BOUNCING GAUGES
So i was sitting in my truck and thought i remembered how to pull up the hr meter on my truck ( just farting around) . So i turn off the truck and push in the trip meter and turn on the ignition . All my gauge lights turned on ( some i have never seen before and some that are not even options on my truck ) and my guages all pinned out. then they started cycling through some program twice and everything went back to normal . I was kinda freaked out at first but figured this must be some sort of diagnostic mode or something .does anyone know what this mode was and what it does ?? thanks
Having been on the floor ofthe manufacturer of the instrument clusters I can tell you that it is completely normal. The gauges are calibrated and idiot lights confirmed using vision cameras to see the postion of each of the needles when specific voltages are applied. The operator loads a cluster into a darkened test chamber, starts a test sequence (just like you saw) and if all is good, 15 seconds later it is put in a box and sent to Chysler.
Normal....
Self-diagnosis...
ACTUATOR TEST
The instrument cluster actuator test will put the instrument cluster into its self-diagnostic mode. In this mode the instrument cluster can perform a self-diagnostic test that will confirm that the instrument cluster circuitry, the gauges, and the indicators are capable of operating as designed. During the actuator test the instrument cluster circuitry will position each of the gauge needles at various calibration points, illuminate all of the segments in the Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) unit, and turn all of the indicators ON and OFF again.
Successful completion of the actuator test will confirm that the instrument cluster is operational. However, there may still be a problem with the CAN data bus, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), the Engine Control Module (ECM), the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM), the Transmission Control Module (TCM), the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC), the Controller Anti-lock Brake (CAB), the Sentry Key REmote Entry Module (SKREEM) (also known as the Wireless Control Module/WCM) or the hard wired inputs to one of these electronic control modules. Use a diagnostic scan tool to diagnose these components. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
1.
Begin the test with the ignition switch in the OFF position.
2.
Depress the odometer/trip odometer switch button.
3.
While still holding the odometer/trip odometer switch button depressed, turn the ignition switch to the ON position, but do not start the engine.
4.
Release the odometer/trip odometer switch button.
5.
The instrument cluster will simultaneously begin to illuminate all of the operational segments in the VFD unit and perform a bulb check of each operational LED indicator. The VFD segments and LED indicators remain illuminated as each gauge needle is swept to several calibration points and back. If a VFD segment or an LED indicator fails to illuminate, or if a gauge needle fails to sweep through the calibration points and back during this test, the instrument cluster must be replaced.
6.
The actuator test is now completed. The instrument cluster will automatically exit the self-diagnostic mode and return to normal operation at the completion of the test. The actuator test will be aborted if the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, or if a vehicle speed message indicating that the vehicle is moving is received from the PCM over the CAN data bus during the test.
Self-diagnosis...
ACTUATOR TEST
The instrument cluster actuator test will put the instrument cluster into its self-diagnostic mode. In this mode the instrument cluster can perform a self-diagnostic test that will confirm that the instrument cluster circuitry, the gauges, and the indicators are capable of operating as designed. During the actuator test the instrument cluster circuitry will position each of the gauge needles at various calibration points, illuminate all of the segments in the Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) unit, and turn all of the indicators ON and OFF again.
Successful completion of the actuator test will confirm that the instrument cluster is operational. However, there may still be a problem with the CAN data bus, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), the Engine Control Module (ECM), the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM), the Transmission Control Module (TCM), the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC), the Controller Anti-lock Brake (CAB), the Sentry Key REmote Entry Module (SKREEM) (also known as the Wireless Control Module/WCM) or the hard wired inputs to one of these electronic control modules. Use a diagnostic scan tool to diagnose these components. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
1.
Begin the test with the ignition switch in the OFF position.
2.
Depress the odometer/trip odometer switch button.
3.
While still holding the odometer/trip odometer switch button depressed, turn the ignition switch to the ON position, but do not start the engine.
4.
Release the odometer/trip odometer switch button.
5.
The instrument cluster will simultaneously begin to illuminate all of the operational segments in the VFD unit and perform a bulb check of each operational LED indicator. The VFD segments and LED indicators remain illuminated as each gauge needle is swept to several calibration points and back. If a VFD segment or an LED indicator fails to illuminate, or if a gauge needle fails to sweep through the calibration points and back during this test, the instrument cluster must be replaced.
6.
The actuator test is now completed. The instrument cluster will automatically exit the self-diagnostic mode and return to normal operation at the completion of the test. The actuator test will be aborted if the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, or if a vehicle speed message indicating that the vehicle is moving is received from the PCM over the CAN data bus during the test.
wow very detailed thanks .I guess they must use the same dash for trucks with different optionscause as noted there were lights on there that i know my truck doesnt have eg auto 4x4 .
would make sence
would make sence



