dynamic cruise control on avalon 2006

adrien1977 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-13-2006, 07:56 PM

Hi again.
This time I "may" have an issue with the dynamic cruise control.
Like I said (i repeat just in case) I got the car from auction after accident and my in laws repaired it.

So the laser unit was apparently flooded. They cleaned it and put it back
I tried the cruise control yesterday and it sets the speed fine but do not detect a slower car in front. It keeps the same speed.

Could it be because he installed it wrong?

Is there a method to install it properly?

Also, I assume that if there is a problem with the laser unit, the dashboard should show an E3 error code right?

thanks

--adrien

mustang67408 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-14-2006, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adrien1977

Hi again.
This time I "may" have an issue with the dynamic cruise control.
Like I said (i repeat just in case) I got the car from auction after accident and my in laws repaired it.

So the laser unit was apparently flooded. They cleaned it and put it back
I tried the cruise control yesterday and it sets the speed fine but do not detect a slower car in front. It keeps the same speed.

Could it be because he installed it wrong?

Is there a method to install it properly?

Also, I assume that if there is a problem with the laser unit, the dashboard should show an E3 error code right?

thanks

--adrien

If the front laser unit has been in an accident , then it needs to be replaced. The water that was inside probably ruined it too. Especially if the key was on when it was flooded with water.
If you even drop one of these units, they are junk. The brackets also have to be perfectly aligned, if they are bent, its time for a new unit too.
Once the new unit is installed you have to properly adjusted. Its a major pain.
Your also going to need a toyota scan tool to properly pull a code to tell you the general idea of the area of failure.
The front laser unit would be the first thing I would replace and Initialize (adjust).

adrien1977 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-14-2006, 08:37 AM

Thanks for the suggestion.
However, if the unit was damage, should not i see an error on the dashboard like E3 saying that the system is not functional?

When I press the cruise control button, everything is fine in the car.

thanks

mustang67408 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-14-2006, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adrien1977

Thanks for the suggestion.
However, if the unit was damage, should not i see an error on the dashboard like E3 saying that the system is not functional?

When I press the cruise control button, everything is fine in the car.

thanks

In theory yes, but real world situations differ some times.
The unit is working but wont detect cars and distance. That tells me there is something wrong with the front unit. The ecu may see that the unit is working because it sets, they dont really tell us what the parameters re form the ERR codes.
It may only need to be recalibrated and adjusted (AXIS ADJUSTMENT), or there may be a problem elsehwere .The dealership has special tools for this axis adjustment.

The laser sensor and the distance control ECU
(cruise control ECU) control the system while the
vehicle- to-vehicle distance control mode is in
operation, and send signals to each actuator and
ECU.

In vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode, the
dynamic laser cruise control system receives
signals from the yaw rate & deceleration sensor and
the steering angle sensor. Based on these signals, it
then estimates curve radius and compensates for
information on the preceding vehicle while turning. It
can also compensate for the brake control when
approaching another vehicle.

This system judges the existence of a vehicle in
front and the distance to it based on the signals from
the laser sensor while the vehicle-to-vehicle
distance control mode is in operation. Using this
information, the system informs the driver of any
danger with the warning buzzer, performs brake
control, and turns on the stop light when
approaching the vehicle in front.

You might want to invest in a manual from Toyota. This is not an easy system to diagnos, all the parts in this system are very expensive to just use educated guesses.

Victor

deanphan2007 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 09:52 AM

I used to love the laser cruise control but not now anymore. I dont know if anyone realized that this feature got a big flaw. Few months ago, I almost hit the pickup truck because of this. The flaw is: the brake light never light up while the car is slowing down due to the braking of the front car. It is dangerous because the car behind you wont realize that your car is slowing down. Have any one realized that?

mustang67408 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deanphan2007

I used to love the laser cruise control but not now anymore. I dont know if anyone realized that this feature got a big flaw. Few months ago, I almost hit the pickup truck because of this. The flaw is: the brake light never light up while the car is slowing down due to the braking of the front car. It is dangerous because the car behind you wont realize that your car is slowing down. Have any one realized that?

If the stop lights are not lighting up then there is a problem in your vehicle.
They are designed to turn on and alert the vehicle behind you.

The skid control ecu/engine ecu and DISTANCE control ECU (laser cruise ecu) are all linked together.

Quote:

This system judges the existence of a vehicle in front and the distance to it based on the signals from the laser sensor while the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode is in operation. Using this information, the system informs the driver of any danger with the warning buzzer, performs brake control, and turns on the stop light when approaching the vehicle in front.

This is right out of the TOYOTA MANUAL.

Just curious, HOW DO YOU KNOW THE BRAKE LIGHTS DIDNT COME ON?