Introduction
INTRODUCTIONThis is responsible for covering the vehicle instrument panel. However, because the instrument panel serves as the command center of the vehicle, it is a very complex unit. The instrument panel is designed to house the controls and monitors for standard and optional powertrain, climate control systems, audio systems, lighting systems, safety systems and many other comfort or convenience items. It is also designed so that all of the controls and monitors can be safely reached and viewed by the vehicle operator, while still allowing relative ease of access to these items for service.
Complete service information coverage for all of the systems and components housed in the instrument panel would not be practical. It would result in a great deal of duplication and make this group too large for the information to be easily accessed and used. Therefore, the information found has been limited as follows:
- General Information - Covers non-electrical components and features of the instrument panel that are not related to other systems.
- Description and Operation - Covers gauges and their sending units, warning lamps and their switches, and instrument panel illumination lamps.
- Diagnosis and Testing - Covers gauges and their inputs, warning lamps and their inputs, and instrument panel illumination lamps.
- Removal and Installation - Covers all components installed on or in the instrument panel that require removal for diagnosis or service of any other instrument panel components covered.
For more information on components or systems not covered above.
Instrument Panel
Modular instrument panel construction allows all of the gauges and controls to be serviced from the front of the panel. In addition, most of the instrument panel electrical components can be accessed without complete instrument panel removal. If necessary, the instrument panel can be removed from the vehicle as an assembly.
Removal of the steering column opening cover and knee blocker provides access to the steering column mounts, the steering column wiring, the junction block, and much of the instrument panel wiring. Removal of the glove box provides access to the radio antenna coaxial cable, audio system power amplifier, intermittent wipe module, intermittent wipe relay, many of the heating and air conditioning system air distribution components, and additional instrument panel wiring.
Removal of the instrument cluster bezel allows access to the cluster assembly, the radio, the exterior lighting system switch, the accessory switch plate, and the heating and air conditioning controls. Removal of the cluster assembly allows access to the cluster illumination and indicator lamp bulbs, and more of the instrument panel wiring. The instrument panel accessory switch plate has provisions for a cigar lighter, an accessory power outlet, the optional rear heater and air conditioner blower motor switch, and a Passenger Airbag Disarm Switch (PADS).
Removal of the instrument panel top cover allows access to the instrument panel speakers. Removal of the driver side instrument panel end cap provides access to the junction block fuses, circuit breakers, horn relay and electronic combination flasher. Removal of the engine cover provides access to the Central Timer Module (CTM), the power lock and Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) module, and the buzzer module.
Removal of the complete instrument panel is required for service of the heating and air conditioning system distribution ducts.
Instrument Cluster
A single instrument cluster is offered on this model. The cluster is an electromechanical unit that utilizes integrated circuitry and information carried on the Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus network for control of all gauges and many of the indicator lamps. This cluster also incorporates a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) for the digital odometer/ trip odometer display functions. Some variations of this cluster exist due to optional equipment and regulatory requirements.
The cluster includes the following analog gauges:
- Coolant temperature gauge
- Fuel gauge
- Oil pressure gauge
- Speedometer
- Voltmeter.
This cluster also includes provisions for the following indicator lamps:
- Airbag indicator lamp
- Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) lamp
- Brake warning lamp
- Check gauges lamp
- Cruise-on indicator lamp
- Headlamp high beam indicator lamp
- Low fuel warning lamp
- Low washer fluid warning lamp
- Malfunction indicator (Check Engine) lamp
- Overdrive-off indicator lamp
- Seat belt reminder lamp
- Security lamp
- Transmission oil temperature warning lamp
- Turn signal indicator lamps
The instrument cluster also has a provision for mounting the automatic transmission gear selector indicator in the lower right corner of the cluster.
The instrument cluster circuitry has a self-diagnostic actuator test capability, which will test each of the CCD bus message-controlled functions of the cluster by lighting the appropriate indicator lamps and positioning the gauge needles at several predetermined locations on the gauge faces in a prescribed sequence. For more information on this function, see Instrument Cluster in the Diagnosis and Testing.
On models equipped with a Central Timer Module (CTM), the instrument cluster circuitry also sends chime tone requests over a hard wired circuit to the CTM when it monitors certain conditions or inputs. The CTM replaces the buzzer module on models equipped with the optional Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS).
The instrument cluster for this model is serviced only as a complete unit. If a cluster gauge or the cluster circuit board are faulty, the entire cluster must be replaced. Each of the red indicators in the cluster are illuminated by a Light-Emitting Diode (LED). If an LED fails, the entire instrument cluster must be replaced. The cluster lens and hood, the rear cluster housing cover, and the incandescent lamp bulbs and holders are available for service replacement.
Gauge
With the ignition switch in the On or Start positions, voltage is supplied to all gauges through the instrument cluster electronic circuit board. With the ignition switch in the Off position, voltage is not supplied to the gauges. The gauges do not accurately indicate any vehicle condition unless the ignition switch is in the On or Start positions.
All of the instrument cluster gauges, except the odometer, are air core magnetic units. Two fixed electromagnetic coils are located within the 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 shaft. 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 instrument cluster electronic circuitry in response to messages received on the Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus network.
The gauge needle moves as the movable permanent magnet aligns itself to the changing magnetic fields created around it by the electromagnets. The instrument cluster circuitry is programmed to move all of the gauge needles back to the low end of their respective scales after the ignition switch is turned to the Off position.
Indicator Lamp
Indicator lamps are located in the instrument cluster and are served by the cluster circuit board and connectors. Many of the indicator lamps in the instrument cluster are controlled by the instrument cluster circuitry in response to messages received over the Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus network.
The headlamp high beam indicator lamp, low washer fluid warning lamp, overdrive off indicator lamp, security lamp and turn signal indicator lamps are hard wired. The seat belt reminder lamp is controlled by the instrument cluster programming and by CCD data bus messages from the Airbag Control Module (ACM). The brake warning lamp is controlled by a hard wired input from the parking brake switch and by CCD data bus messages from the Controller Anti-lock Brake (CAB). The instrument cluster circuitry uses CCD data bus messages from the Power- train Control Module (PCM), ACM, and CAB to control all of the remaining indicator lamps.
Each of the red indicator lamps in the instrument cluster is illuminated by a dedicated Light-Emitting Diode (LED). If an LED should fail, the entire instrument cluster must be replaced. The remaining lamps in the instrument cluster use incandescent bulbs and holders, which are available for individual service replacement.
Central Timer Module
A Central Timer Module (CTM) is used on this vehicle when it is equipped with the optional Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS). In addition to serving as the security system module, the CTM combines the functions of a chime/buzzer module, an intermittent wipe module, an illuminated entry module, and a Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) module in a single unit.
The CTM is also able to control and integrate many of the additional electronic functions and features included on models with this option. The CTM contains a central processing unit and interfaces with other modules in the vehicle on the Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus network.
The CCD data bus network allows the sharing of sensor information. This helps to reduce wire harness complexity, reduce internal controller hardware, and reduce component sensor current loads. At the same time, this system provides increased reliability, enhanced diagnostics, and allows the addition of many new feature capabilities.
Some of the functions and features that the CTM supports or controls include:
- Chimes for the following conditions:
- Headlamps on with ignition off and driver door open warning
- Key in ignition with ignition off and driver door open warning
- ABS lamp warning (if the vehicle is so equipped)
- Airbag lamp warning
- Check engine lamp warning
- Check gauges lamp warning
- Low fuel lamp warning
- Low washer fluid lamp warning
- Seat belt reminder lamp warning
- Transmission oil temperature lamp warning
- Courtesy lamp time-out
- Intermittent wipe control
- Enhanced accident response
- Horn chirp upon door lock with RKE (programmable)
- Illuminated entry
- Power lock delay
- Power lock inhibit
- Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
- Rolling door locks (programmable)
- Speed sensitive intermittent wipe
- Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS)
- Wipe after wash.
The CTM is mounted under the instrument panel, to the inboard side of the left center instrument panel support. For diagnosis of the CTM or the CCD data bus, the use of a DRB scan tool and the proper Diagnostic Procedures manual are recommended. The CTM cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.
Junction Block
The junction block is mounted on the left instrument panel end bracket on the left outboard end of the instrument panel. It is concealed behind the driver side instrument panel end cap. The junction block serves to simplify and centralize numerous electrical components.
The junction block combines the functions previously provided by a separate fuseblock module and relay center. It contains fuses, circuit breakers and relays. It also eliminates the need for numerous splice connections.
The left end of the instrument panel has a snap-fit end cap that also serves as a fuse access panel that can be removed for service of the junction block fuses. A fuse puller and spare fuse holders are located on the back of the instrument panel end cap. A label on the back of the instrument panel end cap identifies the fuse cavity assignments.
The junction block cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.