Explorer 2WD V6-245 4.0L SOHC VIN E EFI (1997)
Driver/Vehicle Information Display: Description and Operation
Display Dimming
The dimming of the indicator display is controlled by the pulse width dimmer module. The voltage on Pin 2 controls the brightness of the message center
display. When the exterior lamps are OFF, this voltage will be zero volts and the message center display will be at maximum brightness. When the
exterior lamps are ON, this voltage will be controlled by the pulse width dimmer module and will be between 2.5 volts and battery voltage. The
message center display will be brighter as this voltage approaches battery voltage. If there is a warning on the message center display, the display will not
dim to its lowest level.
When the headlamps or parking lamps are OFF, the display of the message center indicator will be maximum brightness and the labels for the center five
switches of the message center switch module will not be illuminated.
When the headlamps or parking lamps are ON, the brightness of the display of the message center indicator and the labels for the center five switches of
the message center switch module will be controlled by the pulse width dimmer module.
English/Metric Mode
The English/Metric switch controls the display mode for both the message center indicator and the electronic automatic temperature control. A press of
the English/Metric switch will change both displays between English mode and Metric mode.
Fuel Computer
The fuel computer of the message center indicator uses information from other modules and sensors to perform calculations.
Range
The Range feature has two displays: 1) the distance that can be traveled before refueling, and 2) the distance that was traveled since the last trip
odometer reset. The range switch will change the message center indicator between the two displays.
The Range (Distance to Empty) feature is calculated using the fuel flow signal from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), the speed signal from
the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) and the fuel level signal from the fuel level sensor, which is a part of the fuel pump.
The fuel flow and speed signals are used to calculate a Running Average Fuel Economy (RAFE), which is multiplied by the fuel remaining to give
the range.
RAFE is not the same number as the Average Fuel Economy displayed by the message center indicator.
RAFE is based on the past driving history and can only be reset by disconnecting the battery.
When the range decreases to 80 km (50 miles) to empty, the message center will display the LOW FUEL LEVEL warning.
With a fuel tank full of fuel (160 ohm signal from fuel sender) and after a battery disconnect, the Range should be approximately 400 miles to
empty.
The Range (Trip Odometer) feature is calculated using the speed signal from the vehicle speed sensor. It can be reset to zero by pressing the reset
switch while the trip odometer is displayed on the message center.
Status
The Status feature has two displays, fuel-to-empty and fuel-used. The Status switch will change the message center indicator between the two
displays.
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The fuel-to-empty calculation is achieved using the fuel level signal from the fuel level sensor.
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The fuel-used feature is calculated using the fuel flow signal from the powertrain control module and can be reset to zero by pressing the
RESET switch while the fuel-used feature is displayed on the message center.
Economy
The Economy feature has two displays: Average and Instant. Depressing the Economy switch changes the message center indicator between both
displays.
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The economy calculations are achieved using the fuel flow signal from the powertrain control module and the speed signal from the vehicle
speed sensor.
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The average fuel economy feature can be reset by pressing the RESET switch while the average fuel economy feature is displayed on the
message center indicator.
Message Center
