Radar sensor deactivated itself

[Slartibartfast]

I was driving up north for a few days break last week and while on the M6, in the Cheshire area, the distronic plus switched itself off and a message on the speedo read "Radar sensor deactivated autom. See owners manual". I continued my journey and about 15 minutes later the distronic switched itself back on. When I was travelling back home, at around the same location exactly the same thing happened (distronic off, message on speedo then distronic back on after about 15 minutes).

I looked up in my owners manual when I got home (should have had it with me, I know) and in the display messages section under "Radar sensor deactivated autom." it states that "the vehicle is close to a radio telescope facility and is therefore prohibited from transmitting any radar signals". I think this must have been the Plumley Radio Telescope.

I'm relieved that it was not a faulty system as I believe that Distronic is not cheap to repair.

 

[GeeJayW]

I was driving up north for a few days break last week and while on the M6, in the Cheshire area, the distronic plus switched itself off and a message on the speedo read "Radar sensor deactivated autom. See owners manual". I continued my journey and about 15 minutes later the distronic switched itself back on. When I was travelling back home, at around the same location exactly the same thing happened (distronic off, message on speedo then distronic back on after about 15 minutes).

I looked up in my owners manual when I got home (should have had it with me, I know) and in the display messages section under "Radar sensor deactivated autom." it states that "the vehicle is close to a radio telescope facility and is therefore prohibited from transmitting any radar signals". I think this must have been the Plumley Radio Telescope.

I'm relieved that it was not a faulty system as I believe that Distronic is not cheap to repair.

Or Jodrell Bank, which is only 3 or 4 miles from the M6…

 

[Slartibartfast]

Or Jodrell Bank, which is only 3 or 4 miles from the M6…

I was surprised that there was no info on Google regarding this as I'm sure I'm not the first to experience it

 

[GeeJayW]

I was surprised that there was no info on Google regarding this as I'm sure I'm not the first to experience it

I agree, and would also expect to this to be a reasonably well reported and common issue around radio sensitive installations. Don’t have Distronic radar on our car, so have not come across it myself.

 

[PaulXC]

It's Jordrell Bank - there is some sort of exclusion zone around it. My 2012 E500 turns the Distronic and Blind Spot Assist off when it's within a certain distance of the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank. I live pretty local to Jodrell and so I've got to know when my Distronic and Blind Spot Assist turns its self on and off. I think it's within a 10km radius.

That said, it doesn't effect my wife's 2018 E220d as her Distronic and Blind Spot Assist work on a different frequency.

 

[PaulXC]

Actually, just realised - in the back of the handbook it lists where the systems won't work:

// "distances to be maintained from the facility" Cambridge 9km, Darnhall 5km, Jodrell Bank 9km, Knockin 5km, Pickmere 5km //