With Paddle Shift

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2016 Dodge Charger and 2015 Dodge Charger. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

REMOTE RADIO SWITCHES

The remote radio switches on the backs of both horizontal steering wheel spokes are normally open, resistor multiplexed momentary switches that are hard wired to the left steering wheel switch module (electronic vehicle information center switch). The left steering wheel switch module contains a microcontroller and is a Local Interface Network (LIN) data bus slave node. The left steering wheel switch microcontroller provides a shared five volt signal and monitors shared returns from both remote radio switches. The left steering wheel switch microcontroller senses the status of the remote radio switches by reading the voltage drop on the signal circuit.

When the left steering wheel switch microcontroller senses an input (voltage drop) from any one of the remote radio switches, it communicates the switch status message via the LIN bus and through the clockspring and Steering Column Control Module (SCCM) microcontroller, which is a gateway to the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus. The CAN bus then broadcasts switch status information over the CAN bus to the audio system. The electronic circuitry within the audio system is programmed to respond to these remote radio switch status messages by adjusting the audio settings as requested.

PADDLE SHIFT SWITCHES

The paddle shift switches in the two remote radio switch units are normally open, resistor multiplexed momentary switches that are hard wired to the left steering wheel switch module (electronic vehicle information center switch). The left steering wheel switch module contains a microcontroller and is a Local Interface Network (LIN) data bus slave node. The left steering wheel switch microcontroller provides a shared five volt signal and monitors shared returns from both paddle shift switches. The left steering wheel switch microcontroller senses the status of the paddle shift switches by reading the voltage drop on the signal circuit.

When the left steering wheel switch microcontroller senses an input (voltage drop) from either of the paddle shift switches, it communicates the switch status message via the LIN bus and through the clockspring and Steering Column Control Module (SCCM) microcontroller, which is a gateway to the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus. The CAN bus then broadcasts switch status information to the Transmission Control Module (TCM) communicating driver request for transmission upshift or downshift.

The hard wired circuits between the remote radio switches or the paddle shift switches and the left steering wheel switch 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 remote radio switches, the paddle shift switches or the electronic communication between modules that provide the features of the remote radio switches and paddle shift switches. The most reliable, efficient and accurate means to diagnose the remote radio switches, the paddle shift switches or the electronic communication related to remote radio switch and paddle shift switch operation requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.