Park Assist System

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

The park assist system is active only when the status of the ignition switch is On, the parking brake is released, the transmission gear selector is in the Reverse (R ) position and the vehicle speed is less than 16 kilometers-per-hour (10 miles-per-hour). In vehicles equipped with this option, the system is enabled from the factory as a default. Either the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) and the EVIC switch pod on the left horizontal spoke of the steering wheel or the virtual buttons in the touch screen electronic display of the Radio Receiver Module (RRM) (also known as the radio or the head unit) provide an interface that allows the vehicle operator to enable, disable and modify certain park assist system settings using the customer programmable features option. If the vehicle operator does not want the system active, selecting the PARK ASSIST OFF setting of the EVIC will disable the system until the park assist setting is changed to PARK ASSIST ON .

Reasons for disabling the system include trailer towing and off road use. With a trailer attached to the vehicle the audible and visual park assist alerts would be incessant whenever the gear selector was in the R position due to the proximity of the trailer to the rear of the vehicle. Similarly, operating the vehicle off road may cause the park assist alerts to become distracting due to the proximity of large trees or boulders and the extreme approach angles that may be encountered while maneuvering on off road trails or terrain.

When the system is disabled, a PARK ASSIST SYSTEM OFF graphic and textual message will appear in the EVIC display of the IC whenever the gear selector is in the R position. When the system is enabled, a PARK ASSIST SYSTEM ON graphic and textual message will appear in the EVIC display of the IC, and a PARK ASSIST READY graphic and textual message will appear in the display whenever the gear selector is in the R position.

The microcontroller based Park Assist Module (PAM) (also known as the ParkTronic System/PTS module) is the central component of the park assist system. It supplies voltage to the park assist sensors, receives and analyzes data from the sensors, calculates and communicates the proper display information to the EVIC display, calculates and communicates the proper audible outputs to the RRM, performs system diagnostics and communicates with other electronic modules in the vehicle or with a diagnostic scan tool over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus. The PAM operates on battery voltage received through a fuse in the Power Distribution Center/PDC) and is grounded through a take out of the body wire harness secured to the body sheet metal.

Ultrasonic park assist sensors in the bumper fascia allow the park assist system to locate and identify the proximity of nearby obstacles. These sensors each generate ultrasonic sound pulses when triggered by the PAM, then signal the PAM when an echo of the reflected sound pulses is received. The detection distance range from the vehicle is about 2 meters (80 inches), and the detection height range from the ground is about 0.2 meters (7.8 inches) to about 0.8 meters (31 inches). The detection area extends somewhat around each side (corner) of the vehicle.

The EVIC display unit provides the vehicle operator with a graphical representation of the vehicle along with numerous illuminated arc sections that indicate the relative location and range of detected objects. The display is visible directly in front of the vehicle operator and operates based upon the electronic message inputs received from the PAM over the CAN data bus. There are three regions at the rear of the vehicle designated for arc alerts: Center, Left and Right. The Center region consists of six zones, while the Right and Left regions consist of two zones. The zones range from furthest to nearest from the rear of the vehicle. The arc sections are illuminated in an amber color until the nearest zone is reached, at which point the arc sections become illuminated red in color.

Meanwhile, the RRM generates audible indications of a detected object by emitting a series of chime tones that grow progressively higher in frequency as the vehicle gets closer to the object. As the vehicle comes within about 35 centimeters (14 inches) of the object, the audible warning changes from a high frequency series of chime tones to a single continuous tone. If the audio system is active when the RRM receives a chime request message from the PAM, the audio output will be muted automatically while the park assist audible warnings are being generated.

When the PAM monitors a problem in any of the park assist system circuits or components, it stores a fault code or Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) in its memory circuit, sends an electronic message to the IC and the EVIC displays a graphic with a SERVICE PARK ASSIST SYSTEM textual message. If the PAM detects that the park assist sensors are inoperative due to an accumulation of road film, mud, ice or snow on the rear fascia, the EVIC will display a WIPE OFF REAR PARK ASSIST SENSORS graphic and textual message. When the system is disabled by the PAM, a PARK ASSIST SYSTEM DISABLED graphic and textual message will appear in the EVIC display of the IC whenever the gear selector is in the R position.

The hard wired circuits between components related to the park assist system 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 park assist system or the electronic controls and communication between modules and other devices that provide some features of the park assist system. The most reliable, efficient and accurate means to diagnose the park assist system or the electronic controls and communication related to park assist system operation requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.