ESP MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2006 Manual Online

GROUNDS
The EMIC receives and supplies a ground path to
several switches and sensors through the following
hard wired circuits:
²Ambient Temperature Sensor Return
(Optional)
²Fuel Level Sensor Return
²Ground
Refer to the appropriate wiring information for
additional details.
COMMUNICATION
The EMIC has provisions for the following commu-
nication circuits:
²CAN Data Bus - High
²CAN Data Bus - Low
²Diagnostic Serial Communication Interface
(SCI) Data Bus Line
Refer to the appropriate wiring information for
additional details.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER
The hard wired inputs to and outputs from the
instrument cluster may be diagnosed and tested
using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures.
Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wir-
ing information includes wiring diagrams, proper
wire and connector repair procedures, details of wire
harness routing and retention, connector pin-out
information and location views for the various wire
harness connectors, splices and grounds.
If the instrument cluster is completely inoperative,
be certain to check the fused B(+) circuit fuses and
wiring for the instrument cluster. If the cluster gen-
eral illumination is inoperative, be certain to check
the instrument lighting fuse and the input circuit to
the instrument cluster from the exterior lighting cir-
cuitry of the multi-function switch on the steering
column.
Conventional diagnostic methods may not prove
conclusive in the diagnosis of the instrument cluster.
In order to obtain conclusive testing of the instru-
ment cluster, the Controller Area Network (CAN)
data bus network and all of the electronic modules
that provide inputs to or receive outputs from the
instrument cluster must also be checked. The most
reliable, efficient, and accurate means to diagnose
the instrument cluster, the CAN data bus network,
and the electronic modules that provide inputs to or
receive outputs from the instrument cluster requires
the use of a diagnostic scan tool and the appropriate
diagnostic information. The diagnostic scan tool can
provide confirmation that the CAN data bus network
is functional, that all of the modules are sending and
receiving the proper electronic messages over the
CAN data bus, and that the instrument cluster isreceiving the proper hard wired inputs and respond-
ing with the proper hard wired outputs needed to
perform its many functions.
WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, on
vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the supple-
mental restraint system before attempting any
steering wheel, steering column, airbag, seat belt
tensioner, or instrument panel component diagno-
sis or service. Disconnect and isolate the battery
negative (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for
the system capacitor to discharge before perform-
ing further diagnosis or service. This is the only
sure way to disable the supplemental restraint sys-
tem. Failure to take the proper precautions could
result in accidental airbag deployment.
STANDARD PROCEDURE
CLUSTER PROGRAMMING
NOTE: After replacing the Instrument Cluster (IC)
according to the service procedures, determine the
optional equipment on the vehicle by accessing the
sales code information using the Vehicle Identifica-
tion Number (VIN) on DealerCONNECT.
(1) Using the DRBIIIt, selectMISCELLANEOUS
FUNCTIONSin the Instrument Cluster (IC) section.
(2) SelectMODULE SERVICE REPLACE-
MENT.
(3) Following the prompts on the DRBIIIt, enter
the correct parameters that are applicable to the
vehicle. Use the sales code information and visual
inspection to obtain the correct parameters.
CAUTION: Do not lock down the instrument cluster
until the following steps are followed or the instru-
ment cluster may be irreversibly damaged.
(4) After entering the proper parameters into the
IC, turn the ignition switch to the OFF position for
30 seconds, then turn the ignition switch ON.
(5) Test drive the vehicle for at least 10 minutes
before proceeding.
(6) Check ALL modules for any parameterization
DTCs. If any parameterization DTCs are present, one
or more parameters entered into the IC are incorrect.
Verify all parameters entered using the sales code
information and visual inspection of the vehicle.
(7) If the parameters entered are verified as cor-
rect and parameterization DTCs are still present,
refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
(8) If no parameterization DTCs are present, lock
down the IC.
VAINSTRUMENT CLUSTER 8J - 7

NOTE: Mileage will not be displayed until the IC has
been locked down.
REMOVAL
WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, on
vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the supple-
mental restraint system before attempting any
steering wheel, steering column, airbag, seat belt
tensioner, or instrument panel component diagno-
sis or service. Disconnect and isolate the battery
negative (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for
the system capacitor to discharge before perform-
ing further diagnosis or service. This is the only
sure way to disable the supplemental restraint sys-
tem. Failure to take the proper precautions could
result in accidental airbag deployment.
CAUTION: The following procedure is for replace-
ment of an ineffective and unresponsive Instrument
Cluster (IC) with a new unit. If the IC is ineffective
or damaged but still responsive, it may be replaced
using an automatic replacement procedure that will
upload IC parameterization data from the existing IC
to the diagnostic scan tool, then download that data
to the new IC. Refer to the MISCELLANEOUS FUNC-
TIONS menu item under the IC module in the diag-
nostic scan tool, then select MODULE AUTO
REPLACEMENT and follow the scan tool prompts to
replace the IC. Do not lock down the IC until all of
the steps are followed and completed or the new IC
may be irreversibly damaged. This procedure initial-
izes and configures the IC for certain optional
equipment on the vehicle without the need for per-
forming a separate cluster programming procedure.
Failure to correctly parameterize the IC prior to it
being electronically locked down will result in the
IC being incorrectly and irreversibly configured for
improper vehicle equipment options, which will
require the IC be replaced again with another new
and unused unit to resolve.
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Remove the cluster bezel from the instrument
panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/
CLUSTER BEZEL - REMOVAL).
(3) Remove the cluster top cover from the instru-
ment panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT
PANEL/TOP COVER - CLUSTER - REMOVAL).
(4) Remove the two screws that secure the instru-
ment cluster mounting ears to the instrument panel
base structure (Fig. 4).(5) Roll the top of the instrument cluster rearward
far enough to access and release the latch that
secures the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)/immobilizer
module to the back of the instrument cluster rear
cover and disengage the module from the cluster
(Fig. 5).
Fig. 4 Instrument Cluster Remove/Install
1 - SCREW (2)
2 - COVER
3 - SCREW (2)
4 - INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
5 - LOOP (2)
Fig. 5 RKE/Immobilizer Module
1 - RKE/IMMOBILIZER MODULE
2-LATCH
3 - INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
8J - 8 INSTRUMENT CLUSTERVA

(6) Depress the release (Arrow A) and lift the lever
arm (Arrow B) to disconnect each of the two frame
wire harness connectors for the cluster from the con-
nector receptacles on the back of the cluster housing
(Fig. 6).
(7) Lift the instrument cluster upward far enough
to disengage the two molded plastic pivot loops inte-
gral to the base of the cluster hood from the two
pairs of molded plastic pivot hooks that are integral
to the top of the instrument panel base structure.
(8) Remove the instrument cluster from the instru-
ment panel.
INSTALLATION
WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, on
vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the supple-
mental restraint system before attempting any
steering wheel, steering column, airbag, seat belt
tensioner, or instrument panel component diagno-
sis or service. Disconnect and isolate the battery
negative (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for
the system capacitor to discharge before perform-
ing further diagnosis or service. This is the only
sure way to disable the supplemental restraint sys-
tem. Failure to take the proper precautions could
result in accidental airbag deployment.
(1) Position the instrument cluster to the instru-
ment panel.
(2) Align the two molded plastic pivot loops inte-
gral to the base of the cluster hood between the twopairs of molded plastic pivot hooks that are integral
to the top of instrument panel base structure, then
push downward on the top of the cluster until the
loops snap into engagement with the hooks (Fig. 6).
(3) Roll the top of the instrument cluster rearward
to access, reconnect, and latch the two frame wire
harness connectors for the cluster to the connector
receptacles on the back of the cluster housing.
(4) Engage and latch the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE)/immobilizer module to the back of the instru-
ment cluster rear cover (Fig. 5)
(5) Roll the top of the instrument cluster forward
to position the instrument cluster into the instru-
ment panel.
(6) Install and tighten the two screws that secure
the instrument cluster mounting ears to the instru-
ment panel base structure (Fig. 4). Tighten the
screws to 2 N´m (20 in. lbs.).
(7) Reinstall the cluster top cover onto the instru-
ment panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT
PANEL/TOP COVER - CLUSTER - INSTALLA-
TION).
(8) Reinstall the cluster bezel onto the instrument
panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/
CLUSTER BEZEL - INSTALLATION).
(9) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
CAUTION: If an ineffective and unresponsive Instru-
ment Cluster (IC) has been replaced with a new
unit, the new IC must be initialized and configured
for certain optional equipment on the vehicle using
a cluster programming procedure. (Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - STANDARD
PROCEDURE - CLUSTER PROGRAMMING). Failure
to correctly perform this programming procedure
(also referred to as parameterization) prior to the IC
being electronically locked down will result in the
IC being incorrectly and irreversibly configured for
improper vehicle equipment options, which will
require the IC be replaced again with another new
and unused unit to resolve.
ABS INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION
An Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) indicator is stan-
dard equipment on all instrument clusters. The ABS
indicator is located near the lower edge of the instru-
ment cluster, to the right of the multi-function indi-
cator display. The ABS indicator consists of the
International Control and Display Symbol icon for
ªFailure of Anti-lock Braking Systemº imprinted
within a rectangular cutout in the opaque layer of
the instrument cluster overlay. The dark outer layer
of the overlay prevents the indicator from being
clearly visible when it is not illuminated. An amber
Fig. 6 Cluster Connectors
1 - STEERING WHEEL
2 - INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
3 - CONNECTOR (2)
VAINSTRUMENT CLUSTER 8J - 9

on the cluster overlay, directly below the high end of
the scale. Just to the right of the icon, the nomencla-
ture ªÉCº or ªÉFº confirms the unit of measure for the
gauge readings.
The engine coolant temperature gauge graphics are
white against a black field, except for a single red
graduation at the far left (high) end of the gauge
scale, making them clearly visible within the instru-
ment cluster in daylight. When illuminated from
behind by the panel lamps dimmer controlled cluster
illumination lighting with the exterior lamps turned
On, the white graphics appear amber and the red
graphics appear red. The orange gauge needle is
internally illuminated. Gauge illumination is pro-
vided by Light Emitting Diode (LED) units soldered
onto the instrument cluster electronic circuit board.
The engine coolant temperature gauge is serviced as
a unit with the instrument cluster.
OPERATION
The engine coolant temperature gauge gives an
indication to the vehicle operator of the engine cool-
ant temperature. This gauge is controlled by the
instrument cluster circuit board based upon cluster
programming and electronic messages received by
the cluster from the Engine Control Module (ECM)
over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus.
The engine coolant temperature gauge is an air core
magnetic unit that receives battery current on the
instrument cluster electronic circuit board when the
instrument cluster detects that the ignition switch is
in the On position. The cluster is programmed to
move the gauge needle back to the low end of the
scale after the ignition switch is turned to the Off
position. The instrument cluster circuitry controls
the gauge needle position and provides the following
features:
²Engine Temperature Normal Message- Each
time the cluster receives a message from the ECM
indicating the engine coolant temperature is within
the normal operating range [up to about 120É C (250É
F), the gauge needle is moved to the actual relative
temperature position on the gauge scale.
²Engine Temperature High Message- Each
time the cluster receives a message from the ECM
indicating the engine coolant temperature is high
[above about 120É C (250É F) the gauge needle is
moved into the red warning zone on the gauge scale.
The ECM continually monitors the engine coolant
temperature sensor to determine the engine operat-
ing temperature. The ECM then sends the proper
engine coolant temperature messages to the instru-
ment cluster. If the instrument cluster moves the
engine coolant temperature gauge needle to red area
of the gauge scale, it may indicate that the engine or
the engine cooling system require service. For proper
diagnosis of the engine coolant temperature sensor,
the ECM, the CAN data bus, the electronic messageinputs to the instrument cluster, or the instrument
cluster circuitry that controls the engine coolant tem-
perature gauge, a diagnostic scan tool is required.
Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
ESP INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION
An Electronic Stability Program (ESP) indicator is
standard equipment on all instrument clusters, but is
only functional on vehicles equipped with the
optional ESP system. The ESP indicator is located
near the lower edge of the instrument cluster, to the
right of the multi-function indicator display. The ESP
indicator consists of a stencil-like cutout of the text
ªESPº in the opaque layer of the instrument cluster
overlay. The dark outer layer of the overlay prevents
the indicator from being clearly visible when it is not
illuminated. An amber Light Emitting Diode (LED)
behind the cutout in the opaque layer of the overlay
causes the text to appear in amber through the
translucent outer layer of the overlay when the indi-
cator is illuminated from behind by the LED, which
is soldered onto the instrument cluster electronic cir-
cuit board. The ESP indicator is serviced as a unit
with the instrument cluster.
OPERATION
The ESP indicator gives an indication to the vehi-
cle operator when the ESP system is faulty or inop-
erative. This indicator is controlled by a transistor on
the instrument cluster circuit board based upon clus-
ter programming and electronic messages received by
the cluster from the Controller Antilock Brake (CAB)
over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus.
The ESP indicator Light Emitting Diode (LED) is
completely controlled by the instrument cluster logic
circuit, and that logic will only allow this indicator to
operate when the instrument cluster detects that the
ignition switch is in the On position. Therefore, the
LED will always be off when the ignition switch is in
any position except On. The LED only illuminates
when it is provided a path to ground by the instru-
ment cluster transistor. The instrument cluster will
turn on the ESP indicator for the following reasons:
²Bulb Test- Each time the ignition switch is
turned to the On position the ESP indicator is illu-
minated by the cluster for about two seconds as a
bulb test.
²ESP Lamp-On Message- Each time the clus-
ter receives a lamp-on message from the CAB, the
ESP indicator will be illuminated. The indicator
remains illuminated until the cluster receives a
lamp-off message from the CAB, or until the ignition
switch is turned to the Off position, whichever occurs
first.
8J - 16 INSTRUMENT CLUSTERVA

The CAB continually monitors the ESP circuits
and sensors to decide whether the system is in good
operating condition. The CAB then sends the proper
lamp-on or lamp-off messages to the instrument clus-
ter. If the CAB sends a lamp-on message after the
bulb test, it indicates that the CAB has detected a
system malfunction and/or that the ESP system has
become inoperative. The CAB will store a Diagnostic
Trouble Code (DTC) for any malfunction it detects.
For proper diagnosis of the ESP system, the CAB,
the CAN data bus, the electronic message inputs to
the instrument cluster, or the instrument cluster cir-
cuitry that controls the ESP indicator, a diagnostic
scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diag-
nostic information.
FUEL FILTER CLOGGED INDI-
CATOR
DESCRIPTION
A fuel filter clogged indicator is standard equip-
ment on all instrument clusters. The fuel filter
clogged indicator is located near the left edge of the
instrument cluster, next to the tachometer. The fuel
filter clogged indicator consists of the International
Control and Display Symbol icon for ªFuel Filterº
imprinted within a rectangular cutout in the opaque
layer of the instrument cluster overlay. The dark
outer layer of the overlay prevents the indicator from
being clearly visible when it is not illuminated. An
amber Light Emitting Diode (LED) behind the cutout
in the opaque layer of the overlay causes the icon to
appear silhouetted against an amber field through
the translucent outer layer of the overlay when the
indicator is illuminated from behind by the LED,
which is soldered onto the instrument cluster elec-
tronic circuit board. The fuel filter clogged indicator
is serviced as a unit with the instrument cluster.
OPERATION
The fuel filter clogged indicator gives an indication
to the vehicle operator when the pressure in the fuel
system is low, which could indicate that the fuel filter
is clogged. This indicator is controlled by a transistor
on the instrument cluster circuit board based upon
cluster programming and electronic messages
received by the cluster from the Engine Control Mod-
ule (ECM) over the Controller Area Network (CAN)
data bus. The fuel filter clogged indicator Light Emit-
ting Diode (LED) is completely controlled by the
instrument cluster logic circuit, and that logic will
only allow this indicator to operate when the instru-
ment cluster detects that the ignition switch is in the
On position. Therefore, the LED will always be off
when the ignition switch is in any position except
On. The LED only illuminates when it is provided apath to ground by the instrument cluster transistor.
The instrument cluster will turn on the fuel filter
clogged indicator for the following reasons:
²Bulb Test- Each time the ignition switch is
turned to the On position the fuel filter clogged indi-
cator is illuminated by the cluster for about two sec-
onds as a bulb test.
²Fuel Filter Clogged Lamp-On Message-
Each time the cluster receives a lamp-on message
from the ECM, the fuel filter clogged indicator will
be illuminated. The indicator remains illuminated
until the cluster receives a lamp-off message from
the ECM, or until the ignition switch is turned to the
Off position, whichever occurs first.
The ECM continually monitors the low fuel pres-
sure sensor located at the inlet of the high pressure
fuel pump to decide whether the fuel system is in
good operating condition. The ECM then sends the
proper lamp-on or lamp-off messages to the instru-
ment cluster. If the ECM sends a lamp-on message
after the bulb test, it indicates that the ECM has
detected a low pressure condition in the fuel system,
which could result from a clogged fuel filter or from
any other restrictions in the fuel delivery system.
The ECM will store a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC)
for any malfunction it detects. For proper diagnosis
of the low fuel pressure sensor, the ECM, the CAN
data bus, the electronic message inputs to the instru-
ment cluster, or the instrument cluster circuitry that
controls the fuel filter clogged indicator, a diagnostic
scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diag-
nostic information.
FUEL GAUGE
DESCRIPTION
A fuel gauge is standard equipment on all instru-
ment clusters. The fuel gauge is located in the lower
right corner of the instrument cluster, to the right of
the speedometer. The fuel gauge consists of a mov-
able gauge needle or pointer controlled by the instru-
ment cluster circuitry and a fixed 45 degree scale on
the cluster overlay that reads left-to-right from ªFº
(or Full) to ªEº (or Empty). An International Control
and Display Symbol icon for ªFuelº is located on the
cluster overlay, directly to the left of the low end of
the scale.
The fuel gauge graphics are white against a black
field, making them clearly visible within the instru-
ment cluster in daylight. When illuminated from
behind by the panel lamps dimmer controlled cluster
illumination lighting with the exterior lamps turned
On, the white graphics appear amber. The orange
gauge needle is internally illuminated. Gauge illumi-
nation is provided by Light Emitting Diode (LED)
units soldered onto the instrument cluster electronic
VAINSTRUMENT CLUSTER 8J - 17

circuit board. The fuel gauge is serviced as a unit
with the instrument cluster.
OPERATION
The fuel gauge gives an indication to the vehicle
operator of the level of fuel in the fuel tank. This
gauge is controlled by the instrument cluster circuit
board based upon cluster programming and a hard
wired input received by the cluster from the fuel
level sensor in the fuel tank. The fuel gauge is an air
core magnetic unit that receives battery current on
the instrument cluster electronic circuit board when
the instrument cluster detects that the ignition
switch is in the On position. The cluster is pro-
grammed to move the gauge needle back to the low
end of the scale after the ignition switch is turned to
the Off position. The instrument cluster circuitry
controls the gauge needle position and provides the
following features:
²Fuel Level Sensor Input (At Ignition On)-
When the cluster detects the ignition switch has been
turned to the On position, the cluster moves the
gauge needle to the proper relative position on the
gauge scale as signaled by the fuel level sensor with-
out any electronic damping.
²Fuel Level Sensor Input (After Ignition On)
- After the ignition switch has been turned to the On
position, the cluster applies an algorithm to the input
from the fuel level sensor to electronically dampen
gauge needle movement against the negative effect
that fuel sloshing within the fuel tank can have on
accurate gauge readings.
²Fuel Level Sensor Input Open- If the fuel
level sensor input to the instrument cluster is an
open circuit, the cluster will move the fuel gauge nee-
dle to the ªEº (Empty) position on the gauge scale,
but the low fuel indicator will not be illuminated.
The fuel level sensor in the fuel tank provides a
hard wired input to the instrument cluster circuitry
through the fuel level sense circuit. The fuel level
sensor is a potentiometer that changes resistance
according to the fuel level. The instrument cluster
applies a fuel tank characteristic curve and fuel tank
reserve valve setting to the fuel level sensor input,
which must be configured when the cluster is initial-
ized. These characteristics determine the algorithm
the cluster uses to display the fuel level data on the
fuel gauge and the control for the low fuel warning
indicator. As the fuel level decreases, the resistance
through the fuel level sensor increases. The fuel level
sensor and the fuel level sense circuit to the instru-
ment cluster can be diagnosed using conventional
diagnostic tools and methods. For proper diagnosis of
the instrument cluster circuitry that controls the fuel
gauge, a diagnostic scan tool is required. Refer to the
appropriate diagnostic information.
GEAR SELECTOR INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION
An electronic automatic transmission gear selector
indicator is standard equipment on all instrument
clusters. The gear selector indicator information is
displayed in the center of the multi-function indicator
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) located near the lower
edge of the instrument cluster, directly below the
speedometer. The gear selector indicator displays the
following characters as they are selected: ªP,º ªR,º
ªN,º ªD,º ª4,º ª3,º ª2,º and ª1.º Respectively, these
characters represent the currently selected park,
reverse, neutral, drive, fourth gear, third gear, second
gear, and first gear positions of the transmission gear
selector lever on the instrument panel.
The indications of the gear selector indicator are
not visible unless the multi-function indicator LCD is
illuminated and the engine is running. When illumi-
nated, each indication appears as a dark character
silhouetted against an amber field. When the exterior
lighting is turned Off, the display is illuminated at
maximum brightness. When the exterior lighting is
turned On, the display illumination level can be
adjusted in concert with the cluster general illumina-
tion lighting using the ª+º (plus) and ª2º (minus)
multi-function indicator push buttons. The gear
selector indicator is serviced as a unit with the
instrument cluster.
OPERATION
The electronic gear selector indicator gives an indi-
cation to the vehicle operator of the transmission
gear that is currently selected with the automatic
transmission gear selector lever. This indicator is
controlled by the instrument cluster circuit board
based upon cluster programming and electronic mes-
sages received from the Transmission Control Module
(TCM) over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data
bus. The gear selector indicator information is dis-
played by the multi-function indicator Liquid Crystal
Display (LCD) unit on the instrument cluster elec-
tronic circuit board. The multi-function indicator
LCD is completely controlled by the instrument clus-
ter logic circuit, and that logic will only allow the
gear selector indicator information to be displayed
when the instrument cluster detects that the ignition
switch is in the On position. Therefore, the gear
selector indicator will always be off when the ignition
switch is in any position except On.
The TCM continually monitors the transmission
range sensor, then sends the proper gear selector
indicator position messages to the instrument cluster.
For proper diagnosis of the transmission range sen-
sor, the TCM, the CAN data bus, or the electronic
message inputs to the instrument cluster that control
the gear selector indicator, a diagnostic scan tool is
8J - 18 INSTRUMENT CLUSTERVA

OPERATION
The park brake indicator gives an indication to the
vehicle operator when the parking brake is applied.
This indicator is controlled by a transistor on the
instrument cluster circuit board based upon a hard
wired input from the park brake switch. The park
brake indicator Light Emitting Diode (LED) is com-
pletely controlled by the instrument cluster logic cir-
cuit, and that logic will only allow this indicator to
operate when the instrument cluster detects that the
ignition switch is in the On position. Therefore, the
LED will always be off when the ignition switch is in
any position except On. The LED only illuminates
when it is provided a path to ground by the instru-
ment cluster transistor. The instrument cluster will
turn on the park brake indicator for the following
reasons:
²Park Brake Switch Input- Each time the
cluster detects ground on the park brake indicator
signal circuit (park brake switch closed = park brake
applied or not fully released) while the ignition
switch is in the On position, the brake indicator is
illuminated. The indicator remains illuminated until
the brake signal indicator input to the cluster is an
open circuit (park brake switch open = park brake
fully released), or until the ignition switch is turned
to the Off position, whichever occurs first.
The park brake switch on the park brake pedal
mechanism provides a hard wired ground input to
the instrument cluster circuitry through the park
brake indicator signal circuit whenever the park
brake is applied or not fully released. The two
switches are connected in series between ground and
the instrument cluster. The park brake switch and
the input circuit to the instrument cluster can be
diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and
methods. For proper diagnosis of the instrument
cluster circuitry that controls the park brake indica-
tor, a diagnostic scan tool is required. Refer to the
appropriate diagnostic information.
SEATBELT INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION
A seatbelt indicator is standard equipment on all
instrument clusters. The seatbelt indicator is located
near the lower edge of the instrument cluster, to the
right of the multi-function indicator display. The
seatbelt indicator consists of the International Con-
trol and Display Symbol icon for ªSeat Beltº
imprinted within a rectangular cutout in the opaque
layer of the instrument cluster overlay. The dark
outer layer of the overlay prevents the indicator from
being clearly visible when it is not illuminated. A red
Light Emitting Diode (LED) behind the cutout in the
opaque layer of the overlay causes the icon to appearsilhouetted against a red field through the translu-
cent outer layer of the overlay when the indicator is
illuminated from behind by the LED, which is sol-
dered onto the instrument cluster electronic circuit
board. The seatbelt indicator is serviced as a unit
with the instrument cluster.
OPERATION
The seatbelt indicator gives an indication to the
vehicle operator of the status of the driver side front
seat belt. This indicator is controlled by a transistor
on the instrument cluster circuit board based upon
cluster programming and a hard wired input received
from the seat belt switch on the driver side front seat
belt. The seatbelt indicator Light Emitting Diode
(LED) is completely controlled by the instrument
cluster logic circuit, and that logic will only allow
this indicator to operate when the instrument cluster
detects that the ignition switch is in the On position.
Therefore, the LED will always be off when the igni-
tion switch is in any position except On. The LED
only illuminates when it is provided a path to ground
by the instrument cluster transistor. The instrument
cluster will turn on the seatbelt indicator for the fol-
lowing reasons:
²Seatbelt Reminder Function- Each time the
cluster detects that the ignition switch has been
turned to the On position the seatbelt indicator will
be illuminated as a reminder for about six seconds,
or until the ignition switch is turned to the Off posi-
tion, whichever occurs first. This reminder function
will occur regardless of the status of the input
received by the cluster from the driver side front seat
belt switch.
²Driver Side Front Seat Belt Switch Input-
Following the seatbelt reminder function, each time
the cluster detects ground on the seatbelt indicator
driver circuit (seat belt switch closed = seatbelt
unbuckled) with the ignition switch in the On posi-
tion, the seatbelt indicator will be illuminated. The
seatbelt indicator remains illuminated until the seat
belt switch input to the cluster is an open circuit
(seat belt switch open = seatbelt buckled), or until
the ignition switch is turned to the Off position,
whichever occurs first.
²Airbag Indicator Malfunction- Following the
seatbelt reminder function, each time the cluster
detects a malfunction in the airbag (SRS) indicator or
the airbag indicator circuit, the cluster will flash the
seatbelt indicator on and off. The cluster will con-
tinue to flash the seatbelt indicator until the airbag
indicator circuit fault is resolved, or until the ignition
switch is turned to the Off position, whichever occurs
first.
The instrument cluster continually monitors the
status of the driver side front seat belt switch and
the airbag indicator circuit to determine the proper
seatbelt indicator response. The seat belt switch is
8J - 24 INSTRUMENT CLUSTERVA

right rear door is standard equipment on wagon mod-
els. The sliding and rear door jamb switches are not
available for van models.
²Entry/Exit Lamp- An entry/exit lamp to illu-
minate each front and sliding side door step well is
optional equipment on wagon models.
²Time Delay Relay- Vehicles equipped with the
optional remote cargo lamp switches also have a time
delay relay located in the electrical center within the
driver side front seat riser.
Hard wired circuitry connects the interior lighting
system components to the electrical system of the
vehicle. These hard wired circuits are integral to sev-
eral wire harnesses, which are routed throughout the
vehicle and retained by many different methods.
These circuits may be connected to each other, to the
vehicle electrical system and to the interior lighting
system components through the use of a combination
of soldered splices, splice block connectors, and many
different types of wire harness terminal connectors
and insulators. Refer to the appropriate wiring infor-
mation. The wiring information includes wiring dia-
grams, proper wire and connector repair procedures,
further details on wire harness routing and reten-
tion, as well as pin-out and location views for the
various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.
OPERATION
The interior lighting systems can be divided into
two general classifications based upon the circuit
that controls their operation: The interior lighting
circuit, or the exterior lighting circuit. The hard
wired circuits and components of the interior lighting
systems may be diagnosed and tested using conven-
tional diagnostic tools and procedures.
INTERIOR LIGHTING CIRCUIT
Depending upon the vehicle model (van or wagon)
and the selected vehicle options the interior lighting
circuit may include dome/cargo lamps located over-
head in the front and rear of the vehicle, a dome/
reading lamp located in the header area above the
windshield between the sun visors, and entry/exit
lamps located in the front and sliding side door step
wells.
WAGON MODELS
In all wagon models, the lamps in the interior
lighting circuit are provided with battery current at
all times by a fuse in the fuse block beneath the
steering column. The front, side, and rear door jamb
switches control a ground path for each of these
lamps, except for the optional reading lamp. If the
lamp has an optional integral switch, that switch has
three separate positions. The first position provides a
ground path independent of the door jamb switches
to turn the lamp On. The second, or center position
allows the door jamb switches to control the lamp.The third position segregates that lamp from the
door jamb switch input, turning the lamp Off. In the
case of the optional dome/reading lamp, the integral
lamp switch has a fourth position which will illumi-
nate only the reading lamp bulb.
VAN MODELS
Unless a van model is equipped with an optional
remote cargo lamp switch, all of the lamps in the
interior lighting circuit operate the same way as the
wagon models except that there are only two door
jamb switches, one for each front door. If the vehicle
is equipped with an optional remote cargo lamp
switch, the lamps in the rear of the vehicle on the
interior lighting circuit are provided with battery
current by the time delay relay. The time delay relay
is a smart relay containing active electronic elements
that comprise an electronic timer logic circuit. When
the remote cargo lamp switches provide the proper
input to the time delay relay, the relay logic responds
by energizing the relay control coil. The energized
relay control coil provides battery current to all of
the lamps on the rear interior lighting circuit and to
the indicator Light-Emitting Diode (LED) units in
the remote cargo switches causing each to illuminate.
If a remote cargo lamp switch remains On for more
than about fifteen minutes, the time delay relay will
then automatically de-energize the rear interior
lighting circuits until the remote cargo lamp switch
is cycled Off and then back On.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING CIRCUIT
The exterior lighting circuit provides battery cur-
rent to the optional ash receiver/cigar lighter lamp
and to the illumination Light-Emitting Diode (LED)
unit within the remote cargo lamp switch in the
instrument panel accessory switch bezel whenever
the exterior lamps are turned On.
SPECIFICATIONS - INTERIOR LIGHTING
VALAMPS/LIGHTING - INTERIOR 8L - 29

Communication Interface (SCI) data bus line for sup-
plemental restraint system programming or diagno-
sis and testing through the 16-way Data Link
Connector (DLC) located on the dash panel below the
driver side end of the instrument panel. A hard wired
output from the ACM is used for control of the airbag
indicator in the ElectroMechanical Instrument Clus-
ter (EMIC). (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/INSTRU-
MENT CLUSTER/AIRBAG INDICATOR -
OPERATION).
The ACM microprocessor continuously monitors all
of the supplemental restraint system electrical cir-
cuits to determine the system readiness. If the ACM
detects a monitored system fault, it sets an appropri-
ate Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) and sends an out-
put to the EMIC to turn on the airbag indicator. The
ACM illuminates the indicator for about four seconds
each time the ignition switch is turned to the On
position as a bulb test. If the indicator remains illu-
minated for about ten seconds after the ignition
switch is turned to the On position, the ACM has
detected a non-critical fault that poses no danger to
the vehicle occupants. If the airbag indicator illumi-
nates solid (not flashing) while driving or stays on
longer than ten seconds following the bulb test, the
ACM has detected a critical fault that may cause the
airbags not to deploy when required or to deploy
when not required. An active fault only remains for
the duration of the fault, or in some cases, for the
duration of the current ignition switch cycle, while a
stored fault causes a DTC to be stored in memory by
the ACM.
The ACM receives battery current through a fused
ignition switch output circuit. The ACM receives
ground through a ground circuit and take out of the
vehicle wire harness. This take out has an eyelet ter-
minal connector secured by a nut to a ground stud on
the floor panel directly below the ACM within the
driver side seat riser. A case ground is also provided
for the ACM through a ground circuit and eyelet ter-
minal connector secured under the left rear ACM
mounting screw. These connections allow the ACM to
be operational whenever the ignition switch is in the
On position.
The ACM also contains an energy-storage capaci-
tor. When the ignition switch is in the On position,
this capacitor is continually being charged with
enough electrical energy to deploy the supplemental
restraint components for up to one second following a
battery disconnect or failure. The purpose of the
capacitor is to provide backup supplemental restraint
system protection in case there is a loss of battery
current supply to the ACM during an impact.
Two sensors are contained within the ACM, an
electronic impact sensor and a safing sensor. These
electronic sensors are accelerometers that sense the
rate of vehicle deceleration, which provide verifica-
tion of the direction and severity of an impact. Onmodels equipped with optional side curtain airbags,
the ACM also monitors inputs from two remote side
impact sensors located within the left and right front
door step wells to control deployment of the side cur-
tain airbag units.
The safing sensor is an electronic accelerometer
sensor within the ACM that provides an additional
logic input to the ACM microprocessor. The safing
sensor is used to verify the need for a supplemental
restraint deployment by detecting impact energy of a
lesser magnitude than that of the primary electronic
impact sensors, and must exceed a safing threshold
in order for the airbags to deploy. Vehicles equipped
with optional side curtain airbags feature a second
safing sensor within the ACM to provide confirma-
tion to the ACM microprocessor of side impact forces.
This second safing sensor is a bi-directional unit that
detects impact forces from either side of the vehicle.
Pre-programmed decision algorithms in the ACM
microprocessor determine when the deceleration rate
as signaled by the impact sensors and the safing sen-
sors indicate an impact that is severe enough to
require supplemental restraint system protection.
When the programmed conditions are met, the ACM
sends the proper electrical signals to deploy the front
airbags and seat belt tensioners and, if the vehicle is
so equipped, either side curtain airbag unit.
The ACM also provides a hard wired electrical
crash signal output following a supplemental
restraint deployment event. This output is used to
signal other electronic modules in the vehicle to pro-
vide their enhanced accident response features,
which include automatically disabling the engine
from running and unlocking all of the doors. How-
ever, these responses are each dependent upon the
circuits, components, and modules controlling these
features remaining intact from collateral damage
incurred during the vehicle impact.
A single ACM is used for all variations of the sup-
plemental restraint system available in this vehicle.
This ACM is programmable and in order to function
properly it must be programmed for the correct vehi-
cle supplemental restraint system equipment using
an initialization procedure. The initialization proce-
dure requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer
to the appropriate diagnostic information. The hard
wired inputs and outputs for the ACM may be diag-
nosed and tested using conventional diagnostic tools
and procedures. However, conventional diagnostic
methods will not prove conclusive in the diagnosis of
the ACM or the supplemental restraint system. The
most reliable, efficient, and accurate means to diag-
nose the ACM or the supplemental restraint system
requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to
the appropriate diagnostic information.
VARESTRAINTS 8O - 9

(3) Pull the driver airbag away from the steering
wheel far enough to access the electrical connection
at the back of the airbag housing.
CAUTION: Do not pull on the clockspring pigtail
wires to disengage the connector from the driver
airbag inflator connector receptacle. Improper
removal of these pigtail wires and their connector
insulator can result in damage to the airbag circuits
or the connector insulator.
(4) The clockspring driver airbag pigtail wire con-
nector is a tight snap-fit into the airbag inflator con-
nector receptacle, which is located on the back of the
driver airbag housing. Firmly grasp and pull or gen-
tly pry on the connector insulator and pull the con-
nector straight out from the airbag inflator to
disconnect it from the connector receptacle.
(5) Remove the driver airbag from the steering
wheel.
(6) If the driver airbag has been deployed, the
clockspring and the steering wheel must also be
replaced. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/
CLOCKSPRING - REMOVAL) and (Refer to 19 -
STEERING/COLUMN/STEERING WHEEL -
REMOVAL).
INSTALLATION
The following procedure is for replacement of a
faulty or damaged driver airbag. If the airbag is
faulty or damaged, but not deployed, review the rec-
ommended procedures for handling non-deployed
supplemental restraints. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - HAN-
DLING NON-DEPLOYED SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINTS). If the driver airbag has been
deployed, review the recommended procedures for
service after a supplemental restraint deploymentbefore removing the airbag from the vehicle. (Refer to
8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PRO-
CEDURE - SERVICE AFTER A SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT).
WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, on
vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the supple-
mental restraint system before attempting any
steering wheel, steering column, airbag, seat belt
tensioner, impact sensor, or instrument panel com-
ponent diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate
the battery negative (ground) cable, then wait two
minutes for the system capacitor to discharge
before performing further diagnosis or service. This
is the only sure way to disable the supplemental
restraint system. Failure to take the proper precau-
tions could result in accidental airbag deployment.
WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, use
extreme care to prevent any foreign material from
entering the driver airbag, or becoming entrapped
between the driver airbag cushion and the driver
airbag trim cover. Failure to observe this warning
could result in occupant injuries upon airbag
deployment.
WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, the
driver airbag trim cover must never be painted.
Replacement airbags are serviced with trim covers
in the original colors. Paint may change the way in
which the material of the trim cover responds to an
airbag deployment. Failure to observe this warning
could result in occupant injuries upon airbag
deployment.
Fig. 21 Driver Airbag Remove/Install
1 - AIRBAG CONNECTOR
2 - DRIVER AIRBAG3 - SCREW (2)
4 - STEERING WHEEL
VARESTRAINTS 8O - 19