Dakota 2WD L4-2.5L VIN P (2001)
Hi-Beam Indicator Lamp: Description and Operation
A high beam indicator is standard equipment on all instrument clusters. The high beam indicator is located near the upper edge of the instrument cluster
overlay, between the tachometer and the speedometer. The high beam indicator consists of a stenciled cutout of the International Control and Display
Symbol icon for "High Beam" in the opaque layer of the instrument cluster overlay. The dark outer layer of the overlay prevents the indicator from being
clearly visible when it is not illuminated. A blue lens behind the cutout in the opaque layer of the overlay causes the icon to appear in blue when it is
illuminated from behind by a replaceable incandescent bulb and bulb holder unit located on the instrument cluster electronic circuit board, The high
beam indicator is serviced as a unit with the instrument cluster.
The high beam indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator when the headlamp high beams are illuminated. This indicator is hard wired on the
instrument cluster electronic circuit board, and is controlled by the Central Timer Module (CTM) through the high beam indicator driver circuit input to
the cluster based upon a control signal to the CTM from the headlamp beam select switch. The headlamp beam select switch is integral to the
multi-function switch on the left side of the steering column. The high beam indicator bulb receives battery current on the instrument cluster electronic
circuit board through a fused B(+) circuit at all times; therefore, the indicator remains operational regardless of the ignition switch position. The indicator
only illuminates when it is provided with a path to ground by the CTM. The high beam indicator can be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools
and methods. For proper diagnosis of the CTM and the inputs to the CTM that control the high beam indicator driver circuit, a DRB III scan tool is
required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
