Blind Spot Monitoring System - Description
BLIND SPOT MONITOR SYSTEM
The Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) system is an available factory-installed electronic driving aid. This system provides both blind spot and Rear Cross Path (RCP) monitoring features. While the vehicle is being driven, this system alerts the vehicle operator when it detects other highway licensable vehicles that enter the targeted blind spot and cross path alert zones. These zones lie immediately to the right and behind as well as immediately to the left and behind the vehicle. Due to the surrounding rear vehicle structure or other adjacent stationary obstacles outside of the vehicle, these zones might be more difficult for the vehicle operator to easily monitor.
When the BSM system detects another vehicle within one of the target zones, the system is capable of illuminating an amber triangle icon located in each outside rear view mirror glass, as well as reducing audio system volume and sounding chime tones through the audio system speakers to provide the vehicle operator with both visual and audible alerts. However, it should be noted that this BSM system is intended to supplement and not to replace safe vehicle operating habits, including proper adjustment and use of the standard equipment inside and outside rear view mirrors.
The BSM system includes the following major components, which are described in further detail elsewhere in this service information:
- Blind Spot Displays (3) - Vehicles equipped with the BSM system have an amber Light Emitting Diode (LED) unit mounted on the back of each outside rear view mirror glass case behind the translucent outline of a triangle in the mirror glass. The BSM system illuminates the appropriate triangle icon in amber each time a vehicle is detected in one of the blind spot or rear cross path alert zones.
- Blind Spot Sensors (1) - Vehicles equipped with the BSM system have both a Left Blind Spot Sensor (LBSS) and a Right Blind Spot Sensor (RBSS). The LBSS and the RBSS each include a Radio Detection And Ranging (RADAR) sensor and an integral electronic control unit. Each of the two control units is independent, communicates on the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus and is hard wired to its respective right or left blind spot display. The LBSS and the RBSS are concealed behind their respective right and left outboard ends of the rear bumper fascia, just behind the rear wheel openings.
- Electronic Vehicle Information Center - In vehicles equipped with the optional BSM system, the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) within the Instrument Cluster (IC) (also known as the Instrument Panel Cluster/IPC) may display textual warnings and error messages related to the current operating status of the BSM system. Either the EVIC and the EVIC switch pod on the left horizontal spoke of the steering wheel or the virtual buttons in the touch screen of the optional premium radio provide an interface that allows the vehicle operator to enable, disable and modify certain BSM system settings using the customer programmable features option. The BSM system can also be manually enabled or disabled on vehicles equipped with the Compass Mini Trip Computer (CMTC) option.
Hard wired circuitry connects the BSM system components to each other through the electrical system of the vehicle. These hard wired circuits are integral to several wire harnesses, which are routed throughout the vehicle and retained by many different methods. These circuits may be connected to each other and to the vehicle electrical system through the use of a combination of soldered splices, splice block connectors and many different types of wire harness terminal connectors and insulators. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wiring information includes wiring diagrams, proper wire and connector repair procedures, further details on wire harness routing and retention, as well as pin out and location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.
The blind spot monitor system components cannot be adjusted or repaired. If any of the BSM system components are damaged or inoperative, that component must be replaced.