Jeep Cherokee (XJ): Description and operation

Instrument panel system

DESCRIPTION

The instrument panel serves as the command center of the vehicle, which necessarily makes it a very complex unit. The instrument panel is designed to house the controls and monitors for standard and optional powertrains, climate control systems, audio systems, lighting systems, safety systems and many other comfort or convenience items. The instrument panel is also designed so that all of the various controls can be safely reached and the monitors can be easily viewed by the vehicle operator when driving, while still allowing relative ease of access to each of these items for service. See the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for more information on the features, use and operation of all of the instrument panel components and systems.

This group is responsible for covering service information for the vehicle instrument panel systems.

However, complete service information coverage for all of the systems and components housed in the instrument panel in a single section of the service manual would not be practical. Therefore, the service information for any component will be found in the group designated to cover the vehicle system that the component belongs to, even though the component is mounted on or in the instrument panel. If you cannot locate a listing for the component or system you are servicing in the table of contents for this group, or if you are uncertain as to which vehicle system a component belongs to, it is suggested that you refer to the alphabetical Component and System Index found at the back of this service manual.

NOTE: This group covers both Left-Hand Drive (LHD) and Right-Hand Drive (RHD) versions of this model. Whenever required and feasible, the RHD versions of affected vehicle components have been constructed as mirror-image of the LHD versions.

While most of the illustrations used in this group represent only the LHD version, the diagnostic and service procedures outlined can generally be applied to either version. Exceptions to this rule have been clearly identified as LHD or RHD, if a special illustration or procedure is required.

Instrument panel

DESCRIPTION

This instrument panel uses a full-width structural plastic foundation as its primary support. When the two primary molded plastic components of this structure are vibration welded together they provide superior instrument panel stiffness and integrity to help reduce buzzes, squeaks, and rattles even on the bumpiest roads.

This type of construction also provides improved energy absorption which, in conjunction with the dual airbag modules and seat belts, helps to improve occupant protection. This foundation structure also serves as the air duct for the heating and air conditioning system panel outlets, which greatly reduces the number of components used over conventional instrument panel construction.

Modular instrument panel construction allows all of the gauges and controls to be serviced from the front of the panel. In addition, most of the instrument panel electrical components can be accessed without complete instrument panel removal. If necessary, the instrument panel can be removed from the vehicle as an assembly.

Removal of the steering column opening cover and knee blocker provides access to the steering column mounts, the steering column wiring, the headlamp switch, the electronic combination flasher, and much of the instrument panel wiring. Removal of the glove box provides access to the heating and air conditioning electrical and vacuum harnesses, the blower motor relay, the radio antenna coaxial cable, the lower passenger side airbag mounts, and additional instrument panel wiring.

Removal of the instrument panel center bezel allows access to the radio, the heating and air conditioning controls, the accessory switches, the cigar lighter, and the accessory power outlet. Removal of the instrument cluster bezel allows access to the instrument cluster. Removal of the cluster assembly allows access to the cluster illumination and indicator lamp bulbs, and more of the instrument panel wiring.

Removal of the instrument panel top cover allows access to the upper passenger side airbag mounts.

Instrument panel removal is required for service of most internal components of the heating and air conditioning system housing.

Instrument cluster

DESCRIPTION

Two basic instrument clusters are offered on this model: low-line, or high-line. Both clusters are electromechanical units that utilize integrated circuitry and information carried on the Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus network for control of all gauges and many of the indicator lamps. These clusters also incorporate a digital Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) for the odometer/trip odometer display functions. Some variations of each cluster exist due to optional equipment and regulatory requirements.

The low-line cluster includes the following analog gauges:

  •  Fuel gauge
  •  Speedometer.

This cluster also includes provisions for the following indicator lamps:

  •  Airbag indicator lamp
  •  Anti-lock brake system lamp
  •  Brake warning lamp
  •  Coolant temperature warning lamp
  •  Cruise-on indicator lamp
  •  Four-wheel drive (Part Time and/or Full Time) indicator lamps
  •  Headlamp high beam indicator lamp
  •  Low oil pressure warning lamp
  •  Low washer fluid warning lamp
  •  Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)
  •  Seat belt reminder lamp
  •  Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIS) indicator lamp
  •  Turn signal indicator lamps
  •  Upshift indicator lamp (manual transmission)
  •  Voltage warning lamp.

The high-line cluster replaces some of the indicator lamps found in the low-line cluster with analog gauges. The high-line cluster includes the following analog gauges:

  •  Coolant temperature gauge
  •  Fuel gauge
  •  Oil pressure gauge
  •  Speedometer
  •  Tachometer
  •  Voltmeter.

The high-line cluster also adds a check gauges lamp and a low fuel warning lamp to the remaining indicator lamps found in the low-line cluster.

Both instrument clusters feature circuitry that has a self-diagnostic actuator test capability, which will test each of the CCD bus message-controlled functions of the cluster by lighting the appropriate indicator lamps and positioning the gauge needles at several predetermined locations on the gauge faces in a prescribed sequence. For more information on this function, refer to Instrument Cluster in the Diagnosis and Testing section of this group.

The instrument cluster circuitry also integrates a chime tone generator and a timer circuit. These items replace the chime or buzzer module, and the separate timer circuit for the rear window defogger system. Refer to Chime Warning System in the Description and Operation section of Group 8U - Chime/Buzzer Warning Systems for more information on the chime functions of the instrument cluster.

Refer to Rear Window Defogger System in the Description and Operation section of Group 8N - Electrically Heated Systems for more information on the timer function of the instrument cluster.

The instrument clusters for this model are serviced only as complete units. If a cluster gauge or the cluster circuit board are faulty, the entire cluster must be replaced. The cluster lens, the cluster hood and mask, the rear cluster housing cover, the odometer reset knob boot and the incandescent lamp bulbs and holders are available for service replacement.

OPERATION

GAUGE

With the ignition switch in the On or Start positions, voltage is supplied to all gauges through the instrument cluster electronic circuit board. With the ignition switch in the Off position, voltage is not supplied to the gauges. The gauges do not accurately indicate any vehicle condition unless the ignition switch is in the On or Start positions.

All of the instrument cluster gauges, except the odometer, are air core magnetic units. Two fixed electromagnetic coils are located within the gauge. These coils are wrapped at right angles to each other around a movable permanent magnet. The movable magnet is suspended within the coils on one end of a shaft. The gauge needle is attached to the other end of the shaft.

One of the coils has a fixed current flowing through it to maintain a constant magnetic field strength. Current flow through the second coil changes, which causes changes in its magnetic field strength. The current flowing through the second coil is changed by the instrument cluster electronic circuitry in response to messages received on the Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus network.

The gauge needle moves as the movable permanent magnet aligns itself to the changing magnetic fields created around it by the electromagnets. The instrument cluster circuitry is programmed to move all of the gauge needles back to the low end of their respective scales after the ignition switch is turned to the Off position.

INDICATOR LAMP

Indicator lamps are located in the instrument cluster and are served by the cluster circuit board and connectors. Many of the indicator lamps in the instrument cluster are controlled by the instrument cluster circuitry in response to messages received over the Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus network.

The anti-lock brake system lamp, brake warning lamp, four-wheel drive indicator lamps, headlamp high beam indicator lamp, low washer fluid warning lamp and turn signal indicator lamps are hard wired.

The seat belt reminder lamp is controlled by the instrument cluster programming. The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is normally controlled by CCD data bus messages from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM); however, if the instrument cluster detects a loss of CCD data bus communication, the cluster will automatically turn the MIL on and display the message "NO BUS" in the odometer VFD until CCD data bus communication is restored. The instrument cluster circuitry uses CCD data bus messages from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), Airbag Control Module (ACM), and the Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) to control all of the remaining indicator lamps.

Each of the indicator lamps in the instrument cluster uses incandescent bulbs and holders, which are available for service replacement.

CLUSTER ILLUMINATION LAMP

The cluster illumination lamps are hard wired in the instrument cluster. When the park or head lamps are turned on, the cluster illumination lamps light.

Illumination brightness is adjusted by rotating the headlamp switch knob (clockwise to dim, counterclockwise to brighten). The instrument cluster illumination lamps receive battery feed from the panel dimmer rheostat in the headlamp switch through a fuse in the fuseblock module.

The instrument cluster electronic circuitry also monitors the cluster illumination lamp dimming level whenever the park or head lamps are turned on. The instrument cluster electronic circuitry responds by adjusting the dimming level of the odometer Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD), and sending dimming level messages over the Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus network. When the park lamps or headlamps are turned off, the VFD is illuminated at full brightness for improved daylight visibility.

Each of the cluster illumination lamps is located on the instrument cluster circuit board. Each cluster illumination lamp has a replaceable bulb and bulb holder.

Instrument panel cigar lighter

DESCRIPTION

A cigar lighter is standard equipment on this model. The cigar lighter is installed in the instrument panel accessory switch bezel, which is located near the bottom of the instrument panel center bezel area, below the heater and air conditioner controls.

The cigar lighter base is secured by a snap fit within the accessory switch bezel.

The cigar lighter receptacle is serviced only as a part of the accessory switch bezel unit. If the cigar lighter base is faulty or damaged, the accessory switch bezel unit must be replaced. The cigar lighter knob and heating element unit is available for service.

This component cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.

OPERATION

The cigar lighter consists of two major components: a knob and heating element unit, and the cigar lighter base or receptacle shell. The receptacle shell is connected to ground, and an insulated contact in the bottom of the shell is connected to battery current.

The cigar lighter receives battery voltage from a fuse in the junction block through the cigar lighter relay only when the ignition switch is in the Accessory or On positions. Refer to Cigar Lighter Relay in the Description and Operation section of this group for more information on this component.

The cigar lighter knob and heating element are encased within a spring-loaded housing, which also features a sliding protective heat shield. When the knob and heating element are inserted in the receptacle shell, the heating element resistor coil is grounded through its housing to the receptacle shell.

If the cigar lighter knob is pushed inward, the heat shield slides up toward the knob exposing the heating element, and the heating element extends from the housing toward the insulated contact in the bottom of the receptacle shell.

Two small spring-clip retainers are located on either side of the insulated contact inside the bottom of the receptacle shell. These clips engage and hold the heating element against the insulated contact long enough for the resistor coil to heat up. When the heating element is engaged with the contact, battery current can flow through the resistor coil to ground, causing the resistor coil to heat.

When the resistor coil becomes sufficiently heated, excess heat radiates from the heating element causing the spring-clips to expand. Once the spring-clips expand far enough to release the heating element, the spring-loaded housing forces the knob and heating element to pop back outward to their relaxed position. When the cigar lighter knob and element are pulled out of the receptacle shell, the protective heat shield slides downward on the housing so that the heating element is recessed and shielded around its circumference for safety.

Cigar lighter relay

DESCRIPTION

The cigar lighter relay is an electromechanical device that switches fused battery current to the cigar lighter when the ignition switch is turned to the Accessory or On positions. The cigar lighter relay is located in the junction block, on the right cowl side panel below the instrument panel in the passenger compartment.

The cigar lighter relay is a International Standards Organization (ISO) relay. Relays conforming to the ISO specifications have common physical dimensions, current capacities, terminal patterns, and terminal functions.

The cigar lighter relay cannot be repaired or adjusted and, if faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.

OPERATION

The ISO relay consists of an electromagnetic coil, a resistor or diode, and three (two fixed and one movable) electrical contacts. The movable (common feed) relay contact is held against one of the fixed contacts (normally closed) by spring pressure. When the electromagnetic coil is energized, it draws the movable contact away from the normally closed fixed contact, and holds it against the other (normally open) fixed contact.

When the electromagnetic coil is de-energized, spring pressure returns the movable contact to the normally closed position. The resistor or diode is connected in parallel with the electromagnetic coil in the relay, and helps to dissipate voltage spikes that are produced when the coil is de-energized.

Instrument panel power outlet

DESCRIPTION

An accessory power outlet is standard equipment on this model. The power outlet is installed in the instrument panel accessory switch bezel, which is located near the bottom of the instrument panel center bezel area, below the heater and air conditioner controls. The power outlet base is secured by a snap fit within the accessory switch bezel. A plastic protective cap snaps into the power outlet base when the power outlet is not being used, and hangs from the power outlet base mount by an integral bail strap while the power outlet is in use.

The power outlet receptacle unit and the accessory power outlet protective cap are serviced only as a part of the accessory switch bezel unit. If the power outlet base is faulty or damaged, the entire accessory switch bezel unit must be replaced.

OPERATION

The power outlet base or receptacle shell is connected to ground, and an insulated contact in the bottom of the shell is connected to battery current.

The power outlet receives battery voltage from a fuse in the junction block at all times.

While the power outlet is very similar to a cigar lighter base unit, it does not include the two small spring-clip retainers inside the bottom of the receptacle shell that are used to secure the cigar lighter heating element to the insulated contact.

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