Hazard Warning Lamps: Description and Operation

TURN SIGNAL & HAZARD WARNING SYSTEM
A turn signal and hazard warning system is standard factory-installed safety equipment on this model.

The turn signal and hazard warning system includes the following major components:

- Combination Flasher - The electronic combination flasher is located on the back of the left multi- function switch, beneath the upper steering column shroud on the top of the steering column.

- Front Side Marker Lamps - The front side marker lamps are located on the outboard ends of the two front fenders.

- Hazard Warning Switch - The hazard warning switch is integral to the left multi-function switch on the left side of the steering column. The hazard warning switch button protrudes from a dedicated opening in the shroud on the top of the steering column, just below the steering wheel.

- Turn Signal Cancel Cam - The turn signal cancel cam is integral to the clockspring, which is located beneath the shrouds on the top of the steering column, just below the steering wheel.

- Turn Signal Indicators - The two turn signal indicators, one right and one left, are integral to the ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) located in the instrument panel.

- Turn Signal Lamps - The front turn signal lamps are integral to the front park/turn signal lamps located beside each headlamp on the front fender. The rear turn signal lamps are integral to the back-up/brake/rear turn signal/tail lamps located on either side of the rear of the quarter panels.

- Turn Signal Switch - The turn signal switch is integral to the left multi-function switch on the left side of the steering column. The left multi-function switch control stalk that actuates the turn signal switch protrudes from a dedicated opening in the shroud on the left side of the steering column, just below the steering wheel.

The turn signal system in this vehicle includes a turn signal-on warning chime feature. The EMIC electronic circuitry monitors the turn signal indicators as well as electronic vehicle speed and distance messages received from the Powertrain Control Module over the Programmable Communications Interface (PCI) data bus network to provide this feature. If an indicator remains illuminated continuously with the vehicle speed above about 25 km/h (15 mph) for a distance of greater than about 1.6 kilometers (1 mile), the EMIC generates a chime tone through an integral chime tone generator. For vehicles manufactured for markets other than the United States and Canada, the distance threshold for the turn signal-on chime warning is extended to about 4.0 kilometers.

Hard wired circuitry connects the turn signal and hazard warning system components to each other through the electrical system of the vehicle. These hard wired circuits are integral to several wire harnesses, which are routed throughout the vehicle and retained by many different methods. These circuits may be connected to each other, to the vehicle electrical system and to the turn signal and hazard warning system components through the use of a combination of soldered splices, splice block connectors and many different types of wire harness terminal connectors and insulators. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wiring information includes wiring diagrams, proper wire and connector repair procedures, details of wire harness routing and retention, connector pin-out information and location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.

The turn signal system operates on battery current received on a fused ignition switch output (run) circuit so that the turn signals will only operate with the ignition switch in the ON position. The hazard warning system operates on non-switched battery current received on a fused B(+) circuit so that the hazard warning remains operational regardless of the ignition switch position. When the turn signal (left multi-function) switch control stalk is moved up (right turn) or down (left turn), the turn signal system is activated. When the turn signal system is activated, the circuitry of the turn signal switch and the combination flasher will cause the selected (right or left) turn signal indicator, front park/turn signal lamp, front side marker lamp and rear tail/stop/turn signal lamp to flash ON and OFF. With the hazard warning switch in the ON position, the hazard warning system is activated. When the hazard warning system is activated, the circuitry of the hazard warning switch and the combination flasher will cause both the right side and the left side turn signal indicators, front park/turn signal lamps, front side marker lamps and rear tail/stop/turn signal lamps to flash ON and OFF.

In order to provide the turn signal-on warning, the ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) monitors vehicle speed and distance messages received from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) over the Programmable Communications Interface (PCI) data bus and the hard wired turn signal switch input to the cluster electronic circuit board. If a turn signal remains indicated for a distance of greater than about 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) and the vehicle speed remains greater than about 24 km/h (15 mph), the EMIC generates a repetitive chime tone at a slow rate through its integral chime tone generator to provide an audible reminder that a turn signal has been left ON. On vehicles manufactured for markets outside the United States and Canada, the distance threshold for the turn signal-on warning is extended to 4.0 kilometers. Once the warning chime begins to sound, it will continue until the turn signal is cancelled (either manually or mechanically), until the vehicle speed falls below about 24 km/h (15 mph), or until the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, whichever occurs first. This feature is not activated by a hazard warning input to the instrument cluster.

During both the turn signal and the hazard warning operation, if the exterior lamps are turned OFF, the front park/turn signal lamps and the front side marker lamps will flash in unison. If the exterior lamps are turned ON, the front park/turn signal lamps and the front side marker lamps will flash alternately. Refer to the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for more information on the features, use and operation of the turn signal and hazard warning system.