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8J - 38
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
TACHOMETER (Continued)
onds, the gauge needle will return to the left end of
the gauge scale.
• Actuator Test - Each time the cluster is put
through the actuator test, the tachometer needle will
be swept to several calibration points on the gauge
scale in a prescribed sequence in order to confirm the
functionality of the gauge and the cluster control cir-
cuitry.
On vehicles with a gasoline engine, the PCM con-
tinually monitors the crankshaft position sensor to
determine the engine speed. On vehicles with a die-
sel engine, the ECM continually monitors the engine
speed sensor to determine the engine speed. The
PCM or ECM then sends the proper engine speed
messages to the instrument cluster. For further diag-
nosis of the tachometer or the instrument cluster cir-
cuitry that controls the gauge, (Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - DIAGNO-
SIS AND TESTING). For proper diagnosis of the
crankshaft position sensor, the engine speed sensor,
the PCM, the ECM, the PCI data bus, or the elec-
tronic message inputs to the instrument cluster that
control the tachometer, a DRBIII
required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic infor-
mation.
TRANS TEMP INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION
A transmission over-temperature indicator is stan-
dard equipment on all instrument clusters. However,
on vehicles not equipped with an optional automatic
transmission, this indicator is electronically disabled.
The
transmission
over-temperature
located on the left side of the instrument cluster, to
the left of the fuel gauge. The transmission over-tem-
perature indicator consists of a stencil-like cutout of
the words "TRANS TEMP" 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. A red Light Emit-
ting Diode (LED) behind the cutout in the opaque
layer of the overlay causes the "TRANS TEMP" text
to appear in red through the translucent outer layer
of the overlay when the indicator is illuminated from
behind by the LED, which is soldered onto the
instrument cluster electronic circuit board. The
transmission over-temperature indicator is serviced
as a unit with the instrument cluster.
OPERATION
The transmission over-temperature indicator gives
an indication to the vehicle operator when the trans-
mission fluid temperature is excessive, which may
lead to accelerated transmission component wear or
failure. This indicator is controlled by a transistor on
the instrument cluster circuit board based upon clus-
ter programming and electronic messages received by
the cluster from the Powertrain Control Module
(PCM) over the Programmable Communications
Interface (PCI) data bus. The transmission over-tem-
perature indicator Light Emitting Diode (LED) is
completely controlled by the instrument cluster logic
circuit, and that logic will only allow this indicator to
operate when the instrument cluster receives a bat-
tery current input on the fused ignition switch out-
put (run-start) circuit. 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 transmission over-temperature indicator
for the following reasons:
• Bulb Test - Each time the ignition switch is
turned to the On position the transmission over-tem-
perature indicator is illuminated for about two sec-
onds as a bulb test.
• Trans Over-Temp Lamp-On Message - Each
scan tool is
time the cluster receives a trans over-temp lamp-on
message from the PCM indicating that the transmis-
sion fluid temperature is 135° C (275° F) or higher,
the indicator will be illuminated and a single chime
tone is sounded. The indicator remains illuminated
until the cluster receives a trans over-temp lamp-off
message from the PCM, or until the ignition switch
is turned to the Off position, whichever occurs first.
The chime tone feature will only repeat during the
same ignition cycle if the transmission over-tempera-
ture indicator is cycled off and then on again by the
indicator
is
appropriate trans over-temp messages from the PCM.
• Actuator Test - Each time the cluster is put
through the actuator test, the transmission over-tem-
perature indicator will be turned on, then off again
during the bulb check portion of the test to confirm
the functionality of the LED and the cluster control
circuitry.
The PCM continually monitors the transmission
temperature sensor to determine the transmission
operating condition. The PCM then sends the proper
trans over-temp lamp-on or lamp-off messages to the
instrument cluster. If the instrument cluster turns on
the transmission over-temperature indicator due to a
high transmission oil temperature condition, it may
indicate that the transmission and/or the transmis-
sion cooling system are being overloaded or that they
require service. For further diagnosis of the trans-
mission over-temperature indicator or the instrument
cluster circuitry that controls the LED, (Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - DIAGNO-
SIS AND TESTING). For proper diagnosis of the
transmission temperature sensor, the PCM, the PCI
DR
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