OPERATION
Battery voltage is supplied to the 8 ignition coils
from the ASD relay. The Powertrain Control Module
(PCM) opens and closes each ignition coil ground cir-
cuit at a determined time for ignition coil operation.
Base ignition timing is not adjustable.By con-
trolling the coil ground circuit, the PCM is able to set
the base timing and adjust the ignition timing
advance. This is done to meet changing engine oper-
ating conditions.
The ignition coil is not oil filled. The windings are
embedded in an epoxy compound. This provides heat
and vibration resistance that allows the ignition coil
to be mounted on the engine.
Because of coil design, spark plug cables (second-
ary cables) are not used.
REMOVAL
An individual ignition coil is used for each spark
plug (Fig. 18). The coil fits into machined holes in the
cylinder head. A mounting stud/nut secures each coil
to the top of the intake manifold (Fig. 19). The bot-
tom of the coil is equipped with a rubber boot to seal
the spark plug to the coil. Inside each rubber boot is
a spring. The spring is used for a mechanical contact
between the coil and the top of the spark plug. These
rubber boots and springs are a permanent part of the
coil and are not serviced separately. An o-ring (Fig.
18) is used to seal the coil at the opening into the cyl-
inder head.
(1) Depending on which coil is being removed, the
throttle body air intake tube or intake box may need
to be removed to gain access to coil.
(2) Disconnect electrical connector (Fig. 19) from
coil by pushing downward on release lock on top of
connector and pull connector from coil.
(3) Clean area at base of coil with compressed air
before removal.
(4) Remove coil mounting nut from mounting stud
(Fig. 19).
(5) Carefully pull up coil from cylinder head open-
ing with a slight twisting action.
(6) Remove coil from vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Using compressed air, blow out any dirt or con-
taminants from around top of spark plug.
(2) Check condition of coil o-ring and replace as
necessary. To aid in coil installation, apply silicone to
coil o-ring.
(3) Position ignition coil into cylinder head opening
and push onto spark plug. Do this while guiding coil
base over mounting stud.
(4) Install mounting stud nut and tighten to 8 N´m
(70 in. lbs.) torque.(5) Connect electrical connector to coil by snapping
into position.
(6) If necessary, install throttle body air tube or
box.
Fig. 18 Ignition CoilÐ4.7L V±8
1 - O-RING
2 - IGNITION COIL
3 - ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
Fig. 19 Ignition Coil
1 - IGNITION COIL
2 - COIL ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
3 - COIL MOUNTING STUD/NUT
8I - 12 IGNITION CONTROLWJ
IGNITION COIL (Continued)
INSTALLATION
4.7L High-Output Engine Only
NOTE: The left sensor is identified by an identifica-
tion tag (LEFT). It is also identified by a larger bolt
head. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) must
have and know the correct sensor left/right posi-
tions. Do not mix the sensor locations.
(1) Thoroughly clean knock sensor mounting holes.
(2) Install sensors (Fig. 22) into cylinder block.
NOTE: Over or under tightening the sensor mount-
ing bolts will affect knock sensor performance, pos-
sibly causing improper spark control. Always use
the specified torque when installing the knock sen-
sors. The torque for the knock senor bolt is rela-
tively light for an 8mm bolt.
NOTE: Note foam strip on bolt threads. This foam is
used only to retain the bolts to sensors for plant
assembly. It is not used as a sealant. Do not apply
any adhesive, sealant or thread locking compound
to these bolts.
(3) Install and tighten mounting bolts.Bolt
torque is critical.Refer to torque specification.
(4) Install intake manifold. Refer to Engine sec-
tion.
(5) Connect knock sensor pigtail wiring harness to
engine wiring harness near right / rear of intake
manifold (Fig. 23).
SPARK PLUG
DESCRIPTION
Both the 4.0L 6-cylinder and the 4.7L V-8 engine
use resistor type spark plugs. Standard 4.7L V-8
engines are equipped with ªfired in suppressor sealº
type spark plugs using a copper core ground elec-
trode. High-Output (H.O.) 4.7L V-8 engines are
equipped with unique plugs using a platinum rivet
located on the tip of the center electrode.
Because of the use of an aluminum cylinder head
on the 4.7L engine, spark plug torque is very critical.
To prevent possible pre-ignition and/or mechanical
engine damage, the correct type/heat range/number
spark plug must be used.Do not substitute any
other spark plug on the 4.7L H.O. engine. Seri-
ous engine damage may occur.
Plugs on both engines have resistance values rang-
ing from 6,000 to 20,000 ohms (when checked with at
least a 1000 volt spark plug tester).Do not use an
ohmmeter to check the resistance values of thespark plugs. Inaccurate readings will result.
Remove the spark plugs and examine them for
burned electrodes and fouled, cracked or broken por-
celain insulators. Keep plugs arranged in the order
in which they were removed from the engine. A sin-
gle plug displaying an abnormal condition indicates
that a problem exists in the corresponding cylinder.
Replace spark plugs at the intervals recommended in
Group O, Lubrication and Maintenance.
EXCEPT 4.7L H.O. ENGINE :Spark plugs that
have low mileage may be cleaned and reused if not
otherwise defective, carbon or oil fouled. Also refer to
Spark Plug Conditions.4.7L H.O. ENGINE :Never
clean spark plugs on the 4.7L H.O. engine. Damage
to the platinum rivet will result.
CAUTION: EXCEPT 4.7L H.O. ENGINE : Never use a
motorized wire wheel brush to clean the spark
plugs. Metallic deposits will remain on the spark
plug insulator and will cause plug misfire.
H.O. Gap Adjustment:If equipped with the 4.7L
H.O. engine, do not use a wire-type gapping tool as
damage to the platinum rivet on the center electrode
may occur. Use a tapered-type gauge (Fig. 24).
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - SPARK PLUG
CONDITIONS
NORMAL OPERATING
The few deposits present on the spark plug will
probably be light tan or slightly gray in color. This is
evident with most grades of commercial gasoline
Fig. 24 PLUG GAP - 4.7L H.O.
1 - TAPER GAUGE
WJIGNITION CONTROL 8I - 15
KNOCK SENSOR (Continued)
(Fig. 25). There will not be evidence of electrode
burning. Gap growth will not average more than
approximately 0.025 mm (.001 in) per 3200 km (2000
miles) of operation.
Spark plugsexcept platinum tippedthat have
normal wear can usually be cleaned, have the elec-
trodes filed, have the gap set and then be installed.
Some fuel refiners in several areas of the United
States have introduced a manganese additive (MMT)
for unleaded fuel. During combustion, fuel with MMT
causes the entire tip of the spark plug to be coated
with a rust colored deposit. This rust color can be
misdiagnosed as being caused by coolant in the com-
bustion chamber. Spark plug performance may be
affected by MMT deposits.
COLD FOULING/CARBON FOULING
Cold fouling is sometimes referred to as carbon
fouling. The deposits that cause cold fouling are basi-
cally carbon (Fig. 25). A dry, black deposit on one or
two plugs in a set may be caused by sticking valves
or defective spark plug cables. Cold (carbon) fouling
of the entire set of spark plugs may be caused by a
clogged air cleaner element or repeated short operat-
ing times (short trips).
WET FOULING OR GAS FOULING
A spark plug coated with excessive wet fuel or oil
is wet fouled. In older engines, worn piston rings,
leaking valve guide seals or excessive cylinder wear
can cause wet fouling. In new or recently overhauled
engines, wet fouling may occur before break-in (nor-
mal oil control) is achieved. This condition can usu-ally be resolved by cleaning and reinstalling the
fouled plugs.
OIL OR ASH ENCRUSTED
If one or more spark plugs are oil or oil ash
encrusted (Fig. 26), evaluate engine condition for the
cause of oil entry into that particular combustion
chamber.
ELECTRODE GAP BRIDGING
Electrode gap bridging may be traced to loose
deposits in the combustion chamber. These deposits
accumulate on the spark plugs during continuous
stop-and-go driving. When the engine is suddenly
subjected to a high torque load, deposits partially liq-
uefy and bridge the gap between electrodes (Fig. 27).
This short circuits the electrodes. Spark plugs with
electrode gap bridging can be cleaned using standard
procedures.
SCAVENGER DEPOSITS
Fuel scavenger deposits may be either white or yel-
low (Fig. 28). They may appear to be harmful, but
this is a normal condition caused by chemical addi-
tives in certain fuels. These additives are designed to
change the chemical nature of deposits and decrease
spark plug misfire tendencies. Notice that accumula-
tion on the ground electrode and shell area may be
heavy, but the deposits are easily removed. Spark
plugs with scavenger deposits can be considered nor-
mal in condition and can be cleaned using standard
procedures.
Fig. 25 NORMAL OPERATION AND COLD (CARBON)
FOULING
1 - NORMAL
2 - DRY BLACK DEPOSITS
3 - COLD (CARBON) FOULING
Fig. 26 OIL OR ASH ENCRUSTED
8I - 16 IGNITION CONTROLWJ
SPARK PLUG (Continued)
CHIPPED ELECTRODE INSULATOR
A chipped electrode insulator usually results from
bending the center electrode while adjusting the
spark plug electrode gap. Under certain conditions,
severe detonation can also separate the insulator
from the center electrode (Fig. 29). Spark plugs with
this condition must be replaced.
PRE-IGNITION DAMAGE
Pre-ignition damage is usually caused by excessive
combustion chamber temperature. The center elec-
trode dissolves first and the ground electrode dis-
solves somewhat latter (Fig. 30). Insulators appear
relatively deposit free. Determine if the spark plug
has the correct heat range rating for the engine.Determine if ignition timing is over advanced or if
other operating conditions are causing engine over-
heating. (The heat range rating refers to the operat-
ing temperature of a particular type spark plug.
Spark plugs are designed to operate within specific
temperature ranges. This depends upon the thick-
ness and length of the center electrodes porcelain
insulator.)
CAUTION: If the engine is equipped with copper
core ground electrode, or platinum tipped spark
plugs, they must be replaced with the same type/
number spark plug as the original. If another spark
plug is substituted, pre-ignition will result.
Fig. 27 ELECTRODE GAP BRIDGING
1 - GROUND ELECTRODE
2 - DEPOSITS
3 - CENTER ELECTRODE
Fig. 28 SCAVENGER DEPOSITS
1 - GROUND ELECTRODE COVERED WITH WHITE OR
YELLOW DEPOSITS
2 - CENTER ELECTRODE
Fig. 29 CHIPPED ELECTRODE INSULATOR
1 - GROUND ELECTRODE
2 - CENTER ELECTRODE
3 - CHIPPED INSULATOR
Fig. 30 PRE-IGNITION DAMAGE
1 - GROUND ELECTRODE STARTING TO DISSOLVE
2 - CENTER ELECTRODE DISSOLVED
WJIGNITION CONTROL 8I - 17
SPARK PLUG (Continued)
SPARK PLUG OVERHEATING
Overheating is indicated by a white or gray center
electrode insulator that also appears blistered (Fig.
31). The increase in electrode gap will be consider-
ably in excess of 0.001 inch per 2000 miles of opera-
tion. This suggests that a plug with a cooler heat
range rating should be used. Over advanced ignition
timing, detonation and cooling system malfunctions
can also cause spark plug overheating.
CAUTION: If the engine is equipped with copper
core ground electrode, or platinum tipped spark
plugs, they must be replaced with the same type/
number spark plug as the original. If another spark
plug is substituted, pre-ignition will result.
REMOVAL
CAUTION: If equipped with a 4.7L H.O. (High-Out-
put) engine, never substitute the original platinum
tipped spark plug with a different part number. Seri-
ous engine damage may result.
On the 4.0L 6±cylinder engine, the spark plugs are
located below the coil rail assembly. On the 4.7L V±8
engine, each individual spark plug is located under
each ignition coil.
(1) 4.0L 6±Cylinder Engine: Prior to removing
spark plug, spray compressed air around spark plug
hole and area around spark plug. This will help pre-
vent foreign material from entering combustion
chamber.
(2) 4.7L V±8 Engine: Prior to removing spark plug,
spray compressed air around base of ignition coil at
cylinder head. This will help prevent foreign material
from entering combustion chamber.
(3) On the 4.0L engine the coil rail assembly must
be removed to gain access to any/all spark plug.
Refer to Ignition Coil Removal/Installation. On the4.7L V-8 engine each individual ignition coil must be
removed to gain access to each spark plug. Refer to
Ignition Coil Removal/Installation.
(4) Remove spark plug from cylinder head using a
quality socket with a rubber or foam insert. If
equipped with a 4.7L V-8 engine, also check condition
of coil o-ring and replace as necessary.
(5) Inspect spark plug condition. Refer to Spark
Plug Conditions.
CLEANING
Except 4.7L H.O. Engine:The plugs may be
cleaned using commercially available spark plug
cleaning equipment. After cleaning, file center elec-
trode flat with a small point file or jewelers file
before adjusting gap.
CAUTION: Never use a motorized wire wheel brush
to clean spark plugs. Metallic deposits will remain
on spark plug insulator and will cause plug misfire.
4.7L H.O. Engine:Never clean spark plugs on the
4.7L H.O. engine. Damage to the platinum rivet on
the center electrode will result.
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: The standard 4.7L V-8 engine is
equipped with copper core ground electrode spark
plugs. They must be replaced with the same type/
number spark plug as the original. If another spark
plug is substituted, pre-ignition will result.
CAUTION: If equipped with a 4.7L H.O. (High-Out-
put) engine, never substitute the original platinum
tipped spark plug with a different type/part number.
Serious engine damage may result.
Special care should be taken when installing spark
plugs into cylinder head spark plug wells. Be sure
plugs do not drop into plug wells as ground straps
may be bent resulting in a change in plug gap, or
electrodes can be damaged.
Always tighten spark plugs to specified torque. Over
tightening can cause distortion resulting in a change
in spark plug gap or a cracked porcelain insulator.
(1) Start spark plug into cylinder head by hand to
avoid cross threading.
(2) 4.0L 6±Cylinder Engine: Tighten spark plugs to
35-41 N´m (26-30 ft. lbs.) torque.
(3) 4.7L V±8 Engine: Tighten spark plugs to 27
N´m (20 ft. lbs.) torque.
(4)
4.7L V±8 Engine: Before installing coil(s), check
condition of coil o-ring and replace as necessary. To aid
in coil installation, apply silicone to coil o-ring.
(5) Install ignition coil(s). Refer to Ignition Coil
Removal/Installation.
Fig. 31 SPARK PLUG OVERHEATING
1 - BLISTERED WHITE OR GRAY COLORED INSULATOR
8I - 18 IGNITION CONTROLWJ
SPARK PLUG (Continued)
EMIC also uses several hard wired inputs in order to
perform its many functions. The EMIC module incor-
porates a blue-green digital Vacuum Fluorescent Dis-
play (VFD) for displaying odometer and trip
odometer information.
The EMIC houses six analog gauges and has pro-
visions for up to twenty indicators (Fig. 2). The
EMIC includes the following analog gauges:
²Coolant Temperature Gauge
²Fuel Gauge
²Oil Pressure Gauge
²Speedometer
²Tachometer
²Voltage Gauge
Some of the EMIC indicators are automatically
configured when the EMIC is connected to the vehi-
cle electrical system for compatibility with certain
optional equipment or equipment required for regula-
tory purposes in certain markets. While each EMIC
may have provisions for indicators to support every
available option, the configurable indicators will not
be functional in a vehicle that does not have the
equipment that an indicator supports. The EMIC
includes provisions for the following indicators (Fig.
2):
²Airbag Indicator (with Airbags only)
²Antilock Brake System (ABS) Indicator
²Brake Indicator
²Check Gauges Indicator
²Coolant Low Indicator (with Diesel Engine
only)
²Cruise Indicator
²Four-Wheel Drive Part Time Indicator
(with Selec-Trac NVG-242 Transfer Case only)
²Front Fog Lamp Indicator (with Front Fog
Lamps only)
²High Beam Indicator
²Low Fuel Indicator
²Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)
²Overdrive-Off Indicator (except Diesel
Engine)
²Rear Fog Lamp Indicator (with Rear Fog
Lamps only)
²Seatbelt Indicator
²Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIS)
Indicator
²Transmission Overtemp Indicator (except
Diesel Engine)²Turn Signal (Right and Left) Indicators
²Wait-To-Start Indicator (with Diesel Engine
only)
²Water-In-Fuel Indicator (with Diesel Engine
only)
Many indicators in the EMIC are illuminated by a
dedicated Light Emitting Diode (LED) that is sol-
dered onto the EMIC electronic circuit board. The
LEDs are not available for service replacement and,
if damaged or faulty, the entire EMIC must be
replaced. Base cluster illumination is accomplished
by dimmable incandescent back lighting, which illu-
minates the gauges for visibility when the exterior
lighting is turned on. Premium cluster illumination
is accomplished by a dimmable electro-luminescent
lamp that is serviced only as a unit with the EMIC.
Each of the incandescent bulbs is secured by an inte-
gral bulb holder to the electronic circuit board from
the back of the cluster housing. The incandescent
bulb/bulb holder units are available for service
replacement.
Hard wired circuitry connects the EMIC to the
electrical system of the vehicle. These hard wired cir-
cuits are integral to several wire harnesses, which
are routed throughout the vehicle and retained by
many different methods. These circuits may be con-
nected to each other, to the vehicle electrical system
and to the EMIC through the use of a combination of
soldered splices, splice block connectors, and many
different types of wire harness terminal connectors
and insulators. Refer to the appropriate wiring infor-
mation. The wiring information includes wiring dia-
grams, proper wire and connector repair procedures,
further details on wire harness routing and reten-
tion, as well as pin-out and location views for the
various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.
The EMIC modules for this model are serviced only
as complete units. The EMIC module cannot be
adjusted or repaired. If a gauge, an LED indicator,
the VFD, the electronic circuit board, the circuit
board hardware, the cluster overlay, the electro-lumi-
nescent lamp (premium model only) or the EMIC
housing are damaged or faulty, the entire EMIC mod-
ule must be replaced. The cluster lens, hood and
mask unit and the individual incandescent lamp
bulbs with holders are available for service replace-
ment.
WJINSTRUMENT CLUSTER 8J - 3
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (Continued)
certain conditions or inputs to provide the vehicle
operator with an audible alert to supplement a visual
indication.
The EMIC circuitry operates on battery current
received through fused B(+) fuses in the Power Dis-
tribution Center (PDC) and the Junction Block (JB)
on a non-switched fused B(+) circuit, and on battery
current received through a fused ignition switch out-
put (run-start) fuse in the JB on a fused ignition
switch output (run-start) circuit. This arrangement
allows the EMIC to provide some features regardless
of the ignition switch position, while other features
will operate only with the ignition switch in the On
or Start positions. The EMIC circuitry is grounded
through two separate ground circuits of the instru-
ment panel wire harness. These ground circuits
receive ground through take outs of the instrument
panel wire harness with eyelet terminal connectors
that are secured by a nut to a ground stud located on
the floor panel transmission tunnel beneath the cen-
ter floor console, just forward of the Airbag Control
Module (ACM).
The EMIC also has a self-diagnostic actuator test
capability, which will test each of the PCI bus mes-
sage-controlled functions of the cluster by lighting
the appropriate indicators (except the airbag indica-
tor), sweeping the gauge needles across the gauge
faces from their minimum to their maximum read-
ings, and stepping the odometer display sequentially
from all zeros through all nines. (Refer to 8 - ELEC-
TRICAL/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS
AND TESTING). The self-diagnostic actuator test
can be initialized manually or using a DRBIIItscan
tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
See the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for
more information on the features, use and operation
of the EMIC.
GAUGES
All gauges receive battery current through the
EMIC circuitry when the ignition switch is in the On
or Start positions. With the ignition switch in the Off
position battery current is not supplied to any
gauges, and the EMIC circuitry is programmed to
move all of the gauge needles back to the low end of
their respective scales. Therefore, the gauges do not
accurately indicate any vehicle condition unless the
ignition switch is in the On or Start positions. All of
the EMIC gauges, except the odometer, are air core
magnetic units. Two fixed electromagnetic coils are
located within each gauge. These coils are wrapped
at right angles to each other around a movable per-
manent magnet. The movable magnet is suspended
within the coils on one end of a pivot shaft, while the
gauge needle is attached to the other end of the
shaft. One of the coils has a fixed current flowingthrough it to maintain a constant magnetic field
strength. Current flow through the second coil
changes, which causes changes in its magnetic field
strength. The current flowing through the second coil
is changed by the EMIC circuitry in response to mes-
sages received over the PCI data bus. The gauge nee-
dle moves as the movable permanent magnet aligns
itself to the changing magnetic fields created around
it by the electromagnets.
The gauges are diagnosed using the EMIC self-di-
agnostic actuator test. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING). Proper testing of the PCI data bus, and
the data bus message inputs to the EMIC that con-
trol each gauge requires the use of a DRBIIItscan
tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
Specific operation details for each gauge may be
found elsewhere in this service information.
VACUUM-FLUORESCENT DISPLAY
The Vacuum-Fluorescent Display (VFD) module is
soldered to the EMIC circuit board. The display is
active with the ignition switch in the On or Start
positions, and inactive when the ignition switch is in
any other position. The illumination intensity of the
VFD is controlled by the EMIC circuitry based upon
electronic dimming level messages received from the
BCM over the PCI data bus, and is synchronized
with the illumination intensity of other VFDs in the
vehicle. The BCM provides dimming level messages
based upon internal programming and inputs it
receives from the control knob and control ring on
the control stalk of the left (lighting) multi-function
switch on the steering column.
The VFD has several display capabilities including
odometer and trip odometer information. An odome-
ter/trip odometer switch on the EMIC circuit board is
used to control the display modes. This switch is
actuated manually by depressing the odometer/trip
odometer switch button that extends through the
lower edge of the cluster lens, just right of the speed-
ometer. Actuating this switch momentarily with the
ignition switch in the On position will toggle the
VFD between the odometer and trip odometer modes.
The EMIC microprocessor remembers which display
mode is active when the ignition switch is turned to
the Off position, and returns the display to that
mode when the ignition switch is turned On again.
Depressing the switch button for about two seconds
while the VFD is in the trip odometer mode will
reset the trip odometer value to zero. Holding this
switch depressed while turning the ignition switch
from the Off position to the On position will initiate
the EMIC self-diagnostic actuator test. Refer to the
appropriate diagnostic information for additional
details on this VFD function.
WJINSTRUMENT CLUSTER 8J - 5
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (Continued)
The VFD is diagnosed using the EMIC self-diag-
nostic actuator test. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/IN-
STRUMENT CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING). Proper testing of the PCI data bus and
the data bus message inputs to the EMIC that con-
trol the VFD functions requires the use of a DRBIIIt
scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic infor-
mation. Specific operation details for the odometer
and trip odometer functions of the VFD may be found
elsewhere in this service information.
INDICATORS
Indicators are located in various positions within
the EMIC and are all connected to the EMIC circuit
board. The turn signal indicators are hard wired. The
brake indicator is controlled by PCI data bus mes-
sages from the Controller Antilock Brake (CAB) as
well as by hard wired park brake switch and brake
fluid level switch inputs to the EMIC. The Malfunc-
tion Indicator Lamp (MIL) is normally controlled by
PCI data bus messages from the Powertrain Control
Module (PCM); however, if the EMIC loses PCI data
bus communication, the EMIC circuitry will automat-
ically turn the MIL on until PCI data bus communi-
cation is restored. The EMIC uses PCI data bus
messages from the Airbag Control Module (ACM), the
BCM, the PCM, the CAB, the Sentry Key Immobi-
lizer Module (SKIM), and the Transmission Control
Module (TCM) to control all of the remaining indica-
tors.
The various indicators are controlled by different
strategies; some receive fused ignition switch output
from the EMIC circuitry and have a switched ground,
others are grounded through the EMIC circuitry and
have a switched battery feed, while still others are
completely controlled by the EMIC microprocessor
based upon various hard wired and electronic mes-
sage inputs. Some indicators are illuminated at a
fixed intensity, while the illumination intensity of
others is synchronized with that of the EMIC general
illumination lamps.
The hard wired indicators are diagnosed using con-
ventional diagnostic methods. The EMIC and PCI
bus message controlled indicators are diagnosed
using the EMIC self-diagnostic actuator test. (Refer
to 8 - ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER -
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING). Proper testing of the
PCI data bus and the electronic data bus message
inputs to the EMIC that control each indicator
require the use of a DRBIIItscan tool. Refer to the
appropriate diagnostic information. Specific details of
the operation for each indicator may be found else-
where in this service information.CLUSTER ILLUMINATION
Two types of general cluster illumination are avail-
able in this model. Base versions of the EMIC have
several incandescent illumination lamps, while pre-
mium versions of the EMIC have a single electro-lu-
minescent lamp. Both types of lamps provide cluster
back lighting whenever the exterior lighting is
turned On with the control knob on the left (lighting)
multi-function switch control stalk. The illumination
intensity of these lamps is adjusted by the EMIC
microprocessor based upon electronic dimming level
messages received from the Body Control Module
(BCM) over the PCI data bus. The BCM provides
electronic dimming level messages to the EMIC
based upon internal programming and inputs it
receives when the control ring on the left (lighting)
multi-function switch control stalk is rotated (down
to dim, up to brighten) to one of six available minor
detent positions.
The incandescent illumination lamps receive bat-
tery current at all times, while the ground for these
lamps is controlled by a 12-volt Pulse Width Modu-
lated (PWM) output of the EMIC electronic circuitry.
The illumination intensity of these bulbs and of the
vacuum-fluorescent electronic display are controlled
by the instrument cluster microprocessor based upon
dimming level messages received from the Body Con-
trol Module (BCM) over the PCI data bus. The BCM
uses inputs from the headlamp and panel dimmer
switches within the left (lighting) multi-function
switch control stalk and internal programming to
decide what dimming level message is required. The
BCM then sends the proper dimming level messages
to the EMIC over the PCI data bus.
The electro-luminescent lamp unit consists of lay-
ers of phosphor, carbon, idium tin oxide, and dielec-
tric applied by a silk-screen process between two
polyester membranes and includes a short pigtail
wire and connector. The lamp pigtail wire is con-
nected to a small connector receptacle on the EMIC
circuit board through a small clearance hole in the
cluster housing rear cover. The EMIC electronic cir-
cuitry also uses a PWM strategy to control the illu-
mination intensity of this lamp; however, the EMIC
powers this lamp with an Alternating Current (AC)
rated at 80 volts rms (root mean squared) and 415
Hertz, which excites the phosphor particles causing
them to luminesce.
The BCM also has several hard wired panel lamp
driver outputs and sends the proper panel lamps
dimming level messages over the PCI data bus to
coordinate the illumination intensity of all of the
instrument panel lighting and the VFDs of other
electronic modules on the PCI data bus. Vehicles
equipped with the Auto Headlamps option have an
automatic parade mode. In this mode, the BCM uses
8J - 6 INSTRUMENT CLUSTERWJ
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (Continued)