INDICATOR, Four-Wheel Drive: Operation: Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Jeep Patriot and 2009 Jeep Compass. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The four-wheel drive indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator when the Four Wheel Drive (4WD) Lock mode of the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is activated. This indicator is controlled by the instrument cluster circuit board based upon cluster programming and electronic messages received by the cluster from the All Wheel Drive Control Module (AWDCM) over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus.

The four-wheel drive indicator is completely controlled by the instrument cluster logic circuit, and that logic will only allow this indicator to operate when the instrument cluster receives a battery current input on the fused ignition switch output (run-start) circuit. Therefore, the indicator will always be OFF when the ignition switch is in any position except ON or START. The indicator only illuminates when it is energized by the instrument cluster logic circuit. The instrument cluster will turn ON the four-wheel drive indicator for the following reasons:

Four-Wheel Drive Indicator Lamp-On Message - Each time the cluster receives an electronic four-wheel drive indicator lamp-ON message from the AWDCM indicating the Lock mode is activated, the four-wheel drive indicator is illuminated. The indicator remains illuminated until the cluster receives a lamp-OFF message from the AWDCM, or until the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, whichever occurs first.
Actuator Test - Each time the cluster is put through the actuator test, the four-wheel drive indicator will be turned ON, then OFF again during the Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) portion of the test in order to confirm the functionality of the VFD and the cluster control circuitry.

The AWDCM continually monitors electronic four-wheel drive Lock switch request messages from the Electro Mechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) (also known as the Cab Compartment Node/CCN) to determine when the Lock mode should be activated. The AWDCM then sends the proper lamp-ON or lamp-OFF message back to the EMIC after the Lock mode is activated or deactivated.

For proper diagnosis of the four-wheel drive Lock switch, the AWDCM, the EMIC, the CAN data bus or the electronic communication related to four-wheel drive indicator operation a diagnostic scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.