Instrument Cluster / Carrier: Description and Operation

INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER (IPC) DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

DISPLAYS TEST
Certain instrument panel cluster (IPC) features are tested when the ignition is turned on in order to verify the features are working properly. The following indicators illuminate for 3 seconds:
- The Antilock Brake System (ABS) indicator
- The brake indicator
- The park brake indicator
- The SECURITY indicator
- The upshift indicator
- All gages sweep to their minimum physical position and then to their actual physical position.

The following indicators illuminate for the specified times:
- The AIR BAG indicator flashes 7 times.
- The seat belt indicator illuminates for 20 seconds followed by 55 seconds of flashing with the drivers seat belt unfastened, or, the seat belt indicator will illuminate for 8 seconds with the drivers seat belt fastened.
- All message center segments illuminate briefly.

INDICATORS AND WARNING MESSAGES
Refer to Indicator/Warning Message Description and Operation.

ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAGE
The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the engine coolant temperature as determined by the powertrain control module (PCM). The IPC receives a class 2 message from the PCM indicating the engine coolant temperature. The engine coolant temperature gage defaults to 100°F (40°C) or below if:
- The PCM detects a malfunction in the engine coolant temperature sensor circuit.
- The IPC detects a loss of class 2 communications with the PCM.

ENGINE OIL PRESSURE GAGE
The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the engine oil pressure as determined by the powertrain control module (PCM). The IPC receives a class 2 message from the PCM indicating the engine oil pressure. The engine oil pressure gage defaults to 0 psi (0 kPa) or below if:
- The PCM detects a malfunction in the engine oil pressure (EOP) sensor circuit.
- The IPC detects a loss of class 2 communications with the PCM.

FUEL GAGE
The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the fuel level as determined by the powertrain control module (PCM). The IPC receives a class 2 message from the PCM indicating the fuel level percent. The fuel gage defaults to empty if:
- The PCM detects a malfunction in the fuel level sensor circuit.
- The IPC detects a loss of class 2 communications with the PCM.

ODOMETER
The base instrument panel cluster (IPC) contains a season odometer and a trip odometer. Momentarily press the trip/reset switch on the IPC in order to toggle between the season odometer and the trip odometer. Press the trip/reset switch for greater than 2 seconds, while the trip odometer is displayed, in order to reset the trip odometer.

The body control module (BCM) calculates the mileage based on the vehicle speed signal circuit from the powertrain control module (PCM). The BCM then sends a class 2 message to the IPC indicating the value of the odometer. The odometer will display 'error' if an internal BCM memory failure is detected. The odometer displays either miles or kilometers and the desired units can be accessed by pressing the trip/reset switch.

PRND321 DISPLAY
The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the selected gear position as determined by the powertrain control module (PCM). The IPC receives a class 2 message from the PCM indicating the gear position. The PRND321 display blanks if:
- The PCM detects a malfunction in the transmission range switch circuit.
- The IPC detects a loss of class 2 communications with the PCM.

SPEEDOMETER
The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the vehicle speed based on the information from the powertrain control module (PCM). The PCM converts the data from the vehicle speed sensor to a 4000 pulses/mile signal. The IPC receives a class 2 message from the PCM indicating the vehicle speed.

TACHOMETER
The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the engine speed based on the information from the powertrain control module (PCM). The PCM converts the data from the engine speed sensor to a 2 pulses/engine revolution signal. The IPC receives a class 2 message from the PCM indicating the engine speed.

VOLTMETER
The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the vehicle voltage based on the information from the body control module (BCM). The IPC uses class 2 serial data information from the BCM to provide a voltage level indication on the voltmeter.