Part 2 of 3
CHECK GAUGES INDICATORA check gauges indicator is standard equipment on all instrument clusters. The check gauges indicator is located near the lower edge of the instrument cluster overlay, to the left of center. The check gauges indicator consists of a stencil-like cutout of the words "CHECK GAUGES" in the opaque layer of the instrument cluster overlay The dark outer layer of the overlay prevents the indicator from being clearly visible when it is not illuminated. A red lens behind the cutout in the opaque layer of the overlay causes the "CHECK GAUGES" text to appear in red through the translucent outer layer of the overlay when the indicator is illuminated from behind by a Light Emitting Diode (LED) soldered onto the instrument cluster electronic circuit board. The check gauges indicator is serviced as a unit with the instrument cluster.
The check gauges indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator when certain instrument cluster gauge readings reflect a condition requiring immediate attention. This indicator is controlled by a transistor on the instrument cluster circuit board based upon cluster programming and electronic messages received by the cluster from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) over the Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus. The check gauges indicator Light Emitting Diode (LED) receives battery current on the instrument cluster electronic circuit board through the fused ignition switch output (run-start) circuit whenever the ignition switch is in the ON or Start positions; therefore, the LED will always be OFF when the ignition switch is in any position except ON or Start. The LED only illuminates when it is provided a path to ground by the instrument cluster transistor.
The instrument cluster will turn ON the check gauges indicator for the following reasons:
* Bulb Test - Each time the ignition switch is turned to the ON position the check gauges indicator is illuminated for about two seconds as a bulb test.
* Engine Temperature High Message - Each time the cluster receives a message from the PCM indicating the engine coolant temperature is about 122 °C (253 °F) or higher, the check gauges indicator will be illuminated. The indicator remains illuminated until the cluster receives a message from the PCM indicating that the temperature is about 119 °C (246 °F) or lower, or until the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, whichever occurs first.
* Engine Oil Pressure Low Message - Each time the cluster receives a message from the PCM indicating the engine oil pressure is about 3.45 kPa (0.5 psi) or lower, the check gauges indicator will be illuminated. The indicator remains illuminated until the cluster receives a message from the PCM indicating that the engine oil pressure is above 3.45 kPa (0.5 psi), or until the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, whichever occurs first. The cluster will only turn the indicator ON in response to an engine oil pressure low message if the engine speed is greater than zero.
* System Voltage Low Message - Each time the cluster receives a message from the PCM indicating the electrical system voltage is less than 11.5 volts,the check gauges indicator will be illuminated. The indicator remains illuminated until the cluster receives a message from the PCM indicating the electrical system voltage is greater than 12.0 volts (but less than 16.6 volts), or until the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, whichever occurs first.
* System Voltage High Message - Each time the cluster receives a message from the PCM indicating the electrical system voltage is greater than 16.6 volts, the check gauges indicator will be illuminated. The indicator remains illuminated until the cluster receives a message from the PCM indicating the electrical system voltage is less than 16.1 volts (but greater than 11.5 volts), 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 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 PCM continually monitors the engine temperature, oil pressure, and electrical system voltage, then sends the proper messages to the instrument cluster. For further diagnosis of the check gauges indicator or the instrument cluster circuitry that controls the LED. For proper diagnosis of the PCM, the CCD data bus, or the message inputs to the instrument cluster that control the check gauges indicator, a DRB III scan tool is required Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
CRUISE INDICATOR
A cruise indicator is standard equipment on all instrument clusters. However, on vehicles not equipped with the optional speed control system, this indicator is electronically disabled. The cruise indicator consists of the word "CRUISE", which appears in the lower portion of the odometer/trip odometer Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD). The VFD is part of the cluster electronic circuit board, and is visible through a cutout located in the lower left corner of the cluster overlay. The dark lens of the VFD prevents the indicator from being clearly visible when it is not illuminated. The word "CRUISE" appears in an amber color and at the same lighting level as the odometer/trip odometer information when it is illuminated by the instrument cluster electronic circuit board. The cruise indicator is serviced as a unit with the VFD in the instrument cluster.
The cruise indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator when the speed control system is turned ON, regardless of whether the speed control is engaged. This indicator is controlled by the instrument cluster circuit board based upon cluster programming and electronic messages received by the cluster from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) over the Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus. The cruise indicator receives battery current on the instrument cluster electronic circuit board through the fused ignition switch output (run-start) circuit whenever the ignition switch is in the ON or Start positions; 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 cruise indicator for the following reasons:
* Bulb Test - Each time the ignition switch is turned to the ON position the cruise indicator is illuminated for about two seconds as a bulb test.
* Cruise Lamp-ON Message - Each time the cluster receives a cruise lamp-ON message from the PCM indicating the speed control system has been turned ON, the cruise indicator is illuminated. The indicator remains illuminated until the cluster receives a cruise lamp-OFF message from the PCM, 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 cruise indicator will be turned ON, then OFF again during the VFD portion of the test to confirm the functionality of the VFD, and again during the bulb check portion of the test to confirm the functionality of the cluster control circuitry
The PCM continually monitors the speed control switches to determine the proper outputs to the speed control servo. The PCM then sends the proper cruise indicator lamp-on and lamp-off messages to the instrument cluster. For further diagnosis of the cruise indicator or the instrument cluster circuitry that controls the indicator. For proper diagnosis of the speed control system, the PCM, the CCD data bus, or the message inputs to the instrument cluster that control the cruise indicator, a DRB III scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
GEAR SELECTOR INDICATOR
An electronic automatic transmission gear selector indicator is standard factory-installed equipment on this model. The gear selector indicator information is displayed in a Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD), which is visible through a small window cutout located in the lower right quadrant of the cluster overlay. The gear selector indicator displays the following characters from left to right "P" "R" "N " "D "2," and "1." Respectively, these characters represent the park, reverse, neutral, drive, second gear, and first gear positions of the transmission gear selector lever on the steering column. The VFD illuminates a rectangular box around the character that represents the currently selected lever position.
During daylight hours (exterior lamps OFF) the gear selector indicator VFD is illuminated at full brightness for clear visibility. At night (exterior lamps are ON) the VFD lighting level is adjusted with the other cluster illumination lamps using the panel lamps dimmer knob on the headlamp switch. However, a "Parade" mode of the panel lamps dimmer knob allows the VFD to be illuminated at full brightness while the exterior lamps are turned ON during daylight hours. The gear selector indicator VFD is serviced as a unit with the instrument cluster.
The electronic gear selector indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator of the transmission gear that has been selected with the automatic transmission gear selector lever. This gauge is controlled by the instrument cluster circuit board based upon cluster programming. The gear selector indicator information is displayed by a dedicated Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) on the instrument cluster electronic circuit board, and the VFD will not display the gear selector indicator information after the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position.
The instrument cluster circuitry configures the gear selector indicator VFD based upon the following inputs from the transmission range sensor:
* Transmission Range Sensor Multiplexed Input - The instrument cluster circuitry controls the gear selector indicator display based upon the resistance value of the hard wired input from the transmission range sensor. When the monitored input is within a proper resistance range, the instrument cluster illuminates a box in the VFD around the appropriate gear selector indicator position represented by that resistance. The indication of the gear selector indicator will remain illuminated until the input from the transmission range sensor changes, or until the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, whichever occurs first.
* Transmission Range Sensor Input Open Circuit - If the instrument cluster circuitry monitors an input from the transmission range sensor that indicates an open circuit, the cluster will blink all positions in the VFD. The VFD display for the open circuit condition will continue until the condition is resolved, or until the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, whichever occurs first.
* Transmission Range Sensor Input Short Circuit - If the instrument cluster circuitry monitors an input from the transmission range sensor that indicates the circuit is shorted to ground, the cluster will indicate all positions as selected in the VFD. The VFD display for the short circuit condition will continue until the condition is resolved, 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 VFD will display all of its characters at once, then step through each character segment individually during the VFD portion of the test to confirm the functionality of the VFD and the cluster control circuitry
The instrument cluster continually monitors the hard wired transmission range sensor multiplexed input. For further diagnosis of the gear selector indicator or the instrument cluster circuitry that controls this function.
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
A high beam indicator is standard equipment on all instrument clusters The high beam indicator is located near the lower edge of the instrument cluster overlay, to the right of center. The high beam indicator consists of a stencil-like cutout of the International Control and Display Symbol icon for "High Beam" in the opaque layer of the instrument cluster overlay. The dark outer layer of the overlay prevents the indicator from being clearly visible when it is not illuminated. A blue lens behind the cutout in the opaque layer of the overlay causes the icon to appear in blue through the translucent outer layer of the overlay when it is illuminated from behind by a replaceable incandescent bulb and bulb holder unit located on the instrument cluster electronic circuit board. The high beam indicator is serviced as a unit with the instrument cluster.
The high beam indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator when the headlamp high beams are illuminated. This indicator is hard wired on the instrument cluster electronic circuit board, and is controlled by a headlamp beam select switch input to the cluster. The headlamp high beam indicator bulb receives a ground path on the instrument cluster electronic circuit board at all times; therefore, the indicator remains operational regardless of the ignition switch position. The headlamp beam select switch is integral to the multi-function switch on the left side of the steering column, and is connected in series between fused B(+) and the headlamp high beam indicator. The indicator bulb only illuminates when it is provided with battery current through the high beam indicator driver circuit by the headlamp beam select switch. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/LAMPS/LIGHTING - EXTERIOR/MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH - OPERATION). The high beam indicator can be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and methods.
LOW FUEL INDICATOR
A low fuel indicator is standard equipment on all instrument clusters. The low fuel indicator is located near the upper edge of the instrument cluster overlay, to the right of center. The low fuel indicator consists of a stencil-like cutout of the International Control and Display Symbol icon for "Fuel" in the opaque layer of the instrument cluster overlay. The dark outer layer of the overlay prevents the indicator from being clearly visible when it is not illuminated. An amber lens behind the cutout in the opaque layer of the overlay causes the icon to appear in amber through the translucent outer layer of the overlay when the indicator is illuminated from behind by a Light Emitting Diode (LED) soldered onto the instrument cluster electronic circuit board. The low fuel indicator is serviced as a unit with the instrument cluster.
The low fuel indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator when the level of fuel in the fuel tank becomes low. This indicator is controlled by a transistor on the instrument cluster circuit board based upon cluster programming and electronic messages received by the cluster from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) over the Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus. The low fuel indicator Light Emitting Diode (LED) receives battery current on the instrument cluster electronic circuit board through the fused ignition switch output (run-start) circuit whenever the ignition switch is in the ON or Start positions; therefore, the LED will always be OFF when the ignition switch is in any position except ON or Start. The LED only illuminates when it is provided a path to ground by the instrument cluster transistor.
The instrument cluster will turn ON the low fuel indicator for the following reasons:
* Bulb Test - Each time the ignition switch is turned to the ON position the indicator is illuminated for about two seconds as a bulb test.
* Less Than 12.5 Percent Tank Full Message - Each time the cluster receives messages from the PCM indicating the percent tank full is 12.5 (one- eighth) or less for 10 consecutive seconds and the vehicle speed is zero, or for 60 consecutive seconds and the vehicle speed is greater than zero, the low fuel indicator is illuminated and a single chime tone is sounded. The low fuel indicator remains illuminated until the cluster receives messages from the PCM indicating that the percent tank full is greater than 12.5 (one-eighth) for 10 consecutive seconds and the vehicle speed is zero, or for 60 consecutive seconds and the vehicle speed is greater than zero, or until the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, whichever occurs first. The chime tone feature will only repeat during the same ignition cycle if the low fuel indicator is cycled OFF and then ON again by the appropriate percent tank full messages from the PCM.
* Less Than Empty Percent Tank Full Message - Each time the cluster receives a message from the PCM indicating the percent tank full is less than empty, the low fuel indicator is illuminated immediately This message would indicate that the fuel tank sender input to the PCM is a short circuit.
* More Than Full Percent Tank Full Message - Each time the cluster receives a message from the PCM indicating the percent tank full is more than full, the low fuel indicator is illuminated immediately This message would indicate that the fuel tank sender input to the PCM is an open circuit.
* Actuator Test - Each time the cluster is put through the actuator test, the low fuel 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 PCM continually monitors the fuel tank sending unit, then sends the proper messages to the instrument cluster. For further diagnosis of the low fuel indicator or the instrument cluster circuitry that controls the LED. For proper diagnosis of the fuel tank sending unit, the PCM, the CCD data bus, or the message inputs to the instrument cluster that control the low fuel indicator, a DRB III scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.