2001 DODGE TOWN AND COUNTRY ignition

(1) Check battery before performing this test. Bat-
tery must be fully charged.
(2) Connect a volt-ampere tester to the battery ter-
minals. Refer to the operating instructions provided
with the tester being used.
(3) To disable the ignition and fuel systems, dis-
connect the Automatic Shutdown Relay (ASD). The
ASD relay is located in the Power Distribution Cen-
ter (PDC). Refer to the PDC cover for proper relay
location.
(4) Verify that all lights and accessories are OFF,
and the transmission shift selector is in the PARK
and SET parking brake.
CAUTION: Do not overheat the starter motor or
draw the battery voltage below 9.6 volts during
cranking operations.
(5) Rotate and hold the ignition switch in the
START position. Observe the volt-ampere tester (Fig.
2).
²If voltage reads above 9.6 volts, and amperage
draw reads above 280 amps, check for engine seizing
or faulty starter.
²If voltage reads 12.4 volts or greater and amper-
age reads 0 to 10 amps, check for corroded cables
and/or bad connections.
²Voltage below 9.6 volts and amperage draw
above 300 amps, the problem is the starter. Replace
the starter refer to starter removal.
(6) After the starting system problems have been
corrected, verify the battery state-of-charge and
charge battery if necessary. Disconnect all testingequipment and connect ASD relay. Start the vehicle
several times to assure the problem has been cor-
rected.
SPECIFICATIONS
STARTER
MANUFACTURER NIPPONDENSO
Engine Application 2.4L /3.3/3.8L
Power rating 1.2 Kw
Voltage 12 VOLTS
No. of Fields 4
No. of Poles 4
Brushes 4
Drive Conventional Gear Train
Free running Test
Voltage 11
Amperage Draw 73 Amp
Minimum Speed 3401 RPM
SolenoidClosing Voltage 7.5 Volts
Cranking Amperage Draw
test150 - 200 Amps.
Engine should be up to operating temperature.
Extremely heavy oil or tight engine will increase
starter amperage draw.
Torques
DESCRIPTION N´m Ft. Lbs. In. Lbs.
Starter Mounting Bolts 47.4 35
Starter Solenoid Battery
Nut11.3 8.3 100
8F - 32 STARTINGRS
STARTING (Continued)
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(3) Battery chargers vary in the amount of voltage
and current they provide. The amount of time
required for a battery to accept measurable charging
current at various voltages is shown in the Charge
Rate Table. If the charging current is still not mea-
surable at the end of the charging time, the battery
is faulty and must be replaced. If the charging cur-
rent is measurable during the charging time, the bat-
tery may be good and the charging should be
completed in the normal manner.
CHARGE RATE TABLE
Voltage Hours
14.4 volts maximum up to 4 hours
13.0 to 14 volts up to 8 hours
12.9 volts or less up to 16 hours
CHARGING TIME REQUIRED
The time required to charge a battery will vary,
depending upon the following factors:
²Battery Capacity- A completely discharged
heavy-duty battery requires twice the charging time
of a small capacity battery.
²Temperature- A longer time will be needed to
charge a battery at -18É C (0É F) than at 27É C (80É
F). When a fast battery charger is connected to a cold
battery, the current accepted by the battery will be
very low at first. As the battery warms, it will accept
a higher charging current rate (amperage).
²Charger Capacity- A battery charger that
supplies only five amperes will require a longer
charging time. A battery charger that supplies eight
amperes will require a shorter charging time.
²State-Of-Charge- A completely discharged bat-
tery requires more charging time than a partially
discharged battery. Electrolyte is nearly pure water
in a completely discharged battery. At first, the
charging current (amperage) will be low. As the bat-
tery charges, the specific gravity of the electrolyte
will gradually rise.
The Battery Charging Time Table gives an indica-
tion of the time required to charge a typical battery
at room temperature based upon the battery state-of-
charge and the charger capacity.
BATTERY CHARGING TIME TABLE
Charging
Amperage5 Amps 8 Amps
Open Circuit
VoltageHours Charging @ 21É
C (70É F)
12.25 to 12.49 6 hours 3 hours
12.00 to 12.24 10 hours 5 hours
BATTERY CHARGING TIME TABLE
Charging
Amperage5 Amps 8 Amps
Open Circuit
VoltageHours Charging @ 21É
C (70É F)
10.00 to 11.99 14 hours 7 hours
Below 10.00 18 hours 9 hours
BATTERY CABLES
REMOVAL
The battery cables on this model may include por-
tions of wiring circuits for the generator and other
components on the vehicle. If battery cable replace-
ment is required, it will be necessary to extract the
cables out of the engine wire harness assembly. Use
care not to damage the other wires and circuits
which are also packaged into the engine wire harness
assembly.
(1) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position. Be
certain that all electrical accessories are turned off.
(2) Disconnect and isolate the negative battery
cable terminal.
(3) Remove the battery thermal guard from the
battery tray (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/BATTERY
SYSTEM/THERMAL GUARD - REMOVAL).
(4) Remove the tape from the engine wire harness
assembly, to access the desired battery cable.
(5) One at a time, trace and disconnect the battery
cable retaining fasteners and routing clips until the
desired cable is free from the vehicle.
(6) Feed the battery cable out of the vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the battery cable in the vehicle.
(2) One at a time, trace and install the battery
cable retaining fasteners and routing clips until the
desired cable is properly installed in the engine wire
harness assembly.
(3) Install the tape on the engine wire harness
assembly.
(4) Install the battery thermal guard on the bat-
tery tray (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/BATTERY SYS-
TEM/THERMAL GUARD - INSTALLATION).
(5) Connect the negative battery cable terminal.
8Fa - 4 BATTERY SYSTEM - RG ONLYRG
BATTERY (Continued)
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OPERATION
The Rear Window Defogger (Fig. 1) system consists
of two vertical bus bars linked by a series of grid
lines on the inside surface of the rear window. The
electrical circuit consists of the rear defogger switch
in the HVAC control assembly and a relay with timer
switch to turn OFF the system after ten minutes.
The main feed circuit is protected by fuse 13 (40
amp) in the Power Distribution Center (PDC) which
is integrated as a unit call Integrated Power Module
(IPM). The rear defogger switch and relay also acti-
vates the heated power side view mirrors and heated
windshield wiper de-icer. The heated windshield
wiper de-icer is powered by the RUN/ACC relay in
the IPM and feed thru fuse #11 (20 amp) in the PDC.
The heated mirror circuit is protected by a non-servi-
cable Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) located
inside the PDC. The heated windshield wiper de-icer
circuit is protected by fuse 11 (20 amp) in the PDC.
The Heated Windshield Wiper Deicer is also acti-
vated when the DEFROST mode is selected on the
HVAC. In the DEFROST mode the rear defogger
relay/timer is bypassed, the heated windshield wiper
de-icer will stay ON until the another mode is
selected. For circuit information and component loca-
tion refer to appropriate section for Wiring Diagrams.
CAUTION:
Since grid lines can be damaged or scraped off
with sharp instruments, care should be taken in
cleaning the glass or removing foreign materials,
decals or stickers. Normal glass cleaning solvents
or hot water used with rags or toweling is recom-
mended.
DEFOGGER RELAY
DESCRIPTION
There is no heated glass relay it is integrated into
the (E.B.L) relay that is located in the IPM in the
engine compartment.
REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER
GRID
STANDARD PROCEDURE - GRID LINE
REPAIR-REAR
For Grid repair procedure for the rear window
defogger (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/HEATED
GLASS/WINDSHIELD GRID - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE).
REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER
SWITCH
DESCRIPTION
The rear window defogger switch is integrated into
the HVAC control panel assembly (Fig. 3)
OPERATION
A LED indicator will illuminate when the switch is
activated. The switch energizes the HVAC control
assembly when it requests the Front Control Module
(FCM) to activate the rear window defogger relay.
The relay controls the current to flow to the grids of
the rear window defogger, heated power side view
mirrors and the heated windshield wiper de-icer. The
defogger relay will be on for approximately 10 min-
utes or until the control switch or ignition is turned
off.
Fig. 3 HVAC CONTROL PANEL
1 - Trim Bezel
2 - ACT Sensor
3 - A/C Request Switch
4 - Rear Window Defogger/Heated Mirrors Switch Combo
5 - Front Window Defroster Mode Selector
8G - 2 HEATED GLASSRS
HEATED GLASS (Continued)
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WINDSHIELD GRID
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - SYSTEM TEST
Electrically heated rear window defogger or the
heated windshield wiper deicer operation can be
checked on the vehicle in the following manner:
(1) Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
(2) Using a ammeter on the battery, turn the rear
defogger control switch to the ON position, a distinct
increase in amperage draw should be noted.
(3) The rear window defogger or the heated wind-
shield wiper deicer operation can be checked by feel-
ing the glass. A distinct difference in temperature
between the grid lines and adjacent clear glass can
be detected in 3 to 4 minutes of operation.
(4) Using a DC voltmeter (Fig. 4) contact terminal
B with the negative lead, and terminal A with the
positive lead. The voltmeter should read 10-14 volts.
(5) Indicator light illumination means that there is
power available at the switch only and does not nec-
essarily verify system operation.
(6) If turning the defogger switch ON, no distinct
current draw on the ammeter the problem should be
isolated in the following manner:
²Confirm that ignition switch is ON.
²Ensure that the heated rear window or the
heated windshield wiper deicer feed pigtail is con-
nected to the wiring harness and that the ground
pigtail is in fact grounded.
²Ensure that the proper fuse in the PDC is OK.
(7) When the above steps have been completed and
the system is still inoperative it may be necessary to
connect a DRBIII scan tool and refer to the Diagnos-
tic Service Manual, you may also check for the fol-
lowing being defective:
²HVAC control assembly
²Rear window defogger relay in the IPM.
²Check for loose connector or a wire pushed out
of connector.
²Rear window or the windshield grid lines (all
grid lines would have to be broken, or one of the feed
pigtails not connected to the bus bar, for no ammeter
deflection).
(8) If turning the switch ON produces severe volt-
meter deflection, the circuit should be closely checked
for a shorting condition.
(9) If the system operation has been verified but
indicator LED does not light, replace the HVAC con-
trol assembly.
(10) For detailed wiring information, refer to the
appropriate section for Wiring Diagrams.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - GRID LINE AND
TERMINAL REPAIR
WARNING:
REPAIR KIT MAY CAUSE SKIN OR EYE IRRITATION.
CONTAINS EPOXY RESIN AND AMINE TYPE HARD-
ENER, HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED. AVOID CON-
TACT WITH SKIN AND EYES. FOR SKIN, WASH
AFFECTED AREAS WITH SOAP AND WATER. DO
NOT TAKE INTERNALLY. IF TAKEN INTERNALLY,
INDUCE VOMITING; CALL A PHYSICIAN IMMEDI-
ATELY. IF IN CONTACT WITH EYES, FLUSH WITH
PLENTY OF WATER. USE WITH ADEQUATE VENTI-
LATION. DO NOT USE NEAR FIRE OR FLAME. CON-
TENTS CONTAINS 3% FLAMMABLE SOLVENTS.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
The repair for the front windshield or the rear win-
dow grids are the same.
The repair of grid lines and replacement of the ter-
minal is possible using the MopartRepair Package
or equivalent.
(1) Clean area surrounding grid line or terminal
by gently rubbing area with steel wool.
(2) Wipe area with clean cloth soaked in alcohol or
similar solvent. It is necessary that all contaminants
be removed from repair area.
Fig. 4 Grid Line Test
1 - VOLTMETER
2 - TERMINAL B
3 - FEED WIRE
4 - MID-POINT C (TYPICAL)
5 - HEATED REAR WINDOW GRIDS
6 - GROUND WIRE
7 - TERMINAL A
RSHEATED GLASS8G-3
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HEATED MIRRORS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
HEATED MIRRORS
DESCRIPTION............................5
OPERATION.............................5
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING..................5
HEATED MIRROR TEST...................5
MIRROR SWITCH
DESCRIPTION............................5OPERATION.............................5
HEATED MIRROR GRID
STANDARD PROCEDURE...................6
HEATED MIRROR.......................6
RELAY
DESCRIPTION............................6
HEATED MIRRORS
DESCRIPTION
Heated mirrors are available on models with
Power Mirrors and Rear Window Defogger only.
OPERATION
The heated mirror is controlled by the rear window
defogger switch. The heated mirror is ON when the
rear window defogger is ON (Fig. 1)
DIAGNOSIS AND TESING - HEATED MIRROR
TEST
Heated mirrors are available on models with
Power Mirrors and Rear Window Defogger only. The
heated mirror is controlled by the rear window defog-
ger switch. The heated mirror is ON when the rear
window defogger is ON.
(1) The mirror glass should be warm to the touch.
(2) If not, check the 20 amp fuse (11) in the Power
Distribution Center (PDC) part of the Integrated
Power Module (IPM) in the engine compartment.
(3) Test voltage at rear window defogger switch.
²If no voltage repair wire.
²Remove mirror glass and test the wires for con-
tinuity. If no continuity repair wires.
²If wires are OK, replace mirror glass.
²To test defogger switch refer to the appropriate
section in Electrical.
MIRROR SWITCH
DESCRIPTION
The heated mirror switch is integrated into the
rear window defogger switch located in the HVAC
control panel (Fig. 1)
OPERATION
A LED indicator will illuminate when the switch is
activated. The switch energizes the HVAC control
assembly when it requests the Front Control Module
(FCM) to activate the rear window defogger relay.
The relay controls the current to flow to the grids of
the rear window defogger, heated power side view
mirrors and the heated windshield wiper de-icer. The
defogger relay will be on for approximately 10 min-
utes or until the control switch or ignition is turned
off.
Fig. 1 HVAC CONTROL PANEL
1 - Trim Bezel
2 - ACT Sensor
3 - A/C Request Switch
4 - Rear Window Defogger/Heated Mirrors Switch Combo
5 - Front Window Defroster Mode Selector
RSHEATED MIRRORS8G-5
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HEATED SEAT SYSTEM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
HEATED SEAT SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION............................7
OPERATION.............................8
DRIVER HEATED SEAT SWITCH
DESCRIPTION............................8
OPERATION.............................9
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING..................9
HEATED SEAT SWITCH...................9
REMOVAL..............................10
INSTALLATION...........................10
HEATED SEAT ELEMENT
DESCRIPTION...........................10
OPERATION.............................11DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.................11
HEATED SEAT ELEMENT.................11
HEATED SEAT SENSOR
DESCRIPTION...........................11
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.................11
HEATED SEAT SENSOR..................11
PASSENGER HEATED SEAT SWITCH
DESCRIPTION...........................11
OPERATION.............................11
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.................12
HEATED SEAT SWITCH..................12
REMOVAL..............................13
INSTALLATION...........................13
HEATED SEAT SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION
Individually controlled driver and passenger side
electrically heated front seats are available factory-
installed optional equipment on this model, when it
is also equipped with the power seat option. The
heated seat system allows both the driver and the
front seat passenger the option to select one of twoseat heating ranges, Low or High, or to turn the indi-
vidual seat heaters Off using the heated seat
switches located in the instrument panel center bezel
near the bottom of the HVAC outlets (Fig. 1). The
heated seat switch circuit operates on ignition
switched battery current supplied through a fuse in
the intelligent power module, only when the ignition
switch is in the On position.
This section covers the following components of the
heated seat system:
²Heated seat elements
²Heated seat sensors
²Heated seat switches
The Heated seat module (or memory heated seat
module) can be found in the Electronic Control Mod-
ules section of the service manual.
The heated seat system also relies upon resources
shared with other electronic modules in the vehicle
over the Programmable Communications Interface
(PCI) J1850 data bus network. The J1850 (PCI) data
bus network allows the sharing of sensor informa-
tion. This helps to reduce wire harness complexity,
internal controller hardware, and component sensor
current loads. At the same time, this system provides
increased reliability, enhanced diagnostics, and
allows the addition of many new feature capabilities.
For diagnosis of these electronic modules or of the
J1850 (PCI) data bus network, the use of a DRB IIIt
scan tool, or equivalent and the proper Diagnostic
Procedures manual are recommended.
The electronic modules that may affect heated seat
system operation are as follows:
²Body Control Module (BCM)- Refer toBody
Control Modulein Electronic Control Modules for
more information.
Fig. 1 HEATED SEAT SWITCHES
RSHEATED SEAT SYSTEM8G-7
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²Remote Keyless Entry Module (RKE)- Refer
toRemote Keyless Entry Modulein Power Locks
for more information.
²Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)- Refer toElectronic Vehicle Information
Centerin Overhead Console for more information.
²Heated Seat Module (HSM)- Refer toHeated
Seat Modulein Electronic Control Modules for more
information.
²Memory Heated Seat Module (MHSM)-If
the vehicle is equipped with the Memory System,
refer toMemory Seat Mirror Module (MSMM)in
Electronic Control Modules for more information.
Refer toWiring Diagramsfor complete circuit
diagrams. Following are general descriptions of the
major components in the heated seat system.
OPERATION
The heated seat system will only operate when the
ignition switch is in the On position, and the surface
temperature at the front seat heating element sen-
sors is below the designed temperature set points of
the system. The heated seat system will not operate
in ambient temperatures greater than about 41É C
(105É F). The front seat heating elements and sensors
are hard wired to the Heated Seat Module (HSM) or
the Memory Heated Seat Module (MHSM).
The heated seat switches are hard wired to the
Body Control Module (BCM). The BCM monitors the
heated seat switch inputs, then sends heated seat
switch status messages to the HSM or MHSM over
the Programmable Communications Interface J1850
(PCI) data bus. The HSM or MHSM contains the con-
trol logic for the heated seat system. The HSM or
MHSM responds to the heated seat switch status
messages, ignition switch status messages, and the
front seat heating element sensor inputs by control-
ling the output to the front seat heating elements
through integral solid-state relays.
When a seat heater is turned on, the sensor
located on the seat cushion electric heater element
provides the HSM or MHSM with an input indicating
the surface temperature of the seat cushion. If the
surface temperature input is below the temperature
set point for the selected Low or High heated seat
switch position, the HSM or MHSM energizes the
integral solid-state relay, which supplies battery cur-
rent to the heating elements in the seat cushion and
back. When the sensor input indicates the correct
temperature set point has been achieved, the HSM or
MHSM de-energizes the solid-state relay. The HSM
or MHSM will continue to cycle the solid-state relay
as needed to maintain the temperature set point.
The HSM or MHSM and the seat heater elements
operate on non-switched battery current supplied
through the power seat fuse in the intelligent powermodule. However, the HSM or MHSM will automati-
cally turn off the heating elements if it detects an
open in the sensor circuit, a short in the heating ele-
ment circuit causing an excessive current draw, or
when the ignition switch is turned to the Off posi-
tion.
See the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for
more information on the features, use and operation
of the heated seat system.
DRIVER HEATED SEAT
SWITCH
DESCRIPTION
The heated seat switches are mounted in the
instrument panel center bezel (Fig. 2). The two three-
position rocker-type switches, one switch for each
front seat, are incorporated into one large switch
assembly that also includes the hazzard, rear window
wiper and washer switches. The heated seat switches
provide a resistor multiplexed signal to the Body
Control Module (BCM) through separate hard wired
circuits. Each switch has an Off, Low, and High posi-
tion so that both the driver and the front seat pas-
senger can select a preferred seat heating mode.
Each switch has two Light-Emitting Diodes (LED)
which light to indicate that the heater for the seat is
turned on.
The heated seat switches and their LEDs cannot
be repaired. If either switch or LED is faulty or dam-
aged, the entire switch assembly must be replaced.
Fig. 2 HEATED SEAT SWITCHES
8G - 8 HEATED SEAT SYSTEMRS
HEATED SEAT SYSTEM (Continued)
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OPERATION
There are three positions that can be selected with
each of the heated seat switches: Off, Low, or High.
When the left side of the switch rocker is fully
depressed, the Low position is selected and the high
position LED indicator illuminates. When the right
side of the switch rocker is fully depressed, the High
position is selected and the low position LED indica-
tor illuminates. When the switch rocker is moved to
its neutral position (middle), Off is selected and both
LED indicators are extinguished.
Both switches provide separate resistor multi-
plexed hard wire inputs to the BCM to indicate the
selected switch position. The BCM monitors the
switch inputs and sends heated seat switch status
messages to the Heated Seat Module (HSM) or the
Memory Heated Seat Module (MHSM) over the Pro-
grammable Communications Interface (PCI) data
bus. The HSM or MHSM responds to the heated seat
switch status messages by controlling the output to
the seat heater elements of the selected seat. The
Low heat position set point is about 36É C (97É F),
and the High heat position set point is about 41É C
(105É F).
DIAGNOSIS & TESTING - HEATED SEAT
SWITCH
For complete circuit diagrams, refer toWiring
Diagrams.
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, REFER TO THE RESTRAINTS SECTION OF
THIS MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEER-
ING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, SEAT OR
INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR
SERVICE. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
(1) Check the fused ignition switch output (run)
fuse in the intelligent power module. If OK, go to
Step 2. If not OK, repair the shorted circuit or com-
ponent as required and replace the faulty fuse.
(2) Turn the ignition switch to the On position.
Check for battery voltage at the fused ignition switch
output (run) fuse in the intelligent power module. If
OK, go to Step 3. If not OK, repair the open fused
ignition switch output (run) circuit to the ignition
switch as required.
(3) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. Remove the center bezel from the instrument
panel and disconnect the instrument panel wire har-
ness connectors from the heated seat switch connec-
tor receptacle. Check for continuity between the
ground circuit cavity of the instrument panel wireharness connector for the inoperative heated seat
switch(es) and a good ground. There should be conti-
nuity. If OK, go to Step 4. If not OK, repair the open
ground circuit to ground as required.
(4) Reconnect the battery negative cable. Turn the
ignition switch to the On position. Check for battery
voltage at the fused ignition switch output (run) cir-
cuit cavity of the instrument panel wire harness con-
nector for the inoperative heated seat switch(es). If
OK, turn the ignition switch to the Off position, dis-
connect and isolate the battery negative cable, and go
to Step 5. If not OK, repair the open fused ignition
switch output (run) circuit to the intelligent power
module fuse as required.
(5) Test the heated seat switch(es) as shown in the
Heated Seat Switch Test chart (Fig. 3). If OK, go to
Step 6. If not OK, replace the faulty heated seat
switch(es).
DRIVER HEATED SEAT SWITCH TEST
SWITCH
POSITIONRESISTANCE
BETWEENRESISTANCE
(OHMS)
Off Pin4&5OPEN
Low Pin4&53570
High Pin4&51430
All resistance values are61%.
(6) Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness
connector from the Body Control Module (BCM) con-
nector receptacle. Check for continuity between the
seat heater switch sensor ground circuit cavity of the
instrument panel wire harness connector for the
Fig. 3 SWITCH CONNECTOR
RSHEATED SEAT SYSTEM8G-9
DRIVER HEATED SEAT SWITCH (Continued)
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