Gauges Cluster

The operation of an individual indicator is described along with its circuit. Refer to the schematic and circuits described below.

Fuel Gage

The magnetic fields of two coils, which are at right angles to each other, move the pointer of the Fuel Gage. Battery voltage is applied to the E coil, and the circuit divides at the opposite and of the coil. One circuit goes to ground through the F coil. Another goes to ground through the variable resistor of the Fuel Gage Sender.
When the tank is low, the resistance of the sender is low. A larger current passes through the E coil and causes the Fuel Gage Sender resistor to move the pointer towards E on the scale. When the tank is full, the sender resistance is high. More current now flows through the F coil, which moves the pointer towards F on the scale.
With two coils operating the pointer, the gage is not affected by changes in the vehicle's electrical system.

Coolant Temperature Gage

Two coils also operate the Coolant Temperature Gage. Battery voltage is applied to both coils. One is grounded directly, and the other is grounded through the Coolant Temperature Sender. The Coolant Temperature Sender has 55 ohms resistance at 260°F (127°C) and its resistance becomes greater at low temperatures. It has approximately 1365 ohms at 100°F (38°C), which causes the current through the sender and one coil to increase as the coolant temperature increases. This moves the pointer.

Speedometer and Odometer

The Speedometer is operated by an electronic circuit. The Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS), located in the Transaxle, generates an AC voltage with a frequency proportional to the speed of the vehicle. This goes tot he Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and then to the Speedometer circuit board in the Instrument Cluster. The Solid State unit drives the pointer of the Speedometer.
The same buffered speed signal from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is processed by the Speedometer circuit board to drive the Odometers. The Odometers are operated by a stepper motor that responds to pulses from the Speedometer circuit.

Voltmeter

The Voltmeter measures the electrical system's voltage with the Ignition Switch in RUN, BULB TEST, or START. With the engine stopped, the Voltmeter indicates Battery condition. With the engine running, the Voltmeter indicates Charging System operation.

Driver Information Center (DIC)

The Instrument Cluster has within it a 20 character vacuum fluorescent display that conveys information concerning various vehicle systems to the driver. The Driver Information Center (DIC) display is part of the Instrument Cluster and uses discrete and serial data inputs to provide vehicle information to be processed by the DIC. The DIC messages are accompanied by a chime within the Instrument Cluster. The DIC displays the following:
Date/time information
Oil level warning
Oil life information and warning
Oil pressure information and warning
PCM data line problem
Park Brake on warning
Door ajar information
Lamp Monitor warning
Tachometer information and warning
Trip computer information
Pass key warning information
Fuel level information and warning
Trip computer information
Pass key warning information
Fuel level information and warning
Charge system warning
Coolant temperature warning and information
Battery voltage information and warning
Coolant level warning
Diagnostic information

Date/Time

Date and time information are retained within the DIC via use of the hot at all times feed to the Instrument Cluster.

Oil Level Warning

The DIC CHECK OIL LEVEL message is displayed to alert the driver of a low oil level condition. The low oil sensing circuit consists of an Oil Level Module and Low Oil Level Sensor. This system is active only at initial engine staring and not while the engine is running. The oil level will be measured if the engine has been off long enough for top engine oil to have returned to the oil pan and if the vehicle is on a fairly level surface.
The Oil Level Module receives battery power at all times to retain memory of engine on and off time. If the ignition on input has been at 0 volts for at least 8 minutes, and the internal attitude sensor indicates that the vehicle is resting on a surface with an incline of 20 degrees or less, the Oil Level Module activates the Low Oil Level Sensor. If the sensor returns a signal indicating a low oil condition, the DIC displays CHECK ENGINE OIL 15 to 25 seconds after the Igntion Switch is turned to RUN. If the Igntion Switch is turned off for less than 20 seconds, the Oil Level Module will remember and send the previous oil level status to the DIC and ignore the present oil status. If the Ignition Switch has been OFF for more than 20 seconds but less than 8 minutes, the Oil Level Module will ignore the Low Oil Level Sensor.