Clock: Description and Operation
CLOCKDESCRIPTION
An electronic digital clock is standard equipment on all instrument clusters. In vehicles equipped with the optional ambient temperature indicator, the clock indication can be toggled with the ambient temperature indication on the right side of the multi-function indicator Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) located near the lower edge of the instrument cluster, directly below the speedometer. The clock provides a 12 hour-based, digital indication of the current hours and minutes. The indications of the clock are not visible when the LCD is not illuminated. When illuminated the indications appear as dark characters silhouetted against an amber field. When the exterior lighting is turned Off, the display is illuminated at maximum brightness. When the exterior lighting is turned On the display illumination level can be adjusted in concert with the cluster general illumination lighting using the "+" (plus) and "-" (minus) multi-function indicator push buttons. The clock is serviced as a unit with the instrument cluster.
OPERATION
The clock gives an indication to the vehicle operator of the current time. The electronic digital clock is controlled by the instrument cluster microprocessor based upon cluster programming. The clock display is completely controlled by the instrument cluster logic circuit, and that logic will only allow this indication to be viewed when the multi-function indicator Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is activated. However, the clock remains functional regardless of the ignition switch position.
The vehicle operator can choose to have the optional ambient temperature indicator displayed instead of the clock information, but the clock and ambient temperature indicator cannot be displayed at the same time. The clock or ambient temperature indicator display option is selected using the multifunction indicator clock switch on the instrument cluster circuit board. This switch is actuated manually by depressing the clock switch push button that extends through the lower edge of the cluster lens below the left end of the multi-function indicator. Actuating this switch momentarily will toggle the display between the clock and ambient temperature indicator modes. Actuating this switch twice within about one second will cause the display to toggle, but then automatically revert to the originally selected mode after about twenty seconds.
See the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for the features, use, operation and setting procedures for the clock. For proper testing of the instrument cluster circuitry that controls the clock functions, a diagnostic scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.