System Description And Functional Operation: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Dodge Dakota. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The Dakota body system consists of a combination of modules that communicate over the PCI bus (Programmable Communication Interface multiplex system). Through the PCI bus, information about the operation of vehicle components and circuits is relayed quickly to the appropriate module(s). All modules receive all the information transmitted on the bus even though a module may not require all information to perform its function. It will only respond to messages "addressed" to it through a binary coding process. This method of data transmission significantly reduces the complexity of the wiring in the vehicle and the size of wiring harnesses. All of the information about the functioning of all the systems is organized, controlled, and communicated by the PCI bus, which is described in the vehicle communication section.