Park Assist System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2020 Chrysler 300 and 2019 Chrysler 300. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The Front and Rear Park Assist (FRPA) system is active only when the status of the ignition switch is ON, the transmission gear selector is in the Drive (D ) or Reverse (R ) position and the vehicle speed is less than about 11 km/h (7 mph). The system can be manually disabled and enabled by the vehicle operator using the Park Assist OFF push button in the Integrated Center Stack (ICS). In vehicles equipped with this option, the system is enabled from the factory as a default.

Reasons for disabling the system include trailer towing, off road use or for driver preference. With a trailer attached to the vehicle the audible and visual FRPA alerts would be incessant whenever the transmission gear selector was in the Reverse (R ) position due to the Proximity of the trailer to the rear of the vehicle. Similarly, operating the vehicle off road may cause the FRPA alerts to become distracting due to the Proximity of large trees or boulders and the extreme front and rear approach angles that may be encountered while maneuvering on off road trails or terrain.

When the system is disabled, a park assist icon will appear within the display. A PARK ASSIST SYSTEM OFF graphic and textual message will appear within the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) display of the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) whenever the transmission gear selector is in the Drive (D ) or Reverse R positions. When the system is enabled, a PARK ASSIST SYSTEM ON graphic and textual message will appear in the EVIC display of the IPC at the beginning of each ignition ON cycle, and a PARK ASSIST READY graphic and textual message will appear in the display whenever the automatic transmission gear selector lever is in the Drive (D ) or Reverse (R ) positions and the vehicle speed is less than about 11 km/h (7 mph).

The microcontroller based, 10 channel Park Assist Module (PAM) is the central component of the FRPA system. It supplies voltage to the park assist sensors, receives and analyzes data from the sensors, calculates and communicates the proper display information to the EVIC display, calculates and communicates the proper audible outputs to the radio and performs system diagnostics and communicates with other Electronic Control Units (ECUs) in the vehicle or with a diagnostic scan tool over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus. The PAM operates on battery voltage received through a fused ignition (RUN) fuse in the rear Power Distribution Center (PDC) and is grounded through a take out of the body wire harness secured to the body sheet metal.

Six ultrasonic park assist sensors in the front bumper fascia and four ultrasonic park assist sensors in the rear bumper fascia allow the FRPA system to locate and identify the Proximity of nearby obstacles. These sensors each generate ultrasonic sound pulses when triggered by the PAM, then signal the PAM when an echo of the reflected sound pulses is received. The detection distance from the front of the vehicle is about 1.2 meters (47.2 inches) or from the rear of the vehicle is about 2.0 meters (80 inches). The detection height range from the ground is about 0.2 meters (7.8 inches) to about 0.8 meters (31 inches). The detection area extends somewhat around both front and rear sides (corners) of the vehicle.

The EVIC display unit provides the vehicle operator with a graphical representation of the vehicle along with numerous illuminated arc sections that indicate the relative location and range of detected objects. The display is active any time the vehicle is in Reverse (R ). When in Drive (D ) the display is active only when an object enters a front detection zone. The display is visible to the vehicle operator only when looking forward. When an object is detected within a detection zone, the system will also emit a series of short, intermittent, audible beeps and, if the audio system of the vehicle is turned ON, will automatically lower the volume of the audio system 20 dB below a set tone alert volume. The tones are directional playing through the front or rear audio system speakers to correspond with the location of the detected object. The audible warning changes from intermittent beeps to a continuous tone as the vehicle comes to within 30 centimeters (12 inches) of a detected object.

When the PAM monitors a problem in any of the park assist system circuits or components, it stores a fault code or Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) in its memory circuit. The PAM then sends an electronic message over the CAN data bus, and one of several SERVICE PARK ASSIST SYSTEM textual and graphical messages is displayed within the EVIC display when the message is received by the IPC.

The hardwired circuits between components related to the park assist system may be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wiring information includes wiring diagrams, details of wire harness routing and retention, connector pin-out information and location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds. For proper wire repair, and connector repair procedures. Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE , REMOVAL , and INSTALLATION .

However, conventional diagnostic methods will not prove conclusive in the diagnosis of the FRPA system or the electronic controls and communication between modules and other devices that provide some features of the FRPA system. The most reliable, efficient and accurate means to diagnose the FRPA system or the electronic controls and communication related to FRPA system operation requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.