Instrument Cluster Operation

Charge Indicator Operation 

The instrument cluster illuminates the charge indicator and displays a warning message in the driver information center if equipped, when the one or more of the following occurs:

• The ECM detects that the generator output is less than 11 V or greater than 16 V. The instrument cluster receives a serial data message from the ECM requesting illumination.
• The instrument cluster determines that the system voltage is less than 11 V or greater than 16 V for more than 30 s. The instrument cluster receives a serial data message from the BCM indicating there is a system voltage range concern.
• The instrument cluster performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The indicator illuminates for approximately 3 s.

Driver Information Center Message: BATTERY NOT CHARGING SERVICE CHARGING SYSTEM or SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM 

The BCM and the ECM will send a serial data message to the driver information center for the BATTERY NOT CHARGING SERVICE CHARGING SYSTEM or SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM message to be displayed. It is displayed when a charging system DTC is a current DTC. The message is turned off when the conditions for clearing the DTC have been met.

Voltmeter Gauge and/or System Voltage Display (if equipped) 

As a means of displaying the charging system functions, some vehicles may be equipped with a voltmeter gauge on the instrument cluster and/or a system voltage display in the driver information center. These will indicate the current vehicle system voltage.

As the charging systems works to maintain the battery charge and manage vehicle electrical loads, it is normal for the voltmeter gauge on the instrument cluster or the system voltage display in the driver information center to fluctuate or change. This does not indicate a malfunction. Depending on the battery state of charge and the vehicle electrical load, these values may be anywhere from 12.5 V to 15.5 V.