The message keeps coming up the MFD that the front assist or front sensor is not available, is this a dealer only fix ? Can this message be disabled ?

Have you made sure the front sensor is clean? It will not work if it is covered in mud.

Yeah cleaned it, checked the fuse, where it's plugged in etc. still no joy

Can the message be removed using VCDS ?

If this is the son's colour edition - the one in need of a headlamp - what other accident damage is there?

2 hours ago, johnh510 said:

If this is the son's colour edition - the one in need of a headlamp - what other accident damage is there?

 

Yeah same one, but the warning was coming up before he had the bump headlamp and wing took the brunt, minor damage to the corner of the bumper.

I’d say the radar has been knocked.  Right pain in the butt.   I was driving in torrential rain on a motorway and this also came up.  Called the dealer and they said to bring it in.   Two days later when I started the car, it seemed to have reset itself so I cancelled the  appointment.  Then it started intermittently switching on and off.

Finally took it into for a service and they tried to claim the radar had been knocked and I needed to pay $500 AUD to get it recalibrated.  I refused, stuck to my guns and they fixed it at no cost.

its a really stupid place to put a radar. 

I drove the in laws Volvo in Sweden at Christmas and Volvo have theirs in the windscreen.  Much better place if you ask me.

Funny thing the citigo I had also had it in the screen 

The Citigo system is much more basic. The Fabia's radar is operating at all speeds, not just below 20mph like in the Citigo, and is capable of controlling Adaptive Cruise Control. It's still badly located though. The newer Skodas with the radar in the middle of the grille, and the newer VWs with it hidden behind the VW logo, are much better. 

My MFD displayed the message the other day "Collision mitigation sensor function is impaired" - or words to that effect.

 

When I stopped and checked the front of the car, everything was clean as a whistle. Upon starting and setting off again everything was functioning normally.

 

Only thing I can think of is that it was a rainy day, but I wouldn't have thought that would impact the sensor's ability to sense, as it were.

Edited 12 May, 20188 yr by Shenanigans000

I've had it say 'Front Assist Unavailable' during a downpour before. It was truly torrential rain- I couldn't go any faster than 20 mph because I couldn't see far enough! I'm not surprised that the system baulked at that.

 

I don't know what frequency the radar uses, but it wouldn't surprise me if water did still give a meaningful return, and the 'noise' which the rain would cause to the sensor could confuse it. 

With VCDS Check the AC isn't "Installed" Check Box.

The car is booked in next week to have the wing replaced and bumper repaired, I'll be checking the front radar but have read on one of the VW forums that a guy replaced the radar fitting and cleared the error using vagcom and it didn't return, no need for calibration. Can the error message at start up be removed/reset using VCDS ? if So I think I need to find someone near me will go and look at the VCDS map !!

 

 

I've had the "front assist not available" message piping up at me intermittently over the past few days. Car has recently been cleaned. Also intermittently having the icon of the cruise control with the (!) sign next to it. Not sure what has triggered these and whether they are related. Monitoring over the next few days - but the car also refused to start yesterday morning, needed jump-starting, which is making me think there's a problem with the battery. I know we've had a dip in temperature here in the North West of the UK but surely not severe enough to trigger all this?!

The low level radar sensor is susceptible to damage, if you say you had the car cleaned, did they use a pressure washer directly on it.  If so might have damaged or dislodged it, or might have got water in circuitry.   

 

Possibly excess water has also caused the battery problem, and drying everything out sorts it.  A weak battery might need replacing.   Open bonnet and spray WD40 on electric parts (don’t spray radar)

 

Better check the terms and conditions of the cleaning company, as sounds like a difficult claim might be in order.

 

 

On 04/01/2019 at 08:30, SurreyJohn said:

The low level radar sensor is susceptible to damage, if you say you had the car cleaned, did they use a pressure washer directly on it.  If so might have damaged or dislodged it, or might have got water in circuitry.   

 

Possibly excess water has also caused the battery problem, and drying everything out sorts it.  A weak battery might need replacing.   Open bonnet and spray WD40 on electric parts (don’t spray radar)

 

Better check the terms and conditions of the cleaning company, as sounds like a difficult claim might be in order.

 

 

Thanks. Not had the sensor messaging since I posted this - and all seems to be working normally at the moment. Have had it cleaned at the same place several times before and never had a problem, which made me wonder if was all linked to the battery. Going to ring the dealership today regarding the battery as the car has been a little tentative starting since last week. Like you say, could be a weak battery.