BODY CONTROL UNIT
86-3-14 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Central Door Locking (CDL)
The BCU carries out the logic control operation for CDL. A CDL switch is mounted on the fascia panel and has two
inputs to the BCU, one for lock and one for unlock.
Door locking and unlocking can be performed using the remote transmitter in the keys and the receiver unit located
above the vehicle's headlining, behind the rear sunroof aperture. The receiver detects the signals sent from the
remote transmitter and sends a decoded signal to the BCU for processing.
Four methods of door locking are available:
lRemote handset locking.
lVehicle key locking.
lCDL switch locking.
lSpeed related locking.
Two security levels of door locking are available, CDL and Superlocking. The anti-theft alarm system works in
conjunction with the CDL system.
Electric windows and sunroof
The BCU controls the logical operations and the timing periods for the electric front windows. The rear windows are
hard-wired and the two electric sunroofs are controlled by a dedicated ECU which is enabled by the BCU.
The front windows are electrically operated using two rocker switches located in the centre console. Electric motors
are located in each of the front doors.
The rear windows are enabled by the IDM controlling the operation of the rear window relay located in the passenger
compartment fuse box.
Wipers and washers
The wiper and washer functions are controlled by the BCU and the IDM.
The front wipers and washers are operated from the switch stalk located on the right hand side of the steering column
and only operate when the ignition switch is in position I or II. The front wipers are operated by a motor located below
the windscreen plenum.
+ WIPERS AND WASHERS, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description.
The BCU controls the wiper motor frequency of operation via the IDM when intermittent wipe or wash is selected. The
front intermittent wipe option features five different intermittent delay periods. The shortest delay period is 3 seconds
and this is increased by 2 second increments up to a maximum delay of 11 seconds. The desired delay period for the
front wipers is set by the position of the rotary switch located on the wiper column stalk.
The rear wiper switch is located on the instrument pack cowl and is latched when pressed. The rear wiper electric
motor is located in the tail door. The rear wiper operation is controlled according to a programmed strategy via the
BCU and the IDM. The BCU also checks for a signal from either the reverse lamp switch located in the vehicle gearbox
(manual gearbox models) or the gear position switch (automatic gearbox models) for operating the rear wipers when
the vehicle is in reverse. The rear wiper and washer only operate when the ignition switch is in position II.
The front and rear washer pumps and the headlamp powerwash (where fitted) are also controlled through the BCU.
The washers are operated from electric pumps attached to the washer reservoir located in the left hand wheel arch.
The front wash switch is located on the wiper column stalk and is pulled towards the steering wheel to select the
washer function. When the front washers are operated, the wipers are also activated for three full cycles. The rear
wash switch is located on the instrument pack cowl. The BCU programme can be configured in one of two modes of
operation:
lNo wiper operation when the wash switch is pressed.
lWiper action after an initial delay of 400 ms.
Headlamp wash is activated by the BCU via the IDM and operates when the headlamps are on and the front washers
function is selected.
BODY CONTROL UNIT
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 86-3-15
Electric seats
The BCU controls the logical operation of the electrically operated front seats. Two modes of operation are available:
+ SEATS, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description - electric seats.
lElectric seat adjustment is enabled if the ignition is on or the driver's door is opened for a short time period.
lElectric seat adjustment is enabled if the ignition is on and the driver's door is closed.
The seats are operated by four electric motors which control the seat cushion rear up/ down, the seat cushion front
up/ down, seat cushion forward/ rearward and seat squab recline. The electrically powered lumbar adjustment in each
seat is operated by a single motorised air pump and a solenoid located on the seat squab frame. The air pump inflates
a cushion in the seat squab and the solenoid operates a valve to deflate the cushion. The seat squab and cushion
may also contain heater elements to provide heated seat operation.
The switches for electrically operated seats are located either side of the centre console.
Direction indicators and hazard warning lamps
The direction indicator lamps are operated from a three position direction indicator switch on the left hand, steering
column stalk. The BCU only allows the lamps to work as direction indicators when the ignition switch is in position II.
The BCU also controls the lamps to operate as hazard warning lamps and as a visual warning for the anti-theft system,
in which cases all lamps flash simultaneously irrespective of the ignition switch position.
System control of the direction indicators and hazard warning lamps is provided by the BCU operating with the IDM
and two electronic relays located in the passenger compartment fuse box. The IDM and relays are integral parts of
the passenger compartment fuse box and cannot be serviced individually. The serial data bus is used for
communication of status and operation requests between the BCU, IDM and instrument pack.
The hazard warning lamps are operated from a latching pushbutton switch located on the fascia.
All direction indicator/ hazard warning lamp bulbs are rated at 5 Watts.
Headlamps
The BCU contains a feature which allow the vehicle headlamps to be turned on when the remote transmitter is
pressed (courtesy headlamps).
For markets with daylight running lamps, the BCU controls the logical operation of the daylight running lamps. Options
are daylight running lamps are on if the main beam headlamps are off, or the daylight running lamps are on with main
and dipped beam off and the gearbox not in Park.
Front fog lamps
For markets with front fog lamps fitted, the BCU controls the operation of the front fog lamps. Options can be selected
so that the fog lamps will operate with or without the headlamps on main beam.
Instrument pack
The BCU communicates with the instrument pack via a serial data bus.
+ INSTRUMENTS, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description.
lThe instrument pack provides the BCU and IDM with details of vehicle speed.
lSignals are provided from the IDM to the instrument pack and BCU when the direction indicator lamps are active.
lFor certain markets, the BCU provides a signal to the instrument pack for indicating when the transfer box is in
neutral.
lThe IDM can signal the instrument pack to illuminate a trailer warning lamp. This operates when the IDM senses
that the current drawn by the indicator circuit exceeds a preset threshold.
lThe odometer reading displayed on the instrument pack LCD screen is also stored in non volatile memory in the
BCU. Whenever the ignition is turned from position I to position II, the instrument pack and the BCU compare
their stored values.
lThe gear selector position is displayed on the instrument pack LCD screen under the direction of the BCU.
Starting
The starting system comprises a starter motor and solenoid located at the rear right hand side of the engine. A starter
relay controlled by the BCU is used to supply battery power for starter solenoid operation. The starter motor receives
its feed directly from the battery.
BODY CONTROL UNIT
86-3-16 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Cruise control
The BCU processes several signals used for cruise control:
lWhen the brake pedal is pressed, a low voltage brake lamp signal is sent via the BCU to the cruise control ECU.
lThe gear position switch sends an input via the BCU to the cruise control ECU if the selector lever is in Park,
Neutral or Reverse.
lA voltage supply is fed from the BCU to the cruise control SET+ switch.
lA voltage supply is fed from the BCU to the cruise control RES switch.
On vehicles with automatic transmission, if the BCU receives an input from the gear position switch or the brake pedal
switch, the BCU sends a signal to the cruise control ECU to cancel or inhibit cruise control operation.
+ ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - Td5, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description.
+ ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - V8, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description - cruise control.
Shift interlock (where fitted)
On automatic gearbox models, the BCU and IDM combine with an interlock relay located in the passenger
compartment fuse box to operate a shift interlock solenoid, so that the gear selector lever cannot be moved out of
Park until certain logical conditions have been satisfied. Operation of the interlock may be affected, if the battery
becomes discharged.
+ AUTOMATIC GEARBOX - ZF4HP22 - 24, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description.
Ignition key interlock (where fitted)
On automatic gearbox models, the ignition key interlock solenoid prevents removal of the ignition key from the ignition
switch when the transmission gear selector is not in the Park position. The logic control operation for this is performed
by the BCU.
Transfer box interlock (where fitted)
On automatic gearbox models, a transfer box interlock solenoid is controlled by the IDM to prevent transfer box shift
lever being moved out of high or low range unless certain conditions have been satisfied. The IDM controls the
operation of the transfer box relay which is located in the passenger compartment fuse box.
+ TRANSFER BOX - LT230SE, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description.
Gear position switch
A gear position switch is located on the automatic gearbox and is used to inform the BCU of the gear selector lever
position. The BCU has four sensing inputs from the gear position switch contacts W, X, Y, Z, which are used to
determine the gearbox drive status at any particular instance. The BCU gives an output corresponding to the gearbox
status derived from the gear position switch inputs. The logic states defining the gear selector positions are listed in
the table below, where Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4 represent intermediate states which exist as the selector lever position is
changed:
Gear position Switch contacts
WX Y Z
P (Park) 1 0 0 0
Z11100
R (Reverse) 0 1 0 0
Z11100
N (Neutral) 1 1 1 0
Z21010
D (Drive) 1 0 1 1
Z31111
30111
Z40011
20001
Z40011
10010
BODY CONTROL UNIT
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 86-3-17
The existence of an intermediate state causes a fault code to be detected by the BCU. To reduce the chances of the
fault condition occurring while changing selector lever position, the inputs are debounced and only considered valid
when they have existed for at least 33 ms.
Transmission neutral selector
The transmission neutral sensor provides an earth signal to the BCU when the transfer box is in neutral. The earth
signal causes the BCU to operate an audible warning when the transfer box is in neutral with the ignition switched on.
+ TRANSFER BOX - LT230SE, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description.
Self levelling suspension and ABS
The BCU communicates with the SLABS ECU for several functions:
lAn output is provided from the SLABS ECU to the BCU to provide the logic conditions for issuing the SLS audible
warning.
lThe BCU receives an input from the SLABS ECU relating to the raise/ lower command from the remote handset.
+ REAR SUSPENSION, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description - SLS.
Hill descent control
The BCU provides an output signal to the SLABS ECU for automatic transmission in neutral for HDC control. The
BCU checks the status of the ignition and 'gearbox state' inputs and provides a 'Neutral selected' output. If the ignition
is on and 'gearbox state' is Neutral, the 'Neutral selected' output is on, otherwise 'Neutral selected' is off.
+ BRAKES, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description.
Heated screens
The Heated Front Screen (HFS) is fitted for some market destinations and is operated from a non-latching switch
located on the instrument pack cowl. The BCU will only allow the heated front screen to operate when the engine is
running and controls the time-out period for switching the circuit off.
The heated front screen operation can also be controlled from the Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ECU on
vehicles fitted with air conditioning.
The heated rear window will only function when the engine is running, and is operated by a non-latching switch on the
instrument pack cowl. The heated rear window can also be operated by the ATC ECU on vehicles fitted with air
conditioning.
Interior courtesy lamps
The BCU controls the operation of the interior courtesy lamps. The courtesy lamps are situated in the front, mid and
rear areas of the headlining.
Fuel flap actuator
The BCU provides an earth path to the fuel flap release solenoid to allow the fuel filler flap to be opened. This is only
allowed if the alarm system is not set and all other conditions have been satisfied. The fuel flap release switch is
located in the fascia switch pack on vehicles up to 2003 model year or in the instrument pack binacle on vehicles from
2003 model year. The switch receives a voltage supply from the passenger compartment fuse box.
BODY CONTROL UNIT
86-3-20 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
In some markets, when the alarm is triggered the BCU also activates the direction indicators, in phase with the audible
warning, to provide an optical warning of a theft attempt. The activation period of the optical alarm is 25 to 30 seconds.
The duty cycle of the optical warning is 50:50 ± 10%.
The alarm system relies upon the vehicle battery for power. However, the BCU remembers the status of the security
system if it loses battery supply. If the security system was in a set condition when battery supply was lost the BCU
will trigger the alarm and initiate a visual warning by flashing the hazard lamps when the battery voltage is restored.
On vehicles with a BBUS fitted, the BBUS will sound if the battery is disconnected while the alarm system is set.
Door switches
The BCU uses the door latch switches to indicate if a door is open or closed. The BCU provides power to all door latch
switches; the switches are in the 'normally open' condition when the doors are shut. When a door is opened, the door
switch contacts are closed and the circuit is earthed, signalling a change in state to the BCU. All doors except the
driver's doors are connected in parallel, so the BCU will recognise a passenger door has been opened but will not be
able to distinguish which one. The driver's door has a dedicated signal line which enables the BCU to detect if the
driver's door has been opened or closed.
Door lock actuators
The CDL system has the facility to enable superlocking. All door lock actuators are controlled by the BCU via the IDM.
The driver's door is controlled separately from all other doors, enabling functions like single point entry and key
access.
Driver's door key lock and unlock switches
The BCU uses the driver's door key lock and unlock switches to activate and deactivate the security system. The
driver's door lock is also used for entering the EKA code.
Two separate switches are incorporated into the key lock assembly of the driver's door. The switches are normally
open and the BCU provides a separate power supply to each. The BCU is signalled when a circuit is earthed enabling
it to determine the direction in which the lock has been turned.
Bonnet switch
The bonnet switch is powered from the BCU and is used as a logical input for operation of the security system. The
switch is normally open with the bonnet closed, when the bonnet is opened the switch contacts close to complete a
circuit to earth and signal the change in state to the BCU.
Key-in sensor
When the ignition key is inserted into the lock barrel the key-in sensor contacts close and supply a signal to the BCU.
The BCU monitors the ignition switch for a change in state and triggers the alarm if it receives an ignition signal before
it receives an alarm disarm signal.
Another feed to the ignition switch is provided by the BCU to provide switch illumination.
A key-in warning can be enabled or disabled. When the key-in warning is enabled, an audible warning is generated
if the ignition key is in and the driver's door is opened.
Passive coil
The passive coil is located around the ignition key barrel. When the BCU detects that the ignition key has been turned
to the crank position, the vehicle's immobilisation system is activated and a signal is sent to the passive coil at a
frequency of 125 kHz. The magnetic field generated in the coil is induced in the remote transmitter to trigger a re-
mobilisation signal.
BBUS/ alarm sounder/ vehicle horn
The BBUS is an audible warning device which operates under the control of the BCU if the anti-theft system is
activated or the vehicle battery is disconnected. The unit contains its own internal battery power source which is
charged via a feed from the passenger compartment fuse box. The BBUS will not sound if the battery is disconnected
while the security system has not been set.
Some markets utilise an alarm sounder which operates independently or in conjunction with the vehicle horn if the
anti-theft system is triggered.
BODY CONTROL UNIT
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 86-3-23
A timeout function is included which allows the windows and sunroofs to be operated for a period of 44 ± 1 seconds
after the ignition key has been removed from the ignition switch. The timeout function will be cancelled if the BCU
detects the following conditions:
lThe driver's door has been closed after the ignition has been switched off.
lAny door open after the ignition is switched off.
The preconditions are programmed into the BCU dependent on market specification.
The BCU does not directly control rear window operation, but it can request the IDM to remove the power feed to the
rear windows. The IDM enables power supply to be provided to the rear lift relay in the passenger fuse box. When the
relay coil is energised the relay contacts close and power is applied to the rear window motor. If the window lift
isolation switch located in the centre console is latched out, the earth path from the LH and RH rear door window
switches is broken and operation of the rear window motors through the use of the rear window switches is prevented.
Rear window operation using the console switches is not affected by the isolation switch.
In the event of a communications link failure occurring while rear window enable is on, the relay remains on until the
ignition switch is turned to the off position.
Heated screens
The heated screen time-outs and logical operations are controlled by the BCU.
Heated front screen
The BCU provides an output to the heated front screen relay and a 'heated front screen active signal' for the heated
front screen warning lamp. The BCU uses the status of the following inputs to determine the appropriate logical
operations for this feature:
lIgnition state.
lEngine running (link from instrument pack).
lHeated front screen selected (non-latched button pressed).
If the ignition switch is not in position II, or the engine running signal is OFF, the heated front screen will not be active.
The heated front screen operation period and voltage supply is controlled by the BCU. The BCU receives a voltage
supply feed from the engine compartment fuse box and an ignition switched supply through a fuse in the passenger
compartment fuse box. When the heated front screen switch is operated, it completes a path to earth, signalling a
request for heated screen operation to the BCU. The BCU then supplies a feed to the heated front screen switch to
light the switch indicator, and earths the supply from the coil of the heated screen relay to turn the heated front screen
on. The BCU maintains a supply for a predetermined time (5 minutes), then opens the earth path after the time out
period to turn the heated screen off. During the timeout period, if the heated front screen switch is pressed a second
time, the circuit is also interrupted to turn off the supply to the heated front screen.
On vehicles fitted with air conditioning, the heated front screen is also operated by the ATC ECU when DEF (defrost)
is selected. In this case the ATC ECU provides the trigger signal to the BCU to turn the heated front screen circuit on
or, if it is already on, to re-start the time out period.
+ AIR CONDITIONING, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description.
In the event of a communications link failure occurring while the heated front screen relay is on, the relay and lamp
will remain on until the ignition switch is turned off or the time-out period elapses or the heated front screen switch is
pressed.
Heated rear window
The heated rear window will only function when the engine is running, and is operated by a non-latching switch on the
instrument pack cowl.
The BCU provides a 'heated rear window enable output' and a 'heated rear window active warning lamp signal' based
on the logic status of the following inputs:
lIgnition state.
lEngine running (link from instrument pack).
lHeated rear window selected (non-latched button pressed).
If the ignition switch is not in position II, or the engine running signal is OFF, the heated rear window will not be active.
BODY CONTROL UNIT
86-3-24 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
The heated rear window operation period and voltage supply is controlled by the BCU. The BCU receives a voltage
supply feed from the engine compartment fuse box and an ignition switched supply through a fuse in the passenger
compartment fuse box. When the heated rear window switch is operated, it completes a path to earth, signalling a
request for heated rear window operation to the BCU. The BCU then supplies a feed to the heated rear window switch
to light the switch indicator, and earths the supply from the coil of the heated rear window relay via the IDM to turn the
heated rear window elements on. The BCU maintains a supply for a predetermined time (15 minutes), then opens the
earth path after the time-out period to turn the heated rear window operation off. If the heated rear window switch is
pressed a second time, the circuit is also interrupted to turn off the supply to the heated front screen.
On vehicles fitted with air conditioning, the heated rear window is also operated by the ATC ECU when DEF (defrost)
is selected. In this case the ATC ECU provides the trigger signal to the BCU to turn the heated rear window circuit on
or, if it is already on, to re-start the time out period.
+ AIR CONDITIONING, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description.
In the event of a communications link failure occurring while the heated rear window enable is on, the relay and lamp
will be de-activated.
Wipers and washers
Front and rear wash/ wipe operations are controlled by the BCU via the IDM.
Front wipers and washers
When front intermittent wipe is selected using the wiper switch on the column stalk, the BCU signals the IDM to
operate the wiper motor. The IDM then supplies a voltage to the normal speed winding of the wiper motor for a period
of no longer than 500 ms. The timed feed ensures the wiper motor operates, but does not complete more than a single
wipe of the screen. The BCU checks the position of the delay switch to determine the delay period which should be
utilised for the intermittent wipe operation. The delay period of the front intermittent wipe is maintained until the wiper
switch is moved to the off, normal or fast speed position, or the delay period is changed.
When front intermittent wipe is selected, a delay period of 500 ms will be incurred before the wipers operate. This
delay prevents the occurrence of a wipe action when the wiper switch is changed to the off position from the normal
or fast modes of operation.
To enable the front intermittent wipe facility, the BCU checks the state of the following inputs:
lIgnition state.
lFront intermittent wiper switch.
lFront intermittent wiper rate.
If the ignition switch is in the off or crank position, the front wipers are not active and the front wiper enable output is
switched off.
If the option to initiate a wipe action in addition to a front screen wash action has been configured in the BCU, the
wipers will operate 400 ms after the washer pump becomes active. If the washer switch is released within 400 ms,
the wipers will not be activated. If a washer switch is pressed for longer than 400 ms, the BCU will operate the wipers
after an initial delay of 400 ms, and will continue to operate for as long as the washer switch is depressed plus an
additional 4 seconds.
The front wash/ wipe programme can be configured to operate in one of two ways:
lOption 1 – normal.
lOption 2 – no wipe.
The BCU checks for the following inputs:
lIgnition state.
lFront washer pump switch.
The BCU can provide the following wash / wipe outputs depending on the logic states prevailing:
lFront wiper enable.
lFront wash/ wipe in progress flag.
In the event of a communications link failure occurring while the front wash/ wipe programme is in operation, the front
wiper enable output is switched off.
BODY CONTROL UNIT
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 86-3-25
Rear wipers and washers
The rear wiper is initially operated for a period of 4 seconds when the rear wiper switch is pressed, to complete two
full cycles. After this, the rear wiper will operate every other time the front wiper completes a wipe operation. During
the wipe operation, the front and rear wipers are synchronised, and changes to the delay period during intermittent
wipe will change the delay period for both front and rear wipers.
Operation of the rear washer switch causes the washer motor to operate for as long as the switch is operated. The
wiper also operates while the switch is depressed and for a further 4 seconds after the switch is released.
The BCU checks for the following inputs to determine when to provide the rear wiper enable signal:
lIgnition state.
lRear wiper switch.
lFront intermittent wiper rate.
lFront intermittent wiper switch.
If the ignition switch is in the off or crank position, the rear wipers are not active and the rear wiper enable output is
switched off.
In the event of a communications link failure occurring while the rear intermittent wipe programme is in operation, the
rear wiper enable output is switched off.
Reverse gear wipe
The BCU changes the operation of the rear wiper when the front wiper is active and reverse gear is selected. The rear
wiper operation rate used when the preconditions have been satisfied depend on the prevailing front wiper operating
mode and the position of the rear wiper switch. If the rear wiper is on or the front wiper is operating at an intermittent
rate when reverse gear is selected, the BCU will operate the rear wiper continuously for 4 seconds via the IDM. After
the initial period, the rear wiper will operate at the same rate as the front wiper.
The BCU checks for the following inputs to determine when to provide the rear wiper enable signal if the vehicle is in
reverse gear:
lIgnition state.
lRear wiper switch.
lFront intermittent wiper rate.
lReverse gear selected.
lFront intermittent wiper switch.
lFront wiper switch state.
lFront wash/ wipe in progress flag.
In the event of a communications link failure occurring while the reversing wipe is in operation, the rear wiper enable
output is switched off.
Headlamp wash
The headlamp wash will only operate when the headlamps are on, and then only every third time the front windscreen
wash button is pressed. When the BCU operates the headlamp washers, it activates the washer pump relay for a
period of 500 ms. The BCU supplies an earth path for the coil of the power wash relay located in the engine
compartment fuse box when the washer function is selected.
The BCU checks for the following inputs to determine when to provide power to the headlamp power wash relay:
lIgnition state.
lFront washer pump switch.
lDipped beam.
lMain beam state.
If the ignition switch is in the off position, the headlamp power wash relay is also held off. if the ignition state is crank,
the headlamp power wash relay is switched off and the headlamp power wash counter is reset to 0.
In the event of a communications link failure occurring while the headlamp power wash relay in on , the relay remains
on until the 500 ms timer has completed, then the relay is switched off.