Gauge Pack, Instrument Cluster: Operation: Gauges: Notes

All gauges receive battery current through the Power Distribution Center (PDC) circuitry only when the ignition switch is in the ON or START positions. With the ignition switch in the OFF position battery current is not supplied to any gauges, and the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) circuitry is programmed to move all of the gauge needles back to the low end of their respective scales. Therefore, the gauges do not accurately indicate any vehicle condition unless the ignition switch is in the ON or START positions.

All of the gauges are driven by stepper motors. Multiple toothed electromagnets around a central gear-shaped piece of iron are located within each gauge. The electromagnets are energized by the IPC circuitry in response to messages received over the CAN data bus. To make the motor shaft turn, one electromagnet is given power, which makes the gears teeth magnetically attract to the electromagnets. As the second electromagnet is turned on the first is turned off and the gear rotates to align to the energized magnet, and the process is repeated. Each of those slight rotations is called at "step", this allows the motor to be turned to precise angles. The gauge needle moves as the magnets align to the changing magnetic fields created around it by the electromagnets.

The gauges are diagnosed using the IPC self-diagnostic test. Refer to SELF TEST . Proper testing of the CAN data bus and the electronic data bus message inputs to the IPC that control each gauge require the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information. Specific operation details for each gauge may be found elsewhere in this service information.