replacing the front assist radar?

[memorymaker]

Hi everyone, I have "Acc not available" and "front assist not available" warning lights on dashboard of my April 2016 T6 California Beach. My local VW van dealership when doing a recent service and vehicle health check tell me its because my "front assist radar" (in the black circle just above the registration plate / just below the front bonnet) is damaged beyond repair and needs to be replaced. They quoted me £974 for the new part, labour and "recalibration". Seems a bit steep for functionality I have never used(I!), but want to get it done as I may end up having to sell the campervan in the New Year.

Anyone else had this happen to them and could recommend a more cost effective alternative supplier / garage / mechanic? My campervan is out of its extended warranty period.

We live in South East London / Kent.

Many thanks in advance!

 

[Lightning]

Hi everyone, I have "Acc not available" and "front assist not available" warning lights on dashboard of my April 2016 T6 California Beach. My local VW van dealership when doing a recent service and vehicle health check tell me its because my "front assist radar" (in the black circle just above the registration plate / just below the front bonnet) is damaged beyond repair and needs to be replaced. They quoted me £974 for the new part, labour and "recalibration". Seems a bit steep for functionality I have never used(I!), but want to get it done as I may end up having to sell the campervan in the New Year.

Anyone else had this happen to them and could recommend a more cost effective alternative supplier / garage / mechanic? My campervan is out of its extended warranty period.

We live in South East London / Kent.

Many thanks in advance!

The cost of repairing these vans is officially ridiculous. £600 for a wing mirror and now £1000 for a sensor. They are not going to be viable to keep on the road when they get older.

 

[Legin]

All I know is that setting up the sensor is big job and requires specialist equipt only a main dealer will have, As you dont use it i would look to get the system downrated to normal cruise and junk the sensor.
Probably just a coding job if you can find somewhere savvy.

 

[WelshGas]

Hi everyone, I have "Acc not available" and "front assist not available" warning lights on dashboard of my April 2016 T6 California Beach. My local VW van dealership when doing a recent service and vehicle health check tell me its because my "front assist radar" (in the black circle just above the registration plate / just below the front bonnet) is damaged beyond repair and needs to be replaced. They quoted me £974 for the new part, labour and "recalibration". Seems a bit steep for functionality I have never used(I!), but want to get it done as I may end up having to sell the campervan in the New Year.

Anyone else had this happen to them and could recommend a more cost effective alternative supplier / garage / mechanic? My campervan is out of its extended warranty period.

We live in South East London / Kent.

Many thanks in advance!

If it is " Damaged " would it not be an Insurance Claim?

I think you will be a bit stuck for an Alternative to a Main Dealer because only they will have the necessary Calibration equipment required, and I very much doubt there are any alternative suppliers but VW.

 

[Lightning]

All I know is that setting up the sensor is big job and requires specialist equipt only a main dealer will have, As you dont use it i would look to get the system downrated to normal cruise and junk the sensor.
Probably just a coding job if you can find somewhere savvy.

It’s also used for the emergency city braking even on vans without ACC. VW check sensor alignment every time they adjust tracking too, so it’s not a long job to align it, but does require VW specialist equipment.

 

[Tom Rae]

Hi everyone, I have "Acc not available" and "front assist not available" warning lights on dashboard of my April 2016 T6 California Beach. My local VW van dealership when doing a recent service and vehicle health check tell me its because my "front assist radar" (in the black circle just above the registration plate / just below the front bonnet) is damaged beyond repair and needs to be replaced. They quoted me £974 for the new part, labour and "recalibration". Seems a bit steep for functionality I have never used(I!), but want to get it done as I may end up having to sell the campervan in the New Year.

Anyone else had this happen to them and could recommend a more cost effective alternative supplier / garage / mechanic? My campervan is out of its extended warranty period.

We live in South East London / Kent.

Many thanks in advance!

If the item is "damaged" then, as Welsh Gas suggests, could this be an insurance issue? If the damage is caused by ingress of water or similar then it would suggest to me that the original unit was not fit for purpose and might there be a possibility of VW goodwill? I think the nature of the damage needs more explanation? For me, the post also highlights the wisdom of buying as much VW warranty cover as you can and when you can - though I don't think "damage" would be covered?

 

[Lightning]

I had this warning come on briefly but often when my starter battery was depleted. It stopped coming on when the battery was charged up after driving around. I was told it was due to power management. Is your warning on permanently?

 

[Amarillo]

After a low speed crash in Poland we had ours fixed and recalibrated. The local dealers couldn't do it so it was sent off elsewhere. Recalibration is a big job which few main dealers can do.

 

[Mike59]

I had this message come up on my 2016 Ocean after I hit a pheasant. I ended up moving the sensor slightly myself and it suddenly started working again and has been ok ever since. There is a video on YouTube where a guy replaced a damaged one on a golf and it worked ok. Try and give it a wiggle.

 

[SailSki]

I had a similar issue twice with my 2016 Ocean - both Times it has started working again, so I wouldn’t rush to get it repaired in case it starts working again

 

[SimonB]

Have you seen this thread on ACC which has been running since 2017. There is quite a bit of duplication, could the threads be merged please?

ACC not available

Got this message twice en route in Spain. Any ideas why? Only one dead fly on the radar box at the front. But quite frustrating. And the auto headlight seems to stay on dipped but apart from that things are good.

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[memorymaker]

If it is " Damaged " would it not be an Insurance Claim?

I think you will be a bit stuck for an Alternative to a Main Dealer because only they will have the necessary Calibration equipment required, and I very much doubt there are any alternative suppliers but VW.

Thanks. Garage said likely someone or something hit the radar/sensor (which seems odd as no other damage to front of van) so hadn't thought of insurance - I'll give them a call!

 

[memorymaker]

If the item is "damaged" then, as Welsh Gas suggests, could this be an insurance issue? If the damage is caused by ingress of water or similar then it would suggest to me that the original unit was not fit for purpose and might there be a possibility of VW goodwill? I think the nature of the damage needs more explanation? For me, the post also highlights the wisdom of buying as much VW warranty cover as you can and when you can - though I don't think "damage" would be covered?

thanks, I'll ask the garage for more info on the damage - they just said likely someone or something hit the radar / sensor, which is odd as no other visible damage to the area

 

[memorymaker]

I had this warning come on briefly but often when my starter battery was depleted. It stopped coming on when the battery was charged up after driving around. I was told it was due to power management. Is your warning on permanently?

yes, been on permanently for months now

 

[memorymaker]

Have you seen this thread on ACC which has been running since 2017. There is quite a bit of duplication, could the threads be merged please?

ACC not available

Got this message twice en route in Spain. Any ideas why? Only one dead fly on the radar box at the front. But quite frustrating. And the auto headlight seems to stay on dipped but apart from that things are good.

vwcaliforniaclub.com

thanks. hadn't seen that but have now! will try cleaning it and reattaching the surround.