Discovery II
BODY CONTROL UNIT
86-3-20 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
In some markets, when the alarm is triggered the BCU also activates the direction indicators, in phase with the audible
warning, to provide an optical warning of a theft attempt. The activation period of the optical alarm is 25 to 30 seconds.
The duty cycle of the optical warning is 50:50
±
10%.
The alarm system relies upon the vehicle battery for power. However, the BCU remembers the status of the security
system if it loses battery supply. If the security system was in a set condition when battery supply was lost the BCU
will trigger the alarm and initiate a visual warning by flashing the hazard lamps when the battery voltage is restored.
On vehicles with a BBUS fitted, the BBUS will sound if the battery is disconnected while the alarm system is set.
Door switches
The BCU uses the door latch switches to indicate if a door is open or closed. The BCU provides power to all door latch
switches; the switches are in the 'normally open' condition when the doors are shut. When a door is opened, the door
switch contacts are closed and the circuit is earthed, signalling a change in state to the BCU. All doors except the
driver's doors are connected in parallel, so the BCU will recognise a passenger door has been opened but will not be
able to distinguish which one. The driver's door has a dedicated signal line which enables the BCU to detect if the
driver's door has been opened or closed.
Door lock actuators
The CDL system has the facility to enable superlocking. All door lock actuators are controlled by the BCU via the IDM.
The driver's door is controlled separately from all other doors, enabling functions like single point entry and key
access.
Driver's door key lock and unlock switches
The BCU uses the driver's door key lock and unlock switches to activate and deactivate the security system. The
driver's door lock is also used for entering the EKA code.
Two separate switches are incorporated into the key lock assembly of the driver's door. The switches are normally
open and the BCU provides a separate power supply to each. The BCU is signalled when a circuit is earthed enabling
it to determine the direction in which the lock has been turned.
Bonnet switch
The bonnet switch is powered from the BCU and is used as a logical input for operation of the security system. The
switch is normally open with the bonnet closed, when the bonnet is opened the switch contacts close to complete a
circuit to earth and signal the change in state to the BCU.
Key-in sensor
When the ignition key is inserted into the lock barrel the key-in sensor contacts close and supply a signal to the BCU.
The BCU monitors the ignition switch for a change in state and triggers the alarm if it receives an ignition signal before
it receives an alarm disarm signal.
Another feed to the ignition switch is provided by the BCU to provide switch illumination.
A key-in warning can be enabled or disabled. When the key-in warning is enabled, an audible warning is generated
if the ignition key is in and the driver's door is opened.
Passive coil
The passive coil is located around the ignition key barrel. When the BCU detects that the ignition key has been turned
to the crank position, the vehicle's immobilisation system is activated and a signal is sent to the passive coil at a
frequency of 125 kHz. The magnetic field generated in the coil is induced in the remote transmitter to trigger a re-
mobilisation signal.
BBUS/ alarm sounder/ vehicle horn
The BBUS is an audible warning device which operates under the control of the BCU if the anti-theft system is
activated or the vehicle battery is disconnected. The unit contains its own internal battery power source which is
charged via a feed from the passenger compartment fuse box. The BBUS will not sound if the battery is disconnected
while the security system has not been set.
Some markets utilise an alarm sounder which operates independently or in conjunction with the vehicle horn if the
anti-theft system is triggered.
