Dakota 4WD V8-4.7L Flex Fuel (2008)
Door/Trunk Ajar Indicator/Lamp: Description and Operation
Operation
OPERATION
The door ajar indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator that one or more of the passenger compartment doors may be open or not completely
latched. This indicator is controlled by the instrument cluster logic circuit based upon cluster programming and hard wired inputs received by the cluster
from the door ajar switches located in each door latch unit.
The door ajar indicator function of the Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) is completely controlled by the instrument cluster logic circuit, and that logic
will only allow this indicator to operate when the instrument cluster receives a battery current input on the fused ignition switch output (run-start) circuit.
Therefore, the VFD door ajar indication will always be OFF when the ignition switch is in any position except ON or START. The instrument cluster
will turn ON the door ajar indicator for the following reasons:
-
Door Ajar Switch Input - Each time the cluster detects ground on any one of the door ajar switch sense circuits (door ajar switch closed = door
is open or not completely latched) the door ajar indicator will be illuminated. The indicator remains illuminated until all of the door ajar switch
sense inputs to the cluster are an open circuit (door ajar switch open = door fully closed), until the cluster has completed an interior lamps load
shed (about five minutes), or until the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, whichever occurs first.
The ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) (also known as the Cab Compartment Node/CCN) continually monitors the door ajar switches to
determine the status of the doors. For further diagnosis of the door ajar indicator or the instrument cluster circuitry that controls the indicator, Refer to
appropriate testing. See: Instrument Cluster / Carrier/Testing and Inspection
The hard wired door ajar switches and circuits related to door ajar indicator operation may be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and
procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information.
