2020 Ranger XT STX Pre-Collision sensor location

[suntiger289]

I recently purchased a new 2020 Ranger XT STX and have about 800 miles on it. Absolutely love this truck! Today, on a clear dry road I got a "Pre-Collision Sensor blocked message". The manual says the likely remedy is to clean the sensor and the book showed two pictures as to its location along with the following text: "*Sensors are located behind a fascia cover near the driver side of the lower grille." As dumb as it sounds, I cannot find the thing! So, I plead ignorance and throw myself at the mercy of the forum for some help telling me where the sensor is located. Thanks!

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[Big Blue]

The pre-collision assist system uses a camera at the top of the wind shield by the rear view mirror along with the adaptive Cruise control radar if your truck has it. The radar sensor is located in the center of the lower grill. My truck does not have ACC so it only uses the camera. Clean the wind shield in front of the rear view mirror and as my manual says give the camera a little time to realize it's not blocked anymore. Had mine go off today because a guy abruptly slowed in front of me.

 

[suntiger289]

The pre-collision assist system uses a camera at the top of the wind shield by the rear view mirror along with the adaptive Cruise control radar if your truck has it. The radar sensor is located in the center of the lower grill. My truck does not have ACC so it only uses the camera. Clean the wind shield in front of the rear view mirror and as my manual says give the camera a little time to realize it's not blocked anymore. Had mine go off today because a guy abruptly slowed in front of me.

Ok, I get it now. The sensor in the grille is for ACC, which I don't have. I do, however, have a pine needle clump near the camera! Thank you for clearing that up for me.

 

[Big Blue]

Ok, I get it now. The sensor in the grille is for ACC, which I don't have. I do, however, have a pine needle clump near the camera! Thank you for clearing that up for me.

That what this forum is here for. The camera is also used for the lane keeping feature.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

I recently purchased a new 2020 Ranger XT STX and have about 800 miles on it. Absolutely love this truck! Today, on a clear dry road I got a "Pre-Collision Sensor blocked message". The manual says the likely remedy is to clean the sensor and the book showed two pictures as to its location along with the following text: "*Sensors are located behind a fascia cover near the driver side of the lower grille." As dumb as it sounds, I cannot find the thing! So, I plead ignorance and throw myself at the mercy of the forum for some help telling me where the sensor is located. Thanks!

Hi Dale,

This is in the owners manual and it appears that the there is a combination of the front facing camera and the Radar sensor in the lower middle of the grill are working together.

From the owner's manual:


WARNING: The system may fail or operate with reduced function during cold and severe weather
conditions.
Snow, ice, rain, spray and fog can adversely affect the system. Keep the front camera and radar
free of snow and ice. Failure to take care may result in the loss of control of your vehicle,
serious personal injury or death.

So clean the windshield and and the radar sensor if equipped which is a black box in the lower opening....

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[suntiger289]

Thanks Phil. I got confused because it wasn't clear to me that the grille sensor is only there if the vehicle has ACC, so I was looking for a non-existent sensor when all I needed to do was clear the windshield of offending pine needles! Oh, well. Live and learn...

 

[paval3]

This morning was the first day I had to use the defroster. Got the pre-collision sensor warning. I was wondering why I got the warning. Then I thought I should try to clean the sensor but I didn't know where it was. Now I understand why I got the warning, windshield wasn't totally defrosted at top of wind shield.

 

[Gsxrdoug]

So if you guys get heavy snow or snow build up you can kiss that system goodbye. Don't have any snow so never thought about where the windshield wipers path truly is and if it will keep the area clear if said snow comes.

 

[Paul Zimmer]

Hi Dale,

This is in the owners manual and it appears that the there is a combination of the front facing camera and the Radar sensor in the lower middle of the grill are working together.

From the owner's manual:


WARNING: The system may fail or operate with reduced function during cold and severe weather
conditions.
Snow, ice, rain, spray and fog can adversely affect the system. Keep the front camera and radar
free of snow and ice. Failure to take care may result in the loss of control of your vehicle,
serious personal injury or death.

So clean the windshield and and the radar sensor if equipped which is a black box in the lower opening....

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

So you’re saying that the constant alarms in cold temps, when nothing is near the vehicle, at slow speeds is just something we have to live with????

 

[slowmachine]

its not a pine needle

It could be if you park near pine trees. I suspect you’re thinking about the infamous red line, but pine needles aren’t uncommon.

 

[Ranger Roger]

My Pre-collision never activated when I almost needed it. I stomped on the brake and avoided collision. Wondered why it didn’t send any warning. Then a few months after that I got the display warning but no audible for no reason at all. Dealer “checked” it but gave the excuse that no codes were seen so must be ok. I asked him how to test real world. Blank stare!!

Going to test with cardboard at >3mph as suggested on another long thread from 2019. Plus my A/S/S hasn’t worked in a year. Display always says charging. Back to dealer for that one. 2020 XLT with 302a package.

 

[raytwntrvlr]

Ranger Roger mentioned " Plus my A/S/S hasn’t worked in a year. "
I have just rolled over 15K miles on my Ranger. Almost all towing. When towing, I manually turn A/S/S off so I can let the truck idle while gassing up or when I pull into a rest area to let the turbo cool down. Now for the last month or so my A/S/S has also decided to quit working. No complaints but I wonder if maybe it's a symptom of something important.

 

[Jason B]

Ranger Roger mentioned " Plus my A/S/S hasn’t worked in a year. "
I have just rolled over 15K miles on my Ranger. Almost all towing. When towing, I manually turn A/S/S off so I can let the truck idle while gassing up or when I pull into a rest area to let the turbo cool down. Now for the last month or so my A/S/S has also decided to quit working. No complaints but I wonder if maybe it's a symptom of something important.

You may not know it, but A/S/S is automatically switched off when tow mode is selected. Putting it in tow mode is the first thing I do after starting even though I am not towing so that ASS is off and I get better shifting.

 

[Ron L.]

So you’re saying that the constant alarms in cold temps, when nothing is near the vehicle, at slow speeds is just something we have to live with????

If it is going off at slow speeds you should check the parking sensors in the front bumper to see if they are iced up. Clear the ice and you should be good to go.

 

[Big Blue]

If it is going off at slow speeds you should check the parking sensors in the front bumper to see if they are iced up. Clear the ice and you should be good to go.

Yes the parking sensors only work while your moving and under 5 mph. So, when they get blocked they will go off as you are coming to a stop and go off again as you start out. Watch you dash display and you'll see which sensor is doing it. Thank goodness it goes of once your over 5 mph. My truck does not have ACC but have had it happen in slushy conditions on my wifes car.

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