Patriot 4WD L4-2.4L (2009)
Four Wheel Drive Indicator Lamp: Description and Operation
Off Road Indicator - Operation
OPERATION
The off road indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator when the Four Wheel Drive Lock Mode of the Trail Rated Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) is activated and the transmission gear selector is in the Low or Reverse positions. This indicator is controlled by the instrument
cluster circuit board based upon cluster programming and electronic messages received by the cluster from the All Wheel Drive Control Module
(AWDCM) over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus.
The off road indicator is completely controlled by the instrument cluster logic circuit, and that logic will only allow this indicator to operate when the
instrument cluster receives a battery current input on the fused ignition switch output (run-start) circuit. Therefore, the indicator will always be OFF
when the ignition switch is in any position except ON or START. The indicator only illuminates when it is energized by the instrument cluster logic
circuit. The instrument cluster will turn ON the Off Road indicator for the following reasons:
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Off Road Indicator Lamp-On Message - Each time the cluster receives an electronic off road indicator lamp-ON message from the AWDCM
indicating the off road mode is activated, the off road indicator is illuminated. The indicator remains illuminated until the cluster receives a
lamp-OFF message from the AWDCM, or until the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, whichever occurs first.
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Actuator Test - Each time the cluster is put through the actuator test, the off road indicator will be turned ON, then OFF again during the Vacuum
Fluorescent Display (VFD) portion of the test in order to confirm the functionality of the VFD and the cluster control circuitry.
The AWDCM continually monitors the CVT automatic transmission gear selector and the Four Wheel Drive Lock switch request messages from the
Electro Mechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) (also known as the Cab Compartment Node/CCN) to determine when the off road mode should be
activated. The AWDCM then sends the proper lamp-ON or lamp-OFF message to the EMIC.
For proper diagnosis of the Four Wheel Drive Lock switch, the AWDCM, the EMIC, the CAN data bus or the electronic communication related to off
road indicator operation a diagnostic scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.