Description & Operation

WARNING: Deactivate air bag system before performing any service operation. See appropriate AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS article. DO NOT apply electrical power to any component on steering column without first deactivating air bag system. Air bag may deploy.

NOTE: If instrument cluster is replaced, key information must be programmed for vehicle to start. See PROGRAMMING in PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEMS - CONTINENTAL article.

Principal components of the virtual image instrument panel are analog gauges, various warning indicators and a message center. See Fig 1 .

Gauges have analog needles and a Virtual Instrument Cluster (VIC) mask that projects gauge faces and graduation using a cold cathode fluorescent light to present a 3 dimensional effect. Displays appear whenever the ignition switch is in RUN position. When ignition is first turned on, the instrument cluster will go through a prove-out cycle. The message center and instrument pointers will come on at full intensity, and the message center will display PLEASE FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELT. A few seconds later, the graphics will come on and the gauge pointers will return to their appropriate positions.

The system has self-diagnostic capabilities. One or more Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) will be stored in the event of a malfunction. DTCs can be retrieved from instrument cluster using a New Generation Star (NGS) Tester. See SELF-DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM . Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) information is also stored in VIC memory.

The message center is a green vacuum fluorescent dot matrix display integrated into right side of instrument cluster. Message center provides warning status messages and access to various features, including:

System Check
English/Metric Or Driver I.D.
Menu
Select
Vehicle Handling
Trip
Display
Reset
DTE/Economy

Fig 1: Identifying Instrument Cluster Components

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.