INSTRUMENTS
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 88-11
Engine coolant temperature gauge
The engine coolant temperature gauge is an analogue gauge with three sections: cold temperature; normal operating
temperature; high temperature. Under normal engine operating temperatures the engine coolant temperature gauge
will display in the centre of the gauge. When the engine is cold e.g. from first start-up, the coolant temperature gauge
will display in the cold band. When the engine is over heating the temperature gauge will display in the high
temperature band. If the engine coolant temperature gauge receives no input or the input is out of range the
temperature gauge will read cold and the high coolant temperature warning lamp will be illuminated.
The input signal is a PWM signal from the engine coolant temperature sensor via the ECM. The power input for the
high coolant temperature warning lamp is supplied by the instrument pack via fuse 27. The ECM controls the earth
path to illuminate the high coolant temperature warning lamp.
INSTRUMENTS
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 88-19
High engine coolant temperature warning lamp
The high engine coolant temperature warning lamp within the instrument pack utilises a red LED and a clear legend.
The ECM illuminates the LED when it detects the engine coolant has exceeded a temperature of 121 °C (250 °F) and
switches it off when the coolant temperature drops below 118 °C (244 °F). The ECM also illuminates the high engine
coolant temperature warning lamp when it detects the PWM duty cycle to the temperature gauge is out of range. If it
is greater than 94% duty cycle when the engine is hot, or less than 8% duty cycle when the engine is cold, the engine
coolant temperature gauge pointer will indicate cold, thus alerting the driver with an additional visible warning.
When the ignition is switched on, the ECM illuminates the LED to provide a self-check, providing there is no fault it
will remain illuminated for 3 seconds or until the ignition is switched off.
The response of the engine high temperature warning lamp varies according to engine type and market, there are
three conditions:
lV8 - Gulf.
lV8 - all markets except Gulf.
lDiesel - all markets.
The vehicle configuration determines which condition is set.
The PWM duty cycle thresholds for illuminating and extinguishing the warning lamp are given in the table below.
The power input for the LED is supplied by the instrument pack via fuse 27. The ECM controls the earth path to
illuminate the warning lamp.
Market Lamp on Lamp off
V8 - Gulf 79.8 ± 2% 77.8 ± 2%
V8 - all markets except Gulf 77.8 ± 2% 75.7 ± 2%
Diesel - all markets 78.8 ± 2% 76.8 ± 2%
