Dakota 4WD V8-4.7L Flex Fuel (2008)
Seat Belt Reminder Lamp: Description and Operation
Operation
OPERATION
The seatbelt indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator of the status of the driver side front seatbelt. This indicator is controlled by a transistor
on the instrument cluster circuit board based upon cluster programming and a hard wired input from the seatbelt switch in the driver side front seatbelt
retractor through the seat belt indicator driver circuit.
The seatbelt indicator also includes a programmable enhanced seatbelt reminder or BELTMINDER feature that is enabled when the vehicle is shipped
from the factory. This BELTMINDER feature can be disabled and enabled by the customer using a specific programming event sequence, or by the
dealer using a diagnostic scan tool.
The seatbelt indicator Light Emitting Diode (LED) 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 LED
will always be OFF when the ignition switch is in any position except ON or START. The LED only illuminates when it is provided a path to ground by
the instrument cluster transistor. The instrument cluster will turn ON the seatbelt indicator for the following reasons:
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Seatbelt Reminder Function - Each time the cluster receives a battery current input on the fused ignition switch output (run-start) circuit, the
indicator will be illuminated as a seatbelt reminder for about six seconds, or until the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, whichever
occurs first. This reminder function will occur regardless of the status of the seatbelt switch input to the cluster.
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Driver Side Front Seatbelt Not Buckled - Beltminder Active - Following the seatbelt reminder function, each time the cluster detects an open
circuit on the seat belt indicator driver circuit (seatbelt switch open = seatbelt unbuckled) with the ignition switch in the START or ON positions,
the indicator will be illuminated. In addition, if the driver side front seat belt remains unbuckled about 60 seconds after the conclusion of the
seatbelt reminder function with the vehicle speed greater than about 8 kilometers-per-hour (5 miles-per-hour), the seatbelt indicator will begin to
cycle between flashing ON and OFF for 3 seconds, then lighting solid for 2 seconds. The seatbelt indicator will continue to cycle between flashing
and solid illumination for 13 complete cycles, until the seat belt indicator driver input to the cluster is closed to ground (seatbelt switch closed =
seatbelt buckled), or until the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, whichever occurs first.
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Driver Side Front Seatbelt Not Buckled - Beltminder Inactive - Following the seatbelt reminder function, each time the cluster detects an open
circuit on the seat belt indicator driver circuit (seatbelt switch open = seatbelt unbuckled) with the ignition switch in the START or ON positions,
the indicator will be illuminated. The seatbelt indicator remains illuminated until the seat belt indicator driver input to the cluster is closed to
ground (seatbelt switch closed = seatbelt buckled), or until the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, whichever occurs first.
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Airbag Indicator Backup - If the instrument cluster detects a fault in the airbag indicator circuit it will send an electronic message indicating the
fault to the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC), then flash the seatbelt indicator ON and OFF. The cluster will continue to flash the indicator
until the airbag indicator circuit fault is resolved, or until the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, whichever occurs first.
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Actuator Test - Each time the cluster is put through the actuator test, the seatbelt indicator will be turned ON, then OFF again during the bulb
check portion of the test to confirm the functionality of the LED and the cluster control circuitry.
The seatbelt switch is connected in series between ground and the seat belt indicator driver input to the ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC)
(also known as the Cab Compartment Node/CCN). The hard wired seatbelt switch input to the EMIC may be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic
tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information.
