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Home >> Chrysler >> 2007 >> 300 SRT-8 V8-6.1L VIN W >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Instrument Panel, Gauges and Warning Indicators >> Instrument Cluster / Carrier >> Description and Operation >> Operation >> Part 4

Part 4






OPERATION - continued

TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR





The traction control indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator when the electronic Traction Control System (TCS) has been activated. This indicator is controlled by the instrument cluster circuit board based upon cluster programming and electronic messages received by the cluster from the Controller Antilock Brake (CAB) over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus.

The traction control indicator is completely controlled by the instrument cluster logic circuit, and that logic will only allow this indicator to operate when the instrument cluster receives a battery current input on the fused ignition switch output (run-start) circuit. Therefore, the indicator will always be off when the ignition switch is in any position except On or Start. The indicator only illuminates when it is switched to ground by the instrument cluster circuitry. The instrument cluster will turn on the traction control indicator for the following reasons:

- Bulb Test - Each time the ignition switch is turned to the On position the traction control indicator is illuminated for about four seconds as a bulb test. The entire bulb test is a function of the CAB.
- Traction Control Lamp-On Message - Each time the cluster receives a traction control lamp-on message from the CAB indicating that the TCS has been activated, the traction control indicator will be illuminated. The indicator remains illuminated until the cluster receives a traction control lamp-off message from the CAB, or until the ignition switch is turned to the Off position, whichever occurs first.
- Actuator Test - Each time the cluster is put through the actuator test, the traction control indicator will be turned on, then off again during the bulb check portion of the test to confirm the functionality of the LED and the cluster control circuitry.

The CAB continually monitors the traction control switch to determine the proper outputs to the components of the Antilock Brake System (ABS). The CAB then sends the proper traction control lamp-on and lamp-off messages to the instrument cluster. The Traction Control indicator is serviced with the instrument cluster.

TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS





The turn signal indicators give an indication to the vehicle operator that the turn signal (left or right indicator flashing) or hazard warning (both left and right indicators flashing) have been selected and are operating. These indicators are controlled by transistors on the instrument cluster electronic circuit board based upon the cluster programming, a hard wired multiplex input received by the cluster from the turn signal and hazard warning switch circuitry of the multi-function switch on the turn/hazard switch mux circuit, and electronic messages received from the Front Control Module (FCM) (also known as the Integrated Power Module/IPM) over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus.

Each turn signal indicator Light Emitting Diode (LED) is completely controlled by the instrument cluster logic circuit, and that logic will allow this indicator to operate whenever the instrument cluster receives a battery current input on the fused B(+) circuit. Therefore, each LED can be illuminated regardless of the ignition switch position. The LED only illuminates when it is provided a path to ground by the instrument cluster transistor. The instrument cluster will turn on the turn signal indicators for the following reasons:

- Turn Signal-On Input - Each time the cluster detects a turn signal-on input from the turn signal switch circuitry of the multi-function switch on the turn/hazard switch mux circuit, it sends the appropriate electronic turn signal switch status messages to the FCM over the CAN data bus. The FCM responds to these messages by controlling a battery voltage output and the flash rate for either the right or left turn signal lamps. The FCM also sends the appropriate electronic messages back to the EMIC to control the illumination and flash rate of the right or left turn signal indicators, as well as to control the click rate of an electromechanical relay soldered onto the EMIC electronic circuit board that emulates the sound emitted by a conventional turn signal flasher. The turn signals and the turn signal indicators continue to flash on and off until the cluster receives a turn signal-off input from the multi-function switch, or until the ignition switch is turned to the Off position, whichever occurs first.
- Hazard Warning-On Input - Each time the cluster detects a hazard warning-on input from the hazard warning switch circuitry of the multi-function switch on the turn/hazard switch mux circuit, it sends the appropriate electronic hazard switch status messages to the FCM over the CAN data bus. The FCM responds to these messages by controlling a battery voltage output and the flash rate for each of the right and left turn signal lamps. The FCM also sends the appropriate electronic messages back to the EMIC to control the illumination and flash rate of the right and left turn signal indicators, as well as to control the click rate of an electromechanical relay soldered onto the EMIC electronic circuit board that emulates the sound emitted by a conventional hazard warning flasher. The turn signals and the turn signal indicators continue to flash on and off until the cluster receives a hazard warning-off input from the multi-function switch.
- Lamp Out Mode - The instrument cluster also sends electronic turn signal on and off messages to the FCM over the CAN data bus, and the FCM flashes the appropriate exterior turn signal lamps. If the FCM detects an inoperative turn signal lamp or circuit, it increases the flash rate for the remaining operative turn signals and sends an electronic message back to the instrument cluster. The instrument cluster then increases the flash rate of the turn signal indicator(s) and the clicking rate of the electromechanical relay to provide an indication of the problem to the vehicle operator.
- Actuator Test - Each time the cluster is put through the actuator test, the turn signal indicators will be turned on, then off again during the bulb check portion of the test to confirm the functionality of each LED and the cluster control circuitry.

The instrument cluster continually monitors the multi-function switch and electronic messages from the FCM to determine the proper turn signal and hazard warning system control. The Turn Signal indicators are serviced with the instrument cluster.

CLUSTER ILLUMINATION

The EMIC has a single electro-luminescent lamp that provides cluster back lighting whenever the exterior lighting is turned On. The illumination intensity of this lamp is adjusted when the interior lighting thumbwheel on the headlamp switch is rotated (down to dim, up to brighten) to one of six available minor detent positions. The EMIC monitors a resistor multiplexed input from the headlamp switch on a dimmer input circuit. In response to that input, the EMIC electronic circuitry converts a fused 12-volt input it receives on a hard wired panel lamps dimmer switch signal circuit into a 12-volt Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) output.

The EMIC uses this PWM output to control the illumination intensity of the electro-luminescent cluster illumination lamp and the VFD units on the EMIC circuit board, then provides a synchronized PWM output on various hard wired fused panel lamps dimmer switch signal circuits to control and synchronize the illumination intensity of other incandescent illumination lamps in the vehicle. The EMIC also transmits electronic dimming level messages over the CAN data bus to other electronic modules in the vehicle to control and synchronize the illumination intensity of their VFD units to that of the EMIC VFD units.

In addition, the thumbwheel on the headlamp switch has a Parade Mode position to provide a parade or funeral mode. The EMIC monitors the request for this mode from the headlamp switch, then transmits an electronic dimming level message to illuminate all VFD units in the vehicle at full (daytime) intensity for easier visibility when driving in daylight with the exterior lighting turned On.

The electro-luminescent lamp unit consists of layers of phosphor, carbon, idiom tin oxide, and dielectric applied by a silk-screen process between two polyester membranes and includes a short pigtail wire and connector. The lamp pigtail wire is connected to a connector receptacle on the EMIC circuit board. The EMIC powers this lamp with an Alternating Current (AC) rated at 80 volts rms (root mean squared) and 415 Hertz produced by a transformer on the circuit board, which excites the phosphor particles causing them to luminesce.

ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER

The following Modes allow the driver to access and display the driver- interactive features:

TRIP MODE

Provides a choice of units displayed in English or metric. The following information can be displayed at the top of the screen: Average MPG, distance to empty (DTE), Trip A and Trip B odometers, and elapsed time. The odometer is displayed at the bottom of the screen. If warnings exist, they will replace the odometer in the display. The driver can scroll to view multiple warnings.

COMPASS, TEMPERATURE AND AUDIO MODE

Compass heading and outside temperature are displayed at the top of the screen. On the lower half of the screen the audio mode is displayed along with the odometer.

TELEPHONE MODE

Provides the following information and features for the optional hands-free communications system:

- Phone status: idle, voice mail, roaming, battery strength and signal strength in increments of 20 percent.
- Call status: Incoming call, connecting, connected, air time in minutes and seconds, call ended, busy, call failed, roaming and no phone connection.
- Caller ID phone number display.

NAVIGATION MODE

Displays Turn-by-Turn directions that appear in the display as the vehicle approaches a designated turn within a programmed route.

PERSONAL SETTINGS MODE

Allows the driver to set and recall features when the transmission is in Park.

SYSTEM STATUS MODE

Displays warnings and user interaction messages. Initial warnings will be displayed full-screen for three seconds, then override the odometer and show text warnings on the bottom line of the display. Critical text warnings will be displayed until the failure is corrected. Non-critical text warnings will be displayed for 60 seconds. The driver can scroll to view multiple messages. A single chime sounds for all warnings.
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