Principles of Operation: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Mercury Sable and 2005 Ford Taurus. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

When installing a new instrument cluster, it is necessary to upload the module configuration to the diagnostic tool. Following installation of the instrument cluster, download the module configuration from the diagnostic tool into the new instrument cluster. For additional information, refer to MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK . The following items are configurable:

speedometer
outside air temperature
compass
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
anti-lock brake system/traction control (ABS/TC)
overspeed warning chime
reverse warning chime
flex fuel
overspeed trip point
seatbelt indicator timeout
electronic automatic temperature control (EATC)
seatbelt chime

The instrument cluster contains an analog speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge and engine coolant temperature gauge. The instrument cluster receives the information over the controller area network (CAN) circuits. The instrument cluster carries out a display prove-out to verify that the warning/indicator lamps and monitored systems are operating correctly. When the key is turned to the ON position, the charging system, low oil pressure and the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)/check engine illuminate until the engine starts.

Each time the ignition switch is turned from OFF to ON, the following instrument cluster warning indicators will prove out:

air bag (6-second prove-out)
ABS (3-second prove-out)
BRAKE (3-second prove-out)
charging system
check engine (MIL)
low fuel
low oil pressure
safety belt (60-second prove-out)
traction control (if equipped) (3-second prove-out)
THEFT (3-second prove-out)
check fuel cap (3-second prove-out)