vehicle under certain weather conditions.
• Conflicting ultrasound sources (pneumatic brakes on trucks, animal alarms, parking aid systems of other
vehicles, etc.).
• Fluorescent lighting.

© 2014 Audi of America, Inc.

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All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
Warranty
Accounting for an incorrectly fitted license plate holder or for cleaning the sensors is not permitted under warranty.
For the potential remounting of parking assist sensor, replacing of the parking assist sensor bracket, or repairing
system wiring:
Claim Type:

Use applicable claim type. If vehicle is outside any warranty, this Technical Service Bulletin
is informational only.

Service Number:

9175

Damage Code:

0010

Labor Operations: Remove and install rear parking aid sensor

9175 XXXX

See Elsa

Remove and install front parking aid sensor

9175 XXXX

See Elsa

Remove and install rear bumper

6369 19XX

See Elsa

Remove and install front bumper

6329 19XX

See Elsa

Lane Change Assist recalibration

9635 XXXX

70 TU

Repair wiring harness

9175 4199

Max 30 TU

GFF

0150 0000

Time stated on
diagnostic
protocol
(Max 30 TU)

Road test prior to service procedure

No allowance 0 TU

Road test after service procedure

No allowance 0 TU

(if necessary)

Diagnostic Time:

Technical diagnosis at dealer’s discretion
(Refer to Section 2.2.1.2 and Audi Warranty Online for DADP allowance details)
Claim Comment:

As per TSB #2024323/4

All warranty claims submitted for payment must be in accordance with the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures
Manual. Claims are subject to review or audit by Audi Warranty.

Additional Information
All parts and service references provided in this TSB (2024323) are subject to change and/or removal. Always
check with your Parts Department and service manuals for the latest information.

© 2014 Audi of America, Inc.

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All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.