Instrument Cluster (Service Information): Description: Description: Notes
The instrument cluster (2), located in the instrument panel above the steering column is only visible through an opening in the cluster bezel (1). The main body of the instrument cluster, including the mounts and the electrical connections, are concealed within the instrument panel below the cluster bezel. The instrument cluster for this vehicle also includes the hardware and software necessary to serve as the electronic body control module known as the Cab Compartment Node or (CCN).
Besides analog gauges and indicators, the instrument cluster incorporates one of two available blue-green digital Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) units. The standard VFD is a fixed segment unit for displaying odometer information, automatic transmission gear selector position (PRNDL), and several other indicators. The optional larger fixed segment VFD display unit is an Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) that is re-configurable. These optional VFD units serve as the visual display for the compass, the outside temperature, the trip computer, the audio system settings as well as the user interface for the customer programmable features, numerous textual warning or reminder indicators and certain diagnostic information depending upon vehicle equipment. For more information on the EVIC. Refer to CENTER, Electronic Vehicle Information, Description .
The instrument cluster gauges and Light Emitting Diode (LED) indicators, are visible through a dedicated opening in the instrument panel behind the cluster bezel, and are protected by a clear plastic cluster lens (5). Just behind the cluster lens is the cluster hood and integral mask (3). The hood, serves as a visor and shields the face of the cluster from ambient light and reflections to reduce glare, while the cluster mask serves to separate and define the individual gauges from the indicator areas and trims the outside perimeter of the cluster overlay. The mask is constructed of black molded plastic, and is sometimes painted silver on vehicles with certain optional trim packages. The hood and mask, as well as the cluster lens are secured through integral latch features that secure it to the outer perimeter of the cluster housing (2). The hood and mask unit also has four integral mounting tabs, one on each upper and lower corner that combine with the tabs integral to the cluster housing to secure the bottom of the CCN to the molded plastic instrument panel cluster carrier, with four fasteners.
The rear of the cluster housing and the CCN electronic circuitry are protected by a molded black plastic rear cover (1), which is also secured to the cluster housing by integral latch features. The rear cover includes clearance holes for the four CCN connector receptacles. The connector receptacles on the back of the CCN electronic circuit board connect the unit to the vehicle's electrical system through four take outs with connectors from the instrument panel wire harness.
Sandwiched between the rear cover and the lens and hood unit is the cluster housing. The molded white plastic cluster housing serves as the carrier for the instrument cluster circuitry, the cluster gauge set, the indicator LED's, the VFD display units as well as an audible tone transducer and general cluster illumination LED's. The standard equipment molded black plastic odometer/trip odometer switch button extends from the face of the cluster housing through dedicated holes in the cluster mask and the cluster lens adjacent to the standard VFD unit.
The cluster overlay is a laminated plastic unit. The dark, visible, outer surface of the overlay is marked with all of the gauge dial faces and graduations, but this layer is also translucent. The darkness of this outer layer prevents the cluster from appearing cluttered or busy by concealing the cluster indicators that are not illuminated, while the translucence of this layer allows those indicators and icons that are illuminated to be readily visible. The underlying layer of the overlay is opaque and allows light from the indicator LED's to be visible through the outer layer of the overlay through predetermined stencil-like cutouts. Openings in the overlay at the base of the speedometer and tachometer dial faces have smoked clear lenses through which the illuminated VFD units can be viewed.
Several versions of the CCN module are offered on this vehicle. These versions accommodate all of the variations of optional equipment and regulatory requirements for the various markets in which the vehicle is offered. The microprocessor-based CCN utilizes integrated circuitry and information carried on the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus and the Local Interface Network (LIN) data bus along with several hard wired analog and multiplexed inputs to monitor sensors and switches throughout the vehicle. In response to those inputs, the internal circuitry and programming of the CCN allow it to control and integrate many electronic functions and features of the vehicle through both hard wired outputs and the transmission of electronic message outputs to other electronic modules in the vehicle over the CAN and LIN data busses. Refer to COMMUNICATION, Description .