Principles and Operation

NOTE: The Instrument Cluster (IC), Message Center (MC), Front Electronic Module (FEM), Rear Electronic Module (REM), Remote Emergency Satellite Cellular Unit (RESCU), Anti-lock Braking System/traction Control (ABS/TC) /stability Assist Module, and the Driver Door Module (DDM) must be reconfigured upon replacement. Refer to Module Communications Network (Information Bus).

The MC is part of the IC. It uses a vacuum fluorescent display. The MC communicates with the PCM, FEM, REM, IC, ABS/TC/stability assist module, DDM, and the RESCU module over the SCP network. As a technician it is important to understand:
^ where the input (command) originates from.
^ all information (messages) necessary in order for a feature to operate.
^ which module(s) receive(s) the input or command message.
^ does the module which received the input (message) control the output of the feature, or does it output a message over the SCP communication network to another module?
^ which module controls the output of the feature.

Display Information
The display modes are:
^ fuel (average fuel economy, distance to empty)
^ setup
^ system status
^ warning
^ temporary alert

The message center information can be selected by depressing any of the four buttons:
^ FUEL
^ RESET
^ SETUP
^ STATUS

The setup display and the status display will time-out and default to the fuel blank display function. The temporary alert display will interrupt the current display to show the status of an event that has just happened. The warning display interrupts the current display until cleared or reset by the driver.

Status Displays
The status displays are timed modes and default back to the fuel blank display function. The status display modes are:
^ oil life %
^ AC air filter life %
^ charging system
^ engine temperature
^ brake fluid level
^ washer fluid level
^ driver door
^ passenger door
^ driver rear door
^ passenger rear door
^ luggage compartment lid
^ front turn lamps
^ rear turn lamps
^ stoplamps
^ tail lamps
^ traction control
^ advance trac

Setup Displays
The setup displays are timed modes and default back to the fuel blank display function. The setup display modes are:
^ language
^ English/metric units
^ autolocks on, autolocks off
^ lock chirp on, lock chirp off
^ easy entry on, easy entry off

Warning Messages
The warning messages can interrupt the display until cleared or reset by the driver. The warning messages are:
^ engine temperature
^ oil life
^ check charging system
^ transmission errors
^ low washer fluid level
^ low brake fluid
^ low fuel
^ driver door
^ passenger door
^ driver rear door
^ passenger rear door
^ luggage compartment lid
^ stoplamps
^ front turn lamps
^ rear turn lamps
^ rear tail lamps

The warning messages will display when the ignition switch is turned to ON and a fault occurs in a system. The message can be cleared by pressing the RESET button.

Temporary Alert Messages
The temporary alert display will interrupt the current display to show the status of an event that has just happened. The temporary alert messages are:
^ autolamp delay
^ memory recall/save
^ traction control
^ advance trac
^ RESCU message