Conventional Cluster

The instrument cluster contains an analog speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, engine coolant temperature gauge, oil pressure gauge and battery voltage gauge. The instrument cluster receives the information through hardwired circuitry. Each time the ignition switch is turned from OFF to ON, the following instrument cluster warning indicators will prove out:
- airbag
- Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
- brake
- charging system
- CHECK ENGINE (MIL)
- fail-safe cooling
- LOW FUEL
- Overdrive Off (O/D OFF)
- safety belt
- traction control

Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
The engine coolant temperature gauge indicates the engine coolant temperature based on the operating resistance range from the engine coolant temperature sender. If the engine coolant temperature is low, the sender resistance is high. If the engine coolant temperature is high, the sender resistance is low. The engine coolant temperature sender resistance range should be between 9.7 ohms and 74 ohms.

Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge receives the fuel level resistance from the fuel level sensor, part of the fuel pump module. To prevent the fuel gauge pointer from fluctuating as a result of excessive movement of fuel in the fuel tank, the fuel indicator module provides a delay to the fuel gauge. If the fuel level is low, the resistance in the fuel level sensor will be low, causing the gauge to indicate empty (E). When the fuel level is high, the resistance in the fuel level sensor is high, and the gauge indicates full (F). The fuel gauge and the fuel indicator module must be replaced together. The fuel indicator module also turns on the low fuel indicator when the fuel gauge shows approximately one-eighth of a tank of fuel remaining or less.

Speedometer/Odometer
The speedometer and odometer provides speed information based on a speed/distance pulse signal from the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS). The VSS is mounted on the speedometer driven gear in the transmission.

Warning Indicators

Air Bag
The air bag warning indicator is controlled by the restraint control module. When starting the vehicle, the air bag warning indicator illuminates and remains lit for six seconds. The indicator only illuminates after starting the vehicle if a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) malfunction is detected.

Anti-Lock Brakes
The anti-lock brake warning indicator illuminates when the anti-lock brake control module detects a fault in the system.

Brake System
The brake system warning indicator has a dual function. It illuminates when the parking brake is applied or when a low brake fluid condition exists in the brake master cylinder reservoir. The brake system warning indicator will illuminate when there is a pressure differential between the front and rear brake hydraulic systems.

Charging System
The charging system indicator illuminates whenever the generator output is insufficient to maintain battery state of charge or if the generator output is too high. Under normal operation, the indicator goes out after the engine is started and the charging system begins to operate.

Fail Safe Cooling
The fail-safe cooling system allows limited engine operation in the event of excessive engine temperature. The fail-safe cooling mode is entered when engine temperature exceeds approximately 124°C (255°F) as measured by the Cylinder Head Temperature (CHT) sensor.

During fail-safe cooling mode the:
- engine coolant temperature gauge pegs to hot (H).
- thermometer symbol will illuminate.
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) (CHECK ENGINE) will illuminate.
- Powertrain Control Module (PCM) will disable four of the eight cylinders by turning their respective fuel injectors off. This reduced performance allows the engine to cool down.

When the engine temperature reaches approximately 166°C (330°F) the:
- engine coolant temperature gauge remains pegged hot (H).
- thermometer symbol will flash.
- malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) (CHECK ENGINE) remains illuminated.
- powertrain control module will disable all eight cylinders by turning their respective fuel injectors off, resulting in engine shutdown.

Low Fuel
The low fuel warning indicator is controlled by the fuel indicator module and warns the driver when the fuel level is one-eighth or lower in the tank.

Overdrive Off
The overdrive off (O/D OFF) indicator has dual functions. The O/D OFF indicator illuminates when the overdrive is turned off. The O/D OFF indicator also illuminates if a fault is detected in the automatic transmission.

Safety Belt
The safety belt indicator is directly hardwired to the Lighting Control Module (LCM). The LCM controls the safety belt indicator depending on the signal it receives from the safety belt buckle switch. The safety belt indicator illuminates when the safety belt is not buckled, closing the safety belt buckle switch.

Check Fuel Cap
The CHECK FUEL CAP indicator is used to indicate significant leaks in the fuel tank evaporative system due to a loose fuel cap. The instrument cluster is hardwired to the PCM. Fuel tank pressure is monitored by the PCM and if a leak is detected, it signals a fault to the instrument cluster and provides a ground to illuminate the CHECK FUEL CAP indicator. Once the PCM has detected a loose fuel cap and the CHECK FUEL CAP indicator is illuminated, the indicator will remain illuminated until the fuel cap is secured and the vehicle has been running for several minutes or the ignition has been cycled once.