Chrysler Dodge Caravan 2002, Manual, Page: 535 / 2399

ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFO
CENTER
DESCRIPTION
The Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
is a module located in the overhead console on some
models. The EVIC module features a large Vacuum
Fluorescent Display (VFD) screen for displaying
information,
and back-lit push button switches
labeled C/T (compass/thermometer), RESET, STEP,
and MENU.
The EVIC module contains a central processing
unit and interfaces with other electronic modules in
the vehicle over the Programmable Communications
Interface (PCI) J1850 data bus circuit. The PCI data
bus circuit allows the sharing of sensor information.
This helps to reduce wire harness complexity, reduce
internal controller hardware, and reduce component
sensor current loads. At the same time, this system
provides increased reliability, enhanced diagnostics,
and allows the addition of many new feature capabil-
ities.
The EVIC “Menu” push button provides the vehicle
operator with a user interface, which allows the
selection of several optional customer programmable
electronic features to suit individual preferences.
Refer to ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMA-
TION CENTER PROGRAMMING in the Service
Procedures section of this group for more information
on the customer programmable feature options.
If the vehicle is equipped with the optional univer-
sal transmitter transceiver, the EVIC will also dis-
play messages and an icon indicating when the
universal transmitter transceiver is being trained,
which of the three transmitter buttons is transmit-
ting, and when the transceiver is cleared.
Data input for all EVIC functions, including VFD
dimming level, is received through the J1850 PCI
data bus circuit. The EVIC module uses its internal
programming and all of its data inputs to calculate
and display the requested data. If the data displayed
is incorrect, perform the self-diagnostic tests as
described in this group. If these tests prove inconclu-
sive, the use of a DRBIII
t
scan tool and the proper
Diagnostic Procedures manual are recommended for
further testing of the EVIC module and the J1850
PCI data bus circuit.
The EVIC module cannot be repaired, and is avail-
able for service only as a unit. This unit includes the
plastic module and display lens. If any of these com-
ponents is faulty or damaged, the complete EVIC
module must be replaced.
OPERATION
The EVIC has access to both non-switched and
ignition switched sources of battery current so that
some of its features remain operational at any time,
while others may only operate with the ignition
switch in the On position. When the ignition switch
is turned to the On position, the EVIC module VFD
will return to the last function being displayed before
the ignition was turned to the Off position.
The compass/thermometer display is the normal
EVIC display. With the ignition switch in the On
position, momentarily depressing and releasing the
C/T (compass/thermometer) push button switch will
cause the EVIC to return to the compass/thermome-
ter/trip computer display mode from any other mode.
While in the compass/thermometer/trip computer dis-
play mode, momentarily depressing and releasing the
Step push button will step through the available trip
computer display options.
The EVIC trip computer features several functions
that can be reset. The functions that can be reset
are: average fuel economy, trip odometer and elapsed
time. With the ignition switch in the On position and
with one of the functions of the trip computer that
can be reset currently displayed, depressing the
Reset push button twice within three seconds will
perform a global reset, and all of the trip computer
information that can be reset will be reset to zero.
With the ignition switch in the On position and the
function that is to be reset currently displayed,
momentarily depressing and releasing the Reset
push button once will perform a local reset, and only
the value of the displayed function will be reset to
zero. A global or local reset will only occur if the
function currently displayed is a function that can be
reset. The distance to service function can also be
reset using the local reset method, but it will reset
back to the Service Interval distance that is set in
the EVIC programmable features mode. Refer to
ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CEN-
TER PROGRAMMING in the Service Procedures
section of this group for more information on setting
the Service Interval.
For more information on the features, control func-
tions and setting procedures for the EVIC module,
see the owner’s manual in the vehicle glove box.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - ELECTRONIC
VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) data
is obtained from the Body Control Module (BCM) on
the J1850 Data Bus circuit. The EVIC will display
dashes (- -) for any of the screens it did not receive
the bus messages. The label corresponding to the
missing information will be lit. If no EVIC data is
displayed, check the J1850 Data Bus circuit commu-
8M - 6 MESSAGE SYSTEMS
RS