Instrument Cluster Description and Operation

Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module (with RPO UHS) The Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module is a multifunction module that provides the vehicle operator with information such as vehicle speed and engine RPM using analog gauges. Oil pressure, battery voltage, fuel level, and coolant temperature can also be displayed using an interactive LCD display. The Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module is highly reconfigurable, with four different themes available for selection. The Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module also provides the operator with operational warnings and message through various indicators and the driver information center. Because the Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module is an LCD display, driver information center elements are located in various zones of the display, depending on how the instrument panel is configured. Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module (with RPO UDD) The instrument cluster is a multifunction module that provides the vehicle operator with information that is critical to vehicle operation, such as vehicle speed, engine RPM, oil pressure, battery voltage, fuel level, and coolant temperature, using analog gauges. The instrument cluster also provides the operator with operational warnings and message through various indicators and the driver information center. The driver information center is a full color multifunction display that is located in the instrument cluster. The driver information center is also tightly integrated with the vehicle’s infotainment system and is highly reconfigurable. Indicators and Warning Messages Refer to Indicator/Warning Message Description and Operation. Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge The Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module displays the engine coolant temperature as determined by the engine control module (ECM). The ECM sends the engine coolant temperature information via serial data to the body control module (BCM). The BCM then sends the information via a serial data to the Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module to display the engine coolant temperature. Engine Oil Pressure Gauge (if equipped) The Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module displays the engine oil pressure as determined by the ECM. The ECM monitors the engine oil pressure sensor. The Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module receives a serial data message from the ECM indicating the engine oil pressure. The engine oil pressure gauge defaults to 0 kPa (0 psi) or below if: The ECM detects a malfunction in the engine oil pressure sensor signal circuit. The Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module detects a loss of serial data communication with the ECM. Fuel Level Gauge The Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module displays the fuel level based on the information from the ECM. The ECM converts the data from the fuel level sensors to a fuel level signal. The ECM sends the fuel level signal via serial data to the BCM. The BCM then sends the information via serial data to the Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module to display the fuel level. If the fuel level falls under 11% the Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module will illuminate the low fuel level indicator. The fuel gauge defaults to empty if: The ECM detects a malfunction in the fuel level sensor circuit. The BCM detects a loss of serial data communications with the ECM. The Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module detects a loss of serial data communications with the BCM. Speedometer The Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module displays the vehicle speed based on the information from the ECM. The ECM sends the vehicle speed information via serial data to the BCM. The BCM then sends the vehicle speed information via serial data to the Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module to display the vehicle speed. Odometer The Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module displays the vehicle odometer in the driver information center. The ECM sends a distance rolling count serial data message to the body control module (BCM). The BCM uses this information to calculate the vehicle odometer value. This calculated odometer value is then sent via serial data to the Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module to be displayed. Software checks are in place to ensure these modules, and their stored odometer information, can not be moved or transferred between different vehicles. Tachometer The Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module displays the engine speed based on the information from the ECM. The ECM converts the data from the crankshaft position sensor to an engine revolution signal. The ECM sends the engine speed information via serial data to the BCM. The BCM then sends the information via serial data to the Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module to display the engine speed. Compass The vehicle compass information is gather through the compass module or vehicle communication interface module (VCIM). The compass module or VCIM determines vehicle direction and communicates this with the BCM through serial data. The BCM sends the compass information to the Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module via serial data, where it is displayed. Outside Air Temperature The Ambient Air Temperature Sensor is located behind the grille and varies it’s resistance with temperature. The Engine Control Module (ECM) reads the resistance value to determine temperature. The time of and rate of the temperature update is based on an algorithm in the ECM software. Factors such as, last reading, current reading, length of time vehicle is been off/on, power mode, vehicle speed, driven distance, and sensor location are all considered by the ECM to know when to update the displayed temperature. For example, if the sensor is located near the engine compartment, and the vehicle has been turned off for only 10 minutes then restarted, the ECM will wait until the vehicle is driven to get more accurate air flow across the sensor before it updates the display. The Outside Air Temperature (OAT) display uses a filter routine to minimize false updates due to engine heat or road heat. Vehicle Outside Vehicle parked more than 2 hours: The OAT updates to the current sensor reading Vehicle parked less than 2 hours AND the new reading is LESS than the vehicle shutdown reading: The OAT updates to the current reading. Vehicle parked less than 2 hours AND the new reading is MORE than the vehicle shutdown reading: The vehicle will startup with the shutdown reading. As the vehicle is driven at speeds over 19 mph (30km/h) the filter counter starts to count up. When vehicle speed is under 19 mph (30km/h) the filter counter counts down. Once the counter reaches a predetermined maximum, the old OAT is updated to the current OAT reading. Example 1: Vehicle is OFF for 1 hour, OAT is 70 degrees F (21 degrees C). The ambient temperature has increased during the shut down to 74 degrees F (23 degrees C). The vehicle is started, OAT will still be displayed at 70 degrees F (21 degrees C), the driver drives at a stable speed over 19 mph (30km/h) for a minimum of 3 to 8 minutes with no stops, OAT display updates to current temp of 74 degrees F (23 degrees C). Example 2: Vehicle is shutoff for 1 hour, OAT is 70 degrees F (21 degrees C). The outside temperature has increased during the shut down to 74 degrees F (23 degrees C). The vehicle is started, OAT will still be clamped at 70 degrees F (21 degrees C). However, this time the driver is in heavy city traffic driving for 10 minutes of speeds below 19 mph (30km/h), then drives on the highway at speeds above 19 mph (30km/h) for a minimum of 2 to 6 minutes. The OAT display updates to the current temp of 74 degrees F (23 degrees C). This time it took longer to update because of all the stop and go driving below 19 mph (30km/h). Since the Ambient Air Temperature Sensor is in the grille, the values must be filtered to prevent them from updating to false readings when there is engine heat or road heat. Vehicle in Warm Garage If the vehicle is started in a garage that is warmer than the outside temperature, it may take some time to update to the new cooler ambient temperature. It may take up to 10 minutes to reach the new ambient temperature. Example 1: Vehicle is OFF for short time, or for overnight. Heated garage temp is 70 degrees F (21 degrees C). The outside temperature has decreased during the shut down to 60 degrees F (16 degrees C). The vehicle is started, OAT will register 70 degrees F (21 degrees C) (heated garage temperature). When driven outside the OAT will start to update lower to 60 degrees F (16 degrees C) as the sensor cools off, should take less than 8 minutes. Example 2: Same as above: Vehicle is OFF for short time, or for overnight. Heated garage temp is 70 degrees F (21 degrees C). The outside temperature has decreased during the shut down to 60 degrees F (16 degrees C). The vehicle is started, OAT will register 70 degrees F (21 degrees C) (heated garage temperature). However, this time, the driver does heavy city traffic driving for 10 minutes of speeds below 19 mph (30km/h), then gets on the highway at speeds above 19 mph (30km/h) for at least 2 minutes. When driven outside, the OAT will start to update lower to 60 degrees F (16 degrees C) as the sensor cools off. This should take less than 10 minutes to reach 60 degrees F (16 degrees C).