Diagnosis And Testing - Instrument Cluster
To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbags, airbag curtains, knee blocker, seat belt tensioner, impact sensor or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect the Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS)/negative battery cable assembly from the negative battery post, then wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the SRS. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment.
If all of the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) gauges and indicators are inoperative, be certain to check the IPC fused B(+) fuse and the IPC fused B(+) circuit and ground circuit for shorts or opens. The hard wired circuits between components related to the IPC may be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wiring information includes wiring diagrams, proper wire and connector repair procedures, details of wire harness routing and retention, connector pin out information and location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.
However, conventional diagnostic methods will not prove conclusive in the diagnosis of the IPC or the electronic controls or communication between modules and other devices that provide some features of the IPC. The most reliable, efficient and accurate means to diagnose the IPC or the electronic controls and communication related to IPC operation requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.