Sonar Control Unit Not Working

[kmansteve]

I recently had my 2013 Nissan Rogue Special Edition's standard non-bose speaker system upgraded to a Kenwood DNX890HD. I kept the standard rearview camera and was able to have the installer wire it to still work. However, I don't believe my Sonar Control Unit is working. i'm not sure if it's related or non-related as I can't recall how recently it stopped. From the Nissan Rogue's Service Manual supplement for "Sonar System" (Section S), it looks like there's no direct connection or relationship between the Sonar System and the stereo. It looks like there's just a sonar control unit and then just the sensors. From what I can tell, it looks like the unit "buzzes" and does not utilize the car's stereo functions. Does anyone have any idea or suggestions?

Thanks,

Steve

[Rogue One]

Do a diagnostic test.

The reason the light shows off all the time is probably because the system is seeing a fault. You can enter self diagnostics on the system with the sonar switch on the left. Key on, in park, engine off, try this.
1. wait about three seconds after turning key on, indicator should go off, and press the sonar button 10 times within 5 seconds.
2. The buzzer should sound once.
3. press button again
4. the indicator should flash and hear a tone for each code stored(count them)
5. press button again, and it should start hearing two different tones for each code with a four second interval between each display of the code. I will repeat each code 5 times. If you let it run through all five it will exit self diagnostics.
6. it will be a series of high and low tones such as one low and two high meaning 12 and so on. it may be high first, can't remember. It may be monotone, with a 1 second space between digits.
7. after you have heard the code a couple of times to be sure you have it press the button again to go on to the next, and so on, till you have read all the codes.
8.when you have read all the codes and there is no more beeping, hold the button down for three to five seconds, to put it into idle mode.
9.wait about two seconds and hold the button again down for three to five seconds again, this will erase the memory from the control unit.
10.turn key off, wait ten seconds, turn key on again and put it into reverse, and see if the light comes on.

When the light comes back on, repeat the previous steps. It has been my experience that when a fault occurs, it throws a lot of false codes, thats why I erase them first and then check again, this should give you your true faults.
If you can't get a tone, you may have a bad speaker. That can cause a problem too.

codes:
11 outer left
12 inner left
13 inner right
14 outer right
21 sonar buzzer problem
22 sonar indicator problem
23 switch problem
24 control unit problem

[kmansteve]

Rogue One,

What light? I have no fault light indicator. I just don't hear any buzz/alarm when backing up and/or nearing anything behind the vehicle. What Sonar button? I'm not aware of any button that I can press? Again, I upgraded my stereo to a Kenwood. From my reading the tech manuals, the sonar control interface does not connect directly r indirectly with the stereo or speakers?

[Rogue One]

Rogue One,

What light? I have no fault light indicator. I just don't hear any buzz/alarm when backing up and/or nearing anything behind the vehicle. What Sonar button? I'm not aware of any button that I can press? Again, I upgraded my stereo to a Kenwood. From my reading the tech manuals, the sonar control interface does not connect directly r indirectly with the stereo or speakers?

Here's a novel idea, try taking your vehicle back to the people that installed your new head unit. They should warranty their work, and are liable for anything they screw up.

[kmansteve]

Thanks

[Black B15]

Do all Rogue's with the rear view monitors have that sonar thing? Because I have a 2012 Rogue S Special Edition, with the rearview monitor, and it has NEVER beeped or made any sound as I approach something when I am backing up. I remember the salesman saying that it was supposed to do that too.

Also, is this something you can confirm you had prior to the install of the new head unit? For some reason I was under the impression that only those Rogue's with the 360 package had that sonar feature included.

Where's ImStricken? He usually is up to speed on this type of thing. I expect he will be chiming in shortly.

[kmansteve]

Black B15,

Thanks for your response. That's a good question. In the owner's manual, it appears to be a standard for 2013 Rogues. The manual does not differentiate between the 360 package and non-360. Unfortunately, I've had the car since January and just can't recall whether it ever functioned.

I was worried that maybe upgrading my stereo may have messed it up. However, the AV service manual and sonar service manual makes it appear to be a stand-alone device that does not interface with the stereo and only beeps just like your car beeps when starting it up, etc. I've made an appointment with my Nissan dealer to verify. But, I'd like to know ahead of time if possible.

[Black B15]

Black B15,

Thanks for your response. That's a good question. In the owner's manual, it appears to be a standard for 2013 Rogues. The manual does not differentiate between the 360 package and non-360. Unfortunately, I've had the car since January and just can't recall whether it ever functioned.

I was worried that maybe upgrading my stereo may have messed it up. However, the AV service manual and sonar service manual makes it appear to be a stand-alone device that does not interface with the stereo and only beeps just like your car beeps when starting it up, etc. I've made an appointment with my Nissan dealer to verify. But, I'd like to know ahead of time if possible.

No worries. Oh, and Rogue One has good intentions and provided a helluva lot more knowledge on the subject than I have. Just kind of take everything with a grain of salt, no real disrespect was intended I am sure.

Truth is, these folks know their Rogue's pretty well. I reacted the exact same way as you did when I first posted on this forum. This bunch is just a little more rowdy than most, that's all.

Can anyone confirm if the "sonar" feature (or whatever the heck it is called) is included on all Rogues with that rearview monitor and color display, or if it is just installed on the 360 packages or other upgraded packages?

I was informed at the dealership that this Special Edition package included the rearview camera with color monitor AND that feature that would present an audible noise or warning when backing up and something was behind me.

[Black B15]

You know what, let me just take a quick look in my FSM and stop being lazy. LOL. Give me a few to see what I can find out.

[kmansteve]

Thanks

[Rogue One]

Sorry, woke up cranky. Stuck working graveyard shift indefinitely.

Anyway, info on this feature is hard to come by. As far as I can tell, the sonar system is only on the standard S package. Upgrading to back up camera eliminates the sonar (probably considered redundant). A sure way to tell if yours has sonar is to look at the rear bumper. You should see a series of 4 or so quarter sized indents running the length of it. These are the sensors. If your rear end is smooth then no sonar.

Yep, we're definitely a rowdy bunch here! You don't have to be crazy to join in, but it helps!

[kmansteve]

Thanks for explaining. Guess we've all had rough days. Yes, my Rogue S Special edition, has those four sonar panels. I just can't recall if the sonar ever worked or worked until I upgraded my stereo or...?

Maybe, I'll just have to wait until I have Nissan dealer check it out next Friday. Frustrating not having a simple way to check it short of not hearing anything, which doesn't tell me much.

[Rogue One]

Cool. Until now I wasn't even aware of this new feature. Guess I'll have to download the 2013 manual to see if there's anything else of interest. Nissan's website was just this side of useless. Found a .pdf brochure online that clued me in (pg. 6). http://www.tonygrahamnissan.com/uploads ... ochure.pdf

When you get a chance, it'd be great to see some shots of your ride.

[Black B15]

Yep, Rogue One hit it right on the head....and I do NOT have those little sensors in my bumper just a smooth surface throughout.