Instrument Cluster

The Mechanical Instrument Cluster (MIC) 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 digital Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) for the odometer/trip odometer display functions. Some variations of this cluster exist due to optional equipment and regulatory requirements.

The cluster is available in 4 different versions. Two of the versions are Canadian clusters. There is a high line and a low line cluster available. The difference is the addition of a tachometer in the high line. In order to accomplish this, the fuel level gauge is reduced in size and oil pressure gauge is relocated. The cluster positions its gauges with bus messages received from the PCM. The odometer is a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). The cluster will provide bus bias and the PCM provides termination.

The MIC has an internal diagnostic routing that can be accessed by pushing and holding the trip odometer while rotating the key to the ON position. The cluster will then place all the gauges at their calibration points and will light all the CCD driven tell-tales. It will also light all the segments of the LCD display for a visual verification check.

The MIC can verify communications with the PCM, ID the module, or change the country code by using options 1, 3, or 9 on the DRB III under the MIC menu. If there are faults found during the diagnostic routine, the cluster will report them on the LCD odometer display.

This cluster includes the following analog gauges:
- Coolant temperature gauge
- Fuel gauge
- Oil pressure gauge
- Speedometer
- Tachometer
- Voltmeter.

This instrument 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 (programmable)
- Door ajar lamp
- Four-wheel drive indicator lamps (part-time and full-time)
- Headlamp high beam indicator lamp
- Liftgate ajar lamp
- Low fuel warning lamp
- Low washer fluid warning lamp
- Malfunction indicator (Check Engine) lamp
- Overdrive-off indicator lamp (programmable)
- Seat belt reminder lamp
- Security lamp
- Transmission oil temperature warning lamp (programmable)
- Turn signal indicator lamps
- Upshift indicator lamp (manual transmission - programmable).

This instrument cluster includes 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, refer to Instrument Cluster in the Diagnosis and Testing.

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. The cluster lens and hood, the rear cluster housing cover, and the incandescent lamp bulbs and holders are available for service replacement.

The instrument cluster is an electromechanical unit that contains integrated circuitry and internal programming to perform a variety of functions. The instrument cluster circuitry monitors hard-wired switch inputs, as well as message inputs received from other vehicle electronic modules on the Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus network.

The instrument cluster uses these many inputs along with its internal programming to provide hard- wired chime tone requests to the Central Timer Module (CTM), which performs the functions of the chime warning module on this model. The instrument cluster circuitry also has a self-diagnostic capability. Refer to Instrument Cluster in the Diagnosis and Testing of Instrument Panel Systems for more information on this feature.

The only instrument cluster diagnosis consists of confirming the viability of the hard- wired chime request circuit between the instrument cluster circuitry and the CTM, and diagnosis of the hard-wired seat belt switch input to the instrument cluster. For diagnosis of the CCD data bus and the data bus message inputs, a DRB scan tool and the proper Diagnostic Procedures are recommended.

Refer to Instrument Cluster/Service and Repair of Instrument Panel Systems for the instrument cluster service procedures. Refer to the Diagnosis and Testing of Instrument Panel systems for more information on the remaining hard-wired instrument cluster inputs. The instrument cluster chime warning circuitry cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, the instrument cluster assembly must be replaced.

Some of the components for the instrument cluster used in this vehicle are serviced individually. The serviced components include: the incandescent instrument cluster indicator lamp and illumination lamp bulbs (including the integral bulb holders), the duster lens and hood unit, the instrument cluster housing rear cover, and the instrument cluster housing (including the trip odometer reset knob, the cluster mask, the gauges and the instrument cluster electronic circuit board). Following are the service procedures for the instrument cluster components.