Instrument Cluster Description and Operation. Generic Unit Repair 2005

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Generic 🢒 2005 🢒 Unit Repair 🢒 Body 🢒 Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console 🢒 Instrument Cluster Description and Operation

Displays Test

Certain instrument panel cluster (IPC) features are tested when the ignition is turned on in order to verify the features are working properly. The following indicators illuminate briefly at key up unless otherwise noted:

•	Antilock brake system (ABS)

•	Air bag (flashes 7 times)

•	Brake system

•	Change oil

•	Charging system

•	Cruise Control Engaged

•	Engine oil pressure

•	Electrical Power Steering (EPS)

•	Fasten safety belt

•	Low Coolant Level

•	Low engine oil level

•

Low Fuel

•	Low Stability

•	Low traction

•	Low washer fluid

•	MPH (Km/h)

•	Service vehicle soon

•	Shift indicator

•	Stability Off

•	Theft system

•	Traction off

•	Turn Signal (LH and RH)

Indicators and Warning Messages

Refer to Indicator/Warning Message Description and Operation .

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage

The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the engine coolant temperature as determined by the powertrain control module (PCM). The IPC receives a GMLAN message from the PCM indicating the engine coolant temperature. The engine coolant temperature gage defaults to 38°C (100°F) if:

•	The PCM detects a malfunction in the engine coolant temperature sensor circuit.

•	The IPC detects a loss of GMLAN communications with the BCM.

Fuel Gage

The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the fuel level as determined by the powertrain control module (PCM). The IPC receives a GMLAN message from the body control module (BCM) indicating the fuel level volume. The fuel gage defaults to E (empty) if:

•	The PCM detects a malfunction in the fuel level sensor circuit.

•	The IPC detects a loss of GMLAN communications with the BCM.

When the fuel level is less than 14 percent, the low fuel indicator illuminates.

Odometer

The instrument panel cluster (IPC) contains a season odometer and a trip odometer. Momentarily press the trip/reset switch in order to toggle between the season odometer and the trip odometer. Press the trip/reset switch for greater than 2 seconds, while the trip odometer is displayed, in order to reset the trip odometer. The odometer is calculated and stored electronically in the body control module (BCM). The BCM uses the vehicle speed information from the powertrain control module (PCM) to calculate the odometer. The odometer displays 'error' if an internal IPC memory failure is detected. The IPC stores a backup copy of the odometer value incase the IPC stops receiving a valid odometer value from the BCM.

Speedometer

The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the vehicle speed based on the information from the vehicle speed sensor. The IPC receives a GMLAN message from the body control module (BCM) indicating the vehicle speed. The IPC calculates the vehicle speed based on the GMLAN message indicating the wheel reference speed from the BCM if:

•	The powertrain control module (PCM) detects a malfunction in the vehicle speed sensor circuit.

•	The IPC detects a loss of GMLAN communications with the BCM.

The speedometer defaults to 0 km/h (0 mph) if the IPC detects a loss of GMLAN communications with the BCM.

Tachometer

The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the engine speed as determined by the powertrain control module (PCM). The IPC receives a GMLAN message from the body control module (BCM) indicating the engine speed. The tachometer will default to 0 RPM if:

•	The PCM detects a malfunction in the engine speed sensor circuit.

•	The IPC detects a loss of GMLAN communications with the BCM.