Instrument Cluster - Description
DESCRIPTION
The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC)(1) for this vehicle is located in the instrument panel above the steering column, and is only visible through an opening in the cluster bezel (2). The main body of the IPC, including the mounts and the electrical connections, are concealed within the instrument panel behind the cluster bezel.
Besides gauges and indicators, the IPC incorporates a digital Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) unit the comes standard on all models. The VFD unit is for displaying odometer information, automatic transmission gear selector position (PRNDL), clock, outside temperature, and several other indicators, and messages that are discussed elsewhere. For more information on the VFD,.
The IPC gauges and Light Emitting Diode (LED) indicators, are visible through a dedicated opening in the instrument panel behind the cluster bezel, and are protected by a clear plastic cluster lens. Just behind the cluster lens is the cluster hood integral mask. The hood, serves as a visor and shields the face of the cluster from ambient light and reflections to reduce glare, while the cluster mask serves to separate and define the individual gauges from the indicator areas and trims the outside perimeter of the cluster overlay. The mask is constructed of black molded plastic, and is sometimes painted silver on vehicles with certain optional trim packages. The hood, as well as the cluster lens are secured through integral latch features that secure it to the outer perimeter of the cluster housing (1) as well as four screw fasteners (2) located on the upper portion of the back panel.
The rear of the IPC housing, and the electronic circuitry are protected by a molded plastic rear cover. The rear cover includes clearance holes for the connector receptacle (3). The connector receptacle on the back of the IPC electronic circuit board connect the unit to the vehicle's electrical system through an electrical take out from the instrument panel wire harness. Sandwiched between the rear cover and the lens and hood unit is the cluster housing. The molded plastic cluster housing serves as the carrier for the instrument cluster circuitry, the cluster gauge set, the indicator LED's, the VFD display units as well as an audible tone transducer and general cluster illumination LED's.
The cluster overlay is a laminated plastic unit. The dark, visible, outer surface of the overlay is marked with all of the gauge dial faces and graduations, but this layer is also translucent. The darkness of this outer layer prevents the cluster from appearing cluttered or busy by concealing the cluster indicators that are not illuminated, while the translucence of this layer allows those indicators and icons that are illuminated to be readily visible. The underlying layer of the overlay is opaque and allows light from the indicator LED's to be visible through the outer layer of the overlay through predetermined stencil-like cutouts. Openings in the overlay at the base of the speedometer and tachometer dial faces have smoked clear lenses through which the illuminated VFD units can be viewed.
Several versions of the IPC module are offered on this vehicle. These versions accommodate all of the variations of optional equipment and regulatory requirements for the various markets in which the vehicle is offered. The microprocessor-based IPC utilizes integrated circuitry and information carried on the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus along with several hard wired analog and multiplexed inputs to monitor sensors and switches throughout the vehicle. In response to those inputs, the internal circuitry and programming of the IPC allow it to control and integrate many electronic functions and features of the vehicle through both hard wired outputs and the transmission of electronic message outputs to other electronic modules in the vehicle over the CAN data bus.
The instrument cluster gauges, indicators, VFD units, as well as the cluster illumination are all integral components of the CCN and its electronic circuit board. If any part of the internal working components of the instrument cluster become damaged or ineffective, the entire instrument cluster assembly must be replaced. The cluster lens and the cluster hood and mask unit are the only components of the instrument cluster assembly that can be serviced separately.