Sprinter 2500 V6-3.0L DSL Turbo (2008)
Instrument Cluster / Carrier: Description and Operation
Instrument Cluster
Description
DESCRIPTION
The instrument cluster (2) for this vehicle is an ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) that is located in the instrument panel above the steering
column opening, directly in front of the driver. The remainder of the EMIC, including the mounts and the electrical connections, are concealed within the
instrument panel below the cluster hood (1). The instrument cluster also includes the hardware and software necessary to serve several other functions
and is sometimes referred to as the Cab Compartment Node/CCN or KOMBI.
Besides analog gauges and indicators, the EMIC module incorporates either a standard single multi-function indicator Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) unit
or optional dual multi-function indicator Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display units. These multi-function indicators display odometer/trip
odometer information, an electronic digital clock, automatic transmission gear selector position (PRNDL) and outside ambient temperature, numerous
warning indicators and certain diagnostic information. When the vehicle is so equipped, the multi-function indicator can also serve as the display for the
Active Service SYStem (ASSYST) engine oil maintenance indicator, which displays engine oil level or maintenance reminders, and serves as the visual
display and interface for the trip computer, the customer programmable features and numerous textual warnings.
The standard cluster multi-function indicator has four push button switches on the face of the cluster, which provide the vehicle operator with an
interface to adjust certain variables and to select from multiple display options. The optional cluster multi-function indicator has four push button
switches on the face of the cluster as well as switches mounted on each side of the driver airbag trim cover in the center of the steering wheel, which
provide the vehicle operator with an interface to adjust certain variables, to select from multiple display options and to select from numerous
programmable features.
The EMIC gauges and indicators are visible through a dedicated opening in the instrument panel below the cluster hood and are protected by a clear
plastic cluster lens with an integral black plastic surround that is secured by integral latches to the molded black plastic cluster hood. Two black plastic
multi-function indicator switch push buttons protrude through dedicated holes in each outboard edge of the surround. The cluster housing has an integral
hood that serves as a visor and shields the face of the cluster from ambient light and reflections to reduce glare.
The EMIC electronic circuitry is protected by the molded plastic cluster housing. The cluster housing serves as the carrier for the cluster electronic
circuit board and circuitry, the cluster connector receptacle, the gauges, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) for each cluster indicator and general illumination
lamp, the multi-function indicator LCD or OLED display units, electronic tone generators, the cluster overlay, the gauge pointers, the multi-function
indicator switches and the four switch push buttons. An integral latching mechanism located at each rear outboard end of the cluster are used to secure
the EMIC to the molded plastic instrument panel base unit. The housing includes a clearance hole for the single cluster connector receptacle on the
cluster electronic circuit board. The connector receptacle on the back of the cluster electronic circuit board connect the EMIC to the vehicle electrical
system through a dedicated take out with connector from the vehicle wire harness.
The cluster overlay is a laminated plastic unit. The dark, visible, outer surface of the overlay is marked with all of the gauge dial faces and graduations,
but this layer is also translucent. The darkness of this outer layer prevents the cluster from appearing cluttered or busy by concealing the cluster
indicators that are not illuminated, while the translucence of this layer allows those indicators and icons that are illuminated to be readily visible. The
underlying layer of the overlay is opaque and allows light from the LED for each of the various indicators and illumination lamps behind it to be visible
through the outer layer of the overlay only through predetermined cutouts. Rectangular openings in the overlay between the speedometer and tachometer
provide windows through which the illuminated multi-function indicator units can be viewed.
Several versions of the EMIC module are offered on this vehicle. These versions accommodate all of the variations of optional equipment and regulatory
requirements for the various markets in which the vehicle is offered. The microprocessor-based EMIC utilizes integrated circuitry, Electrically Erasable
Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) type memory storage, information carried on the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus along with
several hard wired analog and multiplexed inputs to monitor sensors and switches throughout the vehicle. In response to those inputs, the hardware and
software of the EMIC allow it to control and integrate many electronic functions and features of the vehicle through both hard wired outputs and the
transmission of electronic message outputs to other electronic modules in the vehicle over the CAN data bus. .