Description And Operation

DESCRIPTION 

Courtesy of CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC

The Keyless Ignition Node (KIN) module (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 built onto the housing of the KIN, latch into a grooved lip on the inner side of the instrument panel to secure it.

The KIN:

• is used on the vehicles featuring "Keyless Go" system
• Is a slave module to the Radio Frequency Hub (RFH)
• Is primarily an I/O device (start-stop-button and ignition position indication)
• Contains a Low Frequency (LF) coil and other electronics to authenticate a FOB, in the event of default or a low FOB battery

The KIN (START) process includes:

• Press Start/Stop button once - Transitions to Accessory
• Press Start/Stop button again - Transitions to Run
• Press Start/Stop button again - Transitions to OFF
• Press Start/Stop button once with Brake applied - Transition to Start

The KIN contains four LEDs:

• OFF Indication
• ACC Indication (Accessory)
• ON Indication (On or Run)
• ENGINE Start-Stop Indication (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 GO-Button the FOBIK is interrogated wirelessly. If the FOB is recognized as belonging to the vehicle and in the vehicle interior the system allows the ignition state of the vehicle to be manipulated by the operator between the LOCK, ACCESSORY, RUN, and START ignition states. This causes changes in the ignition status signals on the vehicle's CAN-C data buses and hardwired outputs controlled by the starting system master. As far as the vehicle's ignition system is concerned, keyless go control is indiscernible from legacy conventional control using a rotational switch and key. The K-line and the Start/Stop Button hardwire signals are used in conjunction to determine the Start/Stop Button states.

KIN Function:

• When the Go-Button on the KIN is pressed, the RFH is signaled with "request to start".
• The RFH then uses the LF (low frequency) antennas to communicate with the FOB and confirm the FOB is located inside the vehicle.
• Once located, the FOB's response is evaluated by the RFH to determine if the person pushing on the Go-Button is in fact the owner. 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 Body Control Module (BCM) via a CAN Bus message.
• Once successfully completed, the RFH next sends the BCM the ignition switch position, which equates to a '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 senor (daylight data from the HVAC module)
  • Panel illumination (thumb wheel next to the headlamp switch)

If the FOB battery has a low battery level which prevents the RFH/KIN from performing the normal RF based Keyless Go authentication, the KIN module has a back-up means to perform the FOB authentication:

• Press the FOB on the center of the Start/Stop Button, perpendicular to the surface of the button.
• Briefly hold the FOB in place after pressing the Start/Stop Button to complete authentication of the FOB.

This is required so as not to strand a customer due to a low power battery issue in the FOB.

After putting the vehicle into park, pushing the KIN's Go-Button allows the vehicle's engine to be shut off. In an emergency, pressing the Go-Button continuously for 2 seconds or repeatedly (one hit every 30- 500ms) will cause the engine to shut off when vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph.

KEY FOB NOT DETECTED 

If the FOB battery has a low battery level or there is some sort of interference that jams the signal from the FOB (e.g. FOBs placed next to or in close proximity of electronic badges, cell phones, metal objects) which prevents the RFH/KIN from performing the normal RF based Keyless Go authentication, the KIN module has a back-up means to perform the FOB authentication:

• Press the front of the FOB on the center of the Start/Stop Button, perpendicular to the surface of the button.
• To complete authentication of the FOB, hold the FOB for 2 Seconds while pressing the Start/Stop Button.
• Back up KIN (START) process includes:
  • Press Start/Stop button with the front of the FOB once - Transitions to Accessory
  • Press Start/Stop button again - Transitions to Run
  • Press Start/Stop button again - Transitions to OFF
  • Press Start/Stop button with the front of the FOB once with Brake applied - Transition to Start

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