Park Assist System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 RAM 3500 HD and 2013 RAM 2500 HD. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

A park assist system (also known as the ParkTronic System (PTS)) is an optional factory-installed electronic parking aid. When backing the vehicle up such as during parking maneuvers this system alerts the vehicle operator to obstacles located in the path immediately behind the vehicle. Due to the surrounding rear vehicle structure, such obstacles might be otherwise difficult to perceive. When an object is detected, the system uses graphics and chimes to provide the vehicle operator with visual and audible indications of the presence and proximity of such objects.

The park assist system includes the following major components, which are described in further detail elsewhere in this service information:

Body Control Module - The Body Control Module (BCM) (also known as the Common Body Controller (CBC)) serves as the gateway between the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus CAN C and CAN Interior High Speed (IHS) networks used to communicate between the Park Assist Module (PAM), the Instrument Cluster (IC) (also known as the Common Instrument Cluster (CIC)) and the radio. The BCM is also a Local Interface Network (LIN) bus master node, which allows it to communicate with the park assist Off switch in the instrument panel switch pod, which is a LIN bus slave node. Refer to MODULE, BODY CONTROL, DESCRIPTION .
Instrument Cluster - In vehicles equipped with the optional park assist system, the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) within the IC displays a vehicle graphic and up to four arc sections in two zones that illustrate the approximate location and distance of obstacles within the rear path of the vehicle. The EVIC also displays textual warnings and error messages along with issuing audible alerts related to the current operating status of the park assist system. In addition, the EVIC provides the interface that allows the vehicle operator to manually disable or enable the park assist system or certain features of the system using the customer programmable features option. Refer to DESCRIPTION .
Park Assist Module - Vehicles equipped with the park assist system include a Park Assist Module (PAM) (also known as the ParkTronic System (PTS) module), which is secured through integral mounting tabs and a push-in type fastener to the left cowl side inner panel below the instrument panel where it is concealed by the cowl side trim (kick) panel within the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
Park Assist Sensors - Vehicles equipped with the park assist system have four ultrasonic park assist sensors that are concealed behind the rear bumper. Only the sensor membrane is visible on the outer surface of the rear bumper. Each sensor is snapped into an individual molded plastic mounting bracket located at horizontal intervals along the back side of the rear bumper.
Park Assist Off Switch - The optional park assist system can be manually disabled or enabled using a park assist Off switch. The park assist Off switch is integral to the instrument panel switch pod (also known as the Accessory Switch Bank Module (ASBM)) in the instrument panel center stack below the heater and air conditioner controls. This switch allows the operator to turn the park assist system Off.
Radio - In vehicles equipped with the park assist system, the PAM sends electronic message requests to the radio to generate audible signals indicating the approximate distance of obstacles from the rear path of the vehicle. The radio is capable of generating repetitive single chime tones at several varying frequencies or continuous tones through the rear audio system speakers. If the audio system speakers are already in use, the radio will mute that output during chime tone generation. Refer to RADIO, DESCRIPTION .

Hard wired circuitry connects the various park assist system components to each other through the electrical system of the vehicle. These hard wired circuits are integral to several wire harnesses, which are routed throughout the vehicle and retained by many different methods. These circuits may be connected to each other and to the vehicle electrical system through the use of a combination of soldered splices, splice block connectors and many different types of wire harness terminal connectors and insulators. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wiring information includes wiring diagrams, proper wire and connector repair procedures, further details on wire harness routing and retention, as well as pin out and location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.

The park assist system components cannot be adjusted or repaired. If any of the park assist system components is damaged or ineffective, that component must be replaced.