Theory Of Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2014 Dodge Durango. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The paddle shifters are integral to the remote radio switches. The paddle shifters in the two remote radio switch units are normally open, resistor multiplexed momentary switches that are hard wired to the right steering wheel switch (speed control switch). The right steering wheel switch (speed control switch) provides a five volt signal and return circuit to the switches. Both switches share the signal and return circuits. The right steering wheel switch (speed control switch) senses the status of the switches by reading the voltage drop of the signal circuit.

When the right steering wheel switch (speed control switch) senses an input (voltage drop) from any one of the paddle shifters, it communicates the switch status message to the steering column control module (SCCM) via the LIN Bus (through the clockspring). The SCCM then broadcasts switch status information over the CAN Bus to the transmission control module (TCM) communicating driver request for transmission upshift or downshift.