Instrument Cluster - Service Information: Operation: Indicators

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Indicators are located in various positions within the EMIC and are all connected to the EMIC electronic circuit board. The door ajar indicator, gate ajar indicator, high beam indicator, and turn signal indicators operate based upon hard wired inputs to the EMIC. The brake indicator is controlled by CAN data bus messages from the Controller Antilock Brake (CAB) as well as by hard wired park brake switch inputs to the EMIC. The seat belt indicator is controlled by the EMIC programming, CAN data bus messages from the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC), and a hard wired seat belt switch input to the EMIC. The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is normally controlled by CAN data bus messages from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM); however, if the EMIC loses CAN data bus communication, the EMIC circuitry will automatically turn the MIL on until CAN data bus communication is restored. The EMIC uses CAN data bus messages from the Front Control Module (FCM), the PCM, the ORC, the CAB, and the Sentry Key REmote Entry Module (SKREEM) to control all of the remaining indicators.

The various EMIC indicators are controlled by different strategies; some receive fused ignition switch output from the EMIC circuitry and have a switched ground, while others are grounded through the EMIC circuitry and have a switched battery feed. However, all indicators are completely controlled by the EMIC microprocessor based upon various hard wired and electronic message inputs. The cruise, four low, four lock and tow/haul indicators and those located within the VFD unit are dimmable. All other indicators are illuminated at a fixed intensity, which is not affected by the selected illumination intensity of the electro-luminescent EMIC general illumination lamp. The illumination intensity of the dimmable indicators is synchronized with that of the EMIC general illumination lamp.

In addition, certain indicators in this instrument cluster are automatically configured or self-configured. This feature allows the configurable indicators to be enabled by the EMIC circuitry for compatibility with certain optional equipment. The EMIC defaults for the ABS indicator and airbag indicator are enabled, and these configuration settings must be programmatically disabled in the EMIC using a diagnostic scan tool for vehicles that do not have this equipment. The automatically configured or self-configured indicators remain latent in each EMIC at all times and will be active only when the EMIC receives the appropriate CAN message inputs for that optional system or equipment.

The hard wired indicator inputs may be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic methods. Proper testing of the CAN data bus and the electronic message inputs to the EMIC that control an indicator requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - ELECTRICAL DIAGNOSTICS . Specific details of the operation for each indicator may be found elsewhere in this service information. Each indicator may be individually checked using the scan tool to check its operation within the EMIC.