RAM 1500 Truck 4WD V8-5.9L VIN Z (2002)
Driver/Vehicle Information Display: Description and Operation
Description
COMPASS / MINI-TRIP COMPUTER (CMTC) OR ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER (EVIC)
When equipped, the Compass/Mini Trip Computer (CMTC) or Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) is located in the overhead console.
The CMTC or EVIC supplements the standard vehicle instrumentation. The CMTC and the EVIC use a vacuum fluorescent (VF) display to
supply the vehicle operator with a compass heading, outdoor temperature, average fuel economy, distance to empty, instantaneous fuel economy,
trip odometer, elapsed ignition ON time, distance to service, warning messages, and service messages. The EVIC also provides an interface to
enable and disable vehicle programmable features and display memory system messages. If equipped, the CMTC or the EVIC is also available
with an integrated Universal Garage Door Opener (UGDO) known as HomeLink.
The CMTC and EVIC function buttons are labeled C/T, RESET, STEP and MENU. The three UGDO buttons are labeled with dots to indicate the
channel number.
Most of the CMTC or EVIC display information is received over the PCI bus. The CMTC or EVIC sends and receives data over the PCI bus,
communicating with the FCM, PCM, and the Instrument Cluster.
ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER
The Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) is a module located in the overhead console on some models. The EVIC module features a
large Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) screen for displaying information, and back-lit push button switches labeled C/T (compass/temperature),
RESET, STEP and MENU.
The EVIC module contains a central processing unit and interfaces with other electronic modules in the vehicle over the Programmable
Communications Interface (PCI) J1850 data bus circuit. The PCI data bus circuit allows the sharing of sensor information. This helps to reduce
wire harness complexity reduce internal controller hardware, and reduce component sensor current loads. At the same time, this system provides
increased reliability, enhanced diagnostics, and allows the addition of many new feature capabilities.
The EVIC "Menu" push button provides the vehicle operator with a user interface, which allows the selection of several optional customer
programmable electronic features to suit individual preferences.
Refer to ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER PROGRAMMING in the Service Procedures section of this group for more
information on the customer programmable feature options.
If the vehicle is equipped with the optional universal transmitter transceiver, the EVIC will also display messages and an icon indicating when the
universal transmitter transceiver is being trained, which of the three transmitter buttons is transmitting, and when the transceiver is cleared.
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) data is obtained from other electronic modules (CCN, FCM, JTEC) on the J1850 Data Bus circuit.
The EVIC will display dashes (- -) for any of the screens it did not receive the bus messages. The label corresponding to the missing information
will be lit. If no EVIC data is displayed, check the J1850 Data Bus circuit communications and the other modules. If the brightness level is
improper check the J1850 Data Bus circuit.
Refer to Overhead Console Diagnosis and Testing for instructions on performing a EVIC module Self Diagnostic Test. The DRB III is
recommended for checking the J1850 Data Bus circuit and other modules. Perform the EVIC self diagnosis before replacing the EVIC module.
Data input for all EVIC functions, including VFD dimming level, is received through the J1850 PCI data bus circuit. The EVIC module uses its
internal programming and all of its data inputs to calculate and display the requested data. If the data displayed is incorrect, perform the
self-diagnostic tests. If these tests prove inconclusive, the use of a DRB III scan tool and the proper Diagnostic Procedures manual are
recommended for further testing of the EVIC module and the J1850 PCI data bus circuit.
The EVIC module cannot be repaired, and is available for service only as a unit. This unit includes the plastic module. If any of these components
is faulty or damaged, the complete EVIC module must be replaced.
The EVIC has access to both non-switched and ignition switched sources of battery current so that some of its features remain operational at any
time, while others may only operate with the ignition switch in the ON position. When the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, the EVIC
module VFD will return to the last function being displayed before the ignition was turned to the OFF position.
The compass/temperature display is the normal EVIC display With the ignition switch in the ON position, momentarily depressing and releasing
the C/T (compass/temperature) push button switch will cause the EVIC to return to the compass/temperature display mode from any other mode.
While in the compass/temperature display mode, momentarily depressing and releasing the Step push button will step through the available trip
computer display options.
The EVIC trip computer features several functions that can be reset. The functions that can be reset are: average fuel economy, trip odometer and
elapsed time. With the ignition switch in the ON position and with one of the functions of the trip computer that can be reset currently displayed,
depressing the Reset push button twice within three seconds will perform a global reset, and all of the trip computer information that can be reset
will be reset to zero. With the ignition switch in the ON position and the function that is to be reset currently displayed, momentarily depressing
and releasing the Reset push button once will perform a local reset, and only the value of the displayed function will be reset to zero. A global or
