What can prevent an ADAS calibration from being completed?

Calibration is carried out against requirements defined for the vehicle and system. It is not simply a matter of connecting equipment and forcing a sensor or camera to accept a new setting.

Depending on the vehicle and procedure, prerequisites may relate to diagnostic condition, vehicle geometry, suspension or ride height, tyres and wheels, vehicle loading, sensor condition and mounting, correct glass or component specification, battery support, calibration setup, environmental conditions or other procedure-specific requirements.

These are examples rather than a universal checklist. The applicable procedure determines what must be satisfied for the particular vehicle, system and calibration method.

Diagnostic information can be relevant to whether calibration can proceed. A relevant fault may indicate a condition that needs investigation before calibration can be completed.

Not every diagnostic trouble code prevents calibration, and a code does not automatically identify the root cause or mean that a sensor needs replacing. Clearing a code is not automatically the solution, and calibration is not a universal fix for fault codes.

Some ADAS systems depend on defined relationships between sensors and the vehicle. Where the applicable procedure includes geometry-related prerequisites, vehicle geometry, suspension, ride height or related adjustments may need to be correct before calibration can proceed or produce an acceptable result.

This does not mean every ADAS calibration requires wheel alignment or that every unsuccessful calibration is caused by geometry. The requirement is vehicle- and procedure-specific.

Some procedures may specify vehicle-state prerequisites involving tyre pressures, wheel or tyre condition, vehicle loading, fuel or load state, or the vehicle's level and stance.

The exact requirements vary. They should be taken from the applicable procedure rather than treated as universal values.

Calibration cannot necessarily compensate for a physical problem. Depending on the system, a damaged sensor or camera, damaged or incorrect mounting, incorrect installation, an obstructed or contaminated sensor view, an associated component issue, or an incorrect part or specification may affect whether calibration can be completed.

This does not mean every physical imperfection blocks calibration. It means relevant installation and component conditions need to meet the applicable procedure. Calibration should not be presented as a way of compensating for an incorrect physical installation or unsuitable component.

For windscreen-mounted cameras, the correct glass specification can be relevant to the system and calibration process. An incorrect or unsuitable windscreen specification should not be treated as something calibration can simply compensate for.

Correct glass and correct calibration are related requirements, but one cannot be used to compensate for the other.

Where static calibration is specified, the procedure may depend on the correct equipment and target or reference, the specified relationship between the vehicle and calibration equipment, a suitable working environment and the required vehicle prerequisites.

If the required setup cannot be achieved, the calibration should not be forced. The exact measurements and setup instructions belong to the applicable procedure.

Where dynamic calibration is specified, successful completion may depend on conditions required by the applicable procedure. Depending on the vehicle and system, these may relate to the road environment, visibility, road markings, traffic conditions, vehicle speed profile, weather or light.

Requirements vary, so no single road or weather condition can be treated as a universal rule. Dynamic calibration may be carried out on a mobile basis where the applicable procedure and conditions allow.

Calibration and diagnostic procedures depend on the vehicle's electronic systems operating appropriately. Some procedures may require suitable battery condition or battery support.

Horizon uses battery support where appropriate. This does not mean that every battery condition prevents calibration; the relevance depends on the vehicle and procedure.

No — not automatically.

An unsuccessful calibration may relate to prerequisites, vehicle or diagnostic condition, physical installation, calibration setup, environmental conditions, a system or component issue, or another procedure-specific factor. The result needs interpretation rather than being treated as proof of sensor failure or technician error.

Repeating a calibration without understanding why the required result was not achieved does not address an underlying prerequisite or vehicle condition.

Where calibration does not complete, the result, relevant diagnostic information, applicable procedure and vehicle or setup conditions should be reviewed before deciding the next step. Repeating the process may be appropriate after a relevant condition is corrected or where the procedure requires it, but repetition alone is not a troubleshooting method.

Not necessarily. Diagnostic information and calibration results are related but not identical.

Depending on the vehicle and system, an unsuccessful calibration may provide diagnostic or calibration information, and a relevant DTC may be present. The absence of a DTC does not prove that all prerequisites were satisfied or that calibration was successful.

If a required calibration cannot be completed, it should not be represented as successfully calibrated. The result and relevant diagnostic information should be reviewed against the applicable procedure, and the underlying prerequisite or vehicle condition should be identified where possible within capability.

The customer or bodyshop should be informed and an appropriate next action advised. Depending on the vehicle and issue, this may involve further diagnostic work, geometry correction, component repair or replacement, another specialist, or manufacturer or dealer-level support. Calibration may then be repeated where appropriate after the relevant condition has been addressed.

Horizon approaches calibration procedure-first. This may include identifying the relevant ADAS system, reviewing the applicable calibration procedure, carrying out relevant diagnostic scanning, checking required prerequisites within our capability and reviewing any unsuccessful result.

Static calibration is carried out at Horizon's Cardiff calibration facility. Dynamic calibration may be carried out on a mobile basis where the applicable procedure and conditions allow.

Where calibration cannot be completed, Horizon can document and explain the result, advise the customer or bodyshop if another condition needs to be addressed, and support the next step within our capability. We do not claim to diagnose or resolve every possible blocker.