Wait-To-Start Indicator Description; Operation - Dodge dakota 2002 Service Manual

8J - 42 INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
WAIT-TO-START INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION
A wait-to-start indicator is only found in the
instrument clusters for vehicles equipped with an
optional diesel engine. The wait-to-start indicator is
located near the lower edge of the instrument cluster,
between the tachometer and the speedometer. The
wait-to-start indicator consists of stencil-like cutout
of the International Control and Display Symbol icon
for "Diesel Preheat" 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. An amber Light
Emitting Diode (LED) 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 the indicator is illuminated from
behind by the LED, which is soldered onto 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 air temperature within
the diesel engine intake manifold is too cool for effi-
cient and reliable engine starting, and that the
intake air heater grids are energized in their pre-
heat operating mode. 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 Engine Control
Module (ECM) over the Programmable Communica-
tions Interface (PCI) data bus. The wait-to-start indi-
cator 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 battery cur-
rent input on the fused ignition switch output (run-
start) circuit. Therefore, the LED 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
wait-to-start indicator for the following reasons:
• Wait-To-Start Lamp-On Message - Each time
the cluster receives a wait-to-start lamp-on message
from the ECM indicating that the air temperature
within the intake manifold is too cool for efficient
and reliable engine starting, the wait-to-start indica-
tor will be illuminated. The indicator remains illumi-
nated until the cluster receives a wait-to-start lamp-
off message, until the ECM detects that the engine is
running 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 wait-to-start 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 ECM continually monitors the engine intake
air temperature sensor to determine when the intake
air heater grids should be energized in their pre-heat
operating mode. The ECM then sends the proper
wait-to-start lamp-on and lamp-off messages to the
instrument cluster. For further diagnosis of the wait-
to-start indicator or the instrument cluster circuitry
that controls the indicator, (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING). For proper diagnosis of the engine intake
air temperature sensor, the intake air heater grid
control circuits, the ECM, the PCI data bus, or the
electronic message inputs to the instrument cluster
that control the wait-to-start indicator, a DRBIII
scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diag-
nostic information.
WASHER FLUID INDICATOR
DESCRIPTION
A washer fluid indicator is standard equipment on
all instrument clusters. The washer fluid indicator
consists of the words "LOW WASH", which appear in
the lower portion of the odometer/trip odometer Vac-
uum-Fluorescent Display (VFD) unit. The VFD is sol-
dered onto the cluster electronic circuit board and is
visible through a window with a smoked clear lens
located on the lower edge of the tachometer gauge
dial face of the cluster overlay. The dark lens over
the VFD prevents the indicator from being clearly
visible when it is not illuminated. The "LOW WASH"
text appears in an amber color and at the same light-
ing level as the odometer/trip odometer information
when it is illuminated by the instrument cluster elec-
tronic circuit board. The washer fluid indicator is ser-
viced as a unit with the VFD in the instrument
cluster.
OPERATION
The washer fluid indicator gives an indication to
the vehicle operator that the fluid level in the washer
reservoir is low. This indicator is controlled by the
instrument cluster circuit board based upon cluster
programming and electronic messages received by
the cluster from the Front Control Module (FCM)
over the Programmable Communications Interface
(PCI) data bus. The washer fluid indicator is com-
pletely controlled by the instrument cluster logic cir-
cuit, and that logic will only allow this indicator to
operate when the instrument cluster receives a bat-
DR