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Many new vehicles are coming equipped with a neat piece of technology called a Blind Spot Monitor or BSM. This system is designed to help drivers navigate more safely by alerting drives when a vehicle or other object is in their own vehicles “blind spot”. Many blind spot monitoring systems also have a feature called Rear Cross Traffic Alert which alerts you to a vehicle passing behind you in a parking lot. The blind spot monitor is not perfect, but it does make a big difference for most drivers. It is incredibly useful when changing lanes. Once you get used to having the system, you really miss it when driving a car that does not, or worse, when it stops working correctly!
When and if the dreaded check blind spot monitor system error pops up on your dash it can be a really annoying thing. In many cases the error message will appear and even if you turn off the BSM manually the error will return the instant the system is turned back on.
Many users have reported that the BSM error message will go away for extended periods of time by stopping the vehicle and turning the ignition off for a few seconds and them back on. Others have reported that this makes no difference at all. Others have reported that once it starts happening, the error will go away for months at time after a “restart”, but eventually return permanently.
There are also reports that the new 2016 Toyota Tacoma’s and Lexus vehicles are shipping with driver’s side mirrors that contain a short in the BSM equipment, which causes this error. If that is true, nothing but a dealer visit for some warranty work will be able to fix that problem.
There is some good news for many owners who get the Check Blind Spot Monitor Systems error. There are two BSM sensors on most Toyota vehicles. They are located on the inside left and right of the rear bumper. These sensors are prone to getting covered with dust and dirt (or mud). They can also get covered by spider webs, lawn debris, and other obstructions. If that happens the dreaded “Check Blind Sot Monitor System” error will occur.
In these cases, restoring the BSM to proper operation is as simple as cleaning any dirt or debris away from the sensors. Simply locate the sensors for your vehicle and clean any mud or other debris away from the area. Proper operation should be restored after turning off the vehicle ignition for a few seconds and turning it back on to re-calibrate the sensors.
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18 Responses
I have a 2013 Camry. The Blind Spot Monitor stopped working. I was bumped in the parking lot and while driving noticed it wasn’t working. Where are the sensors located on this car? Could the bump have damaged the sensor?
The monitor is located behind the bumper cover on the rear side of the vehicle behind the rear wheel. Since the bumper cover can pop back into place it can appear that there is no damage in the area. There is no protection in the area of the monitor and they planned it that way to sell more of the $800 modules and the $300-$600 the dealer charges to reprogram the system.
I’m looking at buying at replacing my stock rear bumper with one from Fab Fours and they state up front that the bumper does not accommodate the BSM System. If I put this new bumper on what sort of issues should I expect? In addition to turning the system off is there a way to disable the system so I won’t get the error messages?
I have a 2013 Toyota Avalon and mybblind spit monitor system has come on. I callef Toyota but they want to charge 129.00 to look at the problem.Is there anything I can do myself before I do that?
I have a new 2017 Highlander without BSM. Can I get it installed?
My RAV4 limited 2013 no BSM and GPS system, can I install? How much the cost?
2016 RAV 4 BLIND SPOT MALFUNCTION SENSOR REPLACED 2 MONTHS LATER LIGHT RETURNED, CODE C1AC2 TOLD I NEED TO GO TO A BODY SHOP TO HAVE BODY ALIGNMENT HELP
hi, how do you figure you need to have body alignment? How did you decode this code?
I am getting that on my 2013 Sienna and it started happening in the past few months. I am kind of thinking, after reading your post, it happened around the same time that I replaced a Spring Coil in the back. (about 4 months ago). That’s why I am asking as to how you came to the conclusion that there could be a body misalignment issue.
thanks
I Have a new lexus es350 2015 with bsm.
Can I get long range more.
My 2013 Toyota Avalon’s Blind Spot Mirror light comes on every time I turn it on “Check Blind spot Mirror System”.
Is there anything I can do to fix it?, I don’t want to spend time and money, if possible.
Thanks.
4.5
I have a 2015 Camry SL and the dealer diagnosed a faulty rear left hand sonar sensor. This has now been replaced to the tune of $1238.oo Aussie dollars. And now the left mirror warning [persists in coming on for no apparent reason. Often lights up and stays on for several minutes at a time when there are absolutely no vehicles behind me or approaching from any direction.
Now after three further attempts to rectify the faulty BSM issue the problem still is there. With no approaching vehicles front or back the BSM warning left hand mirror stays on for ever at random times. Has been flashing in time to the indicators (cannot see the connection) and now the BSM warning sign stays visible in the dashboard. Using the off / on button will not reset the the fault. I have to drive with it off so I can see the rest of my dash instruments. Looks like going back to the dealer techs again …..
5
So further to the recurring BSM staying on for extended periods, Then staying on permanently. After many weeks of having the car the dealer has decided the paint on the bumper bar is too thick ! Yes that’s right, too thick, and is causing the BSM sonar located behind the rear left hand bumper cover to malfunction. My next move is to have my panel repair shop remove the rear bumper, strip off all the existing paint and repaint it again. This apparently will rectify the BSM issue, I certainly hope so.
3.5
If I change the bumper on a 2020 Tacoma pickup do I need to recalibrate?
we have a 2018 Toyota highlander Hybird , we went out of town for several days and left it in the garage, when we returned it wouldn’t start and the BSM signal was on the dash. We can’t start it, why??