Body Control Unit: Description: General

The Body Control Unit (BCU) centralizes the control of several body systems, reducing electrical complexity and increasing overall system reliability. The BCU controls the routines of the following systems:

• Anti-theft alarm system (see SECURITY )
• Car/Key Memory
• Central door locking and child safety lock (see SECURITY )
• Door mirror control (see 76.11.10 MIRROR -- EXTERIOR )
• Headlamp wipers and washers (see HEADLAMP WIPERS AND WASHERS )
• Interior lighting (see LIGHTING )
• LOAD DISCONNECTION 
• Sunroof (see SUNROOF )
• Approach Lamps (see LIGHTING )
• Window regulators (see WINDOWS )
• Windshield wipers and washers (see WIPERS AND WASHERS ).

The vehicle type, equipment configuration and market specific features are specified to the BCU by means of coding data via the diagnostics interface.

Load switching circuits for currents < 10 A consist of semiconductor switches within the BCU. The load switching circuits for the headlamp and windshield wipers are subjected to a greater degree of loading (number of operating cycles and current loading), so the switching is performed outside the BCU by relays.