2003 DODGE RAM Vacuum

WASHER FLUID INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION.........................42
OPERATION...........................42WATER-IN-FUEL INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION.........................43
OPERATION...........................43
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
DESCRIPTION
The instrument cluster for this model is an Elec-
troMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) that is
located in the instrument panel above the steering
column opening, directly in front of the driver (Fig.
1). The remainder of the EMIC, including the mounts
and the electrical connections, are concealed within
the instrument panel behind the cluster bezel.
Besides analog gauges and indicators, the EMIC
module incorporates two blue-green digital Vacuum
Fluorescent Display (VFD) units for displaying odom-
eter/trip odometer information, engine hours, auto-
matic transmission gear selector position (PRNDL),
several warning or reminder indications and certain
diagnostic information. The instrument cluster for
this model also includes the hardware and software
necessary to serve as the electronic body control mod-
ule and is sometimes referred to as the Cab Com-
partment Node or CCN.
The EMIC gauges and indicators are visible
through a dedicated opening in the cluster bezel on
the instrument panel and are protected by a clear
plastic cluster lens (Fig. 2) that is integral to a clus-
ter lens, hood and mask unit. Just behind the cluster
lens is the cluster hood and an integral cluster mask,
which are constructed of molded black plastic. The
cluster hood serves as a visor and shields the face of
the cluster from ambient light and reflections to
reduce glare, while the cluster mask serves to sepa-
rate and define the individual gauges and indicators
of the EMIC. A black plastic odometer/trip odometerswitch button protrudes through dedicated holes in
the cluster mask and the cluster lens, located near
the lower edge of the cluster just to the left of the
tachometer. The molded plastic EMIC lens, hood and
mask unit has four integral mounting tabs, one each
on the upper and lower outboard corners of the unit.
These mounting tabs are used to secure the EMIC to
the molded plastic instrument panel cluster carrier
with four screws.
The rear of the cluster housing and the EMIC elec-
tronic circuitry are protected by a molded plastic rear
cover, which is secured to the cluster housing with a
single screw, while eight screws installed around the
outside perimeter of the rear cover secure it to the
cluster lens, hood and mask unit. The rear cover
includes clearance holes for service access to each of
the eleven incandescent bulb and bulb holder units
installed on the cluster circuit board for general illu-
mination lighting and for the cluster connector recep-
tacles. The connector receptacles on the back of the
cluster electronic circuit board connect the EMIC to
the vehicle electrical system through three take outs
with connectors from the instrument panel wire har-
ness. The EMIC also has an integral interface con-
nector on the back of the cluster circuit board that
joins it to the optional external RKE receiver through
a connector receptacle that is integral to that unit.
The rear cover includes a molded receptacle and two
latch features to secure the RKE receiver on vehicles
that are so equipped.
Sandwiched between the rear cover and the lens,
hood and mask unit is the cluster housing. The
Fig. 1 Instrument Cluster
1 - INSTRUMENT PANEL
2 - INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
Fig. 2 Instrument Cluster Components
1 - SCREW (9)
2 - REAR COVER
3 - CLUSTER HOUSING
4 - LENS, HOOD & MASK
8J - 2 INSTRUMENT CLUSTERDR

cluster illumination lamps and provide electronic
headlamp low beam and park lamp request messages
to the Front Control Module (FCM) located on the
Integrated Power Module (IPM) for default exterior
lamp operation. The FCM will also provide default
park lamp and headlamp low beam operation and the
EMIC will turn on the cluster illumination lamps if
there is a failure of the electronic data bus commu-
nication between the EMIC and the FCM.
²Heated Seat Control- The EMIC monitors
inputs from the ignition switch and electronic engine
speed messages from the Powertrain Control Module
(PCM) to control a high side driver output to the
heated seat switch Light Emitting Diode (LED) indi-
cators. This input allows the heated seat switches to
wake up the heated seat module if the switch is actu-
ated. The EMIC will de-energize the heated seat
switch LED indicators, which deactivates the heated
seat system, if the ignition switch is turned to any
position except On or Start, or if the engine speed
message indicates zero. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
HEATED SEATS - DESCRIPTION).
²Interior Lamp Load Shedding- The EMIC
provides a battery saver feature which will automat-
ically turn off all interior lamps that remain on after
a timed interval of about fifteen minutes.
²Interior Lamps - Enhanced Accident
Response- The EMIC monitors inputs from the Air-
bag Control Module (ACM) and the Powertrain Con-
trol Module (PCM) to automatically turn on the
interior lighting after an airbag deployment event
ten seconds after the vehicle speed is zero. The inte-
rior lighting remains illuminated until the ignition
switch is turned to the Off position, at which time
the interior lighting returns to normal operation and
control. This feature, like all other enhanced accident
response features, is dependent upon a functional
vehicle electrical system following the vehicle impact
event.
²Interior Lighting Control- The EMIC moni-
tors inputs from the interior lighting switch, the door
ajar switches, the cargo lamp switch, the reading
lamp switches, and the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
module to provide courtesy lamp control. This
includes support for timed illuminated entry with
theater-style fade-to-off and courtesy illumination
defeat features.
²Lamp Out Indicator Control- The EMIC
monitors electronic lamp outage messages from the
Front Control Module (FCM) located on the Inte-
grated Power Module (IPM) in order to provide lamp
out indicator control for the headlamps (low and high
beams), turn signal lamps, and the brake lamps
(excluding CHMSL).
²Panel Lamps Dimming Control- The EMIC
provides a hard wired 12-volt Pulse-Width Modulated(PWM) output that synchronizes the dimming level
of all panel lamps dimmer controlled lamps with that
of the cluster illumination lamps.
²Parade Mode- The EMIC provides a parade
mode (also known as funeral mode) that allows all
Vacuum-Fluorescent Display (VFD) units in the vehi-
cle to be illuminated at full (daytime) intensity while
driving during daylight hours with the exterior
lamps turned on.
²Power Locks- The EMIC monitors inputs from
the power lock switches and the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) receiver module (optional) to provide
control of the power lock motors through high side
driver outputs to the power lock motors. This
includes support for rolling door locks (also known as
automatic door locks), automatic door unlock, a door
lock inhibit mode, and central locking (with the
optional Vehicle Theft Security System only). (Refer
to 8 - ELECTRICAL/POWER LOCKS - DESCRIP-
TION).
²Remote Keyless Entry- The EMIC supports
the optional Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) system fea-
tures, including support for the RKE Lock, Unlock
(with optional driver-door-only unlock, and unlock-
all-doors), Panic, audible chirp, optical chirp, illumi-
nated entry modes, an RKE programming mode, as
well as optional Vehicle Theft Security System
(VTSS) arming (when the proper VTSS arming con-
ditions are met) and disarming.
²Remote Radio Switch Interface- The EMIC
monitors inputs from the optional remote radio
switches and then provides the appropriate electronic
data bus messages to the radio to select the radio
operating mode, volume control, preset station scan
and station seek features.
²Rolling Door Locks- The EMIC provides sup-
port for the power lock system rolling door locks fea-
ture (also known as automatic door locks). This
feature will automatically lock all unlocked doors
each time the vehicle speed reaches twenty-four kilo-
meters-per-hour (fifteen miles-per-hour) and, follow-
ing an automatic lock event, will automatically
unlock all doors once the ignition is turned to the Off
position and the driver side front door is opened.
²Turn Signal & Hazard Warning Lamp Con-
trol- The EMIC provides electronic turn and hazard
lamp request messages to the Front Control Module
(FCM) located on the Integrated Power Module (IPM)
for turn and hazard lamp control. The EMIC also
provides an audible click at one of two rates to emu-
late normal and bulb out turn or hazard flasher oper-
ation based upon electronic lamp outage messages
from the FCM, and provides an audible turn signal
on chime warning if a turn is signalled continuously
for more than about 1.6 kilometers (one mile) and
8J - 4 INSTRUMENT CLUSTERDR
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (Continued)

the vehicle speed remains greater than about twenty-
four kilometers-per-hour (fifteen miles-per-hour).
²Vacuum Fluorescent Display Synchroniza-
tion- The EMIC transmits electronic panel lamp
dimming level messages which allows all other elec-
tronic modules on the PCI data bus with Vacuum
Fluorescent Display (VFD) units to coordinate their
illumination intensity with that of the EMIC VFD
units.
²Vehicle Theft Security System- The EMIC
monitors inputs from the door cylinder lock switch-
(es), the door ajar switches, the ignition switch, and
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) receiver module,
then provides electronic horn and lighting request
messages to the Front Control Module (FCM) located
on the Integrated Power Module (IPM) for the appro-
priate VTSS alarm output features.
²Wiper/Washer System Control- The EMIC
provides electronic wiper and/or washer request mes-
sages to the Front Control Module (FCM) located on
the Integrated Power Module (IPM) for the appropri-
ate wiper and washer system features. (Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/WIPERS/WASHERS - DESCRIP-
TION).
The EMIC houses six analog gauges and has pro-
visions for up to twenty-three indicators (Fig. 3) or
(Fig. 4). 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.
3) or (Fig. 4):
²Airbag Indicator (with Airbag System only)
²Antilock Brake System (ABS) Indicator
(with ABS or Rear Wheel Anti-Lock [RWAL]
brakes only)
²Brake Indicator
²Cargo Lamp Indicator
²Check Gauges Indicator
²Cruise Indicator (with Speed Control only)
²Door Ajar Indicator
²Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Indicator
(with 5.7L Gasoline Engine only)²Gear Selector Indicator (with Automatic
Transmission only)
²High Beam Indicator
²Lamp Out Indicator
²Low Fuel Indicator
²Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)
²Overdrive-Off Indicator (with Automatic
Transmission only)
²Seatbelt Indicator
²Security Indicator (with Sentry Key Immo-
bilizer & Vehicle Theft Security Systems only)
²Service Four-Wheel Drive Indicator (with
Four-Wheel Drive only)
²Transmission Overtemp Indicator (with
Automatic Transmission only)
²Turn Signal (Right and Left) Indicators
²Upshift Indicator (with Manual Transmis-
sion only)
²Washer Fluid Indicator
²Wait-To-Start Indicator (with Diesel Engine
only)
²Water-In-Fuel Indicator (with Diesel Engine
only)
Each indicator in the EMIC, except those located
within one of the VFD units, is illuminated by a ded-
icated LED that is soldered onto the EMIC electronic
circuit board. The LED units are not available for
service replacement and, if damaged or faulty, the
entire EMIC must be replaced. Cluster illumination
is accomplished by dimmable incandescent back
lighting, which illuminates the gauges for visibility
when the exterior lighting is turned on. Each of the
incandescent bulbs is secured by an integral bulb
holder to the electronic circuit board from the back of
the cluster housing.
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, a
VFD unit, the electronic circuit board, the circuit
board hardware, the cluster overlay, or the EMIC
housing are damaged or faulty, the entire EMIC mod-
DRINSTRUMENT CLUSTER 8J - 5
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (Continued)

dles at several predetermined calibration points
across the gauge faces, and illuminating all segments
of the odometer/trip odometer and gear selector indi-
cator Vacuum-Fluorescent Display (VFD) units.
(Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT CLUS-
TER - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING). 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 only 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 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 permanent
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 flowing through 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 messages received over
the PCI data bus. The gauge needle 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 electronic data bus message inputs to the EMIC
that control each gauge require the use of a DRBIIIt
scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic infor-
mation. Specific operation details for each gauge may
be found elsewhere in this service information.
VACUUM-FLUORESCENT DISPLAYS
The Vacuum-Fluorescent Display (VFD) units are
soldered to the EMIC electronic circuit board. With
the ignition switch in the Off or Accessory positions,
the odometer display is activated when the driver
door is opened (Rental Car mode) and is deactivated
when the driver door is closed. Otherwise, both dis-
play units are active when the ignition switch is in
the On or Start positions, and inactive when the igni-
tion switch is in the Off or Accessory positions.The illumination intensity of the VFD units is con-
trolled by the EMIC circuitry based upon an input
from the headlamp switch and a dimming level input
received from the headlamp dimmer switch. The
EMIC synchronizes the illumination intensity of
other VFD units with that of the units in the EMIC
by sending electronic dimming level messages to
other electronic modules in the vehicle over the PCI
data bus.
The EMIC VFD units have several display capabil-
ities including odometer, trip odometer, engine hours,
gear selector indication (PRNDL) for models with an
automatic transmission, several warning or reminder
indications, and various diagnostic information when
certain fault conditions exist. An odometer/trip odom-
eter switch on the EMIC circuit board is used to con-
trol some of 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 left of the tachom-
eter. Actuating this switch momentarily with the
ignition switch in the On position will toggle the
VFD between the odometer and trip odometer modes.
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. While in the
odometer mode with the ignition switch in the On
position and the engine not running, depressing this
switch for about six seconds will display the engine
hours information. Holding this switch depressed
while turning the ignition switch from the Off posi-
tion to the On position will initiate the EMIC self-di-
agnostic actuator test. Refer to the appropriate
diagnostic information for additional details on this
VFD function. The EMIC microprocessor remembers
which display mode is active when the ignition
switch is turned to the Off position, and returns the
VFD display to that mode when the ignition switch is
turned On again.
The VFD units 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 some of the VFD functions requires the
use of a DRBIIItscan tool. Refer to the appropriate
diagnostic information. Specific operation details for
the odometer, the trip odometer, the gear selector
indicator and the various warning and reminder indi-
cator 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 elec-
tronic circuit board. The cargo lamp indicator, door
8J - 8 INSTRUMENT CLUSTERDR
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (Continued)

ACTUATOR TEST
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING
WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG,
PASSENGER AIRBAG, SEAT BELT TENSIONER,
SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL
COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCON-
NECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE
(GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR
THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE
PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE.
THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO
TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD
RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG 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 indicators are
capable of operating as designed. During the actuator
test the instrument cluster circuitry will position
each of the gauge needles at various calibration
points, illuminate all of the segments in the Vacuum
Fluorescent Display (VFD) units, turn all of the indi-
cators on and off again, display any Diagnostic Trou-
ble Code (DTC) information, and display the number
of ignition key cycles that have occurred since the
DTC was detected. It is suggested that a note pad
and pencil be used to write down any fault informa-
tion that is displayed during the test for reference.
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 PCI data
bus, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), the
Engine Control Module (ECM), the Front Control
Module (FCM), the Transmission Control Module
(TCM), the Transfer Case Control Module (TCCM),
the Airbag Control Module (ACM), the Controller
Anti-lock Brake (CAB), or the inputs to one of these
electronic control modules. Use a DRBIIItscan toolto diagnose these components. Refer to the appropri-
ate 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) Release the odometer/trip odometer switch but-
ton.
(5) The instrument cluster will simultaneously
illuminate all of the operational segments in both
VFD units, perform a bulb check of each operational
LED indicator. The VFD segments and LED indica-
tors remain illuminated as each gauge needle is
swept to several calibration points and back. If a
VFD segment or an LED indicator fails to illuminate,
or if a gauge needle fails to sweep through the cali-
bration points and back during this test, the instru-
ment cluster must be replaced. Following these tests,
the actuator test will proceed as described in Step 6.
(6) The text ªC Codeº is displayed in the odometer
VFD for about three seconds. If there is no stored
fault information, the display will show two pairs of
zeroes in the format ª00º ª00º, which indicate that
the display of fault information is done. If there is
stored fault information, two sets of two-digit alpha
and alpha-numeric fault codes will appear in the
odometer display for a three second interval. The
first pair of digits represents a Diagnostic Trouble
Code (DTC), or fault code for the instrument cluster.
The second pair of digits is a counter for the number
of ignition key cycles that have occurred since the
displayed DTC was set. The instrument cluster will
continue to display additional sets of two pairs of dig-
its at three second intervals until all of the stored
codes have been displayed, which is again signaled
by a code of ª00º ª00º. Refer to the Instrument Clus-
ter Failure Message table for a description of each
fault code that the instrument cluster displays. If an
instrument cluster fault is displayed, use a DRBIIIt
scan tool to diagnose the problem. Refer to the appro-
priate diagnostic information.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE MESSAGE
Fault Code Description Correction
01 Airbag warning indicator output circuit shorted. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
02 Airbag warning indicator output circuit open. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
03 ABS indicator output circuit shorted. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
04 ABS indicator output circuit open. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
05 MIL indicator output circuit shorted. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
06 MIL indicator output circuit open. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
8J - 12 INSTRUMENT CLUSTERDR
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (Continued)

OPERATION
The fuel gauge gives an indication to the vehicle
operator of the level of fuel in the fuel tank. This
gauge is controlled by the instrument cluster circuit
board based upon cluster programming and elec-
tronic messages received by the cluster from the
Powertrain Control Module (PCM) on vehicles
equipped with a gasoline engine, or from the Engine
Control Module (ECM) on vehicles equipped with a
diesel engine over the Programmable Communica-
tions Interface (PCI) data bus. The fuel gauge is an
air core magnetic unit that receives battery current
on the instrument cluster electronic circuit board
through the fused ignition switch output (run-start)
circuit whenever the ignition switch is in the On or
Start positions. The cluster is programmed to move
the gauge needle back to the low end of the scale
after the ignition switch is turned to the Off position.
The instrument cluster circuitry controls the gauge
needle position and provides the following features:
²Percent Tank Full Message- Each time the
cluster receives a message from the PCM or ECM
indicating the percent tank full, the cluster program-
ming applies an algorithm to calculate the proper
gauge needle position, then moves the gauge needle
to the proper relative position on the gauge scale.
The algorithm is used to dampen gauge needle move-
ment against the negative effect that fuel sloshing
within the fuel tank can have on accurate inputs
from the fuel tank sending unit to the PCM or ECM.
²Less Than Twenty Percent Tank Full Mes-
sage- Each time the cluster receives messages from
the PCM or ECM indicating the percent tank full is
about twenty percent or less for ten consecutive sec-
onds and the vehicle speed is zero, or for sixty con-
secutive seconds and the vehicle speed is greater
than zero, the gauge needle is moved to the one-
eighth graduation or below on the gauge scale, the
low fuel indicator is illuminated, and a single chime
tone is sounded. The low fuel indicator remains illu-
minated until the cluster receives messages from the
PCM or ECM indicating that the percent tank full is
greater than about twenty percent for ten consecu-
tive seconds and the vehicle speed is zero, or for sixty
consecutive seconds and the vehicle speed is greater
than zero, or until the ignition switch is turned to
the Off position, whichever occurs first. The chime
tone feature will only repeat during the same igni-
tion cycle if the low fuel indicator is cycled off and
then on again by the appropriate percent tank full
messages from the PCM or ECM.
²Less Than Empty Percent Tank Full Mes-
sage- Each time the cluster receives a message from
the PCM or ECM indicating the percent tank full is
less than empty, the gauge needle is moved to the far
left end of the gauge scale and the low fuel indicatoris illuminated immediately. This message would indi-
cate that the fuel tank sender input to the PCM or
ECM is a short circuit.
²More Than Full Percent Tank Full Message
- Each time the cluster receives a message from the
PCM or ECM indicating the percent tank full is more
than full, the gauge needle is moved to the far left
end of the gauge scale and the low fuel indicator is
illuminated immediately. This message would indi-
cate that the fuel tank sender input to the PCM or
ECM is an open circuit.
²Communication Error- If the cluster fails to
receive a percent tank full message, it will hold the
gauge needle at the last indication about five seconds
or until the ignition switch is turned to the Off posi-
tion, whichever occurs first. After five seconds, the
cluster will move the gauge needle to the low end of
the gauge scale.
²Actuator Test- Each time the cluster is put
through the actuator test, the fuel gauge needle will
be swept to several calibration points on the gauge
scale in a prescribed sequence in order to confirm the
functionality of the gauge and the cluster control cir-
cuitry.
On vehicles with a gasoline engine, the PCM con-
tinually monitors the fuel tank sending unit to deter-
mine the level of the fuel in the fuel tank. On
vehicles with a diesel engine, the ECM continually
monitors the fuel tank sending unit to determine the
level of the fuel in the fuel tank. The PCM or ECM
then sends the proper fuel level messages to the
instrument cluster. For further diagnosis of the fuel
gauge or the instrument cluster circuitry that con-
trols the gauge, (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/INSTRU-
MENT CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING).
For proper diagnosis of the fuel tank sending unit,
the PCM, the ECM, the PCI data bus, or the elec-
tronic message inputs to the instrument cluster that
control the fuel gauge, a DRBIIItscan tool is
required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic infor-
mation.
GEAR SELECTOR INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION
An electronic automatic transmission gear selector
indicator is standard factory-installed equipment on
this model. The gear selector indicator information is
displayed in a Vacuum-Fluorescent Display (VFD)
unit. The VFD is soldered onto the cluster electronic
circuit board and is visible through a window with a
smoked clear lens located on the lower edge of the
speedometer gauge dial face of the cluster overlay.
The dark lens over the VFD prevents the indicator
from being clearly visible when it is not illuminated.
8J - 26 INSTRUMENT CLUSTERDR
FUEL GAUGE (Continued)

The gear selector indicator displays the following
characters from left to right: ªP,º ªR,º ªN,º ªD,º ª2,º
and ª1.º Respectively, these characters represent the
park, reverse, neutral, drive, second gear, and first
gear positions of the transmission gear selector lever
on the steering column. The VFD illuminates a rect-
angular box around the character that represents the
currently selected lever position.
The gear selector indicator characters and graphics
appear in the same blue-green color and at the same
lighting level as the odometer/trip odometer informa-
tion when illuminated by the instrument cluster elec-
tronic circuit board. During daylight hours (exterior
lamps Off) the gear selector indicator VFD is illumi-
nated at full brightness for clear visibility. At night
(exterior lamps are On) the VFD lighting level is
adjusted with the other cluster illumination lamps
using the panel lamps dimmer thumbwheel on the
headlamp switch. However, a ªParadeº mode position
of the panel lamps dimmer thumbwheel allows the
VFD to be illuminated at full brightness when the
vehicle is driven in daylight hours with the exterior
lamps turned On. The gear selector indicator VFD is
serviced as a unit with the instrument cluster.
OPERATION
The electronic gear selector indicator gives an indi-
cation to the vehicle operator of the transmission
gear that has been selected with the automatic trans-
mission gear selector lever. This indicator is con-
trolled by the instrument cluster circuit board based
upon cluster programming. The cluster circuitry
automatically configures itself for the proper trans-
mission and automatic transmission model based
upon the hard wired transmission range sensor mux
circuit input to the cluster. The gear selector indica-
tor information is displayed by a dedicated Vacuum
Fluorescent Display (VFD) unit on the instrument
cluster electronic circuit board, and the VFD will not
display the gear selector indicator information after
the ignition switch is turned to the Off position. The
instrument cluster circuitry configures the gear selec-
tor indicator VFD based upon the following inputs
from the transmission range sensor:
²Open Circuit- If the cluster is configured for
an automatic transmission and the transmission
range sensor mux circuit is open, the cluster circuitry
controls the gear selector indicator display based
upon electronic messages received from the electronic
Transmission Control Module (TCM) over the Pro-
grammable Communications Interface (PCI) data
bus. If the transmission range sensor mux circuit is
open and no electronic messages are received from
the TCM within two seconds, the instrument cluster
circuitry will not display any gear selector position
until the condition is resolved or until the ignitionswitch is turned to the Off position, whichever occurs
first.
²Resolved Circuit- If the transmission range
sensor mux circuit is resolved, the cluster circuitry
controls the gear selector indicator display based
upon the resistance value of the hard wired input
from the transmission range sensor. If the cluster is
configured for an automatic transmission with a
transmission range sensor input and detects a short
to ground or an open in the transmission range sen-
sor mux input, the instrument cluster circuitry will
not display any gear selector position in the VFD.
The VFD display for the short-to-ground and open
circuit conditions will continue until the condition is
resolved 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 gear selector indicator
VFD will display all of its characters at once during
the VFD portion of the test to confirm the function-
ality of the VFD and the cluster control circuitry.
On models with a TCM, the TCM continually mon-
itors the transmission range sensor, then sends the
proper gear selector indicator position messages to
the instrument cluster. On models without a TCM,
the instrument cluster continually monitors the hard
wired transmission range sensor multiplexed input.
For further diagnosis of the gear selector indicator or
the instrument cluster circuitry that controls this
function, (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING). For fur-
ther diagnosis of the transmission range sensor on
models without a TCM, (Refer to 21 - TRANSMIS-
SION/TRANSAXLE/AUTOMATIC - 42RE/TRANS-
MISSION RANGE SENSOR - DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING) or (Refer to 21 - TRANSMISSION/
TRANSAXLE/AUTOMATIC - 46RE/TRANSMISSION
RANGE SENSOR - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING).
On models with a TCM, for proper diagnosis of the
transmission range sensor, the TCM, the PCI data
bus, or the electronic message inputs to the instru-
ment cluster that control the gear selector indicator,
a DRBIIItscan tool is required. Refer to the appro-
priate diagnostic information.
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION
A high beam indicator is standard equipment on
all instrument clusters. The high beam indicator is
located near the upper edge of the instrument clus-
ter, between the tachometer and the speedometer.
The high beam indicator consists of a stencil-like cut-
out of the International Control and Display Symbol
icon for ªHigh Beamº in the opaque layer of the
DRINSTRUMENT CLUSTER 8J - 27
GEAR SELECTOR INDICATOR (Continued)

instrument cluster overlay. The dark outer layer of
the overlay prevents the indicator from being clearly
visible when the it is not illuminated. A blue Light
Emitting Diode (LED) behind the cutout in the
opaque layer of the overlay causes the icon to appear
in blue through the translucent outer layer of the
overlay when the indicator is illuminated from
behind by the LED, which is soldered onto the
instrument cluster electronic circuit board. The high
beam indicator is serviced as a unit with the instru-
ment cluster.
OPERATION
The high beam indicator gives an indication to the
vehicle operator whenever the headlamp high beams
are illuminated. This indicator is controlled by a
transistor on the instrument cluster circuit board
based upon cluster programming and a hard wired
multiplex input received by the cluster from the
headlamp beam select switch circuitry of the multi-
function switch on the washer/beam select switch
mux circuit. The high beam indicator Light Emitting
Diode (LED) is completely controlled by the instru-
ment cluster logic circuit, and that logic will allow
this indicator to operate whenever the instrument
cluster receives a battery current input on the fused
B(+) circuit. Therefore, the LED can be illuminated
regardless of the ignition switch position. The LED
only illuminates when it is provided a path to ground
by the instrument cluster transistor. The instrument
cluster will turn on the high beam indicator for the
following reasons:
²High Beam Headlamps-On Input- Each time
the cluster detects a high beam headlamps-on input
from the headlamp beam select switch circuitry of
the multi-function switch on the washer/beam select
switch mux circuit, the headlamp high beams and
the high beam indicator will be illuminated. The
headlamp high beams and the high beam indicator
remain illuminated until the cluster receives a high
beam headlamps-off input from the multi-function
switch, or until the exterior lamp load shedding (bat-
tery saver) timed interval expires, whichever occurs
first.
²Actuator Test- Each time the cluster is put
through the actuator test, the high beam indicator
will be turned on, then off again during the bulb
check portion of the test to confirm the functionality
of the LED and the cluster control circuitry.
The instrument cluster continually monitors the
headlamp switch and the multi-function switch to
determine the proper headlamp low beam and high
beam control. The instrument cluster then sends the
proper low beam and high beam lamp-on and lamp-
off messages to the Front Control Module (FCM) over
the Programmable Communications Interface (PCI)data bus and turns the high beam indicator on or off
accordingly. For further diagnosis of the high beam
indicator or the instrument cluster circuitry that con-
trols the indicator, (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/IN-
STRUMENT CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING). For proper diagnosis of the headlamps, or
the headlamp switch and multi-function switch
inputs to the instrument cluster that control the high
beam indicator, a DRBIIItscan tool is required.
Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
LAMP OUT INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION
A lamp out indicator is standard equipment on all
instrument clusters. The lamp out indicator consists
of the words ªLAMP OUTº, which appear in the
lower portion of the odometer/trip odometer Vacuum-
Fluorescent Display (VFD) unit. The VFD is soldered
onto the cluster electronic circuit board and is visible
through a window with a smoked clear lens located
on the lower edge of the tachometer gauge dial face
of the cluster overlay. The dark lens over the VFD
prevents the indicator from being clearly visible
when it is not illuminated. The words ªLAMP OUTº
appear in an amber color and at the same lighting
level as the odometer/trip odometer information
when they are illuminated by the instrument cluster
electronic circuit board. The lamp out indicator is
serviced as a unit with the VFD in the instrument
cluster.
OPERATION
The lamp out indicator gives an indication to the
vehicle operator when an exterior lamp has failed.
This indicator is controlled by the instrument cluster
circuit board based upon cluster programming and
electronic messages received by the cluster from the
Front Control Module (FCM) over the Programmable
Communications Interface (PCI) data bus. The lamp
out indicator is completely controlled by the instru-
ment cluster logic circuit, and that logic will only
allow this indicator to operate when the instrument
cluster receives a battery current input on the fused
ignition switch output (run-start) circuit. 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 cluster circuitry. The
instrument cluster will turn on the lamp out indica-
tor for the following reasons:
²Lamp Out Indicator Lamp-On Message-
Each time the cluster receives a lamp out indicator
lamp-on message from the FCM indicating that an
inoperative headlamp (low or high beam), turn signal
8J - 28 INSTRUMENT CLUSTERDR
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR (Continued)