General Parking help unavailable

[pogo001]

Hi.
2014 Fiat ducato 3.0l.
A warning triangle on the dashboard and the message Parking help unavailable has recently appeared in my dashboard and I noticed today the rear parking sensors don't beep.
I will add that my right hand door mirror was almost removed a few days age by a passing driver and although I pieced it together, the bulb out warning light is on, although the indicator light does work, I mention in case this could be connected in some way.
Any advice on where to start? Everything was working fine a few days ago, nothing touched on the van except the door mirror break. All sensors are in position in the rear bumper.

 

[Mike1alike]

Yes, the mirror damage and bulb warning CAN be directly connected to the “Parking help unavailable” fault.

 

[Mike1alike]

Rear parking sensors → go to Parking Sensor ECU. ECU needs 12V supply, needs good ground, communicates on CAN bus. If it detects short circuit, open circuit, wrong voltage on lighting circuit it shuts down and shows “Parking help unavailable”.
A damaged mirror wiring loom is a very common trigger.

 

[pogo001]

Rear parking sensors → go to Parking Sensor ECU. ECU needs 12V supply, needs good ground, communicates on CAN bus. If it detects short circuit, open circuit, wrong voltage on lighting circuit it shuts down and shows “Parking help unavailable”.
A damaged mirror wiring loom is a very common trigger.

Thanks. I've got a new unit turning up soon, I'll fit that before I do anything else.

 

[Mike1alike]

Most likely causes in your case (ranked)
1.Damaged wiring in the right door mirror loom (VERY likely)
Because mirror was almost torn off. Bulb warning is now on. Parking failed at same time.
Inside the mirror loom you likely have broken wire, short to ground, short to 12V.
This can confuse the Body Computer and can knock out parking ECU communication.
Even if the indicator still flashes, another wire in the same loom may be broken (position light/heater/ground).
2.Rear parking ECU lost power or CAN communication
On Ducato, the parking ECU is usually behind right rear trim panel in the load area or near right rear light cluster.
If it loses permanent 12V, ignition 12V, groundCAN line - system disables completely (no beeps at all).
3.Blown fuse due to mirror short
When the mirror was hit, short may have blown parking sensor fuse or body computer supply fuse.
This is very common.

 

[Mike1alike]

Thanks. I've got a new unit turning up soon, I'll fit that before I do anything else.

What unit?!

 

[pogo001]

Door mirror with glass etc.
It turned up, and it's fitted. Every light and indicator is working. However, the dashboard bulb light warning is still on , the indicator is clicking double speed and the parking assistance still showing not working. However, the parking sensors did work for a short time yesterday then stopped. I'll check fuses.

 

[PL 8]

Are you sure you have the correct lamp? I think it could be either 5W or 16W. If wrong it won´t work correctly and can throw a warning.

 

[pogo001]

Are you sure you have the correct lamp? I think it could be either 5W or 16W. If wrong it won´t work correctly and can throw a warning.

I believe it's a sealed unit from what I've seen on YouTube. So, I can't individually check the bulb. What I can try is to take the old indicator unit out of the smashed mirror and plug that in to see if that changes anything. The clear lense is missing but the indicator works.

 

[lycopersicum]

I believe it's a sealed unit from what I've seen on YouTube. So, I can't individually check the bulb. What I can try is to take the old indicator unit out of the smashed mirror and plug that in to see if that changes anything. The clear lense is missing but the indicator works.

The bulb is easily replaceable. Orient the mirror to uncover two small screws. These release the indicator insert. Then twist the bulb socket 90 degrees to remove from the reflector.

Indeed there is a 5W and a 16W version and if you have the wrong one it will trigger the bulb warning and double speed ticking.

 

[pogo001]

The bulb is easily replaceable. Orient the mirror to uncover two small screws. These release the indicator insert. Then twist the bulb socket 90 degrees to remove from the reflector.

Indeed there is a 5W and a 16W version and if you have the wrong one it will trigger the bulb warning and double speed ticking.

Ah great, thank you. A YouTube clip said it was sealed and had to buy it complete , so that's good news that I can just change the bulb

 

[PL 8]

Ah great, thank you. A YouTube clip said it was sealed and had to buy it complete , so that's good news that I can just change the bulb

Unfortunately they might not be so simple to change since they are of different size and shape. But first check if the new one is the same as the old one.

 

[lycopersicum]

They have the same socket, but yes the 16W is twice as big as the 5W. In the worst case, you can always Dremel the amber cover out and use an amber bulb (WY16W instead of W16W, they're rare but they exist on eBay).

However, having driven for a while with the wrong power bulb, I can say it did not by itself cause any issue with the reverse sensors.

 

[HughJampton]

They have the same socket, but yes the 16W is twice as big as the 5W. In the worst case, you can always Dremel the amber cover out and use an amber bulb (WY16W instead of W16W, they're rare but they exist on eBay).

There is an implication in the first post that the original mirror was pieced together and the indicator worked (despite the other issues). If the indicator unit from the original is still available, switching this one into the new (with a replacement bulb if necessary - which seems unlikely) should avoid any issues of bulb type and sizing.

Been there, done that, and it requires very little extra work than simply replacing the bulb.

 

[pogo001]

Unfortunately they might not be so simple to change since they are of different size and shape. But first check if the new one is the same as the old one.

I have the original holder in tact except cover. If I have to do a cut and shut I'll do that and put the original holder in the new door unit. The original has a large clear bulb, with a little amber cover over it held by two screws. This is a french vehicle so maybe different to UK ones.
Of course, today, the rear parking sensor didn't work this morning, but did just now.