Compass 2WD L4-2.0L VIN 0 (2007)
Transmission Shift Position Indicator Lamp: Description and Operation
Description
DESCRIPTION
An electronic automatic transmission gear selector indicator is standard factory-installed equipment on this vehicle. However, on vehicles not equipped
with an optional automatic transmission, this indicator is electronically disabled. The gear selector indicator information is displayed in the upper portion
of the odometer Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) unit. This VFD unit is soldered onto the cluster electronic circuit board, and is visible through a
window with a smoked clear lens located on the lower edge of the tachometer dial face of the cluster overlay. The dark lens over the VFD unit prevents
the indicator from being clearly visible when it is not illuminated.
The gear selector indicator displays the following characters from left to right: P, R, N, D and a fifth, reconfigurable character. The reconfigurable
character can be any number 1 through 6. Each character appears in a blue-green color and at the same lighting level as the odometer information.
Respectively, these characters represent the PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE and each of the forward drive gear positions of the transmission
gear selector lever on the floor panel transmission tunnel. The indicator also illuminates a box around the character that represents the currently selected
lever position.
During daylight hours (exterior lamps are OFF) the VFD unit is illuminated at full brightness for clear visibility. At night (exterior lamps are ON), the
VFD unit lighting level is adjusted with the other cluster general illumination lamps using the panel lamps dimmer function of the interior lighting
control sleeve on the left multi-function switch control stalk. However, a PARADE mode position of the control sleeve allows the VFD unit to be
illuminated at full brightness if the exterior lamps are turned ON during daylight hours.
The gear selector indicator is serviced as a unit with the VFD unit in the instrument cluster.
