Commander 2WD V6-3.7L (2009)
Security Lamp/Indicator: Description and Operation
Security System Indicator - Operation
OPERATION
The security indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator when the Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS) is arming or is armed. On vehicles
equipped with the Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIS), the security indicator also gives an indication to the vehicle operator of the status of the
SKIS. This indicator is controlled by a transistor on the instrument cluster circuit board based upon cluster programming, hard wired inputs to the cluster
from the various security system components, and electronic messages received by the cluster from the Wireless Ignition Node (WIN) over the
Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus.
The security indicator Light Emitting Diode (LED) is completely controlled by the instrument cluster logic circuit, and that logic will allow this indicator
to operate whenever the instrument cluster receives a battery current input on the fused B(+) circuit. Therefore, the LED can be illuminated regardless of
the ignition switch position. The LED only illuminates when it is provided a path to ground by the instrument cluster transistor. Depending upon the
programmed condition the indicator can be illuminated solid, flashed at a slow rate (0.5 Hertz, 12.5 percent duty cycle), or flashed at a fast rate (1 Hertz,
50 percent duty cycle). The instrument cluster will turn ON the security indicator for the following reasons:
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Bulb Test - Each time the ignition switch is turned to the ON position the security indicator illuminates for about two seconds as a bulb test. The
entire bulb test is a function of the WIN.
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VTSS Indication - During the 16 second VTSS arming function, the cluster will flash the security indicator ON and OFF repeatedly at a steady,
fast rate to indicate that the VTSS is in the process of arming. Following successful VTSS arming, the cluster flashes the security indicator ON and
OFF continuously at a slower rate to indicate that the VTSS is armed. The security indicator continues flashing at the slower rate until the VTSS is
disarmed or triggered. If the VTSS has alarmed and rearmed, the cluster will flash the security indicator at a steady, slow rate for about 30 seconds
after the VTSS is disarmed.
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SKIS Indicator Lamp-On Message - Each time the cluster receives an electronic SKIS indicator lamp-ON message from the WIN, the security
indicator will be illuminated. The indicator can be flashed ON and OFF, or illuminated solid, as dictated by the WIN message. The indicator
remains illuminated solid or continues to flash until the cluster receives a lamp-OFF message from the WIN, or until the ignition switch is turned
to the OFF position, whichever occurs first. For more information on the SKIS and the security indicator control parameters, See: Description and
Operation/Vehicle Theft Security System - Operation.
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SKIS Textual Message - When the WIN detects certain monitored conditions or is placed in the programming mode it will send electronic
messages requesting the cluster display textual messages, and the appropriate textual message or combination of messages is illuminated in the
cluster reconfigurable dot matrix display. PROGRAMMING ACTIVE, NEW KEY PROGRAMMED, REMOTE KEY BATTERY LOW,
and SERVICE SECURITY KEY messages appear individually, while a KEY NOT PROGRAMMED message is followed by either a
DAMAGED KEY, INVALID KEY or EXCEEDED KEY PROGRAM LIMIT message, and an INVALID KEY message is followed by a
TRY ALTERNATE KEY message. The textual messages related to key programming are active only on vehicles sold in markets where customer
programming is an available feature of the SKIS.
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Communication Error - If the cluster receives no lamp-ON or lamp-OFF messages from the WIN for 10 consecutive message cycles, the security
indicator is illuminated by the instrument cluster. The indicator remains controlled and illuminated by the cluster until a valid lamp-ON or
lamp-OFF message is received from the WIN.
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Self Test - Each time the instrument cluster is put through the self test, the security indicator will be turned ON, then OFF again during the bulb
check portion of the test to confirm the functionality of the LED and the cluster control circuitry.
The instrument cluster circuitry controls the security indicator whenever the ignition switch is in the OFF position and the VTSS is arming, armed, or
alarming. Whenever the ignition switch is in the ON or START positions, the WIN performs a self-test to decide whether the SKIS is in good operating
condition and whether a valid key is present in the ignition lock cylinder. The WIN then sends the proper lamp-ON or lamp-OFF message to the
instrument cluster, also known as the Cab Compartment Node (CCN). If the cluster flashes the security indicator upon ignition ON, or turns ON the
security indicator solid after the bulb test, it indicates that a SKIS malfunction has occurred or that the SKIS is ineffective.
For proper diagnosis of the VTSS, the SKIS, the WIN, the CCN, the CAN data bus or the electronic communication related to security indicator
operation a diagnostic scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
