Instrument Cluster Description and Operation. Pontiac Sunfire 2002

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 2002 🢒 Sunfire 🢒 Body and Accessories 🢒 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 that the features are working properly. The following indicators illuminate briefly at key up:

•

ABS

•	Air bag -- flashes 7 times

•	Brake system

•	Charging system

•	Check gauges

•	DRL indicator

•	Electrical system

•	High beam indicator

•	Low coolant level indicator

•	Low oil pressure indicator

•	Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) -- Check engine

•	Shift indicator

•	Theft system

•	Traction system

Indicators and Warning Messages

Refer to Indicator/Warning Message Description and Operation .

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage

The PCM sends coolant temperature as determined by the coolant temperature sensor to the BCM via class 2. The IPC displays the engine coolant temperature as determined by the BCM. The IPC receives a class 2 message from the BCM indicating the engine coolant temperature. The engine coolant temperature gage defaults to 75°C (160°F) or below if:

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

•	The IPC detects a loss of class 2 communications with the BCM.

•	The BCM detects a loss of class 2 communications with the PCM.

When the coolant temperature is greater than 107°C (225°F), the BCM will command the illumination of the CHECK GAGES indicator.

Fuel Gage

The PCM sends fuel level percent to the BCM via class 2. The IPC displays the fuel level as determined by the BCM. The IPC receives a class 2 message from the BCM indicating the fuel level percent. 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 class 2 communications with the BCM.

•	The BCM detects a loss of class 2 commumications with the PCM.

When the fuel level is less than 4%, the CHECK GAGES indicator illuminates.

Odometer

The IPC contains a season odometer and a trip odometer. Momentarily press the trip/reset switch on the IPC 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 IPC displays the vehicle mileage and trip mileage as determined by the BCM. The BCM calculates the mileage based on the vehicle speed signal circuit from the PCM. The odometer will display 'error' if an internal IPC memory failure is detected or there is a loss of class 2 communication.

Speedometer

The IPC displays the vehicle speed based on the information from the BCM. The BCM receives a class 2 message from the PCM indicating the vehicle speed. The PCM calculates the vehicle speed based on the class 2 message indicating the wheel reference speed from the EBCM if:

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

•	The IPC detects a loss of class 2 communications with the BCM.

The speedometer defaults to 0 km/h (0 mph) if the BCM detects a loss of class 2 communications with both the PCM and the EBCM.

Tachometer

The IPC displays the engine speed as determined by the BCM via a class 2 message. The BCM receives a class 2 message from the PCM 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 class 2 communications with the BCM.

•	The BCM detects a loss of class 2 communications with the PCM.