Bulletin No.: PIT5622B
Published date: 03/30/2020

Preliminary Information
PIT5622B Diagnostic Tip Side Object Detection System Unavailable
Message at Startup
Product Investigation Review Required
Models
Brand:

Model:

Model Years:

VIN:
from

Engine:

to

Transmissions:

Cadillac

Escalade

2015 - 2020

All

All

All

All

Chevrolet

Suburban

2015 - 2020

All

All

All

All

Chevrolet

Tahoe

2015 - 2020

All

All

All

All

GMC

Yukon

2015 - 2020

All

All

All

All

Involved Region or Country North America
Additional Options (RPO)

Condition

Side Blind Zone Alert RPO UKC
Some customers may comment that every time the vehicle is started a "Side
Detection System Unavailable" message is displayed on the DIC. There will be no
DTC's set related to the side blind zone system. When the vehicle is driven, the Side
Detection System may or may not function correctly. If a Side Detection module is
replaced and/or reprogrammed the concern may go away for a week or so,
depending on how much the vehicle is driven.
This concern could be caused by either the left or right Side Detection Module not
being properly positioned due to a mounting issue. The Side Detection Modules are
mounted to a bracket, which is heat staked (1) to the rear fascia. Any issues with the
module mounting, such as, module brackets which are misaligned to the fascia
when heat staked, heat staking which has broken loose, broken mounting
tabs/brackets or a damaged fascia, can cause this concern.

Cause
While the vehicle is being driven, the Side Detection Modules are continuously
monitoring for objects to make sure they are seeing objects in the correct areas.
When there is a mounting issue with a Side Detection Module, the module will not
see objects as it should. Over time (a day or week of driving) the Side Detection
Module will learn that it is in the wrong position, which causes the "Side Detection
System Unavailable" message at start up.

Correction:
Note: If the rear bumper is covered with mud, dirt, snow, ice, or slush on the inside or outside, the system can be
blocked and will need to be cleaned. Also, in heavy rainstorms, this can block the Side Detection Modules and
temporarily disable the system, which is normal.

If, after performing normal diagnostics and no obvious concerns are found, inspect the exterior of the rear
fascia for any damage which could distort/change the mounting of the Side Detection Modules. If no damage is
noticed, do NOT conclude everything is ne. In many cases, a mounting/alignment issue may be caused by an
impact/collision that may or may not be obvious. Many of the new materials that the fascias are made with are
very resilient. If they are hit with mild to moderate force, they will bounce back with little, if any noticeable
damage. However, the Side Detection Module brackets, which are attached to the back side of the rear fascia,
may have been damaged/broken, even though no obvious damage may be seen on the outside of the
vehicle/fascia.
Perform a visual inspection of the Side Detection Modules, wiring, connectors and mounting brackets. The
modules may need to be removed to inspect the mounting and brackets thoroughly. Look for anything
broken/damaged/cracked, etc. Most importantly, inspect the heat staked areas (1) for becoming detached by
lightly pulling on the bracket near the heat staked areas to make sure they are still attached. In the photo
below is an example of a right hand Side Detection Module bracket, which has broken away at the top heat
staked area (2). Also, inspect the brackets for being repaired or rebonded to the rear fascia (3) during a previous
repair.
On later built models with lower mileage, if no issues are found with the fascia or mounting brackets, inspect the
positioning of the mounting brackets where they are heat staked to the fascia. In some cases, the mounting
brackets were heat staked to the fascia, in the incorrect position by the supplier. To inspect for this issue, remove
the fascia from the truck and do a comparison between the left sensor mounting bracket position and the right
sensor mounting bracket position. Also, the fascia will have alignment marks that can be used as a reference
when inspecting the mounting bracket positioning to the fascia.
If any issues are found with the module mounting, mounting brackets, or rear fascia, replace as necessary.
Even after the Side Detection Module mounting issue has been repaired, the module will not immediately know
that it is now mounted correctly. This will still result in a "Side Detection System Unavailable" message at start
up. Because it takes time for the Side Detection Module to learn that it is now mounted correctly, the only way to
immediately clear the "Side Detection System Unavailable" message at start up is to replace and program the Side
Detection Module on the side that originally had the mounting issue.

Note: This PI will be converted into a bulletin when new information is available.

Warranty Information
Use the appropriate labor operation code for the issue found.

Version History
Version
Modi ed

3
06/12/2018 - Created on.
07/16/2019 - Updated to add the 2019 models
03/30/2020- updated the Cause and Correction sections and add the 2020
model year.

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