Instrument Cluster / Carrier: Description and Operation
WARNING^ DO NOT MODIFY THE SYSTEM CONFIGURATION OR COMPONENTS OR REPLACE COMPONENTS WITH PARTS NOT SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR USE WITH NATURAL GAS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS SPECIALLY DESIGNED THE MATERIALS, COMPONENTS AND SYSTEM CONFIGURATION THESE VEHICLES, AND EACH PARTICULAR SYSTEM IS PRECISELY CALIBRATED FOR EFFICIENT OPERATION. THE USE OF DIFFERENT PARTS OR MATERIALS CAN PRODUCE AN UNTESTED CONFIGURATION THAT COULD RESULT IN FIRE OR PERSONAL INJURY OR CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE.
^ IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR NATURAL GAS VEHICLE BE PROPERLY MAINTAINED BY FORD NATURAL GAS TRAINED PERSONNEL. IF A PROBLEM OCCURS, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROPERLY TRAINED PERSONNEL DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE. IF THE PROBLEM RELATES TO THE FUEL SYSTEM, PROPER PART REPLACEMENT IS IMPERATIVE TO KEEP YOUR VEHICLE OPERATING AT NORMAL PERFORMANCE. NATURAL GAS COMPONENTS AND GASOLINE FUEL COMPONENTS ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE. IF YOUR VEHICLE IS NOT SERVICED IN ACCORDANCE WITH NATURAL GAS-FUELED VEHICLE PROCEDURES, DAMAGE CAN OCCUR AND YOUR WARRANTY MAY BE INVALIDATED.
NOTE: All standard production components and systems receive routine service under base warranty procedures.
The Natural Gas (NGV) and Diesel vehicles are equipped with the same instrumentation as the conventionally fueled vehicles.
- The NGV also comes equipped with the following systems and components:
The natural gas fuel indication system consists of the following components:
^ the Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) module
^ the fuel gauge located in the instrument cluster
^ the fuel tank pressure sensor
^ the tank temperature sensor
^ the necessary circuitry
Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) module
The Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) module assembly:
^ consists of a 60-pin module, a bracket, a marine cover and four marine cover retainers.
^ houses the unique electronics required for natural gas fuel systems.
^ is located on the LH inner fender well, behind the coolant recovery bottle.
The NGV module assembly performs the following functions:
^ Injector drivers: the NGV module accepts eight unmodified injector signals from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and allows a peak-and-sustain current to flow through the injector solenoids.
NOTE: No injector calculations are performed; the injector driver output is not determined by the NGV module.
^ Fuel gauge driver: the NGV module uses tank temperature and fuel tank pressure inputs to calculate the density of the fuel; a look-up table is used to determine the output signal to the fuel gauge.
Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor
The fuel tank pressure sensor:
^ contains integral solid state circuitry that outputs a voltage signal that is proportional to pressure.
^ has an output that is linear from 344.74 kPa (50 psi) up to 27,579.03 kPa (4000 psi).
^ is mounted in the midship fuel tank solenoid valve.
Tank Temperature Sensor
The tank temperature sensor:
^ changes resistance in response to the temperature of the fuel in the fuel tank; as the surrounding temperature increases, the resistance decreases (the voltage signal also decreases).
^ provides a signal to the NGV module that indicates the temperature of the fuel.
^ is mounted in the high-pressure fuel line downstream of the coalesce filter.
Instrument Cluster Replacement
When an instrument cluster replacement is necessary, contact the Cluster Order System at 1-800-259-9700 (U.S.) or 1-800-663-9974 (Canada).