Shift Indicator (Transfer Case): Operation

The four-wheel drive indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator that a four-wheel drive operating mode of the four-wheel drive transfer case is selected. The four-wheel drive indicator lights when the transfer case is engaged in the 4H or 4L positions. This indicator is controlled by a transistor on the instrument cluster electronic circuit board based upon cluster programming. On models not equipped with the optional Off-Road Package the cluster also uses a hard wired transfer case switch input. Models that are equipped with the Off-Road Package do not have a hard wired transfer case switch input, so the cluster uses electronic messages received by the cluster from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) over the Programmable Communications Interface (PCI) data bus to determine the transfer case operating mode. The four-wheel drive 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 receives a battery current input on the fused ignition switch output (run-start) circuit. Therefore, the LED will always be off when the ignition switch is in any position except On or Start. The LED only illuminates when it is provided a path to ground by the instrument cluster transistor. The instrument cluster will turn on the four-wheel drive indicator for the following reasons:

• Transfer Case Switch Input  - Each time the cluster detects a ground on the 4WD switch sense circuit (transfer case switch closed = 4WD mode selected) the part time indicator is illuminated. The indicator remains illuminated until the 4WD switch sense input to the cluster is an open circuit (transfer case switch open = 4WD mode not selected), or until the ignition switch is turned to the Off position, whichever occurs first.
• 4WD Transfer Case Status Message  - Each time the cluster receives a message from the PCM indicating that the transfer case is operating in a four-wheel drive mode, the 4WD indicator is illuminated. The 4WD indicator remains illuminated until the cluster receives messages from the PCM indicating that the transfer case is not in a four-wheel drive mode or until the ignition switch is turned to the Off position, whichever occurs first.
• Actuator Test  - Each time the cluster is put through the actuator test, the 4WD indicator will be turned on, then off again during the bulb check portion of the test to confirm the functionality of the LED and the cluster control circuitry.

On models without the Off-Road Package, the transfer case shift position switch is connected in series between ground and the 4WD switch sense input to the instrument cluster. The transfer case switch input to the instrument cluster circuitry can be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and methods. (Refer to TRANSFER CASE - DESCRIPTION ) for more information on the transfer case switch. For further diagnosis of the 4WD indicator or the instrument cluster circuitry that controls the LED, (Refer to INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING  ).

On models equipped with the Off-Road Package, the PCM continually monitors the transfer case shift position switch to determine the operating mode of the transfer case. The PCM then sends the proper transfer case shift position status messages to the instrument cluster. For further diagnosis of the 4WD indicator or the instrument cluster circuitry that controls the LED, (Refer to INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING  ). For proper diagnosis of the transfer case shift position switch, the PCM, the PCI data bus, or the electronic message inputs to the instrument cluster that control the 4WD indicator, a DRBIII(R) scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.