Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) - System Operation and Component Description: Indicators

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2018 Ford Focus. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Airbag Warning Indicator

The IPC receives the airbag warning indicator request from the BCM. The BCM receives the airbag indicator request from the RCM. If a SRS concern is detected, the RCM sets a DTC and the IPC illuminates the airbag warning indicator.

ABS Warning Indicator

The IPC receives the ABS warning indicator request message from the BCM. The BCM receives the ABS warning indicator request message from the ABS module. If a fault condition exists in the ABS, the ABS module sends the ABS warning indicator request message to either flash or illuminate the ABS warning indicator.

Auto Stop-Start Indicator

The auto stop/start indicator informs the driver of the following states:

solid green - the auto stop/start feature has temporarily turned off the engine.
solid amber - a stop/start system concern exists.
flash in either green or amber - system state as determined by the PCM.

The IPC receives the stop-start standby indication message from the BCM over the MS-CAN. The BCM receives the stop-start indication message from the PCM over the HS-CAN.

Brake Warning Indicator

The IPC uses 3 basic messaged inputs to control the brake warning indicator. The first 2 messages are the parking brake position switch and the brake fluid level switch sent from the BCM. The third is the brake warning indicator request message sent from the ABS module through the BCM.

The parking brake position switch and the brake fluid level switches are hardwired to the BCM through a single signal circuit while using a separate ground to control the input.

The BCM provides reference voltage to both the parking brake position switch and the brake fluid level switch. When the parking brake is applied, the parking brake position switch closes to ground, pulling the parking brake signal circuit low. When a low brake fluid level condition exists, the brake fluid level switch closes, sending the signal circuit low. If the brake fluid level switch is disconnected, the BCM reference voltage sent to the brake fluid level switch remains high and the brake fluid input is interpreted as low by the BCM. When the BCM detects the brake fluid level signal low, the BCM sends the brake fluid level low request to the IPC. When the BCM detects the parking brake signal low, the BCM sends the parking brake warning request to the IPC.

When the ABS module detects a base brake system concern or other ABS-related concerns that affect the EBD function, the ABS module sends the brake warning request to the BCM. The BCM in turn sends the brake warning indicator request to the IPC to illuminate the brake warning indicator.

If the brake fluid level drops and closes the brake fluid level switch, the BCM waits approximately 30 seconds before sending the IPC) the brake fluid level low message to illuminate the brake warning indicator.

BLIS Off Indicator

The IPC provides the BLIS indicator to inform the driver the BLIS is turned off. The IPC receives the BLIS on message from the BCM over the MS-CAN. The BCM receives the BLIS on message from the SODL over the extended MS-CAN.

Charging System Warning Indicator

The IPC receives the charging system indicator request from the BCM. When a fault is detected in the charging system, the BCM sends the IPC the charging system indicator request to illuminate the charging system warning indicator.

Fog Lamp Indicator

When the fog lamps are turned on, the BCM sends a fog lamp indicator request to the IPC to illuminate the fog lamp indicator.

Grade Assist Indicator

The IPC receives the transmission shift mode message from the BCM. The BCM receives the transmission shift mode message from the TCM. When the grade assist function is selected on, the IPC illuminates the grade assist indicator.

High Beam Indicator

When the high beams are turned on, the BCM sends a headlamp high beam indicator request to the IPC to illuminate the high beam indicator.

Information Indicator

The information indicator illuminates when the IPC displays messages in the message center. Two different colors (red and amber) are used to indicate the nature of the message. If the message is an informational message, the indicator is displayed in amber. If the message is a warning, the indicator is displayed in red. The information indicator is also used in conjunction with the perimeter alarm system as a theft deterrent. When the perimeter alarm is armed, the IPC receives the alarm mode message from the BCM to flash the information indicator.

LH-RH Turn Signal Indicator

When the multifunction switch is in the LH or RH turn position or if the hazard switch is on, a turn indicator command message is sent to the IPC from the BCM. Upon receipt of the applicable turn signal on/off request, the IPC flashes the turn signal indicator on and off.

Lights On Indicator

When the parking lamps are turned on, the BCM sends the position light indication message to the IPC to illuminate the lights on indicator.

Low Fuel Indicator

The IPC uses the fuel level status message sent from the BCM to control the low fuel indicator. The IPC uses the networked fuel level input divided by the calculated Average Fuel Economy (AFE) to control the low fuel warning indicator. For the initial warning, when the fuel level reaches 80 km (50 miles) for administrator keys or 120 km (75 miles) for MyKey® programmed keys, the low fuel indicator illuminates. For subsequent warnings, when the fuel level reaches 40, 20 and 0 km (25, 10 and 0 miles) for administrator keys or 80, 40, 20 and 0 km (50, 25, 10 and 0 miles) for MyKey® programmed keys, the low fuel indicator illuminates. The IPC provides a strategy allowing for a delay of up to 31 km (19 miles) to prevent flickering of the low fuel warning indicator.

Low Oil Pressure Warning Indicator

The engine oil pressure switch is hardwired to the PCM. The IPC receives the oil pressure warning message from the BCM. The BCM receives the oil pressure warning message from the PCM.

The PCM provides a reference voltage to the engine oil pressure switch when the ignition key is in the RUN position.

With the engine running and low or no oil pressure, the engine oil pressure switch closes. The PCM detects the low reference voltage and the IPC illuminates the low oil pressure warning indicator.

With the engine running and sufficient oil pressure, the engine oil pressure switch opens, sending the reference voltage high. The PCM detects the high reference voltage and the IPC turns off the low oil pressure warning indicator.

MIL

The IPC receives the MIL request message from the BCM. The BCM receives the MIL quest from the PCM.

Performance Shift Indicator (RS Only)

The performance shift indicator is used to inform the driver of shift points that provide the optimum performance. The IPC receives the performance shift indicator request from the BCM. The BCM receives the performance shift indicator request from the PCM.

PRNDL Indicator

The IPC receives the transmission mode display actual and transmission shift mode message from the BCM. The BCM receives the transmission mode display actual and transmission shift mode message from the TCM. The IPC also uses a park position detect switch (part of the selector lever) input to signal the IPC that the shift lever is fully seated in the PARK (P) position. The IPC compares the park position detect switch input with the transmission mode display message sent from the TCM.

The IPC provides a reference voltage to the park position detect switch. When the gearshift is in PARK (P), the brake shift indicator opens the circuit to ground and the IPC detects the high reference voltage. When the selector lever is moved out of PARK (P), the park position detect switch closes to ground, pulling the reference voltage low to the IPC.

The select shift display indicates to the driver which gear is currently selected when the transmission is in the select shift mode. When the transmission is in select shift manual mode, the gear number is displayed in the select shift display area next to the PRNDL display. The IPC receives the transmission gear display actual message from the BCM. The BCM receives the transmission gear display actual message from the TCM.

Safety Belt Warning Indicator

The RCM monitors the safety belt position through the safety belt buckle switch. The RCM provides a safety belt status message to the BCM. The BCM provides the safety belt status message to the IPC to either turn on or turn off the safety belt warning indicator.

Stability-Traction Control Indicator (Sliding Car Icon)

The IPC receives the stability/traction control indication message from the BCM. The BCM receives the stability/traction control indication message from the ABS module. The stability-traction control indicator (sliding car icon) flashes when the vehicle stability-traction control is in active mode, and illuminates continuously if a fault condition exists in the stability-traction control system. The IPC monitors the stability/traction control indication message from the BCM module and either flashes the stability-traction control indicator (sliding car icon) or illuminates it steady depending on the condition.

Stability-Traction Control Disabled Indicator (Sliding Car OFF Icon)

The stability-traction control is configured on/off through the message center on the base Focus. On the Focus ST, the stability-traction control is configured on/off through a separate hardwired switch to the ABS module. When the driver enables or disables the stability-traction control system, the ABS module sends the stability/traction control disabled indicator request message to the BCM. The BCM sends the stability/traction control disabled indicator request message to the IPC to illuminate or turn off the stability-traction control disabled indicator (sliding car OFF icon) based upon the system state.

When a MyKey® administrator has set the AdvanceTrac® On feature to always on and a MyKey® programmed key is in use, the stability-traction control system cannot be disabled. The menu selection in the message center used to disable the stability-traction control system does not display when a MyKey® is in use but remains active for the MyKey® administrator to select the AdvanceTrac always on feature off. The stability-traction control indicator still functions normally to indicate a stability-traction control system fault and a stability-traction control active event.

TPMS Warning Indicator

The IPC receives the TPMS data from the BCM. If the BCM determines that the tire pressure has exceeded the low tire pressure limits, the tire pressure indication message is sent to the IPC to illuminate the TPMS warning indicator. If a TPMS fault condition exists, the BCM sends the tire pressure indication message to the IPC to flash the TPMS warning indicator.