2002 DODGE RAM ignition

requires the use of a DRBIIItscan tool. Refer to the
appropriate diagnostic information.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER
If all of the instrument cluster gauges and/or indi-
cators are inoperative, refer to PRELIMINARY
DIAGNOSIS . If an individual gauge or Chrysler Col-
lision Detection (CCD) data bus message-controlled
indicator is inoperative, refer to ACTUATOR TEST .
If an individual hard wired indicator is inoperative,
refer to the diagnosis and testing information for
that specific indicator. If the instrument cluster
chime warning request function is inoperative, refer
to CHIME WARNING REQUEST DIAGNOSIS . If
the instrument cluster illumination lighting is inop-
erative, refer to CLUSTER ILLUMINATION DIAG-
NOSIS . If the instrument cluster Vacuum-
Fluorescent Display (VFD) dimmer service is
inoperative, use a DRBIIItscan tool to diagnose the
problem. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic proce-
dures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information.
The wiring 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.
NOTE: Certain indicators in this instrument cluster
are programmable. This feature allows those indica-
tors to be activated or deactivated with a DRBIIIT
scan tool for compatibility with certain optional
equipment. If the problem being diagnosed involves
improper illumination of the upshift indicator, use a
DRBIIITscan tool to be certain that the instrument
cluster has been programmed with the proper vehi-
cle equipment option settings.
PRELIMINARY DIAGNOSIS
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) If the indicators operate, but none of the
gauges operate, go to Step 2. If all of the gauges and
the CCD data bus message-controlled indicators are
inoperative, go to Step 5.
(2) Check the fused B(+) fuse (Fuse 14 - 10
ampere) in the Junction Block (JB). If OK, go to Step
3. If not OK, repair the shorted circuit or component
as required and replace the faulty fuse.
(3) Check for battery voltage at the fused B(+) fuse
(Fuse 14 - 10 ampere) in the JB. If OK, go to Step 4.
If not OK, repair the open fused B(+) circuit between
the JB and the Power Distribution Center (PDC) as
required.
(4) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. Remove the instrument cluster. Connect the
battery negative cable. Check for battery voltage at
the fused B(+) circuit cavity of the instrument panel
wire harness connector (Connector C1) for the instru-
ment cluster. If OK, refer to ACTUATOR TEST . If
not OK, repair the open fused B(+) circuit between
the instrument cluster and the JB as required.
(5) Check the fused ignition switch output (st-run)
fuse (Fuse 17 - 10 ampere) in the JB. If OK, go to
Step 6. If not OK, repair the shorted circuit or com-
ponent as required and replace the faulty fuse.
(6) Turn the ignition switch to the On position.
Check for battery voltage at the fused ignition switch
output (st-run) fuse (Fuse 17 - 10 ampere) in the JB.
If OK, go to Step 7. If not OK, repair the open fused
ignition switch output (st-run) circuit between the
instrument cluster and the JB as required.
(7) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position.
Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
Reinstall the instrument cluster. Reconnect the bat-
tery negative cable. Turn the ignition switch to the
On position. Set the park brake. The brake indicator
in the instrument cluster should light. If OK, go to
Step 8. If not OK, go to Step 9.
(8) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position.
Turn on the park lamps and adjust the panel lamps
dimmer thumbwheel in the headlamp switch to the
full bright position. The cluster illumination lamps
should light. If OK, go to Step 10. If not OK, repair
the open ground circuit (Z3) between the instrument
cluster and ground (G201) as required.
(9) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position.
Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
Remove the instrument cluster. Connect the battery
negative cable. Turn the ignition switch to the On
position. Check for battery voltage at the fused igni-
tion switch output (st-run) circuit cavity of the
instrument panel wire harness connector (Connector
C1). If OK, refer to ACTUATOR TEST . If not OK,
repair the open fused ignition switch output (st-run)
circuit between the instrument cluster and the JB as
required.
8J - 6 INSTRUMENT CLUSTERBR/BE
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (Continued)

(10) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. Remove the instrument cluster. Check for con-
tinuity between the ground circuit (Z2) cavity of the
instrument panel wire harness connector (Connector
C1) and a good ground. There should be continuity. If
OK, refer to ACTUATOR TEST . If not OK, repair
the open ground circuit to ground (G200) as required.
ACTUATOR TEST
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.
The instrument cluster actuator test will put the
instrument cluster into its self-diagnostic mode. In
this mode the instrument cluster can perform a self-
diagnostic test that will confirm that the instrument
cluster circuitry, the gauges, and the CCD data bus
message-controlled indicators are capable of operat-
ing as designed. During the actuator test the instru-
ment cluster circuitry position each of the gaugeneedles at various calibration points, illuminate each
of the segments in the Vacuum-Fluorescent Display
(VFD), and turn all of the CCD data bus message-
controlled indicators on and off.
Successful completion of the actuator test will con-
firm that the instrument cluster is operational. How-
ever, there may still be a problem with the CCD data
bus, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), the
Engine Control Module (ECM), the Airbag Control
Module (ACM), the Controller Anti-lock Brake (CAB),
or the inputs to one of these electronic control mod-
ules. Use a DRBIIItscan tool to diagnose these com-
ponents. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic
information.
(1) Begin the test with the ignition switch in the
Off position.
(2) Depress the odometer/trip odometer switch but-
ton.
(3) While still holding the odometer/trip odometer
switch button depressed, turn the ignition switch to
the On position, but do not start the engine.
(4) Keep the odometer/trip odometer switch button
depressed for about ten seconds, untilCHEC
appears in the odometer display, then release the
odometer/trip odometer switch button.
(5) A series of three-digit numeric failure messages
may appear in the odometer display, depending upon
the failure mode. If a failure message appears, refer
to the Instrument Cluster Failure Message chart for
the description and proper correction. If no failure
message appears, the actuator test will proceed as
described in Step 6.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE MESSAGE
Message Description Correction
110 A failure has been identified in the cluster
CPU, RAM, or EEPROM.1. Replace the faulty cluster.
900 The CCD data bus is not operational. 1. Check the CCD data bus connections at the
cluster.
2. Check the cluster fuses.
3. Check the CCD data bus bias.
4. Check the CCD data bus voltage.
5. Check the CCD data bus terminations.
920 The cluster is not receiving a vehicle speed
message from the PCM.1. Check the PCM software level and reflash if
required.
2. Use a DRBIIITscan tool to verify that the
vehicle speed message is being sent by the
PCM.
921 The cluster is not receiving a distance pulse
message from the PCM.1. Check the PCM software level and reflash if
required.
2. Use a DRBIIITscan tool to verify that the
distance pulse message is being sent by the
PCM.
BR/BEINSTRUMENT CLUSTER 8J - 7
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (Continued)

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE MESSAGE
Message Description Correction
940 The cluster is not receiving an airbag lamp-on
message from the ACM.1. Check the CCD data bus connections at the
ACM.
2. Check the ACM fuse.
950 The cluster is not receiving an ABS lamp-on
message from the CAB.1. Check the CCD data bus connections at the
CAB.
2. Check the CAB fuse.
999 An error has been discovered. 1. Record the failure message.
2. Depress the trip odometer reset button to
continue the Self-Diagnostic Test.
(6) The instrument cluster will begin the Vacuum
Fluorescent Display (VFD) walking segment test.
This test will require the operator to visually inspect
each VFD segment as it is displayed to determine a
pass or fail condition. First, all of the segments will
be illuminated at once; then, each individual segment
of the VFD will be illuminated in sequence. If any
segment in the display fails to illuminate, repeat the
test to confirm the failure. If the failure is confirmed,
replace the faulty instrument cluster. Following com-
pletion of the VFD walking segment test, the actua-
tor test will proceed as described in Step 7.
(7) The instrument cluster will perform a bulb
check of each indicator that the instrument cluster
circuitry controls. If the wait-to-start indicator does
not illuminate during this test, the instrument clus-
ter should be removed. However, check that the
incandescent bulb is not faulty and that the bulb
holder is properly installed on the instrument cluster
electronic circuit board before considering instrument
cluster replacement. If the bulb and bulb holder
check OK, replace the faulty instrument cluster.
Each of the remaining instrument cluster circuitry
controlled indicators except the cruise indicator are
illuminated by a Light Emitting Diode (LED). If an
LED or the cruise indicator in the VFD, fails to illu-
minate during this test, the instrument cluster must
be replaced. Following the bulb check test, the actua-
tor test will proceed as described in Step 8.
(8) The instrument cluster will perform a gauge
actuator test. In this test the instrument cluster cir-
cuitry positions each of the gauge needles at three
different calibration points, then returns the gauge
needles to their relaxed positions. If an individual
gauge does not respond properly, or does not respondat all during the gauge actuator test, the instrument
cluster should be removed. However, check that the
gauge terminal pins are properly inserted through
the spring-clip terminal pin receptacles on the instru-
ment cluster electronic circuit board before consider-
ing instrument cluster replacement. If the gauge
terminal connections are OK, replace the faulty
instrument cluster.
(9) The actuator test is now completed. The instru-
ment cluster will automatically exit the self-diagnos-
tic mode and return to normal operation at the
completion of the test, if the ignition switch is turned
to the Off position during the test, or if a vehicle
speed message indicating that the vehicle is moving
is received from the PCM on the CCD data bus dur-
ing the test.
(10) Go back to Step 1 to repeat the test, if
required.
CHIME WARNING REQUEST DIAGNOSIS
Before performing this test, complete the testing of
the seat belt switch and the Central Timer Module
(CTM). (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/
SEAT BELT SWITCH - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)
and (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC CON-
TROL MODULES/BODY CONTROL/CENTRAL
TIMER MODULE - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING).
The diagnosis found here consists of confirming the
viability of the hard wired tone request circuit
between the instrument cluster and the Central
Timer Module (CTM). For diagnosis of the CCD data
bus and the data bus message inputs that cause the
instrument cluster to issue a request for chime ser-
vice, a DRBIIItscan tool is required. Refer to the
appropriate diagnostic information.
8J - 8 INSTRUMENT CLUSTERBR/BE
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (Continued)

(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 program
the 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, theLED 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
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.
8J - 14 INSTRUMENT CLUSTERBR/BE
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (Continued)

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 red
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 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 untilthe 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
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
BR/BEINSTRUMENT CLUSTER 8J - 15

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 itdetects. 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.
(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
8J - 16 INSTRUMENT CLUSTERBR/BE
BRAKE/PARK BRAKE INDICATOR (Continued)

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 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 indi-
cator is illuminated from behind by a Light Emitting
Diode (LED) soldered onto the instrument cluster
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.
²Engine Oil Pressure Low Message- Each
time the cluster receives a message from the PCM
indicating the engine oil pressure of a gasoline
engine is about 3.45 kPa (0.5 psi) or lower, or a diesel
engine is about 51.71 kPa (7.5 psi) or lower, the
check gauges indicator will be illuminated. The indi-
cator remains illuminated until the cluster receives a
message from the PCM indicating that the engine oil
pressure of a gasoline engine is above 3.45 kPa (0.5
psi), a diesel engine is above 51.71 kPa (7.5 psi), or
until the ignition switch is turned to the Off position,
whichever occurs first. The cluster will only turn the
indicator on in response to an engine oil pressure low
message if the engine speed is greater than zero.
²System Voltage Low Message- Each time the
cluster receives a message from the PCM indicating
the electrical system voltage is less than 11.5 volts,
the check gauges indicator will be illuminated. The
indicator remains illuminated until the cluster
receives a message from the PCM indicating the elec-
trical system voltage is greater than 12.0 volts (but
less than 16.6 volts), or until the ignition switch is
turned to the Off position, whichever occurs first.
²System Voltage High Message- Each time
the cluster receives a message from the PCM indicat-
ing the electrical system voltage is greater than 16.6
volts, the check gauges indicator will be illuminated.
The indicator remains illuminated until the cluster
receives a message from the PCM indicating the elec-
trical system voltage is less than 16.1 volts (but
greater than 11.5 volts), 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 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 continually monitors the engine temper-
ature, oil pressure, and electrical system voltage,
then sends the proper messages to the instrument
cluster. For further diagnosis of the check gauges
BR/BEINSTRUMENT CLUSTER 8J - 17
BRAKE/PARK BRAKE INDICATOR (Continued)

indicator or the instrument cluster circuitry that con-
trols the LED, (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/INSTRU-
MENT 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 check gauges indicator, a DRBIIItscan
tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic
information.
CRUISE INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION
A cruise indicator is standard equipment on all
instrument clusters. However, on vehicles not
equipped with the optional speed control system, this
indicator is electronically disabled. The cruise indica-
tor consists of the word ªCRUISEº, which appears in
the lower portion of the odometer/trip odometer Vac-
uum-Fluorescent Display (VFD). The VFD is part of
the cluster electronic circuit board, and is visible
through a cutout located in the lower left corner of
the cluster overlay. The dark lens of the VFD pre-
vents the indicator from being clearly visible when it
is not illuminated. The word ªCRUISEº appears in
an amber color and at the same lighting level as the
odometer/trip odometer information when it is illumi-
nated by the instrument cluster electronic circuit
board. The cruise indicator is serviced as a unit with
the VFD in the instrument cluster.
OPERATION
The cruise indicator gives an indication to the vehi-
cle operator when the speed control system is turned
On, regardless of whether the speed control is
engaged. This indicator is controlled by the instru-
ment 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 cruise indicator 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 indicator will always
be off when the ignition switch is in any position
except On or Start. The indicator only illuminates
when it is switched to ground by the instrument clus-
ter circuitry. The instrument cluster will turn on the
cruise indicator for the following reasons:
²Bulb Test- Each time the ignition switch is
turned to the On position the cruise indicator is illu-
minated for about two seconds as a bulb test.
²Cruise Lamp-On Message- Each time the
cluster receives a cruise lamp-on message from the
PCM indicating the speed control system has beenturned On, the cruise indicator is illuminated. The
indicator remains illuminated until the cluster
receives a cruise lamp-off message from the PCM 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 cruise indicator will be
turned on during the VFD portion of the test to con-
firm the functionality of the VFD, and again during
the bulb check portion of the test to confirm the func-
tionality of the cluster control circuitry.
The PCM continually monitors the speed control
switches to determine the proper outputs to the
speed control servo. The PCM then sends the proper
cruise indicator lamp-on and lamp-off messages to
the instrument cluster. For further diagnosis of the
cruise indicator or the instrument cluster circuitry
that controls the indicator, (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING). For proper diagnosis of the speed control
system, the PCM, the CCD data bus, or the message
inputs to the instrument cluster that control the
cruise indicator, a DRBIIItscan tool is required.
Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
ENGINE TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
DESCRIPTION
An engine coolant temperature gauge is standard
equipment on all instrument clusters. The engine
coolant temperature gauge is located in the lower left
quadrant of the instrument cluster, below the voltage
gauge. The engine coolant temperature 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 54É C (130É F) to 127É C (260É F) for gas-
oline engines, or from 60É C (140É F) to 116É C (240É
F) for diesel engines. An International Control and
Display Symbol icon for ªEngine Coolant Tempera-
tureº is located on the cluster overlay, directly below
the lowest graduation of the gauge scale. The engine
coolant temperature gauge graphics are white
against a black field except for a single red gradua-
tion at the high end of the gauge scale, making them
clearly visible within the instrument cluster in day-
light. 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
8J - 18 INSTRUMENT CLUSTERBR/BE
CHECK GAUGES INDICATOR (Continued)