GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge

The engine coolant temperature sensor is located in the engine water jacket and is a resistive type sender. The sensor supplies the engine coolant temperature to the powertrain control module (PCM) via discrete input. The filtered coolant temperature data is sent from the PCM to the IPC, via class 2 serial data messages. The IPC uses the temperature data received from the PCM and a software program to determine the proper coolant temperature to display. When the IPC receives the coolant temperature via class 2 serial data message, it compares the data to a calibratable look up table for the engine configuration. The coolant temperature is transmitted via class 2 serial data message on a change of 1.5°C (2.7°F) or more.

Analog (UY9)

The IPC determines the proper pointer position on the engine coolant temperature gauge in order to display the relative engine coolant temperature. The engine coolant temperature gauge is labeled C on the left for cold, less than 32°C (90°F) and H on the right for hot, greater than 128°C (262°F). The gauge will be at the center position when the engine coolant is at the nominal temperature, between 88-104°C (190-219°F). The DSPL MODE button on the DIC is used to turn the display ON and OFF. The display will be ON when the speedometer gauge is ON and OFF when the speedometer gauge is OFF.

Digital (U02)

The IPC has a VF display that shows bars in order to display the relative engine coolant temperature. The engine coolant temperature display is labeled C at the bottom with no bars for cold, less than 40°C (104°F). The engine coolant temperature display is labeled H at the top with 8 bars for hot, greater than 128°C (262°F). The display will be at 4 bars when the engine coolant is at the nominal temperature, between 86-113°C (187-235°F). The DSPL MODE button is used to turn the display ON and OFF.

Fuel Level Gauge

A resistive type fuel sender is located in the fuel tank. The fuel sender is connected to the PCM via discrete inputs. The filtered fuel data is sent from the PCM to the IPC, via the class 2 serial data message. The IPC uses the fuel data received from the PCM and a software program to determine the proper fuel level to display. The IPC updates the display within 300 milliseconds of receiving the data from the PCM, if the IPC can not communicate with the PCM, the fuel display indicates empty.

Analog (UY9)

The IPC determines the proper pointer position on the fuel gauge in order to display the amount of fuel in the fuel tank. The fuel gauge is labeled E on the left for empty and F on the right for full. The DSPL MODE button is used to turn the display ON and OFF. The display will be ON when the speedometer gauge is ON and OFF when the speedometer gauge is OFF.

Digital (U02)

The IPC has a VF display that shows bars in order to display the amount of fuel in the fuel tank. The fuel display is labeled E at the bottom with no bars for empty. The fuel display is labeled F at the top with 8 bars for full. The DSPL MODE button is used to turn the display ON and OFF. Below the fuel level display is an average fuel economy and a fuel range display.

Average Fuel Economy

The average fuel economy (AVG) is function of distance divided by fuel used. The average fuel economy can also be displayed on the DIC. To reset the average fuel economy, display the average fuel economy on the DIC and press the INFO RESET button. The average fuel economy parameter is displayed on the IPC in one of the following formats:

    • AVG XX.X MPG
    • AVG XX.X L/100km

The XX.X represents the calculated average fuel economy value. The units of the display will correspond to the current instrument cluster setting. The DIC will display 0.0 for the english metric mode and 99.9 for the metric mode when the parameter is reset.

Fuel Range

The fuel range (RANGE) is the estimated distance that the vehicle can travel under the current fuel economy and fuel level conditions. The fuel range parameter cannot be reset by the driver. The fuel range parameter is not displayed on the DIC. The fuel range parameter is displayed on the IPC in one of the following formats:

    • RANGE XXX MILES
    • RANGE XXX km
    • RANGE LO

The XXX represents the calculated range value. The units of the display will correspond to the current instrument cluster setting. The RANGE LO is displayed when the range is calculated to be less than 64 km (40 miles).

PRNDL Display

The IPC is equipped with a vacuum fluorescent (VF) PRNDL display. The IPC PRNDL information is received from PCM via class 2 serial data message.

Analog (UY9)

The display conveys the current selected gear (P,R,N,D,3,2,1) by placing a line under the selected gear.

Digital (U02)

The display conveys the current selected gear (P,R,N,D,3,2,1) by placing a box around the selected gear.

Speedometer

A vehicle speed sensor (VSS) signal is supplied by the powertrain control module (PCM) via discrete inputs to the IPC. The VSS discrete signal is pulled up to ignition voltage in the IPC. This vehicle speed pulse train is expressed as 4000 pulses per mile. The IPC uses the VSS data received from the PCM and a software program to determine the proper vehicle speed to display. The ENG/MET button is used in order to change the displayed vehicle speed between english and metric units.

Analog (UY9)

Any calculated speed above 155 MPH or 260 km/h is ignored and the last valid speed is displayed. The vehicle speed is normally displayed on the speedometer gauge. The IPC also has a VF digital speed display that is normally OFF. The DSPL MODE button is used to change the display. Pressing the button once adds the digital speed display to the IPC with the speedometer gauge. Pressing the button a second time turns OFF the speedometer gauge, so that the vehicle speed is only being displayed on the digital speed display. A third press of the DSPL MODE button will return the speed display to the normal setting.

Digital (U02)

Any calculated speed above 150 MPH or 250 km/h is ignored and the last valid speed is displayed. The vehicle speed is displayed on a VF digital speed display.

Tachometer

The tachometer displays engine RPM (speed), between 0 and 7000 RPM, anytime the power mode is RUN. The engine RPM is calculated by a discrete signal sent to the IPC from the PCM. The engine speed signal is active low, with a pull-up resistor located in the IPC and connected to switched battery voltage. The signal is a square wave with a 25 to 75 percent duty cycle. Each engine revolution is represented by two input pulses. Engine speed is calculated using the time difference between the two consecutive pulses. Accuracy of the final calculations are within 25 RPM.

The tachometer for the analog (UY9) instrument cluster is a gauge. The tachometer for the digital (U02) instrument cluster is part of the driver information center (DIC) and is displays as one of the vehicle display parameters.