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Principles of Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis and 2009 Ford Crown Victoria. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The 3 module communication networks are:

Information is sent to and from individual control modules that each control specific functions. All 3 networks are connected to the data link connector (DLC). The DLC can be found under the instrument panel between the steering column and the audio unit. The ISO network is for diagnostic use only while the HS-CAN and SCP network allow multiple modules to communicate (transfer data) with each other on a common network.

ISO Network 

The ISO network is a single wire network. The ISO network does not permit intermodule communication. When the scan tool communicates to modules on the ISO network, the scan tool must request all information; the modules cannot initiate communications. The ISO network operates at a maximum data transfer speed of 10.4 Kbps.

The following fault chart describes the specific ISO network failures and their resulting symptom:

ISO NETWORK FAULT CHART

Failure Description Symptom
ISO circuit open No communication
ISO circuit short to voltage No communication
ISO circuit short to ground No communication
Module loss of voltage or ground No communication
Module internal failure No communication

SCP Network 

The SCP network uses an unshielded twisted pair cable of data (+) and data (-) circuits. The data (+) circuit is regulated to approximately 0.5 volts and the data (-) circuits to approximately 4.5 volts during neutral or rested network traffic. Voltage on data circuits increases/decreases as bus messages are sent. Multiple bus messages HS-CAN be sent over the network SCP circuits allowing network modules to communicate with each other. The SCP network operates at a maximum data transfer speed of 41.6 Kbps and remains operational at a degraded level if one of the bus wires becomes open or shorted to ground or voltage.

SCP NETWORK FAULT CHART

Failure Description Symptom
SCP (+) shorted to SCP (-) No communication
SCP (+) short to voltage Unreliable communication during high data transfer events
SCP (-) short to voltage Unreliable communication during high data transfer events
SCP (+) short to ground Unreliable communication during high data transfer events
SCP (-) short to ground Unreliable communication during high data transfer events
SCP (+) open Unreliable communication during high data transfer events
SCP (-) open Unreliable communication during high data transfer events
Module loss of voltage or ground No communication
Module internal failure No communication

HS-CAN 

The HS-CAN uses an unshielded twisted pair cable of data (+) and data (-) circuits. The data (+) and the data (-) circuits are each regulated to approximately 2.5 volts during neutral or rested network traffic. As bus messages are sent on the data (+) circuit, voltage is increased by approximately 1.0 volt. Inversely, the data (-) circuit is reduced by approximately 1.0 volt when a bus message is sent. Multiple bus messages can be sent over the HS-CAN circuits allowing network modules to communicate with each other. The HS-CAN is a high speed network used for the instrument cluster (IC), the PCM, the fire suppression system module (FSSM) and ABS module communication.

The HS-CAN bus (+) and bus (-) circuits must always be terminated. The network termination of the HS-CAN takes place inside a "termination module" by termination resistors rated at 120 ohms, located across the (+) and (-) circuits. The resistors are wired in parallel to the network bus circuits for a total operating resistance of 60 ohms on a properly functioning network.

In the event that one of the 2 network circuits (MS-CAN + or MS-CAN -) becomes open to a module on the network, unreliable network communication to all modules on the network may result. The module to which the network circuit is open may repeatedly send network messages indicating there has been partial data received. This type of message is referred to as a negative-acknowledge (NACK) message. Repeated NACK messages may "load" the network with too much activity causing intermittent no communication to other network modules and/or the scan tool.

The HS-CAN operates at a maximum data transfer speed of 500 Kbps and remains operational at a degraded level when certain circuit faults are present. The HS-CAN bus may remain operational when 1 of the 2 termination resistors are not present.

The following fault chart describes the specific HS-CAN failures and their resulting symptom:

HS-CAN FAULT CHART

Failure Description Symptom
HS-CAN (+) shorted to HS-CAN (-) No communication
HS-CAN (+) short to voltage No communication
HS-CAN (-) short to voltage No communication
HS-CAN (+) short to ground No communication
HS-CAN (-) short to ground Unreliable communication possible in all network modules
HS-CAN (+) open Unreliable communication possible in all network modules
HS-CAN (-) open Unreliable communication possible in all network modules
Module loss of voltage or ground No communication
Module internal failure No communication

The following chart describes all network messages broadcast on the SCP and HS-CANs and the module(s) that receive the message:

NETWORK MODULE MESSAGE CHART

Broadcast Message Originating Module Network Type Receiving Module(s)
A/C clutch request IC HS-CAN
  • PCM
A/C clutch request via CAN IC HS-CAN
  • PCM
A/C clutch status PCM HS-CAN
  • IC
ABS event in progress ABS module HS-CAN
  • PCM
ABS/TRAC indicator on request ABS module HS-CAN
  • IC
ABS/TRAC system configuration ABS module HS-CAN
  • IC
ABS/TRAC system status ABS module HS-CAN
  • PCM
Air suspension status VDM HS-CAN
  • IC
Ambient temperature HVAC module SCP
  • IC
Anti-theft system status request DDM SCP
  • LCM
Anti-theft system status LCM SCP
  • DDM
Autolamp indicator request IC SCP
  • LCM
Autolamp indicator status LCM SCP
  • IC
Axle ratio PCM HS-CAN
  • ABS module
  • IC
Brake malfunction indicator request ABS module HS-CAN
  • IC
Brake switch status ABS module HS-CAN
  • PCM
Brake switch status LCM SCP
  • DDM
Charging system warning indicator request PCM HS-CAN
  • IC
Chime on request IC SCP
  • LCM
Decklid ajar status DDM SCP
  • LCM
Decklid ajar status LCM SCP
  • IC
Decklid ajar status request IC SCP
  • LCM
Door ajar status (LF, RF) IC HS-CAN
  • VDM
Door ajar status request (LF) IC SCP
  • DDM
Door ajar status request (LF) LCM SCP
  • DDM
Door ajar status (LF) DDM SCP
  • IC
  • LCM
Door ajar status request (RF) IC SCP
  • DDM
Door ajar status request (RF) LCM SCP
  • DDM
Door lock status DDM SCP
  • LCM
Door lock switch status DDM SCP
  • LCM
Door lock/unlock command (RF) LCM SCP
  • DDM
Engine coolant temperature PCM HS-CAN
  • IC
Engine coolant temperature (gateway) IC SCP
  • HVAC module
Engine coolant temperature status request HVAC module SCP
  • IC
Engine fail-safe cooling mode status PCM HS-CAN
  • IC
Engine fail-safe cooling mode status (gateway) IC SCP
  • LCM
Engine fail-safe cooling mode status request LCM SCP
  • IC
Engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) request PCM HS-CAN
  • IC
Engine off timer PCM HS-CAN
  • IC
Engine RPM PCM HS-CAN
  • ABS module
  • VDM
  • IC
  • VDM
Engine torque data PCM HS-CAN
  • ABS module
Engine torque reduction request ABS module HS-CAN
  • PCM
English/Metric display status request HVAC module SCP
  • IC
Fuel cap off indicator request PCM HS-CAN
  • IC
Fuel flow data PCM HS-CAN
  • IC
Fuel level input status (instant) IC HS-CAN
  • PCM
Headlamp high beam indicator request LCM SCP
  • IC
Headlamp high beam indicator status request IC SCP
  • LCM
Horn command DDM SCP
  • LCM
Ignition switch position LCM SCP
  • DDM
  • IC
Ignition switch position status request DDM SCP
  • LCM
Illuminated entry command DDM SCP
  • LCM
Illumination dimmer level LCM SCP
  • DDM
  • HVAC module
  • IC
Illumination dimmer level request DDM SCP
  • LCM
Illumination dimmer level request HVAC module SCP
  • LCM
Illumination dimmer level request IC SCP
  • LCM
Key-in-ignition status LCM SCP
  • DDM
Key-in-ignition status request DDM SCP
  • LCM
Keypad illumination status DDM SCP
  • LCM
Odometer count PCM HS-CAN
  • VDM
  • IC
Odometer count (gateway) IC SCP
  • LCM
Overdrive indicator status PCM HS-CAN
  • IC
Panic status DDM SCP
  • LCM
PATS indicator status PCM HS-CAN
  • IC
Passive anti-theft system (PATS) key status request LCM SCP
  • IC
PATS key status IC SCP
  • LCM
Perimeter alarm status DDM SCP
  • LCM
Police dark mode status request LCM SCP
  • DDM
Police dark mode status DDM SCP
  • LCM
Safety belt buckle indicator status IC SCP
  • LCM
Safety belt fastened status LCM SCP
  • IC
Speed control indicator request PCM HS-CAN
  • IC
Traction control event in progress ABS module HS-CAN
  • PCM
Traction control disable switch status ABS module HS-CAN
  • IC
Traction control disable switch status (gateway) IC SCP
  • LCM
Traction control disable switch status request LCM SCP
  • IC
Transmission selector (PRNDL) range PCM HS-CAN
  • IC
Transmission selector (PRNDL) range (gateway) IC SCP
  • DDM
  • LCM
Transmission shift in progress PCM HS-CAN
  • ABS module
Vehicle speed PCM HS-CAN
  • VDM
  • IC
Vehicle speed (gateway) IC SCP
  • DDM
  • HVAC module
  • LCM
VIN information PCM HS-CAN
  • ABS module
  • IC
Wheel speed output (RF, LF, RR, LR) ABS module HS-CAN
  • PCM
Windshield wiper mode status LCM SCP
  • HVAC module