Dodge Dakota (R1). Manual - part 327

• Charge Fail Message - Each time the cluster

receives a message from the PCM indicating a charge
fail condition (system voltage is 10.8 volts or lower),
the gauge needle is moved to the “L” graduation on
the gauge scale and the check gauges indicator is
illuminated. The gauge needle remains on the “L”
graduation and the check gauges indicator remains
illuminated until the cluster receives a message from
the PCM indicating there is no charge fail condition
(system voltage is 10.9 volts or higher, but lower
than 16.7 volts), or until the ignition switch is turned
to the Off position, whichever occurs first.

• Voltage High Message - Each time the cluster

receives a message from the PCM indicating a volt-
age high condition (system voltage is 16.7 volts or
higher), the gauge needle is moved to the “H” gradu-
ation on the gauge scale and the check gauges indi-
cator is illuminated. The gauge needle remains on
the “H” graduation and the check gauges indicator
remains illuminated until the cluster receives a mes-
sage from the PCM indicating there is no voltage
high condition (system voltage is 16.6 volts or lower,
but higher than 10.9 volts), or until the ignition
switch is turned to the Off position, whichever occurs
first.

• Message Failure - If the cluster fails to receive

a system voltage message, it will hold the gauge nee-
dle at the last indication until a new message is
received, 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 gauge needle will be
swept to several calibration points on the gauge scale
in a prescribed sequence in order to confirm the func-
tionality of the gauge and the cluster control cir-
cuitry.

The PCM continually monitors the system voltage

to control the generator output. The PCM then sends
the proper system voltage messages to the instru-
ment cluster. For further diagnosis of the voltage
gauge or the instrument cluster circuitry that con-
trols the gauge, (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/INSTRU-
MENT CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING). If
the instrument cluster turns on the check gauges
indicator due to a charge fail or voltage high condi-
tion, it may indicate that the charging system
requires service. For proper diagnosis of the charging
system, the PCI data bus, or the message inputs to
the instrument cluster that control the voltage
gauge, a DRBIII

t scan tool is required. Refer to the

appropriate diagnostic information.

WAIT-TO-START INDICATOR

DESCRIPTION

A wait-to-start indicator is only found in the

instrument clusters of vehicles equipped with an
optional diesel engine. The wait-to-start indicator is
located in the Information Center area of the instru-
ment cluster, to the right of center. The wait-to-start
indicator consists of a stenciled cutout of the words
“WAIT TO START” in the opaque layer of the cluster
overlay. The dark outer layer of the overlay prevents
the indicator from being clearly visible when it is not
illuminated. A red lens located behind the cutout
causes the “WAIT TO START” text to appear in red
through the translucent outer layer of the overlay
when the indicator is illuminated from behind by a
replaceable incandescent bulb and bulb holder unit
on the instrument cluster electronic circuit board.
The wait-to-start indicator is serviced as a unit with
the instrument cluster.

OPERATION

The wait-to-start indicator gives an indication to

the vehicle operator when the diesel engine glow
plugs are energized in their pre-heat operating mode.
This indicator is controlled by a hard wired input to
the instrument cluster from the Engine Control Mod-
ule (ECM). The wait-to-start indicator bulb receives
battery current on the instrument cluster electronic
circuit board through the fused ignition switch out-
put (st-run) circuit whenever the ignition switch is in
the On or Start positions; therefore, the lamp will
always be off when the ignition switch is in any posi-
tion except On or Start. The indicator bulb only illu-
minates when it is switched to ground by the input
from the ECM. The ECM will turn on the wait-to-
start indicator by pulling the wait-to-start indicator
driver circuit to ground each time the ignition switch
is turned to the On or Start positions. The indicator
then remains illuminated until the ECM determines
that the glow plugs have been energized for a suffi-
cient duration to ensure reliable and efficient engine
starting, until the ECM detects that the engine is
running, or until the ignition switch is turned to the
Off position, whichever occurs first.

The ECM continually monitors the coolant temper-

ature sensor and uses this input along with its inter-
nal programming to determine how long the glow
plugs must be heated in the pre-heat operating mode,
then illuminates the wait-to-start indicator for that
duration. The wait-to-start indicator driver circuit
can be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools
and methods. For proper diagnosis of the wait-to-
start indicator, the ECM, or the inputs the ECM uses
to control the wait-to-start indicator operation, a

8J - 34

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER

VOLTAGE GAUGE (Continued)

DRBIII

t scan tool is required. Refer to the appropri-

ate diagnostic information.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - WAIT-TO-START
INDICATOR

The diagnosis found here addresses an inoperative

wait-to-start indicator condition. If the problem being
diagnosed is related to indicator accuracy, be certain
to confirm that the problem is with the indicator and
not with a faulty engine coolant temperature sensor,
or an inoperative Engine Control Module (ECM). If
no engine coolant temperature sensor or ECM prob-
lem is found, the following procedure will help to
locate a short or open in the wait-to-start indicator
driver circuit. Refer to the appropriate wiring infor-
mation. The wiring information includes wiring dia-
grams, proper wire and connector repair procedures,
details of wire harness routing and retention, connec-
tor pin-out information and location views for the
various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE
ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISO-
LATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE,
THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PER-
FORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS
IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.

INDICATOR DOES NOT ILLUMINATE WITH ENGINE COLD

(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative

cable. Remove the instrument cluster from the
instrument panel. Disconnect the instrument panel
wire harness connector (Connector C1) for the ECM
from the ECM connector receptacle. Check for conti-
nuity between the wait-to-start indicator driver cir-
cuit cavities of the instrument panel wire harness
connector (Connector C1) for the instrument cluster
and the instrument panel wire harness connector
(Connector C1) for the ECM. There should be conti-
nuity. If OK, replace the faulty wait-to-start indicator
bulb and bulb holder unit. If not OK, repair the open
wait-to-start indicator driver circuit between the
instrument cluster and the ECM as required.

INDICATOR STAYS ILLUMINATED WITH ENGINE WARM

(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative

cable. Remove the instrument cluster from the

instrument panel. Disconnect the instrument panel
wire harness connector (Connector C1) for the ECM
from the ECM connector receptacle. Check for conti-
nuity between the wait-to-start indicator driver cir-
cuit cavity of the instrument panel wire harness
connector (Connector C1) for the instrument cluster
and a good ground. There should be no continuity. If
OK, use a DRBIII

t scan tool to diagnose the ECM.

Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information. If
not OK, repair the shorted wait-to-start indicator
driver circuit between the instrument cluster and the
ECM as required.

WASHER FLUID INDICATOR

DESCRIPTION

A washer fluid indicator is standard equipment on

all instrument clusters. The washer fluid indicator is
located in the Information Center area of the instru-
ment cluster, to the right of center. The washer fluid
indicator consists of a stenciled cutout of the Interna-
tional Control and Display Symbol icon for “Wind-
shield Washer Fluid” in the opaque layer of the
instrument cluster overlay. The dark outer layer of
the overlay prevents the indicator from being clearly
visible when it is not illuminated. An amber lens
behind the cutout in the opaque layer of the overlay
causes the icon to appear in amber through the
translucent outer layer of the overlay when it is illu-
minated from behind by a Light Emitting Diode
(LED) soldered onto the instrument cluster electronic
circuit board. The washer fluid indicator is serviced
as a unit with the instrument cluster.

OPERATION

The washer fluid indicator gives an indication to

the vehicle operator when the fluid level in the
washer fluid reservoir is low. This indicator is con-
trolled by a transistor on the instrument cluster elec-
tronic circuit board based upon cluster programming
and a hard wired washer fluid level switch input to
the cluster. The washer fluid indicator Light Emit-
ting Diode (LED) receives battery current on the
instrument cluster electronic circuit board through
the fused ignition switch output (run-start) circuit
whenever the ignition switch is in the On or Start
positions; therefore, the indicator will always be off
when the ignition switch is in any position except On
or Start. The LED only illuminates when it is pro-
vided a path to ground by the instrument cluster
transistor. The instrument cluster will turn on the
washer fluid indicator for the following reasons:

• Bulb Test - Each time the ignition switch is

turned to the On position the indicator is illuminated
for about two seconds as a bulb test.

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER

8J - 35

WAIT-TO-START INDICATOR (Continued)

• Washer Fluid Level Switch Input - Immedi-

ately after the bulb test, if the cluster senses ground
on the washer fluid switch sense circuit for more
than about thirty seconds, it turns on the washer
fluid indicator. Any time after the bulb test, the clus-
ter must sense ground on the washer fluid switch
sense circuit for more than about sixty seconds before
it turns on the indicator. Once illuminated, the indi-
cator will remain illuminated until the ignition
switch is cycled and the cluster senses an open cir-
cuit on the low washer fluid sense input. This strat-
egy is intended to reduce the effect that fluid
sloshing within the washer reservoir can have on
reliable indicator operation.

• Actuator Test - Each time the cluster is put

through the actuator test, the indicator will be
turned on, then off again during the bulb check por-
tion of the test to confirm the functionality of the
LED and the cluster control circuitry.

The washer fluid level switch is connected in series

between ground and the washer fluid switch sense
input to the instrument cluster. For more informa-
tion on the washer fluid level switch,(Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/WIPERS/WASHERS/WASHER FLUID
LEVEL SWITCH - OPERATION). For further diag-
nosis of the washer fluid indicator or the instrument
cluster circuitry that controls the indicator, (Refer to
8 - ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - DIAG-
NOSIS AND TESTING). The washer fluid level
switch input to the cluster can be diagnosed using
conventional diagnostic tools and methods.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - WASHER FLUID
INDICATOR

The diagnosis found here addresses an inoperative

washer fluid indicator condition. If the problem being
diagnosed is related to indicator accuracy, be certain
to confirm that the problem is with the indicator or
washer fluid level switch input and not with a dam-
aged or empty washer fluid reservoir, or inoperative
instrument cluster indicator control circuitry. Inspect
the washer fluid reservoir for proper fluid level and
signs of damage or distortion that could affect
washer fluid level switch performance and perform
the instrument cluster actuator test before you pro-
ceed with the following diagnosis. If no washer fluid
reservoir or instrument cluster control circuitry prob-
lem is found, the following procedure will help to
locate a short or open in the washer fluid switch
sense circuit. Refer to the appropriate wiring infor-
mation. The wiring information includes wiring dia-
grams, proper wire and connector repair procedures,
details of wire harness routing and retention, connec-
tor pin-out information and location views for the
various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.

INDICATOR DOES NOT ILLUMINATE WITH WASHER
RESERVOIR EMPTY

(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative

cable. Disconnect the headlamp and dash wire har-
ness connector for the washer fluid level switch from
the washer fluid level switch connector receptacle.
Check for continuity between the ground circuit cav-
ity of the headlamp and dash wire harness connector
for the washer fluid level switch and a good ground.
There should be continuity. If OK, go to Step 2. If not
OK, repair the open ground circuit to ground (G112)
as required.

(2) Remove the instrument cluster from the instru-

ment panel. Check for continuity between the washer
fluid switch sense circuit cavities of the headlamp
and dash wire harness connector for the washer fluid
level switch and the instrument panel wire harness
connector (Connector C2) for the instrument cluster.
If OK, replace the faulty washer fluid level switch. If
not OK, repair the open washer fluid switch sense
circuit between the washer fluid level switch and the
instrument cluster as required.

INDICATOR STAYS ILLUMINATED WITH WASHER
RESERVOIR FULL

(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative

cable. Disconnect the headlamp and dash wire har-
ness connector for the washer fluid level switch from
the washer fluid level switch connector receptacle.
Check for continuity between the ground circuit ter-
minal and the washer fluid switch sense terminal in
the washer fluid level switch connector receptacle.
There should be no continuity. If OK, go to Step 2. If
not OK, replace the faulty washer fluid level switch.

(2) Remove the instrument cluster from the instru-

ment panel. Check for continuity between the washer
fluid switch sense circuit cavity of the headlamp and
dash wire harness connector for the washer fluid
level switch and a good ground. There should be no
continuity. If not OK, repair the shorted washer fluid

8J - 36

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER

WASHER FLUID INDICATOR (Continued)

switch sense circuit between the washer fluid level
switch and the instrument cluster as required.

WATER-IN-FUEL INDICATOR

DESCRIPTION

A water-in-fuel indicator is only found in the

instrument clusters of vehicles equipped with an
optional diesel engine. The water-in-fuel indicator is
located in the Information Center area of the instru-
ment cluster, to the left of center. The water-in-fuel
indicator consists of a stenciled cutout of the words
“WATER IN FUEL” in the opaque layer of the instru-
ment cluster overlay. The dark outer layer of the
overlay prevents the indicator from being clearly vis-
ible when it is not illuminated. A red lens behind the
cutout in the opaque layer of the overlay causes the
“WATER IN FUEL” text to appear in red through the
translucent outer layer of the overlay when the indi-
cator is illuminated from behind by a Light Emitting
Diode (LED) soldered onto the instrument cluster
electronic circuit board. The water-in-fuel indicator is
serviced as a unit with the instrument cluster.

OPERATION

The water-in-fuel indicator gives an indication to

the vehicle operator when there is excessive water in
the fuel system. This indicator is controlled by a
transistor on the instrument cluster circuit board
based upon cluster programming and electronic mes-
sages received by the cluster from the Powertrain
Control Module (PCM) over the Programmable Com-
munications Interface (PCI) data bus. The water-in-
fuel indicator Light Emitting Diode (LED) receives
battery current on the instrument cluster electronic
circuit board through the fused ignition switch out-
put (run-start) circuit whenever the ignition switch is
in the On or Start positions; therefore, the LED will
always be off when the ignition switch is in any posi-

tion except On or Start. The LED only illuminates
when it is provided a path to ground by the instru-
ment cluster transistor. The instrument cluster will
turn on the water-in-fuel indicator for the following
reasons:

• Bulb Test - Each time the ignition switch is

turned to the On position the water-in-fuel indicator
is illuminated for about two seconds as a bulb test.

• Water-In-Fuel Lamp-On Message - Each time

the cluster receives a message from the PCM indicat-
ing there is excessive water in the fuel system, the
water-in-fuel indicator will be illuminated, and a sin-
gle chime tone is sounded. The indicator remains
illuminated until the cluster receives a message from
the PCM indicating that the water in the fuel system
is not excessive, or until the ignition switch is turned
to the Off position, whichever occurs first. The chime
tone feature will only repeat during the same igni-
tion cycle if the water-in-fuel indicator is cycled off
and then on again by the appropriate lamp-off and
lamp-on messages from the PCM.

• Actuator Test - Each time the cluster is put

through the actuator test, the indicator will be
turned on, then off again during the bulb check por-
tion of the test to confirm the functionality of the
LED and the cluster control circuitry.

The PCM continually monitors the water in the

fuel system through the water-in-fuel sensor, then
sends the proper messages to the instrument cluster.
For further diagnosis of the water-in-fuel indicator or
the instrument cluster circuitry that controls the
LED, (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER

DIAGNOSIS AND

TESTING).

For

proper diagnosis of the water-in-fuel-sensor, the
PCM, the PCI data bus, or the message inputs to the
instrument cluster that control the water-in-fuel indi-
cator, a DRBIII

t scan tool is required. Refer to the

appropriate diagnostic information.

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER

8J - 37

WASHER FLUID INDICATOR (Continued)

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