Ultrasonic sensor showing weird reading

Question

When i run a test code in Newping library for ultrasonic sensor SR04 then in works properly but when i run the actual code for obstacle avoiding robot then it shows 0 cm everytime. This means that wiring is correct but there is something wrong in my code below

#include <NewPing.h>
#include <AFMotor.h> //import your motor shield library

#define TRIGGER_PIN  12
#define ECHO_PIN     11
#define MAX_DISTANCE 200

NewPing sonar(TRIGGER_PIN, ECHO_PIN, MAX_DISTANCE);

AF_DCMotor motor1(1, MOTOR12_64KHZ); // set up motors.
AF_DCMotor motor2(2, MOTOR12_8KHZ);

int distance;

void setup() {
Serial.begin(115200);
}

void loop() {
  delay(50);
  distance = sonar.ping_cm(); // start the scan
  delay(20);
  if (distance < 2) {   
   Serial.println("Close Obstacle detected!" );
   Serial.println("Obstacle Details:");
   Serial.print("Distance From Robot is " );
   Serial.print(distance);
   Serial.print( " CM!");// print out the distance in centimeters.
   delay(10);
   Serial.println (" The obstacle is declared a threat due to close distance. ");
   Serial.println (" Turning !");
   motor1.run(FORWARD);  // Turn as long as there's an obstacle ahead.
   motor2.run(BACKWARD);

}
  else {
   Serial.println("No obstacle detected. going forward");
   delay(15);
   motor1.run(FORWARD); //if there's no obstacle ahead, Go Forward! 
   motor2.run(FORWARD);
  }
}

Test code for sensor which worked:-

#include <NewPing.h>

#define TRIGGER_PIN  12
#define ECHO_PIN     11
#define MAX_DISTANCE 200

NewPing sonar(TRIGGER_PIN, ECHO_PIN, MAX_DISTANCE);

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
}

void loop() {
  delay(50);
  Serial.print("Ping: ");
  Serial.print(sonar.ping_cm());
  Serial.println("cm");
}

Tell me whats wrong here

Motor Shield used below Wiring of sensor is connected to Arduino below the shield

Answer 1

Try with

unsigned int distance;

Instead of

int distance;

It could also be the motor shield that is using the same pins as your ultrasonic sensor.