Advice on calibrating adaptive cruise control (ICC sensor)

[emm3seven]

I've got adaptive / intelligent cruise control optioned on my 2011 M37x as part of the Tech package. It's gotten a little flaky over the past few years when trying to hold speed with a car in front, particularly at the closest or furthest distance settings, and it does a lot of small repetitive surging of speed like it's hunting to find the car.

The mounting bracket for the sensor in the lower front driver's side bumper has nearly disintegrated from 15 years of salt-driven rust, though it still appears to be structurally sound (the sensor can't be moved by hand in the bracket or anything like that). But I couldn't pay to have the existing sensor recalibrated even if I wanted to, because the adjustment part of the bracket is rusted solid.

I recently picked up a used updated ICC module for a song on eBay, with a pristine bracket. I'm either going to swap the whole module (which is a newer compatible 2017 p/n 28437-1MA0C vs. the stock -1MA0A) or just steal its bracket if the sensor module itself doesn't work out.

Either way, I'm going to need to calibrate the ICC module when I'm done swapping parts. I've collected some research on this, and it looks like a CONSULT-III, special laser-reflective target, and complex process is required per page CCS-75 of the 2011 M FSM.

I have a Foxwell NT-710 bidirectional scanner that I believe supports the proper CONSULT-III work support calibration function, and I'd love to be able to DIY this. I've even seen folks selling a printable calibration pattern (on a USB stick, lol) on eBay, though I'd need to rig up a very precise frame to print and mount it on.

Am I crazy? Should I just pay Infiniti to do the calibration?

Curious if anybody has any experience / advice (VStar, looking at you lol).

--

Pics so folks know what I'm talking about:

Calibration pattern


ICC Module


ICC Module Location

[VStar650CL]

You don't actually need all the laser crap, masking tape on the garage floor parallel to the wheels and crossed at the target distance works fine. But you do need a target, the Nissan one is a 28" square plate of 3/16" alloy steel. We don't have the Infiniti tool here but it looks a bit narrower. You need to jig it up centered to the radar at 13' and be able to pivot it 25 degrees left and right.

[emm3seven]

Thanks VStar. Are you sure about the special patterned panel not being needed for the older ICC systems? In my research I came across some mention of the mirror-based calibration being a much easier system that the newer sensors can use but the old ones couldn’t. Made me think the older systems have some different self-calibration logic that wouldn't work with a simple mirror. The calibration process in the 2011 M seems to be the same as ICC modules in the previous generation of M (like pre-2009).

(I’d love to be wrong…)

[VStar650CL]

I'm a Nissan guy, I can't actually even tell you whether it's a radar, a lidar, or both. Nissan never used that system and didn't even get radar till around '16. I suspect yours is a radar at least in part, since they want the target tilted at 25 degrees. A lidar signal at that angle would probably be too weak to make it back to the transceiver. You might want to visit an Infiniti shop and ask for a looksee at their target.

[VStar650CL]

BTW, there's a complete FSM for your ride here in Nico. You can view the factory procedure starting on page CCS-74 here:
https://www.nicoclub.com/service-manual ... %2FCCS.pdf

[emm3seven]

Thanks. I did find that procedure in the FSM. And it's definitely laser-based, not radio-based. Looks like a similar system has been in use for Infiniti adaptive cruise since 2002, based on this Infiniti Service Bulletin describing the calibration target and procedure:

https://usermanual.wiki/Document/1RB14.1532214280.pdf



(And that SB predates my M by a couple of years!)

Appreciate you sharing your insights on the Nissan side. Based on your description I'm guessing the ICC systems that arrived on Nissan cars in 2016 is a totally different (and easier to calibrate!) system.

So I suppose I'm still wondering if anyone has had experience with DIY calibration of the laser-based ICC systems on Infiniti cars.

[VStar650CL]

That board is only $74 from TechMate with no dealer discount. You might just want to buy one. I think they'll sell direct, but if not a Nissan/Infiniti Parts Dept should be able to order you one.
https://techmatetools.com/Catalog/Product?id=NI-45718-B

[emm3seven]

Good find, thanks! With the info from that service bulletin I could probably rig up my own frame to hold the target.

[emm3seven]

Well, local Infiniti dealer wants $690 to calibrate it. Looking at the procedure in the FSM, I can perhaps understand why, it looks like an absurdly complex and lengthy process. Maybe I'll figure this out and do a write-up...

[VStar650CL]

That info came straight from Nissan ASIST. We're not an Infiniti dealer and I can't get into their parts dbase except indirectly, but I can get everything from their service dbase.