Keyless Ignition Node

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

DESCRIPTION

Courtesy of CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC

The Keyless Ignition Node (KIN) (1) contains the customer interface for ignition switch activation in the form of a momentary switch. Pressing the START/STOP button is the method of activation by the customer. The KIN is located in the instrument panel to the left of the center stack, encased and secured to the instrument panel. Fastener tabs integral to the housing of the KIN, latch in a grooved lip on the inner side of the instrument panel to secure it.

The KIN:

Is used on vehicles featuring the "Keyless Go" system
Is a slave module to the Radio Frequency Hub (RFH)
Is primarily an Input/Output (I/O) device (A START/STOP button and ignition position indication)
Contains a Low Frequency (LF) coil and other electronics to authenticate a key fob, in the event of default or a low key fob battery

The KIN processes:

Press START/STOP button once = Transition to ACCESSORY (ACC)
Press START/STOP button again = Transition to RUN
Press START/STOP button again = Transition to OFF
Press START/STOP button once with the brake applied = Transition to START

The KIN contains four Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) indicators:

OFF
ACC
ON or RUN
ENGINE START/STOP (center button backlight)

OPERATION

The KIN replaces the conventional key and ignition switch with a momentary button press and a wireless electronic key fob. When the operator presses the Engine Start/Stop button, the key fob is interrogated. If the key fob is recognized as belonging to the vehicle and in the vehicle interior, the system allows the ignition state of the vehicle to be changed by the vehicle operator between the LOCK, ACC, RUN, and START ignition states. This causes changes in the ignition status signals on the vehicle's Controller Area Network-Chassis (CAN-C) data bus networks and hard wired outputs controlled by the Body Control Module (BCM). As far as the vehicle's ignition system is concerned, keyless Engine Start/Stop button control is indiscernible from legacy conventional control that uses a rotational switch and key. The K-line and the Engine Start/Stop button hard wire signals are used in tandem to determine the Engine Start/Stop button states.

KIN Function:

When the Engine Start/Stop button on the KIN is pressed, the RFH is signalled with "request to start".
The RFH then uses the LF antennas to communicate with the key fob and confirms that the key fob is located inside the vehicle.
Once located, the key fob's response is evaluated by the RFH to determine if the key fob is valid for the vehicle. This process completes 'FOB authentication'.
The RFH needs to verify the brake sensor input for starting. When the brake is applied, the brake active sense signal is generated by the BCM via a CAN bus message.
Once successfully completed, the RFH next sends the BCM the ignition switch position, which then allows the 'request to start' command.

KIN illumination:

The KIN receives K-Line communication from the RFH to illuminate the ignition position LEDs associated with the current ignition position.
The RFH controls dimming based on the following bus messages from the BCM: sun sensors daylight data provided by the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) module and panel illumination position which is the thumb wheel next to the headlamp switch.

If the key fob is not detected:

If the key fob battery has a low battery level or there is interference that jams the signal from the key fob (key fob is placed next to or in close proximity to electronic badges, cell phones, metal objects) which prevents the RFH and the KIN from performing the normal Radio Frequency (RF) based Keyless Go authentication, the KIN module has a backup means to perform the key fob authentication:

Press the front of the key fob on the center of the Engine Start/Stop button, perpendicular to the surface of the button.
Hold the key fob for 2 seconds after while pressing the Engine Start/Stop button with it to complete authentication of the key fob.

The backup KIN process includes:

Press the Engine Start/Stop button with the front of the key fob once = Transition to ACC
Press the Engine Start/Stop button again = Transition to RUN
Press the Engine Start/Stop button again = Transition to OFF
Press the Engine Start/Stop button with the front of the key fob once with brake applied = Transition to START

This is required so as not to strand a customer due to a low power battery condition in the key fob or interference scenario.

After putting the vehicle in P ark, pressing the KIN Engine Start/Stop button allows the vehicle's engine to be shut off. In an emergency, pressing the Engine Start/Stop button continuously for 2 seconds or repeatedly (one press every 30-500ms) will cause the engine to shut off when vehicle speed is greater than 8 kp/h (5 mph).