Standard

The Instrument Cluster contains gauges and warning indicators to keep the driver informed about the vehicle's system.

Gauges

Both the Temperature Gauge and the Fuel Gauge are magnetic gauges. With this type of gauge, the gauge needle "balances" between two magnetic fields that are present inside the gauge. One of these magnetic fields stays at a constant strength all the time. The other field varies in strength according to current flow through the field's winding. Current flow through the winding is determined by gauge sender resistance. With low sender resistance, current flow through the winding is high; with high sender resistance, current flow through the winding is low.

When the park lamps or headlamps are turned on, the gauges are illuminated.

Temperature Gauge

The Coolant Temperature Sender determines current flow through the Temperature Gauge coil. With low coolant temperature, Sender resistance is high and current flow is low. The needle points to "C." As coolant temperature increases, sender resistance decreases and current flow increases. The needle moves toward "H."

Fuel Gauge

The Fuel Gauge Sender determines current flow through the Fuel Gauge coil. With a full fuel tank, Sender resistance is high and current flow is low. The needle pint to "F." As fuel level drops, Sender resistance decreases and current flow increases. The needle moves toward "E."

Warning Indicators

With the Ignition Switch in START or RUN, voltage is present at the CHECK COOLANT, FUEL CUTOUT, Brake, Charge, Fasten Belts, Upshift, Oil Pressure, Liftgate Ajar and CHECK ENGINE Indicator bulbs through the METER Fuse and circuit 160 (BK/Y). The bulb for each indicator is grounded under the conditions described below.

CHECK COOLANT Indicator

With the Ignition Switch in START or RUN, voltage is present at pin C of the Low Coolant Level Switch. With the amount of coolant in the coolant reservoir below a pre-determined value, the Low Coolant Level Switch completes a circuit between pin B and ground. Current flows through the METER Fuse, the CHECK COOLANT Indicator and the Low Coolant Level Switch to ground; the Indicator illuminates.

FUEL CUTOUT Indicator

Under normal operating conditions, the Inertia Switch grounds circuit 107 (DB) to the EEC Module to operate the Fuel Pump Motor. If the vehicle decelerates abruptly (as in a collision), the Inertia Switch contacts change position; the Fuel Pump Motor shuts off and the FUEL CUTOUT Indicator is grounded. Current flows through the METER fuse, the FUEL CUTOUT Indicator and the Inertia Switch to ground; the Indicator illuminates.

Brake Indicator

With a low fluid condition, the Brake Fluid Level Switch contacts close. With the park brake applied, the Park Brake Switch contacts close. If either of these two conditions is present, the Brake Indicator is grounded. Current flows through the METER fuse, the Brake Indicator and the Brake Fluid Level Switch or Park Brake Switch to ground; the indicator illuminates.

On DRL-equipped vehicles, the Park Brake Switch does not ground the Brake Indicator directly. The Switch grounds pin A of the DRL Control Module which, in turn, grounds the Brake Indicator.

Charge Indicator

With the Ignition Switch in RUN and the engine not running, or with the Ignition Switch in RUN, the engine running and Alternator output below a preset value, the Alternator grounds the Charge Indicator bulb through circuit 20 (W/BK). Current flows through the METER Fuse, the Charge Indicator and the Alternator to ground; the Indicator illuminates.

With the Ignition Switch in RUN, the engine running and the Alternator working properly, the Alternator applies battery voltage to the Charge Indicator through circuit 20 (W/BK). With batter voltage present at both ends of the bulb filament, there is no current flow and the indicator does not illuminates.

Fasten Belts Indicator

With the driver's seat belt unbuckled, the Warning Chime Module grounds the Fasten Belts Indicator. Current flows through the METER Fuse, the Fasten Belts Indicator and the Warning Chime Module to ground; the indicator illuminates. With a passive restraint belt unbuckled or a passive restraint system fault present, the Passive Restraint Module grounds the Fasten Belts Indicator. Current flows through the METER Fuse, the Fasten Belts Indicator and the Passive Restraint Module to ground; the indicator illuminates.

Upshift Indicator (Manual Transaxle)

With engine speed (RPM) and manifold vacuum at certain values, the EEC Module grounds pin 53. Current flows through the METER Fuse, the Backup/Upshift Switch and the EEC Module to ground; the indicator illuminates, telling the driver to shift into the next highest gear. When the transaxle is shifted into top gear, the Backup/Upshift Switch contacts open, disabling the Upshift Indicator.

Oil Pressure Indicator

With low engine oil pressure, the Oil Pressure Switch is closed, grounding the Oil Pressure Indicator. Current flows through the METER Fuse, the Oil Pressure Indicator and the Oil Pressure Switch to ground; the indicator illuminates.

Liftgate Ajar Indicator (Wagons only)

With the liftgate unlatched, the Liftgate Latch Switch contacts close, grounding the Liftgate Ajar Indicator. Current flows through the METER fuse, the Liftgate Ajar Indicator and the Liftgate Latch Switch to ground; the indicator illuminates.

CHECK ENGINE Indicator

With a fault present in the Electronic Engine Control System, the EEC Module grounds the Check Engine Indicator through circuit 129 (Y/BK). Current flows through the METER fuse, the CHECK ENGINE Indicator and the EEC Module ground; the indicator illuminates.

Unlike the other Warning Indicators, the Hi Beam and Turn Indicator bulbs are grounded at all times. Each bulb is then powered under the conditions described below.

Hi Beam Indicator

With the headlamps turned on the Main Light Switch Dimmer Switch in the Hi Beam position, voltage is present at the Hi Beam Indicator. Current flows through circuit 281 (R/W) and the Hi Beam Indicator to ground, the indicator illuminates.

On DRL-equipped vehicles, the Main Light Switch Dimmer Switch does not power the Hi Beam Indicator directly. Instead, the Dimmer Switch applies voltage to pin J of the DRL Module and the Module applies voltage to the Hi Beam Indicator through circuit 283 (DG).

Left and Right Turn Indicators

With the left or right turn signal operating, voltage is intermittently applied to the left or right turn signal indicator, causing the indicator to flash.

With the Ignition Switch in START, the solid state component shown inside the Instrument Cluster grounds the Check Coolant, Fuel Cutout and Brake Indicators to test the bulbs.