Getting "Front camera needs cleaning" error chime and warning.

[howardbc]

My 2013 FFET has been just wonderful for almost 3 years and I have had NO problems. But for a long time when I first leave my garage and then put the car into Drive and start to go down my street, I will get a rolling chime and a message (to the left of the speedometer) that says something like "Your front camera needs to be cleaned." The error chime will stop after a couple of seconds and I never see/hear it again.

 

At first I thought it was one of the sensors on the front of the car that had some dust on it, but I keep the car clean and it stays in a garage. But then it dawned on me that the error message must be referring to the front-facing camera that is between the rear-view mirror and the windshield. It is inaccessible so I couldn't clean it if I wanted to. 

 

This happens year-round but only when I am first starting down my street after backing out of my garage. It has never happened at any other time. The car is facing West and going down a very slight incline when it happens. I think it may be only in the morning when it happens. The Sun is not shining directly on the camera. 

 

It must be some kind of a software glitch. Should I take it to the Ford dealer? Or is this something that can be fixed/updated via the Cloud? If so, who do I contact about it? It's not a big deal but I would like to get it fixed. 

 

The front camera works great when I'm out and someone is slowing/turning in front of me. It has a loud warning sound that scares the heck out of me. So, for some reason, it only thinks it can't see when I first put it into Drive at home. 

 

Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks. 

[murphy]

Are the conditions right at that time of the morning for condensation to form on the inside of the glass in front of the camera?  I have heard, but don't know for sure, that there is a heater in there to get rid of condensation.

[Hybridbear]

But for a long time when I first leave my garage and then put the car into Drive and start to go down my street, I will get a rolling chime and a message (to the left of the speedometer) that says something like "Your front camera needs to be cleaned." The error chime will stop after a couple of seconds and I never see/hear it again.

Here is what the dealer would do per the Workshop Manual:

FRONT CAMERA LOW VISIBILITY - CLEAN SCREEN message in the IPC Dirty or cracked windshield CLEAN and INSPECT the windshield in front of the camera. REPAIR or REPLACE the windshield as necessary if damage is found. Dirt or debris in between the camera and the windshield CLEAN the area between the front camera and the windshield. Camera windshield defrost heater INSPECT the camera windshield defrost heater for damage and DIAGNOSE any IPMA heater Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) that are present.

REFER to: Rear View Mirrors (501-09 Rear View Mirrors, Diagnosis and Testing).

 The front camera works great when I'm out and someone is slowing/turning in front of me. It has a loud warning sound that scares the heck out of me. So, for some reason, it only thinks it can't see when I first put it into Drive at home.

Collision Warning does not use the camera. It uses the radar sensor for Adaptive Cruise Control. From the Workshop Manual:

Cruise Control Operation

The CCM contains a radar sensor unit that determines the distance and relative speed of the vehicle that is in the path of travel.

 

The forward collision warning system works in conjunction with the adaptive cruise control system. During a possible collision event, the CCM commands:

• the HUD to flash red warning Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).
• the IPC to activate a chime and commands.
• ACM to mute audio volume

The forward collision warning system is activated when the vehicle is moving forward at a speed greater than 8 kmh (5 mph). The CCM determines the distance and relative speed of the vehicle that is in the path of travel, utilizing a radar sensor (integral to the CCM ) to detect other vehicles that are moving in the same direction. If the CCM determines that a collision is possible, the CCM commands the HUD module Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) to flash and the IPC to chime.

 

The forward collision warning system and audible warning chime can be enabled and disabled through the message center display in the IPC . The system reverts to on each ignition cycle. The HUD module and/or chime activates briefly to confirm the last setting. For vehicles with an optional IPC , there are three levels of sensitivity detection (HIGH, NORMAL and LOW) that are changed in the message center display.

Are the conditions right at that time of the morning for condensation to form on the inside of the glass in front of the camera?  I have heard, but don't know for sure, that there is a heater in there to get rid of condensation.

From the Workshop Manual:

Camera Windshield Defrost Heater

The camera windshield defrost heater keeps the windshield in front of the IPMA clear of frost and ice. The IPMA uses input from the front camera and the ambient air temperature to turn the camera windshield defrost heater on and off. Voltage and ground is supplied to the heater by the IPMA . The heater may be commanded on if the ambient temperature is below 5°C (41°F).

Edited January 28, 2016 at 02:40 PM by Hybridbear

[stevedebi]

Here is what the dealer would do per the Workshop Manual:

Collision Warning does not use the camera. It uses the radar sensor for Adaptive Cruise Control. From the Workshop Manual:

From the Workshop Manual:

I've often thought I might like some of the features from the Fusion on my C-Max, but reading all this I think maybe it is complicated enough without the extra bells and whistles.

[howardbc]

Thanks so much, everyone. I will get out my owner's manual (or look at it on-line) and find the sections mentioned in the replies. I don't know how it could be humidity with this being Arizona where it rarely rains or even has any humidity. 

 

I'll let everyone know how this ends up. It's just a small thing that happens from time to time. I should have remembered to ask the Ford service adviser about it a long time ago.

 

Thanks.

[meyersnole]

I've often thought I might like some of the features from the Fusion on my C-Max, but reading all this I think maybe it is complicated enough without the extra bells and whistles.

 

I would have considered the C-Max but the lack of ACC and other travel friendly features were kinda a deal breaker for me. 

[jeff_h]

Thanks so much, everyone. I will get out my owner's manual (or look at it on-line) and find the sections mentioned in the replies. I don't know how it could be humidity with this being Arizona where it rarely rains or even has any humidity.

 

My red Energi used to do that almost every morning when I would head out to work, put it in drive and count down from about 10-15 seconds and there goes the alert about the front camera... I checked around and didn't see anything wrong with the camera housing that might be letting in moisture, outside of the window was fine as it would happen even after washing the car so the outside was definitely clean.  And if there was ever a trouble code launched it was not one that ever lit anything on the dash. 

 

So I'd hit the button to dismiss the notice just about every morning (strange that it would rarely ever occur other than first thing in the morning) and after that all was fine; lane keeping worked fine whenever I used it.  I figured the more advanced technology that comes into play the more chances for little quirks like this, so if was never that big of a deal to me since the lane keeping was still working fine.

[mrmikel]

I'm no expert here, but have you thought of just taking a cotton cloth and wiping the camera lens on the back of the rear view mirrior and then also wiping the inside of the windshield on the inside where the camera is looking out?  No idea if this even makes sense, but just thought I woud throw it out there.

 

Sometimes its the simple solutions.

[howardbc]

Thanks, mrmikel, but it is not possible to reach the lens/camera that is between the rear-view mirror and the windshield. It's completely sealed. 

 

Evidently it's just some kind of a glitch with no serious implications other than concerning the driver when it first happens. jeff_h has the same thing happen to him.

 

I'll mention it to the Ford service adviser when I go in before my warranty runs out in late March. It's been a great car. 

[mrmikel]

I'm talking about the cover over the camera.  That plastc can get filmy, just like the windows can.

[howardbc]

Wow, you're right. It feels like the plastic cover behind the rear-view mirror could be removed and that it may be allowing dust/whatever into the area where the forward-facing camera is. But I am not touching it. I'll get the service department to check it out. 

 

Thanks. 

[stevedebi]

I would have considered the C-Max but the lack of ACC and other travel friendly features were kinda a deal breaker for me. 

I sat in the Fusion, and it was too short for easy access. I loved the C-Max height and ease of entrance. I don't think the Fusion is lacking, but I was coming from a Ford Escape Hybrid, and I'm used to the easy in/out!

[meyersnole]

I sat in the Fusion, and it was too short for easy access. I loved the C-Max height and ease of entrance. I don't think the Fusion is lacking, but I was coming from a Ford Escape Hybrid, and I'm used to the easy in/out!

 

And that is the rub. I like the driving features of the Fusion for travel, but my wife would like a travel car that has a bit more space for the luggage, better seating position, etc. Really surprised that so much of the cars are shared, but you can not get the same options. The C Max is a very nice car. 

[stevedebi]

And that is the rub. I like the driving features of the Fusion for travel, but my wife would like a travel car that has a bit more space for the luggage, better seating position, etc. Really surprised that so much of the cars are shared, but you can not get the same options. The C Max is a very nice car. 

Yes, it is anice car, as is the fusion, my daughter has one (ICE model). I recommend the VW Passat for travel. Great driving car, enormous trunk. Unfortuately the diesel can't be had at present. We get early 40's MPG at 75 MPH on ours. But the gas version does pretty good on the road as well (38 highway).

 

I enjoy freeway cruising in my C-max - it has huge windows that make it easy to see the scenery.

Edited February 2, 2016 at 12:40 AM by stevedebi