Instrument Cluster / Carrier: Description and Operation

When the ignition switch is in ON (II) or START (III), battery voltage is supplied through fuse 15 to the gauges in the gauge assembly.


Speedometer and Odometer


The odometer and speedometer drive circuits receive pulses from the vehicle speed sensor (VSS). The pulse rate increases as the car accelerates. The frequency and duration of these input pulses are measured and displayed by the speedometer, odometer and tripmeter.


Tachometer


The tachometer drive circuit receives pulses from the ignition control module (ICM) in the distributor assembly. The solid-state tachometer then displays these pulses as engine speed. For each 200 pulses per minute from the ignition control module (ICM). the tachometer displays 100 RPM.


Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge and Fuel Gauge


The engine coolant temperature gauge has two intersecting coils wound around a permanent magnet rotor. Voltage applied to the coils, through fuse 15, generates a magnetic field. The magnetic field, controlled by the coolant temperature sending unit, causes the rotor to rotate and the gauge needle to move. As the resistance in the sending unit varies, current through the gauge coils changes. The gauge needle moves toward the coil with the strongest magnetic field. The fuel gauge works the same way.

The engine coolant temperature (ECT) sending unit's resistance varies from about 137 ohms at low engine temperature to between 30-46 ohms at high temperature (radiator fan running).

The fuel gauge sending unit's resistance varies from about 2-5 ohms at full, to about 110 ohms at empty. When you turn the ignition switch off, the gauge remains at the last reading until you turn the ignition switch to ON (II) or START (III) again.