Instrument Panel Illumination

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION

NOTE: A new instrument cluster must be reconfigured.

The instrument cluster and panel illumination consists of dimmable and non-dimmable illumination. The dimmable panel illumination is controlled by the panel illumination switch (part of the headlamp switch), which allows the brightness level of the backlights to be adjusted dependent on the customer preferences. When the headlamp switch is on the parking lamps ON or headlamps ON position, the intensity of the backlighting can be adjusted using the panel dimmer switch. The non dimmable illumination allows for full intensity dependant on the ignition switch position.

Instrument Cluster and Dimmable Backlighting
The dimmable illumination utilizes both conventional illumination bulbs and light emitting diodes (LED) bulbs. The following dimmable components are backlit using conventional illumination bulbs:
- transmission range selector lever
- basic instrument cluster (except SVT)
- heater control panel

The following dimmable components are backlight using LED bulbs:
- audio unit
- instrument cluster and oil pressure and oil temperature cluster (SVT only)
- climate control assembly
- hazard switch
- traction control system disable switch
- RH and LH heated front seat switches

CAUTION: The SVT instrument cluster utilizes high AC voltage for the electro-luminescent backlighting system in both the instrument cluster and oil pressure and oil temperature cluster. Care must be exercised when making measurements to the instrument cluster circuits.

The instrument cluster backlight utilizes two cluster configurations, the base cluster (except SVT) and the instrument cluster and oil pressure and oil temperature cluster (SVT only) cluster configuration. The base configuration uses conventional illumination bulbs and the instrument cluster and oil pressure and oil temperature cluster configuration uses an electro-luminescent backlight strategy. The electro-luminescent backlighting utilizes switched DC to high AC voltage circuitry. The oil pressure and oil temperature cluster converts 12 V DC into AC voltage that is variable up to 180 V AC through the dimmer switch (part of the headlamp switch) control. The high voltage AC current is sent to the base cluster through a hardwired circuit(s). These circuits are labeled High Voltage at both the instrument cluster and oil pressure and oil temperature cluster.

Non-Dimmable Backlighting
The headlamp switch backlighting consists of two constantly illuminated LED bulbs that are powered by separate circuits. Battery power is supplied to the first bulb when the ignition is in the RUN position. Battery power is supplied to the second bulb when the headlamp switch is placed in the headlamps ON or the parking lamps ON position.