Electronic Vehicle Information Center Switch - Operation

OPERATION

The Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) switch pod is a resistor multiplexed unit that provides a hard wired output to the Local Interface Network (LIN) slave node, which is integral to the speed control switch pod on the right horizontal spoke bezel of the steering wheel. The LIN slave node communicates the switch or sensor states of the EVIC switches, the remote radio switches, the horn switch and the heated steering wheel sensor (if equipped) over the LIN data bus to the LIN master node integral to the Steering Angle Sensor (SAS) on the back of the clockspring case. The SAS is also a gateway to the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus.

The EVIC switch pod contains six push buttons whose functions are:

- BACK - Pressing and releasing the BACK push button returns you to the previous sub menu or main menu.
- DOWN ARROW - Pressing and releasing the DOWN ARROW push button allows the operator to scroll downward through the various EVIC main menus and sub menus.
- PHONE - On vehicles so equipped, pressing and releasing the PHONE push button prepares the Uconnect(TM) Phone system for operation of the available hands-free mobile phone features.
- RIGHT ARROW (SELECT) - Pressing and releasing the RIGHT ARROW (SELECT) push button allows the operator to navigate, select and reset items or settings in the currently displayed EVIC main menu or sub menu. Pressing and holding the RIGHT ARROW (SELECT) push button for two seconds provides a global reset of all of those EVIC features that can be reset, whether currently displayed or not.
- UP ARROW - Pressing and releasing the UP ARROW push button allows the operator to scroll upward through the various EVIC main menus and sub menus.
- VR (VOICE RESPONSE) - On vehicles so equipped, pressing and releasing the VR (VOICE RESPONSE) push button prepares the Uconnect(TM) Voice Command system to respond to a verbal command.

The LIN slave node circuitry of the speed control switch pod provides current for all of the switches and sensors on the rotating steering wheel as well as for the Light Emitting Diode (LED) back lighting of both the speed control and the EVIC switch pods. The SAS continually monitors all of the hard wired speed control switch circuits as well as the LIN bus data. The SAS will store a Signal Not Available (SNA) code for any LIN bus input errors. The SAS also communicates with other electronic modules over the CAN data bus. Therefore, any SAS DTC information can be retrieved using a diagnostic scan tool connected to the Data Link Connector (DLC).

The analog resistor multiplexed circuits of the EVIC switch pod as well as the hard wired circuits between the switch pod and the speed control switch pod may be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wiring information includes wiring diagrams, proper wire and connector repair procedures, details of wire harness routing and retention, connector pin-out information and location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.

However, conventional diagnostic methods will not prove conclusive in the diagnosis of the LIN slave or master nodes, the SAS or the electronic controls and communication between modules and other devices that provide some features of the EVIC system. The most reliable, efficient, and accurate means to diagnose the EVIC switch pod, the LIN slave or master nodes, the SAS or the electronic controls and communication related to EVIC system operation requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.