Dodge Nitro. Manual — part 648

the switch is damaged, the entire switch unit must be replaced. The clockspring (with the multi-function switch
mounting bracket), the left multi-function switch (with the SCM), the right multi-function switch and the
jumper wire harness are each available for separate service replacement.

OPERATION

LEFT MULTI- FUNCTION SWITCH

The left (lighting) multi-function switch uses resistor multiplexing to control the many functions and features it
provides using a minimal number of hard wired circuits. The switch receives clean grounds from the Steering
Control Module (SCM), then provides resistor multiplexed return outputs to the SCM to indicate the selected
switch positions. The SCM then sends electronic switch status messages over a Local Interface Network (LIN)
data bus to the Electro Mechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) (also known as the Cab Compartment
Node/CCN), and the EMIC relays electronic switch request messages over the Controller Area Network
(CAN) data bus to other electronic modules in the vehicle.

If the SCM detects no inputs from the left multi-function switch, it transmits an electronic Signal Not Available
(SNA) status message over the LIN data bus. The SNA status signals the EMIC to request other electronic
modules to implement a fail-safe mode of operation for the exterior lighting systems. The fail-safe mode
automatically turns the exterior lighting ON when the ignition switch is in the ON position, and OFF when the
ignition switch is in the OFF position.

The hard wired inputs and outputs of the left multi-function switch and SCM may be diagnosed using
conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. However, the most
reliable, efficient and accurate means to diagnose this component requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool.
Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Following are descriptions of how the left multi-function switch is operated to control the many exterior
lighting functions and features it provides:



Front Fog Lamps - The optional front fog lamps are requested when the left multi-function switch
control knob is pulled outward to the front fog lamps detent position. The SCM reads the resistor
multiplexed input from the left multi-function switch and sends an electronic exterior lighting switch
status message over the LIN data bus to the EMIC, which relays an electronic exterior lighting switch
request message over the CAN data bus to other electronic modules in the vehicle. The switch control
knob incorporates an internal cam mechanism that will only allow the front fog lamps to be selected
while the headlamp ON position is also selected, and will automatically move the control knob to the
front fog lamps OFF position when the control knob is rotated to deselect the headlamps.



Headlamps - The headlamps are requested when the left multi-function switch control knob is rotated to
the headlamps ON detent position. The SCM reads the resistor multiplexed input from the left multi-
function switch and sends an electronic exterior lighting switch status message over the LIN data bus to
the EMIC, which relays an electronic exterior lighting switch request message over the CAN data bus
to other electronic modules in the vehicle.



Headlamp Beam Selection - The headlamp high beams are selected when the left multi-function switch
control stalk is pushed forward to the high beam selection detent position. The low beams are selected

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Lamps/Lighting - Exterior - Service Information - Nitro

when the control stalk is pulled rearward to the low beam selection detent position. The SCM reads the
resistor multiplexed input from the left multi-function switch and sends an electronic beam select switch
status message over the LIN data bus to the EMIC, which relays an electronic beam select switch
request message over the CAN data bus to other electronic modules in the vehicle.



Headlamp Optical Horn - The headlamp optical horn is selected each time the left multi-function switch
control stalk is pulled fully rearward to a momentary position. The headlamp high beams will remain
illuminated for as long as the control stalk is held in this momentary position and the low beams will be
restored when the control stalk is released. The SCM reads the resistor multiplexed input from the left
multi-function switch and sends an electronic beam select switch status message over the LIN data bus
to the EMIC, which relays an electronic beam select switch request message over the CAN data bus to
other electronic modules in the vehicle.



Park Lamps - The headlamps are requested when the left multi-function switch control knob is rotated to
the park lamps ON detent position. The SCM reads the resistor multiplexed input from the left multi-
function switch and sends an electronic exterior lighting switch status message over the LIN data bus to
the EMIC, which relays an electronic exterior lighting switch request message over the CAN data bus
to other electronic modules in the vehicle.



Rear Fog Lamps - The optional rear fog lamps are requested when the left multi-function switch control
knob is pulled outward to the front fog lamps detent position and then rotated to the rear fog lamps detent
position. The SCM reads the resistor multiplexed input from the left multi-function switch and sends an
electronic exterior lighting switch status message over the LIN data bus to the EMIC, which relays an
electronic exterior lighting switch request message over the CAN data bus to other electronic modules
in the vehicle. The switch control knob incorporates an internal cam mechanism that will only allow the
rear fog lamps to be selected while the front fog lamps ON position is also selected, and will
automatically move the control knob to the rear fog lamp OFF position when the control knob is pushed
in to deselect the front fog lamps.



Turn Signal Control - The turn signals are requested when the left multi-function switch control stalk is
moved downward (left signal) or upward (right signal). The control stalk has a detent position in each
direction that provides turn signals with automatic cancellation, and an intermediate, momentary position
in each direction that automatically provides three turn signal blinks as a LANE CHANGE feature when
the control stalk is tapped or will energize the turn signals for as long as the control stalk is held in the
momentary position. When the control stalk is moved to a detent turn signal switch position, a cancel
actuator extends through an opening in the side of the clockspring case toward the center of the steering
column. A turn signal cancel cam that is integral to the clockspring rotor rotates with the steering wheel
and the cam lobes contact the cancel actuator when it is extended from the left multi-function switch.
When the steering wheel is rotated during a turning maneuver, one of the turn signal cancel cam lobes
will contact the turn signal cancel actuator. The cancel actuator latches against the cancel cam rotation in
the direction opposite that which is signaled. If the left turn signal detent is selected, the lobes of the
cancel cam will ratchet past the cancel actuator when the steering wheel is rotated to the left, but will
unlatch the cancel actuator as the steering wheel rotates to the right and returns to center, which will
cancel the turn signal event and release the control stalk from the detent so it returns to the neutral OFF
position. The SCM reads the resistor multiplexed input from the left multi-function switch and sends an
electronic exterior lighting switch status message over the LIN data bus to the EMIC, which relays an
electronic exterior lighting switch request message over the CAN data bus to other electronic modules
in the vehicle.

INTERIOR LIGHTING

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Lamps/Lighting - Exterior - Service Information - Nitro

Following are descriptions of the how the left multi-function switch is operated to control the many interior
lighting functions and features it provides:



Interior Lamps Defeat - The interior lamps defeat feature is requested when the left multi-function
switch control sleeve is rotated to the interior lamps DEFEAT detent position. The SCM reads the resistor
multiplexed input from the left multi-function switch and sends an electronic interior lighting switch
status message over the LIN data bus to the EMIC, which relays an electronic interior lighting switch
request message over the CAN data bus to other electronic modules in the vehicle.



Interior Lamps On - The interior lamps ON feature is requested when the left multi-function switch
control sleeve is rotated to the interior lamps ON detent position. The SCM reads the resistor multiplexed
input from the left multi-function switch and sends an electronic interior lighting switch status message
over the LIN data bus to the EMIC, which relays an electronic interior lighting switch request message
over the CAN data bus to other electronic modules in the vehicle.



Panel Lamps Dimming - The panel lamps dimming function is active only when the left multi-function
switch control knob is in any exterior lighting ON position. With the exterior lighting ON, the panel
lamps dimming level is requested when the left multi-function switch control sleeve is rotated to any one
of five minor detent positions. The SCM reads the resistor multiplexed input from the left multi-function
switch and sends an electronic interior lighting switch status message over the LIN data bus to the
EMIC, which relays an electronic interior lighting switch request message over the CAN data bus to
other electronic modules in the vehicle.



Parade Mode - The PARADE (or funeral) mode is active only when the left multi-function switch
control knob is in any exterior lighting ON position. With the exterior lighting ON, the PARADE mode is
requested when the left multi-function switch control sleeve is rotated to the PARADE mode detent
position. The SCM reads the resistor multiplexed input from the left multi-function switch and sends an
electronic interior lighting switch status message over the LIN data bus to the EMIC, which relays an
electronic interior lighting switch request message over the CAN data bus to other electronic modules
in the vehicle.

REMOVAL

LEFT MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH

WARNING:

To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable
the supplemental restraint system before attempting any steering wheel,
steering column, airbag, occupant classification system, seat belt
tensioner, impact sensor, or instrument panel component diagnosis or
service. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable, then
wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before performing
further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the
supplemental restraint system. Failure to take the proper precautions
could result in accidental airbag deployment.

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Lamps/Lighting - Exterior - Service Information - Nitro

Fig. 33: Identifying Left Multi-Function Switch, Screw & Clockspring
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

2. Remove both the upper and lower shrouds from the steering column. Refer to REMOVAL .

3. Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector from the connector receptacle on the back of the

left multi-function switch.

4. Remove the screw (2) that secures the left multi-function switch (1) to the mounting bracket integral to

the left side of the clockspring (3) on the steering column.

5. Slide the switch away from the clockspring far enough to disengage the slide tabs on the switch housing

from the channel formations in the mounting bracket.

6. Disconnect the jumper wire harness connector from the connector receptacle on the inboard end of the

left multi-function switch.

7. Remove the switch from the clockspring.

INSTALLATION

LEFT MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH

WARNING:

To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable
the supplemental restraint system before attempting any steering wheel,
steering column, airbag, occupant classification system, seat belt
tensioner, impact sensor, or instrument panel component diagnosis or
service. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable, then
wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before performing
further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the
supplemental restraint system. Failure to take the proper precautions
could result in accidental airbag deployment.

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Lamps/Lighting - Exterior - Service Information - Nitro