2001 DODGE RAM ECO mode

²More Than Full Percent Tank Full Message
- Each time the cluster receives a message from the
PCM indicating the percent tank full is more than
full, the gauge needle is moved to the far left (low)
end of the gauge scale and the low fuel indicator is
illuminated immediately. This message would indi-
cate that the fuel tank sender input to the PCM is an
open circuit.
²Message Failure- If the cluster fails to receive
a percent tank full message, it will hold the gauge
needle at the last indication until a new message is
received, or until the ignition switch is turned to the
Off position, whichever occurs first.
²Actuator Test- Each time the cluster is put
through the actuator test, the gauge needle will be
swept to several calibration points on the gauge scale
in a prescribed sequence in order to confirm the func-
tionality of the gauge and the cluster control cir-
cuitry.
The PCM continually monitors the fuel tank send-
ing unit, then sends the proper messages to the
instrument cluster. For further diagnosis of the fuel
gauge or the instrument cluster circuitry that con-
trols the gauge, (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/INSTRU-
MENT CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING).
For proper diagnosis of the fuel tank sending unit,
the PCM, the CCD data bus, or the message inputs
to the instrument cluster that control the fuel gauge,
a DRBIIItscan tool is required. Refer to the appro-
priate diagnostic information.
GEAR SELECTOR INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION
A mechanical automatic transmission gear selector
indicator is standard factory-installed equipment on
this model, when it is also equipped with an optional
automatic transmission. The gear selector indicator
consists of a molded black plastic housing with inte-
gral mounting tabs that is secured to the back of the
instrument cluster housing with two screws. A face
plate on the indicator housing is visible through a
rectangular cutout in the lower right corner of the
instrument cluster overlay, just below the fuel gauge.
Vehicles with a manual transmission have a block-off
plate mounted to the back of the instrument cluster
behind this cutout in the overlay, in place of the gear
selector indicator. Near the top of this face plate the
following characters are imprinted from left to right:
ªP,º ªR,º ªN,º ªD,º ª2,º and ª1.º Respectively, these
characters represent the park, reverse, neutral,
drive, second gear, and first gear positions of the
transmission gear selector lever on the steering col-
umn. Directly below each character on the face plateis a small, rectangular window, and behind these
windows is a single, movable red pointer.
The gear selector indicator graphics are white
against a black field except for the single red pointer,
making them clearly visible within the instrument
cluster in daylight. When illuminated from behind by
the panel lamps dimmer controlled cluster illumina-
tion lighting with the exterior lamps turned On, the
white graphics appear blue-green, while the red
pointer still appears red. Indicator illumination is
provided by replaceable incandescent bulb and bulb
holder units located on the instrument cluster elec-
tronic circuit board. The gear selector indicator is
available for service replacement separate from the
instrument cluster. The instrument cluster must be
removed from the instrument panel for service access
to the gear selector indicator. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - REMOVAL).
OPERATION
The mechanical gear selector indicator gives an
indication of the transmission gear that has been
selected with the automatic transmission gear selec-
tor lever. A red pointer appears in a window below
the character in the indicator representing the trans-
mission gear that has been selected. The small,
spring-loaded pointer moves on a track through a
trolley-like mechanism within the indicator housing.
A short length of small diameter stranded cable is
attached to one side of the pointer trolley and is
encased in a tubular plastic housing that exits the
right side of the indicator. The cable is routed
through the instrument panel and under the steering
column to the left side of the column. The looped end
of the cable is hooked over the end of the PRNDL
driver lever on the steering column gearshift mecha-
nism, and the cable housing is secured in a molded
plastic adjuster and bracket on the column housing.
When the gear selector lever is moved the PRNDL
driver lever moves, which moves the pointer through
the mechanical actuator cable. The cable adjuster
and bracket unit mounted on the steering column
housing provides a mechanical means of calibrating
the gear selector indicator mechanism. (Refer to 19 -
STEERING/COLUMN - INSTALLATION).
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION
A high beam indicator is standard equipment on
all instrument clusters. The high beam indicator is
located near the upper edge of the instrument cluster
overlay, between the tachometer and the speedome-
ter. The high beam indicator consists of a stenciled
cutout of the International Control and Display Sym-
BR/BEINSTRUMENT CLUSTER 8J - 21
FUEL GAUGE (Continued)

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR
LAMP (MIL)
DESCRIPTION
A Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is standard
equipment on all instrument clusters. The MIL is
located near the lower edge of the instrument cluster
overlay, to the left of center. The MIL consists of a
stencilled cutout of the International Control and
Display Symbol icon for ªEngineº 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
lens 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 a Light Emit-
ting Diode (LED) soldered onto the instrument clus-
ter electronic circuit board. The MIL is serviced as a
unit with the instrument cluster.
OPERATION
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) gives an
indication to the vehicle operator when the Power-
train Control Module (PCM) has recorded a Diagnos-
tic Trouble Code (DTC) for an On-Board Diagnostics
II (OBDII) emissions-related circuit or component
malfunction. In addition, on models with a diesel
engine an Engine Control Module (ECM) supple-
ments the PCM, and can also record an OBDII DTC.
The MIL is controlled by a transistor on the instru-
ment cluster circuit board based upon cluster pro-
gramming and electronic messages received by the
cluster from the PCM or ECM over the Chrysler Col-
lision Detection (CCD) data bus. The MIL Light
Emitting Diode (LED) receives battery current on the
instrument cluster electronic circuit board through
the fused ignition switch output (st-run) circuit
whenever the ignition switch is in the On or Start
positions; 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 transis-
tor. The instrument cluster will turn on the MIL for
the following reasons:
²Bulb Test- Each time the ignition switch is
turned to the On position the indicator is illuminated
for about seven seconds as a bulb test.
²PCM Lamp-On Message- Each time the clus-
ter receives a lamp-on message from the PCM or
ECM, the indicator will be illuminated. The indicator
can be flashed on and off, or illuminated solid, as dic-
tated by the PCM/ECM message. For some DTC's, if
a problem does not recur, the PCM or ECM will send
a lamp-off message automatically. Other DTC's mayrequire that a fault be repaired and the PCM or
ECM be reset before a lamp-off message will be sent.
For more information on the PCM, the ECM, and the
DTC set and reset parameters, (Refer to 25 - EMIS-
SIONS CONTROL - OPERATION).
²Communication Error- If the cluster receives
no lamp-on message from the PCM or ECM for
twenty seconds, the MIL is illuminated by the instru-
ment cluster to indicate a loss of bus communication.
The indicator remains controlled and illuminated by
the cluster until a valid lamp-on message is received
from the PCM or ECM.
²Actuator Test- Each time the cluster is put
through the actuator test, the indicator will be
turned on during the bulb check portion of the test to
confirm the functionality of the LED and the cluster
control circuitry.
The PCM/ECM continually monitor the fuel and
emissions system circuits and sensors to decide
whether the system is in good operating condition.
The PCM/ECM then sends the proper lamp-on or
lamp-off messages to the instrument cluster. For fur-
ther diagnosis of the MIL or the instrument cluster
circuitry that controls the LED, (Refer to 8 - ELEC-
TRICAL/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS
AND TESTING). If the instrument cluster turns on
the MIL after the bulb test, it may indicate that a
malfunction has occurred and that the fuel and emis-
sions systems may require service. For proper diag-
nosis of the fuel and emissions systems, the PCM,
the ECM, the CCD data bus, or the message inputs
to the instrument cluster that control the MIL, a
DRBIIItscan tool is required. Refer to the appropri-
ate diagnostic information.
ODOMETER
DESCRIPTION
An odometer and trip odometer are standard
equipment in all instrument clusters. The odometer
and trip odometer information are displayed in a
common electronic Vacuum-Fluorescent Display
(VFD), which is visible through a small window cut-
out located in the left lower quadrant of the cluster
overlay. However, the odometer and trip odometer
information are not displayed simultaneously. The
trip odometer reset switch on the instrument cluster
circuit board toggles the display between odometer
and trip odometer modes by depressing the odometer/
trip odometer switch knob that extends through the
lower edge of the cluster lens, just right of the
tachometer. Both the odometer and the trip odometer
information is stored in the instrument cluster mem-
ory.
8J - 24 INSTRUMENT CLUSTERBR/BE

The odometer can display values up to 499,999
kilometers (499,999 miles). The odometer latches at
these values, and will not roll over to zero. The trip
odometer can display values up to 999.9 kilometers
(999.9 miles) before it rolls over to zero. The odome-
ter display does not have a decimal point and will
not show values less than a full unit (kilometer or
mile), the trip odometer display does have a decimal
point and will show tenths of a unit (kilometer or
mile). The unit of measure (kilometers or miles) for
the odometer and trip odometer display is not shown
in the VFD. The unit of measure for the instrument
cluster odometer/trip odometer is selected at the time
that it is manufactured, and cannot be changed. Dur-
ing daylight hours (exterior lamps Off) the VFD is
illuminated at full brightness for clear visibility. At
night (exterior lamps are On) the VFD lighting level
is adjusted with the other cluster illumination lamps
using the panel lamps dimmer thumbwheel on the
headlamp switch. However, a ªParadeº mode position
of the panel lamps dimmer thumbwheel allows the
VFD to be illuminated at full brightness while the
exterior lamps are turned On during daylight hours.
The VFD, the trip odometer switch, and the trip
odometer switch button are serviced as a unit with
the instrument cluster.
OPERATION
The odometer and trip odometer give an indication
to the vehicle operator of the distance the vehicle has
traveled. This gauge is controlled by the instrument
cluster circuit board based upon the cluster program-
ming and electronic messages received by the cluster
from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) over the
Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus. The
odometer and trip odometer information is displayed
by the instrument cluster Vacuum Fluorescent Dis-
play (VFD), and the VFD will not display odometer
or trip odometer information after the ignition switch
is turned to the Off position. The instrument cluster
circuitry controls the VFD and provides the following
features:
²Odometer/Trip Odometer Display Toggling-
Actuating the trip odometer reset switch momen-
tarily with the ignition switch in the On position will
toggle the VFD between the odometer and trip odom-
eter display. Each time the ignition switch is turned
to the On position the VFD will automatically return
to the mode (odometer or trip odometer) last dis-
played when the ignition switch was turned to the
Off position.
²Trip Odometer Reset- When the trip odome-
ter reset switch is pressed and held for longer than
about two seconds, the trip odometer will be reset to
000.0 kilometers (miles). The VFD must be display-ing the trip odometer information in order for the
trip odometer information to be reset.
²Message Failure- If the cluster fails to receive
a distance message during normal operation, it will
flash the odometer/trip odometer distance informa-
tion on and off repeatedly until a distance message is
received, or until the ignition switch is turned to the
Off position, whichever occurs first. If the cluster
does not receive a distance message within one sec-
ond after the ignition switch is turned to the On posi-
tion, it will display the last distance message stored
in the cluster memory. If the cluster is unable to dis-
play distance information due to an error internal to
the cluster, the VFD display will be blank.
²Actuator Test- Each time the cluster is put
through the actuator test, the VFD will display all of
its characters at once, then step through each char-
acter segment individually during the VFD portion of
the test to confirm the functionality of the VFD and
the cluster control circuitry.
The PCM continually monitors the vehicle speed
sensor, then sends the proper distance messages to
the instrument cluster. For further diagnosis of the
odometer/trip odometer or the instrument cluster cir-
cuitry that controls these functions, (Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - DIAGNO-
SIS AND TESTING). For proper diagnosis of the
vehicle speed sensor, the PCM, the CCD data bus, or
the message inputs to the instrument cluster that
control the odometer/trip odometer, a DRBIIItscan
tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic
information.
OIL PRESSURE GAUGE
DESCRIPTION
An oil pressure gauge is standard equipment on all
instrument clusters. The oil pressure gauge is located
in the upper right quadrant of the instrument clus-
ter, above the fuel gauge. The oil pressure gauge con-
sists of a movable gauge needle or pointer controlled
by the instrument cluster circuitry and a fixed 90
degree scale on the cluster overlay that reads left-to-
right either from 0 kPa (0 psi) to 758 kPa (110 psi).
An International Control and Display Symbol icon for
ªEngine Oilº is located on the cluster overlay, directly
below the highest graduation of the gauge scale. The
oil pressure gauge graphics are white against a black
field except for a single red graduation at the low
end of the gauge scale, making them clearly visible
within the instrument cluster in daylight. When illu-
minated from behind by the panel lamps dimmer
controlled cluster illumination lighting with the exte-
rior lamps turned On, the white graphics appear
blue-green and the red graphics appear red. The
BR/BEINSTRUMENT CLUSTER 8J - 25
ODOMETER (Continued)

SHIFT INDICATOR (TRANSFER
CASE)
DESCRIPTION
A four-wheel drive indicator is standard equipment
on all instrument clusters. However, on vehicles not
equipped with the optional four-wheel drive system,
this indicator is mechanically disabled. The four-
wheel drive indicator is located near the lower edge
of the instrument cluster overlay, to the right of cen-
ter. The four-wheel drive indicator consists of a sten-
cilled cutout of the text ª4WDº 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
lens behind the cutout in the opaque layer of the
overlay causes the ª4WDº text to appear in amber
through the translucent outer layer of the overlay
when the indicator is illuminated from behind by a
Light Emitting Diode (LED) soldered onto the instru-
ment cluster electronic circuit board. The four-wheel
drive indicator is serviced as a unit with the instru-
ment cluster.
OPERATION
The four-wheel drive indicator lamp gives an indi-
cation to the vehicle operator that a four-wheel drive
operating mode is engaged. The indicator will be illu-
minated when either high range (4H) or low range
(4L) have been selected with the transfer case shift
lever. This indicator is controlled by a transistor on
the instrument cluster circuit board based upon the
cluster programming, and a hard wired input from
the four-wheel drive switch on the front axle discon-
nect housing. The four-wheel drive indicator Light
Emitting Diode (LED) receives battery current on the
instrument cluster electronic circuit board through
the fused ignition switch output (st-run) circuit
whenever the ignition switch is in the On or Start
positions; therefore, the lamp will always be off when
the ignition switch is in any position except On or
Start. The LED only illuminates when it is switched
to ground by the instrument cluster transistor.
The four-wheel drive switch is connected in series
between ground and the four-wheel drive switch
sense input to the instrument cluster. For further
information on the transfer case and the transfer
case operating ranges, (Refer to 21 - TRANSMIS-
SION/TRANSAXLE/TRANSFER CASE - OPERA-
TION. For further information on the front axle
disconnect mechanism, (Refer to 3 - DIFFERENTIAL
& DRIVELINE/FRONT AXLE/AXLE VACUUM
MOTOR - OPERATION). The four-wheel drive switch
input to the instrument cluster circuitry can be diag-nosed using conventional diagnostic tools and meth-
ods.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - FOUR-WHEEL
DRIVE INDICATOR
The diagnosis found here addresses an inoperative
four-wheel drive indicator condition. If the problem
being diagnosed is related to indicator accuracy, be
certain to confirm that the problem is with the indi-
cator and not with a damaged or inoperative front
axle disconnect mechanism. (Refer to 3 - DIFFEREN-
TIAL & DRIVELINE/FRONT AXLE/AXLE VACUUM
MOTOR - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING). If no front
axle disconnect problem is found, the following proce-
dure will help locate a short or open in the four-
wheel drive switch input to the instrument cluster.
Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wir-
ing 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.
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE
ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISO-
LATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE,
THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PER-
FORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS
IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
INDICATOR DOES NOT ILLUMINATE WITH FOUR-WHEEL
DRIVE MODE SELECTED
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. Disconnect the engine wire harness connector
for the four-wheel drive switch from the switch con-
nector receptacle. Check for continuity between the
ground circuit cavity of the engine wire harness con-
nector for the four-wheel drive switch and a good
ground. There should be continuity. If OK, go to Step
2. If not OK, repair the open ground circuit to ground
(G100) as required.
(2) Reconnect the battery negative cable. Turn the
ignition switch to the On position. Install a jumper
wire between the 4WD switch sense circuit cavity of
the engine wire harness connector for the four-wheel
drive switch and a good ground. The four-wheel drive
indicator should light. If OK, replace the faulty four-
wheel drive switch. If not OK, go to Step 3.
BR/BEINSTRUMENT CLUSTER 8J - 29

(3) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position.
Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
Remove the instrument cluster from the instrument
panel. Check for continuity between the 4WD switch
sense circuit cavities of the instrument panel wire
harness connector (Connector C2) for the instrument
cluster and the engine wire harness connector for the
four-wheel drive switch. There should be continuity.
If OK, replace the faulty instrument cluster. If not
OK, repair the open 4WD switch sense circuit
between the instrument cluster and the four-wheel
drive switch as required.
INDICATOR STAYS ILLUMINATED WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE
MODE NOT SELECTED
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. Disconnect the engine wire harness connector
for the four-wheel drive switch from the switch con-
nector receptacle. Check for continuity between the
ground circuit terminal and the 4WD switch sense
circuit terminal in the four-wheel drive switch con-
nector receptacle. There should be no continuity. If
OK, repair the shorted 4WD switch sense circuit
between the four-wheel drive switch and the instru-
ment cluster as required. If not OK, replace the
faulty four-wheel drive switch.
SPEEDOMETER
DESCRIPTION
A speedometer is standard equipment on all instru-
ment clusters. The speedometer is located just to the
right of the tachometer near the center of the instru-
ment cluster. The speedometer consists of a movable
gauge needle or pointer controlled by the instrument
cluster circuitry and a fixed 210 degree primary scale
on the gauge dial face that reads left-to-right either
from 0 to 120 mph, or from 0 to 200 km/h, depending
upon the market for which the vehicle is manufac-
tured. Each version also has a secondary inner scale
on the gauge dial face that provides the equivalent
opposite units from the primary scale. Text appearing
on the cluster overlay just below the hub of the
speedometer needle abbreviates the unit of measure
for the primary scale in all upper case letters (i.e.:
MPH or KM/H), followed by the unit of measure for
the secondary scale in all lower case letters (i.e.: mph
or km/h). The speedometer graphics are white (pri-
mary scale) and red (secondary scale) against a black
field, making them clearly visible within the instru-
ment cluster in daylight. When illuminated from
behind by the panel lamps dimmer controlled cluster
illumination lighting with the exterior lamps turned
On, the white graphics appear blue-green, while the
red graphics still appear red. The orange gauge nee-
dle is internally illuminated. Gauge illumination isprovided by replaceable incandescent bulb and bulb
holder units located on the instrument cluster elec-
tronic circuit board. The speedometer is serviced as a
unit with the instrument cluster.
OPERATION
The speedometer gives an indication to the vehicle
operator of the vehicle road speed. This gauge is con-
trolled by the instrument cluster circuit board based
upon the cluster programming and electronic mes-
sages received by the cluster from the Powertrain
Control Module (PCM) over the Chrysler Collision
Detection (CCD) data bus. The speedometer is an air
core magnetic unit that receives battery current on
the instrument cluster electronic circuit board
through the fused ignition switch output (st-run) cir-
cuit whenever the ignition switch is in the On or
Start positions. The cluster is programmed to move
the gauge needle back to the low end of the scale
after the ignition switch is turned to the Off position.
The instrument cluster circuitry controls the gauge
needle position and provides the following features:
²Message Failure- If the cluster fails to receive
a speedometer message, it will hold the gauge needle
at the last indication for about four seconds, or until
the ignition switch is turned to the Off position,
whichever occurs first. If a new speedometer message
is not received after about four seconds, the gauge
needle will return to the far left (low) end of the
scale.
²Actuator Test- Each time the cluster is put
through the actuator test, the gauge needle will be
swept to several calibration points on the gauge scale
in a prescribed sequence in order to confirm the func-
tionality of the gauge and the cluster control cir-
cuitry.
The PCM continually monitors the vehicle speed
sensor to determine the vehicle road speed, then
sends the proper vehicle speed messages to the
instrument cluster. For further diagnosis of the
speedometer or the instrument cluster circuitry that
controls the gauge, (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/IN-
STRUMENT CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS AND TEST-
ING). For proper diagnosis of the vehicle speed
sensor, the PCM, the CCD data bus, or the message
inputs to the instrument cluster that control the
speedometer, a DRBIIItscan tool is required. Refer
to the appropriate diagnostic information.
TACHOMETER
DESCRIPTION
A tachometer is standard equipment on all instru-
ment clusters. The tachometer is located just to the
left of the speedometer near the center of the instru-
8J - 30 INSTRUMENT CLUSTERBR/BE
SHIFT INDICATOR (TRANSFER CASE) (Continued)

problems are found, the following procedure will help
locate a short or open in the left or right turn signal
indicator circuit. Refer to the appropriate wiring
information. The wiring information includes wiring
diagrams, proper wire and connector repair proce-
dures, details of wire harness routing and retention,
connector pin-out information and location views for
the various wire harness connectors, splices and
grounds.
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. Remove the instrument cluster.
(2) Connect the battery negative cable. Activate
the hazard warning system by moving the hazard
warning switch button to the On position. Check for
battery voltage at the inoperative (right or left) turn
signal circuit cavity of the instrument panel wire
harness connector (Connector C2) for the instrument
cluster. There should be a switching (on and off) bat-
tery voltage signal. If OK, replace the faulty turn sig-
nal indicator bulb. If not OK, repair the open (right
or left) turn signal circuit to the left multi-function
switch as required.
UPSHIFT INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION
An upshift indicator is standard equipment on all
instrument clusters. However, on vehicles not
equipped with a manual transmission, this indicator
is disabled. The upshift indicator is located near the
fuel gauge in the instrument cluster overlay, to the
left of center. The upshift indicator consists of an
upward pointed arrow icon that is a stenciled cutout
in the opaque layer of the instrument cluster overlay.
The dark outer layer of the overlay prevents the indi-
cator from being clearly visible when it is not illumi-
nated. An amber lens 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 a replaceable incandescent bulb and bulb
holder unit located on the instrument cluster elec-
tronic circuit board. The upshift indicator is serviced
as a unit with the instrument cluster.
OPERATION
The upshift indicator gives an indication to the
vehicle operator when the transmission should be
shifted to the next highest gear in order to achieve
the best fuel economy. This indicator is controlled by
a transistor on the instrument cluster circuit board
based upon the cluster programming and electronic
messages received by the cluster from the Powertrain
Control Module (PCM) over the Chrysler Collision
Detection (CCD) data bus. The upshift indicator bulbreceives battery current on the instrument cluster
electronic circuit board through the fused ignition
switch output (st-run) circuit whenever the ignition
switch is in the On or Start positions; therefore, the
lamp will always be off when the ignition switch is in
any position except On or Start. The bulb only illu-
minates when it is provided a path to ground by the
instrument cluster transistor. On models not
equipped with a manual transmission, the incandes-
cent bulb and bulb holder unit are not installed at
the factory when the vehicle is built. The instrument
cluster will turn on the upshift indicator for the fol-
lowing reasons:
²Upshift Lamp-On Message- Each time the
cluster receives an upshift lamp-on message from the
PCM indicating the engine speed and load conditions
are right for a transmission upshift to occur, the
upshift indicator is illuminated. The indicator
remains illuminated until the cluster receives an
upshift lamp-off message from the PCM or until the
ignition switch is turned to the Off position, which-
ever occurs first. The PCM will normally send an
upshift lamp-off message three to five seconds after a
lamp-on message, if an upshift is not performed. The
indicator will then remain off until the vehicle stops
accelerating and is brought back into the range of
indicator operation, or until the transmission is
shifted into another gear.
²Actuator Test- Each time the cluster is put
through the actuator test, the indicator will be
turned on during the bulb check portion of the test to
confirm the functionality of the indicator and the
cluster control circuitry.
The PCM continually monitors the engine speed
and load conditions to determine the proper fuel and
ignition requirements. The PCM then sends the
proper messages to the instrument cluster. If the
upshift indicator fails to light during normal vehicle
operation, replace the bulb with a known good unit.
For further diagnosis of the upshift indicator or the
instrument cluster circuitry that controls the indica-
tor, (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING). For
proper diagnosis of the PCM, the CCD data bus, or
the message inputs to the instrument cluster that
control the upshift indicator, a DRBIIItscan tool is
required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic infor-
mation.
VOLTAGE GAUGE
DESCRIPTION
A voltage gauge is standard equipment on all
instrument clusters. The voltage gauge is located in
the upper left quadrant of the instrument cluster,
BR/BEINSTRUMENT CLUSTER 8J - 33
TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS (Continued)

above the temperature gauge. The voltage gauge con-
sists of a movable gauge needle or pointer controlled
by the instrument cluster circuitry and a fixed 90
degree scale on the cluster overlay that reads left-to-
right from 8 volts to 18 volts. An International Con-
trol and Display Symbol icon for ªBattery Charging
Conditionº is located directly below the lowest grad-
uation of the gauge scale. The voltage gauge graphics
are white against a black field except for a single red
graduation at each end of the gauge scale, making
them clearly visible within the instrument cluster in
daylight. When illuminated from behind by the panel
lamps dimmer controlled cluster illumination lighting
with the exterior lamps turned On, the white graph-
ics appear blue-green and the red graphics appear
red. The orange gauge needle is internally illumi-
nated. Gauge illumination is provided by replaceable
incandescent bulb and bulb holder units located on
the instrument cluster electronic circuit board. The
voltage gauge is serviced as a unit with the instru-
ment cluster.
OPERATION
The voltage gauge gives an indication to the vehi-
cle operator of the electrical system voltage. This
gauge is controlled by the instrument cluster circuit
board based upon the cluster programming and elec-
tronic messages received by the cluster from the
Powertrain Control Module (PCM) over the Chrysler
Collision Detection (CCD) data bus. The voltage
gauge is an air core magnetic unit that receives bat-
tery current on the instrument cluster electronic cir-
cuit board through the fused ignition switch output
(st-run) circuit whenever the ignition switch is in the
On or Start positions. The cluster is programmed to
move the gauge needle back to the low end of the
scale after the ignition switch is turned to the Off
position. The instrument cluster circuitry controls
the gauge needle position and provides the following
features:
²Charge Fail Message- Each time the cluster
receives a message from the PCM indicating a charge
fail condition (system voltage is 10.8 volts or lower),
the gauge needle is moved to the 8 volt graduation
on the gauge scale and the check gauges indicator is
illuminated. The gauge needle remains on the 8 volt
graduation and the check gauges indicator remains
illuminated until the cluster receives a message from
the PCM indicating there is no charge fail condition
(system voltage is 10.9 volts or higher, but lower
than 16.7 volts), or until the ignition switch is turned
to the Off position, whichever occurs first. On models
equipped with the optional diesel engine, the instru-
ment cluster is programmed to support the voltmeter
gauge needle above the low end of normal graduation
and suppress the check gauges indicator operationuntil ten seconds after the engine intake manifold air
heater has completed its cycle.
²Voltage High Message- Each time the cluster
receives a message from the PCM indicating a volt-
age high condition (system voltage is 16.7 volts or
higher), the gauge needle is moved to the 18 volt
graduation on the gauge scale and the check gauges
indicator is illuminated. The gauge needle remains
on the 18 volt graduation and the check gauges indi-
cator remains illuminated until the cluster receives a
message from the PCM indicating there is no voltage
high condition (system voltage is 16.6 volts or lower,
but higher than 10.9 volts), or until the ignition
switch is turned to the Off position, whichever occurs
first.
²Message Failure- If the cluster fails to receive
a system voltage message, it will hold the gauge nee-
dle at the last indication until a new message is
received, or until the ignition switch is turned to the
Off position, whichever occurs first.
²Actuator Test- Each time the cluster is put
through the actuator test, the gauge needle will be
swept to several calibration points on the gauge scale
in a prescribed sequence in order to confirm the func-
tionality of the gauge and the cluster control cir-
cuitry.
The PCM continually monitors the system voltage
to control the generator output. The PCM then sends
the proper system voltage messages to the instru-
ment cluster. For further diagnosis of the voltage
gauge or the instrument cluster circuitry that con-
trols the gauge, (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/INSTRU-
MENT CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING). If
the instrument cluster turns on the check gauges
indicator due to a charge fail or voltage high condi-
tion, it may indicate that the charging system
requires service. For proper diagnosis of the charging
system, the CCD data bus, or the message inputs to
the instrument cluster that control the voltage
gauge, a DRBIIItscan tool is required. Refer to the
appropriate diagnostic information.
WAIT-TO-START INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION
A wait-to-start indicator is standard equipment on
all instrument clusters, but is only functional in vehi-
cles equipped with an optional diesel engine. The
wait-to-start indicator is located near the lower edge
of the instrument cluster overlay, to the right of cen-
ter. The wait-to-start indicator consists of a stenciled
cutout of the text ªWAIT TO STARTº in the opaque
layer of the cluster overlay. The dark outer layer of
the overlay prevents the indicator from being clearly
visible when it is not illuminated. A red lens located
8J - 34 INSTRUMENT CLUSTERBR/BE
VOLTAGE GAUGE (Continued)

behind the cutout causes the ªWAIT TO STARTº text
to appear in red through the translucent outer layer
of the overlay when the indicator is illuminated from
behind by a Light Emitting Diode (LED) that is sol-
dered onto the instrument cluster electronic circuit
board. The wait-to-start indicator is serviced as a
unit with the instrument cluster.
OPERATION
The wait-to-start indicator gives an indication to
the vehicle operator when the diesel engine intake
air heater is energized in its preheat operating mode.
This indicator is controlled by a hard wired input to
the instrument cluster from the Engine Control Mod-
ule (ECM). The wait-to-start indicator Light Emitting
Diode (LED) receives battery current on the instru-
ment cluster electronic circuit board through the
fused ignition switch output (st-run) circuit whenever
the ignition switch is in the On or Start positions;
therefore, the lamp will always be off when the igni-
tion switch is in any position except On or Start. The
indicator LED only illuminates when it is switched to
ground by the input from the ECM. The ECM will
turn on the wait-to-start indicator by pulling the
wait-to-start indicator driver circuit to ground each
time the ignition switch is turned to the On or Start
positions. The indicator then remains illuminated
until the ECM detects that the air within the intake
manifold is the proper temperature to ensure reliable
and efficient engine starting, until the ECM detects
that the engine is running, or until the ignition
switch is turned to the Off position, whichever occurs
first.
The ECM continually monitors the intake manifold
air temperature sensor, the Manifold Absolute Pres-
sure (MAP) sensor, and many other vehicle condi-
tions to determine when the wait-to-start indicator
should be illuminated. For proper diagnosis of the
wait-to-start indicator, the ECM, or the inputs the
ECM uses to control the wait-to-start indicator oper-
ation, a DRBIIItscan tool is required. Refer to the
appropriate diagnostic information.
WASHER FLUID INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION
A washer fluid indicator is standard equipment on
all instrument clusters. The washer fluid indicator is
located near the lower edge of the instrument cluster
overlay, to the right of center. The washer fluid indi-
cator consists of a stenciled cutout of the words
ªLOW WASHERº in the opaque layer of the instru-
ment cluster overlay. The dark outer layer of the
overlay prevents the indicator from being clearly vis-
ible when it is not illuminated. An amber lens behindthe cutout in the opaque layer of the overlay causes
the ªLOW WASHERº text to appear in amber
through the translucent outer layer of the overlay
when it is illuminated from behind by a Light Emit-
ting Diode (LED) soldered onto the instrument clus-
ter electronic circuit board. The washer fluid
indicator is serviced as a unit with the instrument
cluster.
OPERATION
The washer fluid indicator gives an indication to
the vehicle operator when the fluid level in the
washer fluid reservoir is low. This indicator is con-
trolled by a transistor on the instrument cluster elec-
tronic circuit board based upon cluster programming
and a hard wired washer fluid level switch input to
the cluster. The washer fluid indicator Light Emit-
ting Diode (LED) receives battery current on the
instrument cluster electronic circuit board through
the fused ignition switch output (st-run) circuit
whenever the ignition switch is in the On or Start
positions; therefore, the indicator will always be off
when the ignition switch is in any position except On
or Start. The LED only illuminates when it is pro-
vided a path to ground by the instrument cluster
transistor. The instrument cluster will turn on the
washer fluid indicator for the following reasons:
²Bulb Test- Each time the ignition switch is
turned to the On position the indicator is illuminated
for about two seconds as a bulb test.
²Washer Fluid Level Switch Input- Immedi-
ately after the bulb test, if the cluster senses ground
on the washer fluid switch sense circuit for more
than about thirty seconds, it turns on the washer
fluid indicator. Any time after the bulb test, the clus-
ter must sense ground on the washer fluid switch
sense circuit for more than about sixty seconds before
it turns on the indicator. Once illuminated, the indi-
cator will remain illuminated until the ignition
switch is cycled and the cluster senses an open cir-
cuit on the low washer fluid sense input. This strat-
egy is intended to reduce the effect that fluid
sloshing within the washer reservoir can have on
reliable indicator operation.
²Actuator Test- Each time the cluster is put
through the actuator test, the indicator will be
turned on during the bulb check portion of the test to
confirm the functionality of the LED and the cluster
control circuitry.
The washer fluid level switch is connected in series
between ground and the washer fluid switch sense
input to the instrument cluster. For more informa-
tion on the washer fluid level switch,(Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/WIPERS/WASHERS/WASHER FLUID
LEVEL SWITCH - OPERATION). For further diag-
nosis of the washer fluid indicator or the instrument
BR/BEINSTRUMENT CLUSTER 8J - 35
WAIT-TO-START INDICATOR (Continued)