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Home >> Dodge or Ram Truck >> 2012 >> Durango 4WD V6-3.6L >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Instrument Panel, Gauges and Warning Indicators >> Instrument Cluster / Carrier >> Description and Operation >> Instrument Cluster Indicators - Operation >> Part - 3

Part - 3





OPERATION

HIGH BEAM INDICATOR

The high beam indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator whenever the headlamp high beams are illuminated. This indicator is controlled by a transistor on the instrument cluster circuit board based upon cluster programming and electronic messages received from the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) over the CAN data bus.

The high beam indicator 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, the LED can be illuminated regardless of the ignition switch status. The LED only illuminates when it is provided a path to ground by the instrument cluster transistor. The instrument cluster will turn ON the high beam indicator for the following reasons:

- High Beam Indicator Lamp-On Message - Each time the cluster receives an electronic high beam indicator lamp-ON message from the TIPM the high beam indicator will be illuminated. The high beam indicator remains illuminated until the cluster receives a lamp-OFF message from the TIPM, or until the exterior lamp load shedding (battery saver) timed interval expires, whichever occurs first.

The TIPM continually monitors electronic messages from the CCN and the SmartBeam(R) module on vehicles so equipped to determine the proper headlamp beam control. The TIPM activates or deactivates the headlamp high beams then sends the proper lamp-ON or lamp-OFF message back to the CCN.

For proper diagnosis of the SmartBeam(R) module, the TIPM, the CCN, the CAN data bus or the electronic communication related to high beam indicator operation a diagnostic scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.

HILL DESCENT INDICATOR

The hill descent indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator when the QuadraDrive four-wheel drive transfer case gear selector is in the 4WD LOW position and the hill descent control push button in the instrument panel switch pod has been depressed to turn the feature ON. This feature uses the grade sensing logic of the CAB to sense the vehicle is descending a hill and employs the brake system to automatically control the hill descent speed of the vehicle. This indicator is controlled by the instrument cluster logic circuit based upon cluster programming and electronic messages received over the CAN data bus from the CAB.

The hill descent indicator function of the electronic display unit 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 output (run-start) circuit. Therefore, the hill descent indication will always be OFF when the ignition switch status is anything except ON or START. The instrument cluster will turn ON the hill descent indicator for the following reasons:

- Hill Descent Indicator Lamp-On Message - Each time the cluster receives an electronic hill descent indicator lamp-ON message from the CAB, the indicator will be illuminated. The indicator remains illuminated until the cluster receives a lamp-OFF message from the CAB, until the cluster arbitrator logic determines that another display request has priority, or until the ignition switch status transitions to OFF, whichever occurs first.

The CAB continually monitors electronic message inputs from the Final Drive Control Module (FDCM) and the CCN to determine the status of the QuadraDrive four-wheel drive system and the hill descent control switch, then monitors its own internal grade sensing logic to determine when the hill descent mode should be engaged. The CAB then sends the proper lamp-ON or lamp-OFF message to the CCN.

For proper diagnosis of the hill descent control switch, the FDCM, the CAB, the CCN, the CAN data bus or the electronic communication related to hill descent indicator operation a diagnostic scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.

LOW FUEL INDICATOR

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 a hard-wired input received by the cluster from the fuel level sending unit on the fuel pump module in the fuel tank. The CCN will illuminate the low fuel indicator for about three seconds each time the ignition switch status transitions to ON, during the bulb test.

The low fuel indicator LED 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 output (run-start) circuit. Therefore, the LED will always be OFF when the ignition switch status is anything 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:

- Less Than 11 Percent Tank Full Input - The cluster provides a constant current source to the fuel level sending unit and monitors a return input on a fuel level sense circuit. The resistance through the fuel level sending unit increases as the fuel level falls and decreases as the fuel level rises causing changes in the sense input voltage. Each time the fuel level sense input to the cluster indicates the fuel tank is about 11 percent full 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 gauge needle is moved to the appropriate position on the gauge scale, the low fuel indicator is illuminated, and a single chime tone is sounded. The low fuel indicator remains illuminated until the fuel level sense input indicates that the fuel tank is greater than about 14 percent full 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 status transitions to OFF, 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 inputs from the fuel level sending unit.
- Less Than Empty Stop Input - Each time the cluster receives a fuel level sense input that indicates the fuel level in the fuel tank is less than the E (or Empty) gauge needle stop position for five consecutive seconds, the gauge needle is moved to the low end of the gauge scale and the low fuel indicator is illuminated immediately. This input would indicate that the fuel level sense input to the cluster is a short circuit.
- More Than Full Stop Input - Each time the cluster receives a fuel level sense input that indicates the fuel level in the fuel tank is more than the F (or Full) gauge needle stop position for five consecutive seconds, the gauge needle is moved to the low end of the gauge scale and the low fuel indicator is illuminated immediately. This input would indicate that the fuel level sense input to the cluster is an open circuit.

The CCN continually monitors the fuel tank sending unit to determine the level of fuel in the fuel tank. The cluster then sends the proper electronic fuel level message to other electronic modules in the vehicle over the CAN data bus. The cluster will store a DTC for any fault detected in the fuel level sense circuit.

For proper diagnosis of the fuel tank sending unit, the CCN, the CAN data bus or the electronic communication related to low fuel indicator operation or fuel level data processing a diagnostic scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.

LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR

The low oil pressure indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator when the engine oil pressure reading reflects a condition requiring immediate attention. This indicator is controlled by the instrument cluster logic circuit based upon cluster programming and electronic messages received by the cluster from the PCM over the CAN data bus.

The low oil pressure indicator function of the cluster electronic display unit 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 output (run-start) circuit. Therefore, the indicator will always be OFF when the ignition switch status is anything except ON or START. The instrument cluster will turn ON the low oil pressure indicator for the following reasons:

- Engine Oil Pressure Low Message - Each time the cluster receives an electronic engine oil pressure message from the PCM indicating the pressure is about 6.9 kPa (1 psi) or lower, the low oil pressure indicator will be illuminated. The indicator can be flashed ON and OFF, or illuminated solid, as dictated by the PCM message. The indicator remains illuminated solid or flashing until the cluster receives a message from the PCM indicating that the pressure is above about 6.9 kPa (1 psi), or until the ignition switch status transitions to OFF, whichever occurs first. The cluster will only turn the indicator ON in response to low engine oil pressure if the engine speed is greater than zero.

The PCM continually monitors the engine oil pressure sensor to determine the engine oil pressure. The PCM then sends the proper lamp-ON or lamp-OFF messages to the CCN. If the CCN turns ON the indicator, it may indicate that the engine or the engine oiling system requires service.

For proper diagnosis of the engine oil pressure sensor, the PCM, the CCN, the CAN data bus or the electronic communication related to low oil pressure indicator operation a diagnostic scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP

The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) gives an indication to the vehicle operator when the PCM has recorded a DTC for an On-Board Diagnostics II (OBDII) emissions-related circuit or component malfunction. The MIL is controlled by a transistor on the instrument cluster circuit board based upon cluster programming and electronic messages received by the cluster from the PCM over the CAN data bus. The CCN will illuminate the MIL indicator for about fifteen seconds each time the ignition switch status transitions to ON, during the bulb test.

The MIL LED 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 output (run-start) circuit. Therefore, the LED will always be OFF when the ignition switch status is anything 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 MIL for the following reasons:

- MIL Lamp-On Message - Each time the cluster receives an electronic MIL lamp-ON message from the PCM, the indicator will be illuminated. The indicator can be flashed ON and OFF, or illuminated solid, as dictated by the PCM message. For some DTCs, if a problem does not recur, the PCM will send a lamp-OFF message automatically. Other DTCs may require that a fault be repaired and the PCM be reset before a lamp-OFF message will be sent. For more information on the PCM, and the DTC set and reset parameters, Emissions Control - Operation.
- Communication Error - If the cluster receives no lamp-ON or lamp-OFF messages from the PCM for 10 consecutive message cycles, the MIL is illuminated by the instrument cluster to indicate a loss of bus communication. The indicator remains controlled and illuminated by the cluster until a valid message is received from the PCM.

The PCM continually monitors the fuel and emissions system circuits and sensors to decide whether the system is in good operating condition. The PCM then sends the proper lamp-ON or lamp-OFF message to the CCN. If the CCN turns ON the MIL after the bulb test, it may indicate that a malfunction has occurred and that the fuel and emissions systems may require service.

For proper diagnosis of the fuel and emissions systems, the PCM, the CCN, the CAN data bus or the electronic communication related to MIL operation a diagnostic scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.

MEMORY SYSTEM INDICATOR

The memory system indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator of the system status or when the system has been automatically disabled. This indicator is controlled by the instrument cluster logic circuit based upon cluster programming and electronic messages received over the CAN data bus from the Memory Seat Module (MSM).

The memory system indicator function of the cluster electronic display unit 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 output (run-start) circuit. Therefore, the memory system indications will always be OFF when the ignition switch status is anything except ON or START. The instrument cluster will turn ON the memory system indicator for the following reasons:

- Memory Set Message - Each time the cluster receives an electronic memory set message from the MSM, the appropriate MEMORY #1 POSITIONS SET or MEMORY #2 POSITIONS SET textual message is displayed. The message is displayed until the cluster arbitrator logic determines that another display request has priority, or until the ignition switch status transitions to OFF, whichever occurs first.
- Memory Recall Message- Each time the cluster receives an electronic memory recall message from the MSM, the appropriate DRIVER 1 MEMORY or DRIVER 2 MEMORY textual message is displayed. The message is displayed until the cluster arbitrator logic determines that another display request has priority, or until the ignition switch status transitions to OFF, whichever occurs first.
- Seatbelt Buckled Message - Each time the cluster receives an electronic seatbelt buckled memory system lockout message from the MSM, the MEMORY SYSTEM DISABLED and SEATBELT BUCKLED textual messages and icon are cycled. The two parts of the message are cycled about every three seconds until the MSM sends an electronic message to cancel the memory system lockout event, until the cluster arbitrator logic determines that another display request has priority, or until the ignition switch status transitions to OFF, whichever occurs first.
- Vehicle Not In Park Message - Each time the cluster receives an electronic vehicle not in Park memory system lockout message from the MSM, the MEMORY SYSTEM DISABLED and VEHICLE NOT IN PARK textual messages are cycled. The two parts of the message are cycled about every three seconds until the MSM sends an electronic message to cancel the memory system lockout event, until the cluster programming or another request requires a different display, or until the ignition switch status transitions to OFF, whichever occurs first.

The MSM continually monitors inputs from the seatbelt switch through the CCN, the Driver Door Module (DDM), the Wireless Ignition Node (WIN), the PCM and, if equipped, the Transmission Control Module (TCM) to determine the proper outputs to the memory system components. The MSM then sends the proper lamp-ON or lamp-OFF message to the CCN.

For proper diagnosis of the memory system, the MSM, the CCN, the CAN data bus or the electronic communication related to memory system indicator operation a diagnostic scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
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