The Intelligent Clearance Sonar (ICS) is a crucial safety feature on Toyotas that prevents collisions at low speeds. Like many vehicle systems, the ICS may occasionally act up, prompting a reset.
How do I go about with an ICS malfunction reset? This question is common among vehicle owners dealing with an out-of-order ICS system.
You are in the right place if you have similar concerns, as we will guide you on how to reset ICS malfunction and what causes the problem.
Question: What’s the ICS System?
The intelligent clearance sonar is a mainstay on modern Toyotas, with many auto pundits regarding it as a low-speed pre-collision system.
The ICS system’s functionality relies on a set of sensors on the frontal and rear bumpers. Typically, most vehicles have eight sensors, four on the front and four on the back. However, some models, mainly older ones, may have one set at the front or rear bumper.
The sensors work when you are at low speed, roughly 7-8 mph, and will detect any objects near the vehicle. Upon detection, the sensors activate the braking system and may also slow down the engine to prevent collision.
On your dash, this sensor system will show you the section of the car at risk of a collision. It is handy for maneuvering out of tight spots, such as parking areas.
When turned on, you will see a dash light symbol showing a car in front of a parking cone, with a star in the middle. You see the ‘off’ symbol beneath the icon if it’s turned off.
Answer: ICS System Malfunction
The ICS system may act up in various ways, like failure to turn on or off or throwing false signals. Sometimes, the icon won’t show on the dash, or it might show, but the system doesn’t work.
You may see a message on the screen telling you about the problem. Such a scenario calls for an ICS malfunction reset.
The problem may be due to faulty components or outdated software.
So, can I drive with a bad ICS?
You can drive with a bad ICS, though it is advisable to fix it for the best on-road experience. You can turn it off to prevent false alerts and braking.
Question: How To Reset ICS Malfunction
A system reset can help with the ICS hitch, especially if it concerns the software. The following are ways of resetting this Toyota safety feature.
Reset Via the Dashboard Menu
This is the simplest way of performing a system reset. Turn on the ignition and scroll the dashboard’s menu to locate ICS settings. Select the Off option on the On/Off settings to turn the system off. Turn off the engine and let it rest for a while before restarting. The ICS should be responsive.
Use a Diagnostic Tool
You can readjust the ICS using a diagnostic tool. Park your car on level ground and start the engine. Connect the diagnostic tool to your car’s DLC3 port and switch the ignition to On. The device will detect errors in the ICS system, and you can clear them by following the presented prompts.
Question: Why the ICS Acts Up
Before resetting the system, it is prudent to understand what is behind the Toyota ICS malfunction. The following are some causes of this complication and how to fix them.
Water Intrusion
Exterior ICS sensors come into contact with water from rain or automatic car washes, making them prone to various faults. Water can infiltrate the sensor’s electrical unit, leading to a waterlogged housing or short-circuiting.
In severe situations, water damage may result in inaccurate obstacle detection or complete inoperability. Regular inspection of the sensor assembly will help with the earlier detection of water intrusion. Fast action will prevent further damage.
You can wipe water off the sensors using a dry and soft cloth. Extensively damaged sensors will require replacement.
Physical Damage
The sensors may fail to work due to physical damage or wear and tear. You can easily tell if the sensors were victims of impact by their appearance. They will look beat and out of place.
An ICS malfunction reset using a diagnostic tool can highlight this issue, particularly if the damage extends to the sensor assembly.
Out-of-shape sensors may function sparingly or totally fail to detect objects. You solve this problem by fixing the assembly and getting new parts.
Obstructed Sensors
Sensor obstruction is a common cause of ICS failure. The system reaction varies depending on the obstruction.
For instance, you may block the sensors with accessories like car lights or bicycle carriers, and the ICS will respond by constantly throwing alerts. You can handle the situation by adjusting the accessory position or turning off ICS.
Other times, the blockage may be minor, like grime, dirt, or stickers. The sensors will fail to detect objects, temporarily disabling the safety feature.
Routine washing will save you from such setbacks. Also, ensure that stickers and decals do not cover the sensors and other crucial vehicle components.
A Wiring Problem
The ICS may fail due to a wiring problem. A wire harness ensures consistent electrical communication between the sensors and the car computer. Damage to the harness affects signal transmission. The signals may delay, be wrong, or fail to show.
Frayed wires in the harness may cause short-circuiting, damaging parts of the sensor assembly. Broken or corroded wires won’t effectively transmit signals and may lead to missed detections.
Duct tape can fix frayed or broken wires. Restore corroded wires by getting new ones.
Wave Interference
The ICS system perceives objects in the vicinity through ultrasonic waves. Other waves may interfere with the sensor’s reception, leading to false signals or total failure of the ICS. You might notice this snag when driving near cars with similar ultrasonic detection systems.
The good news is this hiccup is temporary, and the ICS will regain its functionality once the field is clear.
An Issue With Car Orientation and Sensor Calibration
Your car’s positioning may affect object detection. For example, an overloaded vehicle may have the frontal sensors higher than the rear ones, resulting in incorrect signal perception. You may also encounter this problem due to improper sensor calibration.
Park your car on level ground for correct object detection and avoid overloading it. The vehicle’s user manual will guide you on calibrating the sensors.
Closing Remarks
The ICS system is a game-changing safety feature on Toyotas that helps drivers avoid collisions at low speeds. You can consider it an excellent parking assistant as it will alert you of any obstacles on your path.
An ICS malfunction reset is necessary if the system acts up, noticeable via false or no signals and unresponsiveness. You should inspect the entire ICS unit if it malfunctions, focusing more on the sensors to get to the root of the problem.