Part 2

SYSTEM OPERATION

Cigar Lighter
A cigar lighter is available equipment on this model. The cigar lighter is installed in the instrument panel accessory switch plate, which is located near the center of the instrument panel, inboard of the radio. The cigar lighter base is secured by a clamp on the back of the instrument panel accessory switch plate.

The cigar lighter consists of two major components: a knob and heating element unit, and the cigar lighter base or receptacle shell. The receptacle shell is connected to ground, and an insulated contact in the bottom of the shell is connected to battery current. The cigar lighter receives battery voltage from a fuse in the junction block only when the ignition switch is in the Accessory or On positions.

The knob and heating element are encased within a spring-loaded housing, which also features a sliding protective heat shield. When the knob and heating dement are inserted in the receptacle shell, the heating element resistor coil is grounded through its housing to the receptacle shell. If the cigar lighter knob is pushed inward, the heat shield slides up toward the knob exposing the heating dement, and the heating element extends from the housing toward the insulated contact in the bottom of the receptacle shell.

Two small spring-clip retainers are located on either side of the insulated contact inside the bottom of the receptacle shell. These clips engage and hold the heating element against the insulated contact long enough for the resistor coil to heat up. When the heating element is engaged with the contact, battery current can flow through the resistor coil to ground, causing the resistor coil to heat.

When the resistor coil becomes sufficiently heated, excess heat radiates from the heating element causing the spring-clips to expand. Once the spring-clips expand far enough to release the heating element, the spring-loaded housing forces the knob and heating element to pop back outward to their relaxed position. When the cigar lighter knob and element are pulled out of the receptacle shell, the protective heat shield slides downward on the housing so that the heating element is recessed and shielded around its circumference for safety.

The cigar lighter knob and heating element unit, and the cigar lighter receptacle unit are available for service. These components cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, they must be replaced.

Cluster Illumination Lamp
The cluster illumination lamps are hard wired in the instrument cluster. When the park or head lamps are turned on, the cluster illumination lamps light. Illumination brightness is adjusted by rotating the headlamp switch knob (clockwise to dim, counterclockwise to brighten). The instrument cluster illumination lamps receive battery feed from the panel dimmer rheostat in the headlamp switch through a fuse in the junction block.

Each of the cluster illumination lamps is located on the instrument cluster circuit board. Each lamp has a replaceable bulb and bulb holder. Refer to Lighting and Horns/Lamps for more information.

Cruise-On Indicator Lamp
The cruise-on indicator lamp gives an indication when the vehicle speed control system is turned on even when the system is not currently engaged. The lamp is turned on by the instrument cluster circuitry for about two seconds when the ignition switch is turned to the On position as a bulb test. After the bulb test, the lamp is controlled by the instrument cluster circuitry based upon messages received from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) on the Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus.

The PCM uses an input from the analog resistor-multiplexed vehicle speed control switches in the steering wheel to decide whether to turn the lamp on or off. The PCM then sends the proper messages to the instrument cluster on the CCD data bus. Refer to Cruise Control/Vehicle Speed Control System for more information.

Gear Selector Indicator
The gear selector indicator gives an indication of the position of the automatic transmission gear selector lever. The indicator is mounted to the rear of the instrument cluster housing.

The indicator is mechanically actuated by a cable connected to the gear selector indicator driver lever of the gear selector lever mechanism on the steering column. This covers only the removal and installation of the gear selector indicator.

Headlamp High Beam Indicator Lamp
The headlamp high beam indicator lamp gives an indication when the headlamp high beams are turned on. The lamp is controlled by a hard wired input from the headlamp dimmer (multi-function) switch.

One side of the high beam indicator lamp bulb is grounded at all times. The other side of the bulb receives a battery feed through the contacts of the dimmer switch when the multi-function switch stalk is actuated to turn on the headlamp high beams. Refer to Lighting and Horns/Lamps for more information.

Low Fuel Warning Lamp
The low fuel warning lamp gives an indication when the fuel level in the fuel tank has fallen below about one-eighth of a full tank, as registered on the fuel gauge. The instrument cluster circuitry lights the lamp for about two seconds when the ignition switch is turned to the On position as a bulb test. After the bulb test, the instrument cluster circuitry controls the lamp based upon fuel level and vehicle speed messages received from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) on the Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus.

The PCM uses inputs from the fuel gauge sending unit, the Controller Anti-lock Brake (CAB), and internal programming to decide what messages are required. The PCM then sends the proper messages to the instrument cluster on the CCD data bus.

If the PCM messages indicate that the fuel level is below one-eighth of a full tank for more than ten seconds, and that the vehicle is not moving, the instrument cluster circuitry turns on the low fuel warning lamp and sends a chime tone request to the Central Timer Module (CTM). To reduce the effects of fuel sloshing, if the vehicle speed message indicates that the vehicle is moving, the fuel level message must remain below one-eighth of a full tank for more than sixty seconds before the lamp will be illuminated.

The fuel gauge sending unit is mounted to the electric fuel pump module inside the fuel tank. The sending unit has a float attached to the end of a swing-arm. The float moves up or down within the fuel tank as the fuel level changes. As the float moves an electrical contact on the pivot end of the swing-arm wipes across a resistor coil, which changes the resistance of the sending unit.

Low Washer Fluid Warning Lamp
The low washer fluid warning lamp gives an indication when the fluid level in the washer fluid reservoir is too low. The instrument cluster circuitry lights the lamp for about two seconds when the ignition switch is turned to the On position as a bulb test. After the bulb test, the instrument cluster circuitry controls the lamp based upon a hard wired input from the washer fluid level sensor.

The washer fluid level sensor uses a float in the washer fluid reservoir to monitor the fluid level. The up and down action of the float opens or closes the switch within the washer fluid level sensor that provides a ground signal to the instrument cluster circuitry.

If the instrument cluster circuitry senses a ground input from the washer fluid level sensor for more than about sixty seconds, it turns on the low washer fluid warning lamp and sends a chime tone request to the Central Timer Module (CTM). This helps to reduce the effects of fluid sloshing within the reservoir. This lamp also latches. Once the lamp has been turned on, it will remain on until washer fluid is added to the reservoir and the ignition switch is cycled.

Refer to Washer Fluid Level Sensor in Wiper and Washer Systems/Wiper and Washer Systems for more information.

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
The Check Engine or Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) gives an indication when the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) has recorded a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for an On-Board Diagnostics II (OBDII) emissions-related circuit or component malfunction. The lamp is controlled by the instrument cluster circuitry based upon messages received from the PCM on the Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus. The PCM sends lamp-on messages for about two seconds when the ignition switch is turned to the On position as a bulb test.

Following the bulb test, the PCM uses inputs from many emissions-related circuits and sensors, along with its internal programming, to decide whether a condition exists that requires the MIL lamp to be turned on. The PCM then sends the proper messages to the instrument cluster on the CCD data bus to turn the lamp on or off.

Overdrive-Off Indicator Lamp
The overdrive-off indicator lamp gives the driver an indication that the automatic transmission overdrive has been locked out. The lamp is controlled by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) on a hard wired circuit to instrument cluster.

The PCM receives an input from the momentary overdrive lockout switch, which is located on the end of the automatic transmission gearshift selector lever. The PCM uses the overdrive lockout switch input, along with numerous other sensor inputs and its internal programming to decide whether the over-drive-off indicator lamp should be on or off. The PCM then turns the lamp on or off by controlling the ground path for the lamp control circuit.

POWER OUTLET
An accessory power outlet is optional equipment on this model. The power outlet is installed in the instrument panel accessory switch plate, which is located near the center of the instrument panel, inboard of the radio. The power outlet base is secured by a snap fit within the instrument panel accessory switch plate. A plastic protective cap snaps into the power outlet base when the power outlet is not being used.

The power outlet base or receptacle shell is connected to ground, and an insulated contact in the bottom of the shell is connected to battery current. The power outlet receives battery voltage from a fuse in the Power Distribution Center (PDC) at all times.

While the power outlet is very similar to a cigar lighter base unit, it does not include the two small spring-clip retainers inside the bottom of the receptacle shell that are used to secure the cigar lighter heating element to the insulated contact.

The power outlet receptacle unit and the accessory power outlet protective cap are available for service. The power outlet receptacle cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.

Seat Belt Reminder Lamp
The seat belt reminder lamp gives a visual reminder to the vehicle occupants to fasten their seat belts. The lamp is turned on by the instrument cluster circuitry for about seven seconds when the ignition switch is turned to the On position.

The instrument cluster also receives a hard wired input from the driver seat belt switch. However, this input only affects the chime function and has no effect on the seat belt reminder lamp operation. If the driver seat belt switch is closed (seat belt is not buckled), the instrument cluster will send a chime request to the Central Timer Module (CTM) lasting the duration of the seat belt reminder lamp illumination. The chime warning will stop when the driver seat belt switch is open (seat belt is buckled).

The seat belt reminder lamp also serves as a backup for the airbag indicator lamp. About twenty seconds after the ignition switch is turned to the On position, if an inoperative airbag indicator lamp circuit was detected during the bulb test sequence, the instrument cluster circuitry will flash the seat belt reminder lamp on and off for about thirty seconds. If the seat belt reminder lamp stays on after flashing for thirty seconds, or comes on at any time other than about twenty seconds after the initial ignition-on sequence, it indicates an airbag system fault has been detected and that the airbag indicator lamp is inoperative.

Refer to Air Bags and Seat Belts/Air Bags for more information on the airbag system.

Security Lamp
The security lamp gives an indication of the status of the optional Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS). The lamp is controlled by a hard wired input to the instrument cluster from the high-line Central Timer Module (CTM). The lamp is turned on by the CTM for about two seconds when the ignition switch is turned to the On position as a bulb test.

After the bulb test, the CTM turns the lamp on or off based upon the arming status of the VTSS. If the security lamp stays on for about thirty seconds after the ignition switch is turned to the On position, it indicates that Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus communication with the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is inoperative, and that the next attempt to arm the VTSS may not be successful.

Refer to Accessories and Optional Equipment/Antitheft and Alarm/Vehicle Theft/Security Systems for more information on the VTSS and the security lamp.

Transmission Oil Temperature Warning Lamp
The transmission oil temperature warning lamp gives an indication when the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) has detected that the automatic transmission oil is overheated. The lamp is controlled by the instrument cluster circuitry based upon messages received from the PCM on the Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus. The PCM sends lamp-on messages for about two seconds when the ignition switch is turned to the On position as a bulb test.

Following the bulb test, the PCM uses an input from the automatic transmission oil temperature sensor located within the transmission, along with its internal programming, to decide whether a condition exists that requires the transmission oil temperature warning lamp to be turned on. The PCM then sends the proper messages to the instrument cluster on the CCD data bus to turn the lamp on or off. When the instrument cluster receives a message to turn the transmission oil temperature warning lamp on, it also sends a chime tone request to the Central Timer Module (CTM).

Turn Signal Indicator Lamp
The left and right turn signal indicator lamps give an indication when the turn signal circuits are activated. The lamps are hard wired in the instrument cluster, and are completely controlled by the turn signal and hazard warning (multi-function) switches.

The indicator lamps are grounded at all times and receive battery feed through the contacts of the multi-function switch when the turn signal lever (multi-function switch stalk) or the hazard warning button are actuated to their On positions. The instrument cluster circuitry does not perform a bulb test of these lamps. Refer to Lighting and Horns/Turn Signal and Hazard Warning Systems for more information.