1998 DODGE RAM 1500 Speedometer

²Data link connection for DRB scan tool
²EATX module (if equipped)
²Engine coolant temperature sensor
²Fuel level (through J1850 circuitry)
²Generator (battery voltage) output
²Ignition circuit sense (ignition switch in on/off/
crank/run position)
²Intake manifold air temperature sensor
²Knock sensors (2 on 3.7L engine)
²Leak detection pump (switch) sense (if equipped)
²Manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor
²Oil pressure
²Oxygen sensors
²Park/neutral switch (auto. trans. only)
²Power ground
²Power steering pressure switch (if equipped)
²Sensor return
²Signal ground
²Speed control multiplexed single wire input
²Throttle position sensor
²Transfer case switch (4WD range position)
²Vehicle speed signal
NOTE: PCM Outputs:
²A/C clutch relay
²Auto shutdown (ASD) relay
²J1850 bus (+/-) circuits for: speedometer, voltme-
ter, fuel gauge, oil pressure gauge/lamp, engine temp.
gauge and speed control warn. lamp
²Data link connection for DRB scan tool
²EGR valve control solenoid (if equipped)
²EVAP canister purge solenoid
²Five volt sensor supply (primary)
²Five volt sensor supply (secondary)
²Fuel injectors
²Fuel pump relay
²Generator field driver (-)
²Generator field driver (+)
²Idle air control (IAC) motor
²Ignition coil(s)
²Leak detection pump (if equipped)
²Malfunction indicator lamp (Check engine lamp).
Driven through J1850 circuits.²Oxygen sensor heater relays
²Oxygen sensors (pulse width modulated)
²Radiator cooling fan relay (pulse width modu-
lated)
²Speed control vacuum solenoid
²Speed control vent solenoid
²Tachometer (if equipped). Driven through J1850
circuits.
²Transmission convertor clutch circuit. Driven
through J1850 circuits.
OPERATION - 5 VOLT SUPPLIES
Primary 5±volt supply:
²supplies the required 5 volt power source to the
Crankshaft Position (CKP) sensor.
²supplies the required 5 volt power source to the
Camshaft Position (CMP) sensor.
²supplies a reference voltage for the Manifold
Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor.
²supplies a reference voltage for the Throttle
Position Sensor (TPS) sensor.
Secondary 5±volt supply:
²supplies the required 5 volt power source to the
oil pressure sensor.
²supplies the required 5 volt power source for the
Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) (if equipped).
²supplies the 5 volt power source to the transmis-
sion pressure sensor (certain automatic transmis-
sions).
OPERATION - IGNITION CIRCUIT SENSE
The ignition circuit sense input tells the PCM the
ignition switch has energized the ignition circuit.
Battery voltage is also supplied to the PCM
through the ignition switch when the ignition is in
the RUN or START position. This is referred to as
the9ignition sense9circuit and is used to9wake up9
the PCM. Voltage on the ignition input can be as low
as 6 volts and the PCM will still function. Voltage is
supplied to this circuit to power the PCM's 8-volt reg-
ulator and to allow the PCM to perform fuel, ignition
and emissions control functions.
DRELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES 8E - 11
POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (Continued)

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
DESCRIPTION..........................2
OPERATION............................6
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER...........................10
REMOVAL.............................14
DISASSEMBLY.........................14
ASSEMBLY............................15
INSTALLATION.........................16
ABS INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION.........................17
OPERATION...........................17
AIRBAG INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION.........................18
OPERATION...........................18
BRAKE/PARK BRAKE INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION.........................19
OPERATION...........................19
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - BRAKE
INDICATOR..........................20
CARGO LAMP INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION.........................20
OPERATION...........................20
CHECK GAUGES INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION.........................21
OPERATION...........................21
CRUISE INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION.........................22
OPERATION...........................22
DOOR AJAR INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION.........................23
OPERATION...........................23
ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE
DESCRIPTION.........................24
OPERATION...........................24
ETC INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION.........................25
OPERATION...........................25
FUEL GAUGE
DESCRIPTION.........................26
OPERATION...........................26
GEAR SELECTOR INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION.........................27
OPERATION...........................27
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION.........................28
OPERATION...........................28
LAMP OUT INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION.........................29OPERATION...........................29
LOW FUEL INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION.........................30
OPERATION...........................30
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL)
DESCRIPTION.........................31
OPERATION...........................31
ODOMETER
DESCRIPTION.........................32
OPERATION...........................32
OIL PRESSURE GAUGE
DESCRIPTION.........................33
OPERATION...........................33
SEATBELT INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION.........................34
OPERATION...........................34
STANDARD PROCEDURE - ENHANCED
SEATBELT REMINDER PROGRAMMING....35
SECURITY INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION.........................35
OPERATION...........................36
SERVICE 4WD INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION.........................36
OPERATION...........................37
SPEEDOMETER
DESCRIPTION.........................37
OPERATION...........................37
TACHOMETER
DESCRIPTION.........................38
OPERATION...........................38
TOW/HAUL INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION.........................39
OPERATION...........................39
TRANS TEMP INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION.........................40
OPERATION...........................40
TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION.........................40
OPERATION...........................41
UPSHIFT INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION.........................41
OPERATION...........................42
VOLTAGE GAUGE
DESCRIPTION.........................42
OPERATION...........................43
WAIT-TO-START INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION.........................44
OPERATION...........................44
DRINSTRUMENT CLUSTER 8J - 1

Sandwiched between the rear cover and the lens,
hood and mask unit is the cluster housing. The
molded plastic cluster housing serves as the carrier
for the cluster circuit board and circuitry, the cluster
connector receptacles, the RKE interface connector,
the gauges, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) for each
cluster indicator, two VFD units, an audible tone
generator, the cluster overlay, the gauge pointers, the
odometer/trip odometer switch and the switch button.
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 clut-
tered 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 LED for each of the various indicators and the
incandescent illumination lamps behind it to be visi-
ble through the outer layer of the overlay only
through predetermined stencil-like cutouts. A rectan-
gular opening in the overlay at the base of both the
speedometer and tachometer dial faces has a smoked
clear lens through which the illuminated VFD units
can be viewed.
Several versions of the EMIC module are offered
on this model. These versions accommodate all of the
variations of optional equipment and regulatory
requirements for the various markets in which the
vehicle will be offered. The microprocessor-based
EMIC utilizes integrated circuitry and information
carried on the Programmable Communications Inter-
face (PCI) data bus network along with several hard
wired analog and multiplexed inputs to monitor sen-
sors and switches throughout the vehicle. In response
to those inputs, the internal circuitry and program-
ming of the EMIC allow it to control and integrate
many electronic functions and features of the vehicle
through both hard wired outputs and the transmis-
sion of electronic message outputs to other electronic
modules in the vehicle over the PCI data bus. (Refer
to 8 - ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC CONTROL
MODULES/COMMUNICATION - DESCRIPTION -
PCI BUS).
Besides typical instrument cluster gauge and indi-
cator support, the electronic functions and features
that the EMIC supports or controls include the fol-
lowing:
²Audible Warnings- The EMIC electronic cir-
cuit board is equipped with an audible tone generator
and programming that allows it to provide various
audible alerts to the vehicle operator, including
chime tones and beep tones. An electromechanical
relay is also soldered onto the circuit board to pro-duce audible clicks that emulate the sound of a con-
ventional turn signal or hazard warning flasher.
(Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/CHIME/BUZZER -
DESCRIPTION).
²Brake Lamp Control- The EMIC provides
electronic brake lamp request messages to the Front
Control Module (FCM) located on the Integrated
Power Module (IPM) for brake lamp control, exclud-
ing control of the Center High Mounted Stop Lamp
(CHMSL), which remains controlled by a direct hard
wired output of the brake lamp switch.
²Brake Transmission Shift Interlock Control
- The EMIC monitors inputs from the brake lamp
switch, ignition switch, and the Transmission Range
Sensor (TRS), then controls a high-side driver output
to operate the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock
(BTSI) solenoid that locks and unlocks the automatic
transmission gearshift selector lever on the steering
column.
²Cargo Lamp Control- The EMIC provides
direct control of cargo lamp operation with a load
shedding (battery saver) feature which will automat-
ically turn off the cargo lamp if it remains on after a
timed interval.
²Central Locking- The EMIC provides support
for the central locking feature of the power lock sys-
tem. This feature will lock or unlock all doors based
upon the input from the door cylinder lock switch.
Door cylinder lock switches are used only on models
equipped with the optional Vehicle Theft Security
System (VTSS).
²Door Lock Inhibit- The EMIC inhibits locking
of the doors with the power lock switch when the key
is in the ignition switch and the driver side front
door is ajar. However, operation of the door locks is
not inhibited under the same conditions when the
Lock button of the optional RKE transmitter is
depressed.
²Enhanced Accident Response- The EMIC
monitors an input from the Airbag Control Module
(ACM) and, following an airbag deployment, will
immediately disable the power lock output, unlock all
doors by activating the power unlock output, then
enables the power lock output. This feature, like all
other enhanced accident response features, is depen-
dent upon a functional vehicle electrical system fol-
lowing the vehicle impact event.
²Exterior Lighting Control- The EMIC pro-
vides electronic head lamp and/or park lamp request
messages to the Front Control Module (FCM) located
on the Integrated Power Module (IPM) for the appro-
priate exterior lamp control of standard head and
park lamps, as well as optional front fog lamps. This
includes support for headlamp beam selection and
the optical horn feature, also known as flash-to-pass.
DRINSTRUMENT CLUSTER 8J - 3
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (Continued)

for more than about 1.6 kilometers (one mile) and
the vehicle speed remains greater than about twenty-
four kilometers-per-hour (fifteen miles-per-hour).
²Vacuum Fluorescent Display Synchroniza-
tion- The EMIC transmits electronic panel lamp
dimming level messages which allows all other elec-
tronic modules on the PCI data bus with Vacuum
Fluorescent Display (VFD) units to coordinate their
illumination intensity with that of the EMIC VFD
units.
²Vehicle Theft Security System- The EMIC
monitors inputs from the door cylinder lock
switch(es), the door ajar switches, the ignition
switch, and the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) receiver
module, then provides electronic horn and lighting
request messages to the Front Control Module (FCM)
located on the Integrated Power Module (IPM) for
the appropriate VTSS alarm output features.
²Wiper/Washer System Control- The EMIC
provides electronic wiper and/or washer request mes-
sages to the Front Control Module (FCM) located on
the Integrated Power Module (IPM) for the appropri-
ate wiper and washer system features. (Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/WIPERS/WASHERS - DESCRIP-
TION).
The EMIC houses six analog gauges and has pro-
visions for up to twenty-three indicators (Fig. 3) or
(Fig. 4). The EMIC includes the following analog
gauges:
²Coolant Temperature Gauge
²Fuel Gauge
²Oil Pressure Gauge
²Speedometer
²Tachometer
²Voltage Gauge
Some of the EMIC indicators are automatically
configured when the EMIC is connected to the vehi-
cle electrical system for compatibility with certain
optional equipment or equipment required for regula-
tory purposes in certain markets. While each EMIC
may have provisions for indicators to support every
available option, the configurable indicators will not
be functional in a vehicle that does not have the
equipment that an indicator supports. The EMIC
includes provisions for the following indicators (Fig.
3) or (Fig. 4):
²Airbag Indicator (with Airbag System only)
²Antilock Brake System (ABS) Indicator
(with ABS or Rear Wheel Anti-Lock [RWAL]
brakes only)
²Brake Indicator
²Cargo Lamp Indicator
²Check Gauges Indicator
²Cruise Indicator (with Speed Control only)
²Door Ajar Indicator²Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Indicator
(with 5.7L Gasoline Engine only)
²Gear Selector Indicator (with Automatic
Transmission only)
²High Beam Indicator
²Lamp Out Indicator
²Low Fuel Indicator
²Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)
²Seatbelt Indicator
²Security Indicator (with Sentry Key Immo-
bilizer & Vehicle Theft Security Systems only)
²Service Four-Wheel Drive Indicator (with
Four-Wheel Drive only)
²Tow/Haul Indicator (with Automatic Trans-
mission only)
²Transmission Overtemp Indicator (with
Automatic Transmission only)
²Turn Signal (Right and Left) Indicators
²Upshift Indicator (with Manual Transmis-
sion only)
²Washer Fluid Indicator
²Wait-To-Start Indicator (with Diesel Engine
only)
²Water-In-Fuel Indicator (with Diesel Engine
only)
Each indicator in the EMIC, except those located
within one of the VFD units, is illuminated by a ded-
icated LED that is soldered onto the EMIC electronic
circuit board. The LED units are not available for
service replacement and, if damaged or faulty, the
entire EMIC must be replaced. Cluster illumination
is accomplished by dimmable incandescent back
lighting, which illuminates the gauges for visibility
when the exterior lighting is turned on. Each of the
incandescent bulbs is secured by an integral bulb
holder to the electronic circuit board from the back of
the cluster housing.
Hard wired circuitry connects the EMIC to the
electrical system of the vehicle. These hard wired cir-
cuits are integral to several wire harnesses, which
are routed throughout the vehicle and retained by
many different methods. These circuits may be con-
nected to each other, to the vehicle electrical system
and to the EMIC 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 infor-
mation. The wiring information includes wiring dia-
grams, proper wire and connector repair procedures,
further details on wire harness routing and reten-
tion, as well as pin-out and location views for the
various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.
The EMIC modules for this model are serviced only
as complete units. The EMIC module cannot be
adjusted or repaired. If a gauge, an LED indicator, a
VFD unit, the electronic circuit board, the circuit
DRINSTRUMENT CLUSTER 8J - 5
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (Continued)

board hardware, the cluster overlay, or the EMIC
housing are damaged or faulty, the entire EMIC mod-
ule must be replaced. The cluster lens, hood and
mask unit and the individual incandescent lamp
bulbs with holders are available for individual ser-
vice replacement.
OPERATION
The ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC)
in this model also includes the hardware and soft-
ware necessary to serve as the electronic body control
module and is sometimes referred to as the Cab
Compartment Node or CCN. The following informa-
tion deals primarily with the instrument cluster
functions of this unit. Additional details of the elec-
tronic body control functions of this unit may be
found within the service information for the system
or component that the EMIC controls. For example:
Additional details of the audible warning functions ofthe EMIC are found within the Chime/Buzzer service
information.
The EMIC is designed to allow the vehicle operator
to monitor the conditions of many of the vehicle com-
ponents and operating systems. The gauges and indi-
cators in the EMIC provide valuable information
about the various standard and optional powertrains,
fuel and emissions systems, cooling systems, lighting
systems, safety systems and many other convenience
items. The EMIC is installed in the instrument panel
so that all of these monitors can be easily viewed by
the vehicle operator when driving, while still allow-
ing relative ease of access for service. The micropro-
cessor-based EMIC hardware and software uses
various inputs to control the gauges and indicators
visible on the face of the cluster. Some of these
inputs are hard wired, but most are in the form of
electronic messages that are transmitted by other
electronic modules over the Programmable Communi-
cations Interface (PCI) data bus network. (Refer to 8
Fig. 3 Gauges & Indicators - Gasoline Engine
1 - MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP 13 - ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) INDICATOR
2 - VOLTAGE GAUGE 14 - ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE
3 - LEFT TURN INDICATOR 15 - SECURITY INDICATOR
4 - TACHOMETER 16 - GEAR SELECTOR INDICATOR DISPLAY (INCLUDES
CRUISE & UPSHIFT INDICATORS)
5 - AIRBAG INDICATOR 17 - CHECK GAUGES INDICATOR
6 - HIGH BEAM INDICATOR 18 - BRAKE INDICATOR
7 - SEATBELT INDICATOR 19 - ABS INDICATOR
8 - SPEEDOMETER 20 - ODOMETER/TRIP ODOMETER DISPLAY (INCLUDES
ENGINE HOURS, WASHER FLUID, LAMP OUTAGE, TOW/HAUL
& SERVICE 4x4 INDICATORS)
9 - RIGHT TURN INDICATOR 21 - ODOMETER/TRIP ODOMETER SWITCH BUTTON
10 - OIL PRESSURE GAUGE 22 - FUEL GAUGE
11 - CARGO LAMP INDICATOR 23 - LOW FUEL INDICATOR
12 - DOOR AJAR INDICATOR 24 - TRANSMISSION OVERTEMP INDICATOR
8J - 6 INSTRUMENT CLUSTERDR
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (Continued)

- ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC CONTROL MOD-
ULES/COMMUNICATION - OPERATION).
The EMIC microprocessor smooths the input data
using algorithms to provide gauge readings that are
accurate, stable and responsive to operating condi-
tions. These algorithms are designed to provide
gauge readings during normal operation that are con-
sistent with customer expectations. However, when
abnormal conditions exist such as high coolant tem-
perature, the algorithm can drive the gauge pointer
to an extreme position and the microprocessor can
sound a chime through the on-board audible tone
generator to provide distinct visual and audible indi-
cations of a problem to the vehicle operator. The
instrument cluster circuitry may also produce audi-
ble warnings for other electronic modules in the vehi-
cle based upon electronic tone request messages
received over the PCI data bus. Each audible warn-ing is intended to provide the vehicle operator with
an audible alert to supplement a visual indication.
The EMIC circuitry operates on battery current
received through a fused B(+) fuse in the Integrated
Power Module (IPM) on a non-switched fused B(+)
circuit, and on battery current received through a
fused ignition switch output (run-start) fuse in the
IPM on a fused ignition switch output (run-start) cir-
cuit. This arrangement allows the EMIC to provide
some features regardless of the ignition switch posi-
tion, while other features will operate only with the
ignition switch in the On or Start positions. The
EMIC circuitry is grounded through a ground circuit
and take out of the instrument panel wire harness
with an eyelet terminal connector that is secured by
a ground screw to a ground location near the center
of the instrument panel structural support.
The EMIC also has a self-diagnostic actuator test
capability, which will test each of the PCI bus mes-
Fig. 4 Gauges & Indicators - Diesel Engine
1 - MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP 14 - ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE
2 - VOLTAGE GAUGE 15 - SECURITY INDICATOR
3 - LEFT TURN INDICATOR 16 - GEAR SELECTOR INDICATOR DISPLAY (INCLUDES
CRUISE & UPSHIFT INDICATORS)
4 - TACHOMETER 17 - WATER-IN-FUEL INDICATOR
5 - AIRBAG INDICATOR 18 - BRAKE INDICATOR
6 - HIGH BEAM INDICATOR 19 - WAIT-TO-START INDICATOR
7 - SEATBELT INDICATOR 20 - ODOMETER/TRIP ODOMETER DISPLAY (INCLUDES
ENGINE HOURS, WASHER FLUID, LAMP OUTAGE, TOW/HAUL
& SERVICE 4x4 INDICATORS)
8 - SPEEDOMETER 21 - ODOMETER/TRIP ODOMETER SWITCH BUTTON
9 - RIGHT TURN INDICATOR 22 - FUEL GAUGE
10 - OIL PRESSURE GAUGE 23 - LOW FUEL INDICATOR
11 - CARGO LAMP INDICATOR 24 - TRANSMISSION OVERTEMP INDICATOR
12 - DOOR AJAR INDICATOR 25 - CHECK GAUGES INDICATOR
13 - ABS INDICATOR
DRINSTRUMENT CLUSTER 8J - 7
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (Continued)

NOTE: Certain indicators in this instrument cluster
are automatically configured. This feature allows
those indicators to be activated or deactivated for
compatibility with certain optional equipment. If the
problem being diagnosed involves improper illumi-
nation of the cruise indicator, the electronic throttle
control indicator, the service four-wheel drive indi-
cator, the tow/haul indicator, the transmission over-
temp indicator, the upshift indicator, the security
indicator or the gear selector indicator, disconnect
and isolate the battery negative cable. After about
five minutes, reconnect the battery negative cable
and turn the ignition switch to the On position. The
instrument cluster should automatically relearn the
equipment in the vehicle and properly configure the
configurable indicators accordingly.
ABS INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION
An Antilock Brake System (ABS) indicator is stan-
dard equipment on all instrument clusters (Fig. 8).
However, the instrument cluster can be programmed
to disable this indicator on vehicles that are not
equipped with the ABS or Rear Wheel Anti-Lock
(RWAL) brake systems, which are not available in
some markets. On vehicles equipped with a gasoline
engine, the ABS indicator is located near the lower
edge of the instrument cluster, between the tachom-
eter and the speedometer. On vehicles equipped with
a diesel engine, the ABS indicator is located on the
right side of the instrument cluster, to the right of
the engine temperature gauge. The ABS indicator
consists of a stencil-like cutout of the International
Control and Display Symbol icon for ªFailure of Anti-
lock Braking Systemº in the opaque layer of the
instrument cluster overlay. The dark outer layer of
the overlay prevents the indicator from being clearly
visible when it is not illuminated. An amber Light
Emitting Diode (LED) behind the cutout in the
opaque layer of the overlay causes the icon to appear
in amber through the translucent outer layer of the
overlay when the indicator is illuminated from
behind by the LED, which is soldered onto the
instrument cluster electronic circuit board. The ABS
indicator is serviced as a unit with the instrument
cluster.
OPERATION
The ABS indicator gives an indication to the vehi-
cle operator when the ABS system is faulty or inop-
erative. This indicator is controlled by a transistor on
the instrument cluster circuit board based upon clus-
ter programming and electronic messages received by
the cluster from the Controller Antilock Brake (CAB)
over the Programmable Communications Interface
(PCI) data bus. The ABS indicator Light Emitting
Diode (LED) is completely controlled by the instru-
ment 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 switch output (run-start) circuit. Therefore,
the LED will always be off when the ignition switch
is in any position 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 ABS indicator for the follow-
ing reasons:
²Bulb Test- Each time the ignition switch is
turned to the On position the ABS indicator is illu-
minated by the cluster for about two seconds as a
bulb test.
²ABS Lamp-On Message- Each time the clus-
ter receives a lamp-on message from the CAB, the
ABS indicator will be illuminated. The indicator
remains illuminated until the cluster receives a
lamp-off message from the CAB, or until the ignition
switch is turned to the Off position, whichever occurs
first.
²Communication Error- If the cluster receives
no lamp-on or lamp-off messages from the CAB for
three consecutive seconds, the ABS indicator is illu-
minated. The indicator remains illuminated until the
cluster receives a valid message from the CAB, or
until the ignition switch is turned to the Off position,
whichever occurs first.
²Actuator Test- Each time the instrument clus-
ter is put through the actuator test, the ABS indica-
tor will be turned on, then off again during the bulb
check portion of the test to confirm the functionality
of the LED and the cluster control circuitry.
²ABS Diagnostic Test- The ABS indicator is
blinked on and off by lamp-on and lamp-off messages
from the CAB during the performance of the ABS
diagnostic tests.
The CAB continually monitors the ABS circuits
and sensors to decide whether the system is in good
operating condition. The CAB then sends the proper
lamp-on or lamp-off messages to the instrument clus-
ter. If the CAB sends a lamp-on message after the
bulb test, it indicates that the CAB has detected a
system malfunction and/or that the ABS system has
become inoperative. The CAB will store a Diagnostic
Trouble Code (DTC) for any malfunction it detects.
Fig. 8 ABS Indicator
DRINSTRUMENT CLUSTER 8J - 17
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (Continued)

Each time the ABS indicator fails to light due to an
open or short in the cluster ABS indicator circuit, the
cluster sends a message notifying the CAB of the
condition, then the instrument cluster and the CAB
will each store a DTC. For proper diagnosis of the
antilock brake system, the CAB, the PCI data bus, or
the electronic message inputs to the instrument clus-
ter that control the ABS indicator, a DRBIIItscan
tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic
information.
AIRBAG INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION
An airbag indicator is standard equipment on all
instrument clusters (Fig. 9). However, the instrument
cluster can be programmed to disable this indicator
on vehicles that are not equipped with the airbag
system, which is not available in some markets. The
airbag indicator is located near the upper edge of the
instrument cluster, between the tachometer and the
speedometer. The airbag indicator consists of a sten-
cil-like cutout of the words ªAIR BAGº in the opaque
layer of the instrument cluster overlay. The dark
outer layer of the overlay prevents the indicator from
being clearly visible when it is not illuminated. A red
Light Emitting Diode (LED) behind the cutout in the
opaque layer of the overlay causes the ªAIR BAGº
text to appear in red through the translucent outer
layer of the overlay when the indicator is illuminated
from behind by the LED, which is soldered onto the
instrument cluster electronic circuit board. The air-
bag indicator is serviced as a unit with the instru-
ment cluster.
OPERATION
The airbag indicator gives an indication to the
vehicle operator when the airbag system is faulty or
inoperative. The airbag indicator is controlled by a
transistor on the instrument cluster circuit board
based upon cluster programming and electronic mes-
sages received by the cluster from the Airbag Control
Module (ACM) over the Programmable Communica-
tions Interface (PCI) data bus. The airbag indicator
Light Emitting Diode (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 switch output (run-start) cir-
cuit. Therefore, the LED will always be off when theignition switch is in any position 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 airbag indicator
for the following reasons:
²Bulb Test- Each time the ignition switch is
turned to the On position the airbag indicator is illu-
minated for about six seconds. The entire six second
bulb test is a function of the ACM.
²ACM Lamp-On Message- Each time the clus-
ter receives a lamp-on message from the ACM, the
airbag indicator will be illuminated. The indicator
remains illuminated for about twelve seconds or until
the cluster receives a lamp-off message from the
ACM, whichever is longer.
²Communication Error- If the cluster receives
no airbag messages for three consecutive seconds, the
airbag indicator is illuminated. The indicator
remains illuminated until the cluster receives a sin-
gle lamp-off message from the ACM.
²Actuator Test- Each time the cluster is put
through the actuator test, the airbag indicator will be
turned on, then off again during the bulb check por-
tion of the test to confirm the functionality of the
LED and the cluster control circuitry. The actuator
test illumination of the airbag indicator is a function
of the instrument cluster.
The ACM continually monitors the airbag system
circuits and sensors to decide whether the system is
in good operating condition. The ACM then sends the
proper lamp-on or lamp-off messages to the instru-
ment cluster. If the ACM sends a lamp-on message
after the bulb test, it indicates that the ACM has
detected a system malfunction and/or that the air-
bags and seat belt tensioners may not deploy when
required, or may deploy when not required. The ACM
will store a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for any
malfunction it detects. Each time the airbag indicator
fails to illuminate due to an open or short in the
cluster airbag indicator circuit, the cluster sends a
message notifying the ACM of the condition, the
instrument cluster and the ACM will each store a
DTC, and the cluster will flash the seatbelt indicator
on and off as a backup to notify the vehicle operator.
For proper diagnosis of the airbag system, the ACM,
the PCI data bus, or the electronic message inputs to
the instrument cluster that control the airbag indica-
tor, a DRBIIItscan tool is required. Refer to the
appropriate diagnostic information.
Fig. 9 Airbag Indicator
8J - 18 INSTRUMENT CLUSTERDR
ABS INDICATOR (Continued)