Principles of Operation

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION

The message center is an integral part of the instrument cluster (IC) that receives and acts upon much of the same information that is input and used to operate the instrument cluster (IC) gauges, informational indicators, and warning indicators. The message center, located in the instrument cluster (IC) is a vacuum fluorescent 2-line display. The message center electronic functions use both hardwired and the network communication circuitry to transmit and receive information.

Whenever conditions are present that require a warning message, the message center replaces the last selected display with the new warning display. Warning messages are generally associated with other observable instrument cluster (IC) indications. For example, when a door is opened, the message center displays the message DOOR AJAR along with the door ajar warning indicator. This allows the message center to be a more informative supplement to the instrument cluster (IC) gauges and indicators.

It is very important to understand:
- where the input (command) originates.
- all the information (messages) necessary in order for a feature to operate.
- which module(s) receive(s) the input or command message.
- if the module that received the input (message) controls the output of the feature, or if it outputs a message over the CAN to another module.
- which module controls the output of the feature.