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Home >> Dodge and Ram >> 2002 >> RAM 1500 Van V8-5.2L VIN Y >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Instrument Panel, Gauges and Warning Indicators >> Instrument Cluster / Carrier >> Testing and Inspection >> Reading and Clearing Diagnostic Trouble Codes >> Displaying & Reading Trouble Codes >> Actuator Test

Actuator Test

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

If all of the instrument cluster gauges and/or indicators are inoperative, refer to PRELIMINARY DIAGNOSIS .
Preliminary Diagnosis

If an individual gauge or Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus message-controlled indicator is inoperative, refer to Actuator Test below.

If the instrument cluster chime service is inoperative, refer to CHIME SERVICE DIAGNOSIS.
Chime Service Diagnosis

If an individual hard wired indicator is inoperative, refer to the diagnosis and testing information for that specific indicator.

If the instrument cluster illumination lighting is inoperative, refer to CLUSTER ILLUMINATION DIAGNOSIS.
Cluster Illumination Diagnosis

If the instrument cluster Vacuum-Fluorescent Display (VFD) dimmer service function is inoperative, use a DRB III scan tool to diagnose the problem. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
Body Control Module

Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wiring information includes wiring diagrams, proper wire and connector repair procedures, details of wire harness routing and retention, connector pin-out information and location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.

NOTE: Certain indicators in this instrument cluster are automatically configured. This feature allows those indicators to be activated or deactivated for compatibility with certain optional equipment. If the problem being diagnosed involves improper illumination of the cruise indicator; the overdrive-off indicator, or the transmission overtemp indicator, disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. After about five minutes, reconnect the battery negative cable and turn the ignition switch to the ON position. The instrument cluster will automatically relearn the equipment in the vehicle and properly configure the configurable indicators accordingly.


Actuator Test
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 CCD data bus message-controlled 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 each of the segments in the Vacuum-Fluorescent Displays (VFDs), and turn all of the CCD data bus message- controlled indicators ON and OFF again.

Successful completion of the actuator test will confirm that the instrument cluster is operational. Flow- ever, there may still be a problem with the CCD data bus, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), the Central Timer Module (CTM), the Airbag Control Module (ACM), the Controller Anti-lock Brake (CAB), or the inputs to one of these electronic control modules. Use a DRB III scan tool to diagnose these components. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.

1. Begin the test with the ignition switch in the OFF position.
2. Depress the odometer/trip odometer switch button.
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. Keep the trip odometer reset button depressed for about ten seconds, until CHEC appears in the odometer display, then release the odometer/trip odometer switch button.

Instrument Cluster Failure Message:





5. A series of three-digit numeric failure messages may appear in the odometer display depending upon the failure mode. If a failure message appears, refer to the Instrument Cluster Failure Message chart for the description and proper correction. If no failure message appears, the actuator test will proceed as described in Step 6.
6. The instrument cluster will begin the odometer walking segment test.This test will require the operator to visually inspect each VFD segment as it is displayed to determine a pass or fail condition. First, all of the segments will be illuminated at once; then, each individual segment of the VFD will be illuminated in sequence. If any segment in the display fails to illuminate, repeat the test to confirm the failure. If the failure is confirmed, replace the faulty instrument cluster. Following the VFD walking segment test, the actuator test will automatically proceed as described in Step 7.
7. The instrument cluster will perform a bulb check of each indicator that the instrument cluster circuitry controls. Each of the instrument cluster circuitry controlled indicators except the cruise indicator and the overdrive-off indicator are illuminated by a Light Emitting Diode (LED). If an LED fails to illuminate during this test, the instrument cluster must be replaced. Following the bulb check test, the actuator test will automatically proceed as described in Step 8.
8. The instrument cluster will perform a gauge actuator test. In this test the instrument cluster circuitry positions each of the gauge needles at three different calibration points, then returns the gauge needles to their relaxed positions. If an individual gauge does not respond properly, or does not respond at all during the gauge actuator test, the instrument cluster should be removed. However, check that the gauge terminal pins are properly inserted through the spring-clip terminal pin receptacles on the instrument cluster electronic circuit board before considering instrument cluster replacement. If the gauge terminal connections are OK, replace the faulty instrument cluster.
9. The actuator test is now completed. The instrument cluster will automatically exit the self-diagnostic mode and return to normal operation at the completion of the test, if the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position during the test, or if a vehicle speed message indicating that the vehicle is moving is received from the PCM on the CCD data bus during the test.
10. Go back to Step 1 to repeat the test, if required.


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