2001 DODGE RAM Service Repair Manual

airbag disable engine overheat dashboard radiator cap engine oil capacity service interval

Page 569 of 2889

DODGE RAM 2001 Service Repair Manual (2) Turn the exterior lamps On with the headlamp
switch. Rotate the headlamp switch panel lamps dim-
mer thumbwheel upward to just before the interior
lamps detent. Check for battery voltage at the pa

(2) Turn the exterior lamps On with the headlamp
switch. Rotate the headlamp switch panel lamps dim-
mer thumbwheel upward to just before the interior
lamps detent. Check for battery voltage at the panel
lamps dimmer fuse (Fuse5-5ampere) in the JB.
Rotate the panel lamps dimmer thumbwheel down-
ward while observing the test voltmeter. The reading
should go from battery voltage to zero volts. If OK,
go to Step 3. If not OK, repair the open panel lamps
dimmer switch signal circuit between the headlamp
switch and the JB as required.
(3) Turn the exterior lamps Off. Disconnect and
isolate the battery negative cable. Remove the instru-
ment cluster. Remove the instrument panel dimmer
fuse (Fuse5-5ampere) from the JB. Probe the
fused panel lamps dimmer switch signal circuit cav-
ity of the instrument panel wire harness connector
(Connector C2) for the instrument cluster. Check for
continuity to a good ground. There should be no con-
tinuity. If OK, go to Step 4. If not OK, repair the
shorted fused panel lamps dimmer switch signal cir-
cuit between the instrument cluster and the JB as
required.
(4) Reinstall the instrument panel dimmer fuse
(Fuse5-5ampere) in the JB. Reconnect the battery
negative cable. Turn the exterior lamps On with the
headlamp switch. Rotate the headlamp switch panel
lamps dimmer thumbwheel upward to just before the
interior lamps detent. Check for battery voltage at
the fused panel lamps dimmer switch signal circuit
cavity of the instrument panel wire harness connec-
tor (Connector C2) for the instrument cluster. If OK,
replace the faulty bulb and bulb holder units. If not
OK, repair the open fused panel lamps dimmer
switch signal circuit between the instrument cluster
and the JB as required.
REMOVAL
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.(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Remove the cluster bezel from the instrument
panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/
CLUSTER BEZEL - REMOVAL).
(3) Remove the four screws that secure the instru-
ment cluster to the instrument panel (Fig. 2).
(4) If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transmission, place the automatic transmission gear
selector lever in the Park position.
(5) Pull the instrument cluster rearward far
enough to disengage the two self-docking instrument
panel wire harness connectors from the cluster con-
nector receptacles.
(6) If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transmission, pull the instrument cluster rearward
far enough to access and remove the two screws that
secure the gear selector indicator to the back of the
instrument cluster housing (Fig. 3).
(7) If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transmission, disengage the gear selector indicator
from the back of the instrument cluster housing.
(8) Remove the instrument cluster from the instru-
ment panel.
Fig. 2 Instrument Cluster Remove/Install
1 - INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
2 - SCREW
3 - PRNDL CABLE
4 - SELF-DOCKING WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR
8J - 10 INSTRUMENT CLUSTERBR/BE
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (Continued)

Page 570 of 2889

DODGE RAM 2001 Service Repair Manual DISASSEMBLY
Some of the components for the instrument cluster
used in this vehicle are serviced individually. The
serviced components include: the automatic transmis-
sion gear selector indicator, the

DISASSEMBLY
Some of the components for the instrument cluster
used in this vehicle are serviced individually. The
serviced components include: the automatic transmis-
sion gear selector indicator, the incandescent instru-
ment cluster indicator lamp and illumination lamp
bulbs (including the integral bulb holders), the clus-
ter lens and hood unit, and the cluster housing rear
cover. The remaining components are serviced only
as a part of the cluster housing unit, which includes:
the cluster housing, the electronic circuit board unit,
the cluster overlay, the gauges, and the odometer/trip
odometer reset switch button. Following are the pro-
cedures for disassembling the serviced components
from the instrument cluster unit.
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.GEAR SELECTOR INDICATOR
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Remove the instrument cluster from the instru-
ment panel. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/INSTRU-
MENT CLUSTER - REMOVAL).
(3) Remove the steering column opening cover
from the instrument panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/IN-
STRUMENT PANEL/STEERING COLUMN OPEN-
ING COVER - REMOVAL).
(4) Reach through the instrument panel steering
column opening to access and disengage the loop end
of the gear selector indicator cable from the PRNDL
driver lever on the left side of the steering column
(Fig. 4).
(5) Squeeze the sides of the plastic adjuster and
bracket unit to disengage the tabs that secure it to
the sides of the steering column window.
(6) Remove the gear selector indicator mechanism
and cable unit through the instrument panel cluster
opening.
CLUSTER BULB
This procedure applies to each of the incandescent
cluster illumination lamp or indicator lamp bulb and
bulb holder units. However, the illumination lamps
and the indicator lamps use different bulb and bulb
holder unit sizes. They must never be interchanged.
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Remove the instrument cluster from the instru-
ment panel. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/INSTRU-
MENT CLUSTER - REMOVAL).
Fig. 3 Gear Selector Indicator Remove/Install
1 - INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
2 - GEAR SELECTOR INDICATOR
3 - SCREW
Fig. 4 Gear Selector Indicator Cable Remove/Install
1 - STEERING COLUMN
2 - CABLE
3 - LOOP END
4 - LEVER
5 - ADJUSTER AND BRACKET
BR/BEINSTRUMENT CLUSTER 8J - 11
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (Continued)

Page 571 of 2889

DODGE RAM 2001 Service Repair Manual (3) Turn the bulb holder counterclockwise about
sixty degrees on the cluster electronic circuit board
(Fig. 5).
(4) Pull the bulb and bulb holder unit straight
back to remove it from the bulb mounting

Page 572 of 2889

DODGE RAM 2001 Service Repair Manual ASSEMBLY
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 A

ASSEMBLY
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.
GEAR SELECTOR INDICATOR
(1) Position the gear selector indicator mechanism
and cable unit into the instrument panel cluster
opening.
(2) Route the cable through the instrument panel
and under the steering column to the PRNDL driver
lever on the left side of the steering column.
(3) Squeeze the sides of the plastic adjuster and
bracket unit and engage the tabs that secure it with
the sides of the steering column window.
(4) Engage the loop end of the gear selector indi-
cator cable onto the PRNDL driver lever on the left
side of the steering column (Fig. 4).
(5) Reinstall the instrument cluster onto the
instrument panel. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/IN-
STRUMENT CLUSTER - INSTALLATION).
(6) Confirm proper operation of the gear selector
indicator. Calibrate the indicator, if required. (Refer
to 19 - STEERING/COLUMN - INSTALLATION).
(7) Reinstall the steering column opening cover
onto the instrument panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/IN-
STRUMENT PANEL/STEERING COLUMN OPEN-
ING COVER - INSTALLATION).
(8) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
CLUSTER BULB
This procedure applies to each of the incandescent
cluster illumination lamp or indicator lamp bulb and
bulb holder units. However, the illumination lamps
and the indicator lamps use different bulb and bulb
holder unit sizes. They must never be interchanged.
CAUTION: Be certain that any bulb and bulb holder
unit removed from the cluster electronic circuit
board is reinstalled in the correct position. Always
use the correct bulb size and type for replacement.
An incorrect bulb size or type may overheat and
cause damage to the instrument cluster, the elec-
tronic circuit board and/or the gauges.(1) Insert the bulb and bulb holder unit straight
into the correct bulb mounting hole in the cluster
electronic circuit board (Fig. 5).
(2) With the bulb holder fully seated against the
cluster electronic circuit board, turn the bulb holder
clockwise about sixty degrees to lock it into place.
(3) Reinstall the instrument cluster onto the
instrument panel. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/IN-
STRUMENT CLUSTER - INSTALLATION).
(4) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
CLUSTER LENS AND HOOD
CAUTION: Do not touch the face of the gauge over-
lay or the back of the cluster lens with your finger.
It will leave a permanent finger print.
(1) Align the cluster lens and hood unit with the
cluster housing. Be certain that the odometer/trip
odometer switch button is installed through the
clearance hole in the lens (Fig. 6).
(2) Install and tighten the seven screws that
secure the lens and hood unit to the cluster housing.
Tighten the screws to 2.2 N´m (20 in. lbs.).
(3) Reinstall the instrument cluster onto the
instrument panel. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/IN-
STRUMENT CLUSTER - INSTALLATION).
(4) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
CLUSTER HOUSING REAR COVER
(1) Position the rear cover onto the back of the
cluster housing (Fig. 7).
(2) Install and tighten the six screws that secure
the rear cover to the back of the cluster housing.
Tighten the screws to 2.2 N´m (20 in. lbs.).
(3) Reinstall the instrument cluster onto the
instrument panel. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/IN-
STRUMENT CLUSTER - INSTALLATION).
(4) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
CLUSTER HOUSING
(1) Assemble the rear cover onto the cluster hous-
ing. Refer to CLUSTER HOUSING REAR COVER .
(2) Assemble the lens and hood unit onto the clus-
ter housing. Refer to CLUSTER LENS AND HOOD .
(3) Reinstall the instrument cluster onto the
instrument panel. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/IN-
STRUMENT CLUSTER - INSTALLATION).
(4) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
BR/BEINSTRUMENT CLUSTER 8J - 13
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (Continued)

Page 573 of 2889

DODGE RAM 2001 Service Repair Manual INSTALLATION
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. DISCONNE

INSTALLATION
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.
(1) Position the instrument cluster to the instru-
ment panel.
(2) If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transmission, position the gear selector indicator onto
the back of the cluster housing (Fig. 3).
(3) If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transmission, install and tighten the two screws that
secure the gear selector indicator mechanism to the
back of the cluster housing. Tighten the screws to 2.2
N´m (20 in. lbs.).
(4) Align the instrument cluster with the cluster
opening in the instrument panel and push the cluster
firmly and evenly into place. The instrument panel
wire harness has two self-docking connectors that
will be automatically aligned with, and connected to
the instrument cluster connector receptacles when
the cluster is properly installed in the instrument
panel.
(5) Install and tighten the four screws that secure
the instrument cluster to the instrument panel (Fig.
2). Tighten the screws to 2.2 N´m (20 in. lbs.).
(6) Reinstall the cluster bezel onto the instrument
panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/
CLUSTER BEZEL - INSTALLATION).
(7) If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transmission, confirm proper operation of the gear
selector indicator. Calibrate the indicator, if required.
(Refer to 19 - STEERING/COLUMN - INSTALLA-
TION).
(8) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
NOTE: Some of the indicators in this instrument
cluster are either programmable (upshift indicator)
or automatically configured (cruise, overdrive-off,
and transmission overtemp indicators) when the
cluster is connected to the vehicle electrical sys-
tem. This feature allows those indicator lamps to be
enabled or disabled for compatibility with certain
optional equipment. If a new instrument cluster is
being installed, use a DRBIIITscan tool to programthe instrument cluster with the proper vehicle
equipment option setting to enable and/or disable
the upshift indicator lamp. Refer to the appropriate
diagnostic information.
ABS INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION
An Antilock Brake System (ABS) indicator is stan-
dard equipment on all instrument clusters. This indi-
cator serves both the standard equipment Rear
Wheel Anti-Lock (RWAL) and optional equipment
4-Wheel Anti-Lock (4WAL) brake systems. The ABS
indicator is located near the lower edge of the instru-
ment cluster overlay, to the left of center. The ABS
indicator consists of a stencilled cutout of the Inter-
national Control and Display Symbol icon for ªFail-
ure 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
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 it is
illuminated from behind by a Light Emitting Diode
(LED) 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 Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus.
The ABS 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
LED will always be off when the ignition switch is in
any position except On or Start. The LED only illu-
minates when it is provided a path to ground by the
instrument cluster transistor. The instrument cluster
will turn on the ABS indicator for the following rea-
sons:
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
8J - 14 INSTRUMENT CLUSTERBR/BE
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (Continued)

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DODGE RAM 2001 Service Repair Manual 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 o

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
six consecutive seconds, the ABS indicator is illumi-
nated. 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 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.
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, and the CAB will store a DTC. For proper
diagnosis of the antilock brake system, the CAB, the
CCD data bus, or the message inputs to the instru-
ment cluster that control the ABS indicator, a
DRBIIItscan tool is required. Refer to the appropri-
ate diagnostic information.
AIRBAG INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION
An airbag indicator is standard equipment on all
instrument clusters. However, on vehicles not
equipped with airbags, this indicator is electronically
disabled. The airbag indicator is located near the
lower edge of the instrument cluster overlay, to the
right of center. The airbag indicator consists of a
stenciled cutout of the word ªAIRBAGº 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
lens behind the cutout in the opaque layer of the
overlay causes the ªAIRBAGº text to appear in redthrough 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 airbag indicator is
serviced as a unit with the instrument 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 Chrysler Collision Detection
(CCD) data bus. The airbag 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 indicator 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 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 seven seconds. The first two sec-
onds is the cluster bulb test function, and the
remainder is the ACM bulb test function.
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 for about twelve seconds or until
the cluster receives a single lamp-off message from
the ACM, whichever is longer.
²Actuator Test- Each time the cluster is put
through the actuator test, the airbag 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 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 may not deploy when required, or may deploy
when not required. The ACM will store a Diagnostic
BR/BEINSTRUMENT CLUSTER 8J - 15
ABS INDICATOR (Continued)

Page 575 of 2889

DODGE RAM 2001 Service Repair Manual 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 cir-
cuit, the cluster sends a message not

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 cir-
cuit, the cluster sends a message notifying the ACM
of the condition, the ACM will store a DTC, and the
cluster begins blinking the seat belt indicator. (Refer
to 8 - ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/
SEATBELT INDICATOR - OPERATION). For proper
diagnosis of the airbag system, the ACM, the CCD
data bus, or the message inputs to the instrument
cluster that control the airbag indicator, a DRBIIIt
scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diag-
nostic information.
BRAKE/PARK BRAKE
INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION
A brake indicator is standard equipment on all
instrument clusters. The brake indicator is located
near the lower edge of the instrument cluster overlay,
to the right of center. The brake indicator consists of
a stenciled cutout of the word ªBRAKEº 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 lens behind the cutout in the opaque layer of
the overlay causes the ªBRAKEº text to appear in
red through the translucent outer layer of the over-
lay when it is illuminated from behind by a Light
Emitting Diode (LED) soldered onto the instrument
cluster electronic circuit board. The brake indicator is
serviced as a unit with the instrument cluster.
OPERATION
The brake indicator gives an indication to the vehi-
cle operator when the parking brake is applied, or
when there are certain brake hydraulic system mal-
functions. This indicator is controlled by a transistor
on the instrument cluster circuit board based upon a
hard wired input to the instrument cluster, cluster
programming, and electronic messages received by
the cluster from the Controller Antilock Brake (CAB)
over the Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus.
The brake 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
LED will always be off when the ignition switch is in
any position except On or Start. The LED only illu-
minates when it is provided a path to ground by the
instrument cluster transistor. The instrument cluster
will turn on the brake indicator for the following rea-
sons:²Bulb Test- Each time the ignition switch is
turned to the On position the brake indicator is illu-
minated by the instrument cluster for about four sec-
onds as a bulb test.
²Park Brake-On- If the park brake is applied
or not fully released with the ignition switch in the
On position, the brake indicator is illuminated solid.
The brake indicator will blink on and off repeatedly
when the park brake is applied or not fully released
and the ignition switch is in the On position if a
vehicle with an automatic transmission is not in
Park or Neutral, or if the engine is running on vehi-
cles with a manual transmission.
²Brake Lamp-On Message- Each time the
cluster receives a lamp-on message from the CAB,
the brake 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.
²Actuator Test- Each time the instrument clus-
ter is put through the actuator test, the brake indi-
cator 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 park brake switch on the park brake pedal
mechanism provides a hard wired ground input to
the instrument cluster circuitry through the park
brake switch sense circuit whenever the park brake
is applied or not fully released. The CAB continually
monitors the brake pressure switch on the brake
combination valve to determine if the pressures in
the two halves of the split brake hydraulic system
are unequal. The CAB then sends the proper lamp-on
or lamp-off messages to the instrument cluster. If the
CAB sends a lamp-on message after the bulb test, it
indicates that the CAB has detected a brake hydrau-
lic system malfunction and/or that the ABS system
has become inoperative. The CAB will store a Diag-
nostic Trouble Code (DTC) for any malfunction it
detects. The park brake switch input to the instru-
ment cluster can be diagnosed using conventional
diagnostic tools and methods. For proper diagnosis of
the antilock brake system, the CAB, the CCD data
bus, or the message inputs to the instrument cluster
that control the brake indicator, a DRBIIItscan tool
is required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic infor-
mation.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - BRAKE INDICATOR
The diagnosis found here addresses an inoperative
brake indicator condition. If the brake indicator
comes on or stays on with the ignition switch in the
On position and the park brake released, or comes on
while driving, the brake system must be diagnosed
and repaired prior to performing the following tests.
8J - 16 INSTRUMENT CLUSTERBR/BE
AIRBAG INDICATOR (Continued)

Page 576 of 2889

DODGE RAM 2001 Service Repair Manual (Refer to 5 - BRAKES - DIAGNOSIS AND TEST-
ING). If no brake system problem is found, the fol-
lowing procedure will help locate a faulty park brake
switch or park brake switch sense circuit. Refer to

(Refer to 5 - BRAKES - DIAGNOSIS AND TEST-
ING). If no brake system problem is found, the fol-
lowing procedure will help locate a faulty park brake
switch or park brake switch sense circuit. Refer to
the appropriate wiring information. The wiring infor-
mation 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 con-
nectors, 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.
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness
connector for the park brake switch from the switch
terminal. With the park brake released, check for
continuity between the park brake switch terminal
and a good ground. There should be no continuity. If
OK, go to Step 2. If not OK, adjust or replace the
faulty park brake switch.
(2) Remove the instrument cluster from the instru-
ment panel. With the park brake switch still discon-
nected, check for continuity between the park brake
switch sense circuit cavity of the instrument panel
wire harness connector for the park brake switch and
a good ground. There should be no continuity. If OK,
go to Step 3. If not OK, repair the shorted park
brake switch sense circuit between the park brake
switch and the instrument cluster as required.
(3) Check for continuity between the park brake
switch sense circuit cavities of the instrument panel
wire harness connector for the park brake switch and
the instrument panel wire harness connector (Con-
nector C1) for the instrument cluster. There should
be continuity. If OK, proceed with diagnosis of the
instrument cluster. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/IN-
STRUMENT CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS AND TEST-
ING). If not OK, repair the open park brake switch
sense circuit between the park brake switch and the
instrument cluster as required.CHECK GAUGES INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION
A check gauges indicator is standard equipment on
all instrument clusters. The check gauges indicator is
located on the lower edge of the instrument cluster
overlay, to the right of center. The check gauges indi-
cator consists of a stenciled cutout of the words
ªCHECK GAGESº 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 the it is not illuminated. A red lens behind
the cutout in the opaque layer of the overlay causes
the ªCHECK GAGESº text to appear in red 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 check gauges
indicator is serviced as a unit with the instrument
cluster.
OPERATION
The check gauges indicator gives an indication to
the vehicle operator when certain instrument cluster
gauge readings reflect a condition requiring immedi-
ate attention. This indicator is controlled by a tran-
sistor on 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 check gauges indica-
tor Light Emitting Diode (LED) receives battery cur-
rent 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
transistor. The instrument cluster will turn on the
check gauges indicator for the following reasons:
²Bulb Test- Each time the ignition switch is
turned to the On position the check gauges indicator
is illuminated for about two seconds as a bulb test.
²Engine Temperature High Message- Each
time the cluster receives a message from the PCM
indicating the engine coolant temperature of a gaso-
line engine is about 122É C (253É F) or higher, or a
diesel engine is about 112É C (233É F) or higher, the
check gauges indicator will be illuminated. The indi-
cator remains illuminated until the cluster receives a
message from the PCM indicating that the tempera-
ture of a gasoline engine is about 119É C (246É F) or
lower, a diesel engine is about 109É C (226É F) or
lower, or until the ignition switch is turned to the Off
position, whichever occurs first.
BR/BEINSTRUMENT CLUSTER 8J - 17
BRAKE/PARK BRAKE INDICATOR (Continued)

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