Subaru LEGACY 2002 Quick Reference Index page 586

Instrumentation/Driver Info
1. Combination Meter
A: LUMINESCENT METER
Some models are equipped with a luminescent combination meter with improved visibility and at-
tractive appearance. The luminescent combination meter has the following features:
! The intensity of the meter and gauge illumination can be adjusted as desired according to am-
bient light conditions.
When the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, the meters and gauges illuminate incre-
!
mentally: first the rings, then the needles and finally the characters.
The combination meter panel has a new indicator light which illuminates when the light switch
!
(headlight control knob) is turned to the first position.
(2)
(1)
(1) Fuel gauge ring
! The rim of the fuel gauge (luminescent ring) starts flashing when the low fuel warning light
comes on.
! A cold cathode fluorescent lamp is used for the illumination of the meter and gauge characters.
The cold cathode fluorescent lamp consists of a glass tube, appropriate amounts of mercury vapor
and inert gases (argon, neon, etc.) in the glass tube, fluorescer coated on the inner surface of the
glass tube, and pole-shaped electrodes at both ends of the tube.
The cold cathode fluorescent lamp operates as follows:
When adequately high voltage is applied between the lamp's electrodes, the anode is bombarded
by a few electrons moving in the tube at a high speed toward it. This causes emission of secondary
electrons from the anode and an electric discharge then starts. During the electric discharge, mer-
cury molecules in the tube are bombarded by electrons that are moving toward the anode. The
electron bombardment is accompanied by radiation of ultraviolet rays. The ultraviolet rays then ac-
tivate the fluorescer, causing it to emit light.
The cold cathode fluorescent lamp operating in the above-mentioned principle provides the meter
and gauge characters with illumination of near sunlight color.
COMBINATION METER
(2) Luminescent ring
IDI-2
(3)
(3) Light switch indicator light
(2)
B6H1618A