Technical Service Bulletin
91 Parking assistance provides false warnings
91 12 62 2024323/2 October 1, 2012. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 91 number 10 – 60 dated
September 28, 2010 for reasons listed below.
Model(s)

Year

A3

2005 – 2013

A4

2005 – 2013

A5

2008 – 2013

A6

2005 – 2013

A8

2005 – 2013

Audi Q5

2008 – 2013

AudQ7

2005 – 2013

TT

2005 – 2013

R8

2008 – 2013

VIN Range

Vehicle-Specific Equipment

All

Parking Aid

Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

Purpose

2

-

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.

© 2012 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
Production Solution
Not applicable.

Service
Misaligned parking aid sensors or various vehicle mountings can cause parking aid malfunctions. This TSB
provides diagnosis tips related to parking aid systems.
1. Verify that the coding within J446 – Parking Aid Control Module 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 J446 – Parking Aid Control Module 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 ElsaWeb for
vehicle-specific information.
3. Check parking sensors 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).
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.
• Aftermarket lowering kit.
• Aftermarket spoiler or air deflector.
• Aftermarket bumper.

© 2012 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
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. If the sensor is not snug or feels
loose, remove the bumper and reinstall the sensor.

Figure 1. A pressure check on a parking aid
sensor.
7. Check that the decoupling ring is correctly seated. If
the ring is folded or bulging, remove the bumper and
reinstall the sensor.

Figure 2. A correctly seated decoupling ring.

© 2012 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 3. An incorrectly seated decoupling ring
(bulging).

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

© 2012 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. If the sensor is mounted off-center,
remove the bumper and reinstall the sensor.

Figure 5. A correctly centered parking aid sensor.

Figure 6. An off-center parking aid sensor.
9. Ensure the sensor sits flush with the bumper. If the
sensor is recessed or bulging, remove the bumper and
reinstall the sensor.

Figure 7. A correctly installed parking aid sensor.

© 2012 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 8. 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, proceed 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.
12. Check the cables in the bumper for damage and
sufficient length. 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 9. A correctly installed cable with sufficient
length.

Figure 10. A sensor cable with insufficient length.

© 2012 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
13. Check the connectors on the parking sensors and the
socket box for correct installation. If the connectors are
not installed properly, reinstall.

Figure 11. A correctly installed parking aid sensor
connector.

Figure 12. 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, and proceed to step 15.
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, 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.

© 2012 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 Web for
applicable TUs

Remove and install front parking aid sensor

9175 XXXX

See Elsa Web for
applicable TUs

Remove and install rear bumper

6369 19XX

See Elsa Web for
applicable TUs

Remove and install front bumper

6329 19XX

See Elsa Web for
applicable TUs

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
TUs

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 #2024323/2

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.

© 2012 Audi of America, Inc.

Page 8 of 9

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

© 2012 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.