Mercedes-Benz Sprinter / Dodge Sprinter. Service manual — part 226

the instrument cluster, directly below the speedome-
ter. However, the odometer and trip odometer infor-
mation are not displayed simultaneously. The “mi”
(miles) or “km” (kilometers) switch on the instrument
cluster circuit board toggles the display between
odometer and trip odometer modes by depressing the
switch push button that extends through the lower
edge of the cluster lens, directly below the multi-
function indicator LCD.

The odometer and trip odometer information is

stored in the instrument cluster memory. This infor-
mation can be increased when the proper inputs are
provided to the instrument cluster, but the informa-
tion cannot be decreased. The odometer can display
values up to 999,999 kilometers (999,999 miles). The
odometer latches at these values, and will not roll
over to zero. The trip odometer can display values up
to 999.9 kilometers (999.9 miles) before it rolls over
to zero. The odometer display does not have a deci-
mal point and will not show values less than a full
unit (kilometer or mile), while the trip odometer dis-
play does have a decimal point and will show tenths
of a unit (kilometer or mile). The unit of measure
(kilometers or miles) for the odometer and trip odom-
eter display is imprinted on the cluster overlay below
the left end of the LCD. The unit of measure for the
instrument cluster odometer/trip odometer is selected
at the time that it is manufactured, and cannot be
changed.

The indications of the odometer/trip odometer are

not visible when the LCD is not illuminated. When
illuminated the indications appear as dark charac-
ters silhouetted against an amber field. When the
exterior lighting is turned Off, the display is illumi-
nated at maximum brightness. When the exterior
lighting is turned On the display illumination level
can be adjusted in concert with the cluster general
illumination lighting using the plus and minus multi-
function indicator push buttons. The odometer has a
“Rental Car” mode, which will activate the multi-
function indicator LCD and illuminate the odometer
information for about thirty seconds after one of the
multi-function indicator push buttons is momentarily
depressed, or after the key is inserted into the igni-
tion switch lock cylinder with the ignition switch in
the Off position.

The odometer/trip odometer and the miles/kilome-

ters switch, and the miles/kilometers switch push
button are serviced as a unit with the instrument
cluster.

OPERATION

The odometer and trip odometer give an indication

to the vehicle operator of the distance the vehicle has
traveled. This indicator is controlled by the instru-
ment cluster circuitry based upon cluster program-
ming and electronic messages received by the cluster
from the Controller Anti-lock Brake (CAB) over the

Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus. The odom-
eter and trip odometer information is displayed by
the multi-function indicator Liquid Crystal Display
(LCD). The LCD will display the odometer informa-
tion whenever it is activated, and will display the
last previously selected odometer or trip odometer
information when the ignition switch is turned to the
On position. The instrument cluster circuitry controls
the LCD and provides the following features:

• Odometer/Trip Odometer Display Toggling -

Actuating the multi-function indicator “mi” (miles) or
“km” (kilometers) switch push button momentarily
with the LCD illuminated will toggle the display
between the odometer and trip odometer information.
Each time the LCD is illuminated with the ignition
switch in the On or Start positions, the display will
automatically return to the last mode previously
selected (odometer or trip odometer).

• Trip Odometer Reset - When the multi-func-

tion indicator “mi” (miles) or “km” (kilometers) switch
push button is pressed and held for longer than
about two seconds, the trip odometer will be reset to
000.0 kilometers (miles). The LCD must be display-
ing the trip odometer information in order for the
trip odometer information to be reset.

The CAB continually monitors the vehicle speed

pulse information received from the four wheel speed
sensors, then sends the proper distance messages to
the instrument cluster. For proper diagnosis of the
wheel speed sensors, the CAB, the CAN data bus, or
the electronic message inputs to the instrument clus-
ter that control the odometer/trip odometer, a diag-
nostic scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate
diagnostic information.

PARK BRAKE INDICATOR

DESCRIPTION

A park brake indicator is standard equipment on

all instrument clusters. The park brake indicator is
located near the lower edge of the instrument cluster,
to the left of the multi-function indicator display. The
park brake indicator consists of stencil-like cutout of
the word “PARK” in the opaque layer of the instru-
ment cluster overlay. The dark outer layer of the
overlay prevents the indicator from being clearly vis-
ible when it is not illuminated. A red Light Emitting
Diode (LED) behind the cutout in the opaque layer of
the overlay causes the “PARK” text to appear in red
through the translucent outer layer of the overlay
when the indicator is illuminated from behind by the
LED, which is soldered onto the instrument cluster
electronic circuit board. The park brake indicator is
serviced as a unit with the instrument cluster.

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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER

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OPERATION

The park brake indicator gives an indication to the

vehicle operator when the parking brake is applied.
This indicator is controlled by a transistor on the
instrument cluster circuit board based upon a hard
wired input from the park brake switch. The park
brake indicator Light Emitting Diode (LED) is com-
pletely controlled by the instrument cluster logic cir-
cuit, and that logic will only allow this indicator to
operate when the instrument cluster detects that the
ignition switch is in the On position. Therefore, the
LED will always be off when the ignition switch is in
any position except On. The LED only illuminates
when it is provided a path to ground by the instru-
ment cluster transistor. The instrument cluster will
turn on the park brake indicator for the following
reasons:

• Park Brake Switch Input - Each time the

cluster detects ground on the park brake indicator
signal circuit (park brake switch closed = park brake
applied or not fully released) while the ignition
switch is in the On position, the brake indicator is
illuminated. The indicator remains illuminated until
the brake signal indicator input to the cluster is an
open circuit (park brake switch open = park brake
fully released), or until the ignition switch is turned
to the Off position, whichever occurs first.

The park brake switch on the park brake pedal

mechanism provides a hard wired ground input to
the instrument cluster circuitry through the park
brake indicator signal circuit whenever the park
brake is applied or not fully released. The two
switches are connected in series between ground and
the instrument cluster. The park brake switch and
the input circuit to the instrument cluster can be
diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and
methods. For proper diagnosis of the instrument
cluster circuitry that controls the park brake indica-
tor, a diagnostic scan tool is required. Refer to the
appropriate diagnostic information.

SEATBELT INDICATOR

DESCRIPTION

A seatbelt indicator is standard equipment on all

instrument clusters. The seatbelt indicator is located
near the lower edge of the instrument cluster, to the
right of the multi-function indicator display. The
seatbelt indicator consists of the International Con-
trol

and

Display

Symbol

icon

for

“Seat

Belt”

imprinted within a rectangular cutout in the opaque
layer of the instrument cluster overlay. The dark
outer layer of the overlay prevents the indicator from
being clearly visible when it is not illuminated. A red
Light Emitting Diode (LED) behind the cutout in the
opaque layer of the overlay causes the icon to appear

silhouetted against a red field through the translu-
cent outer layer of the overlay when the indicator is
illuminated from behind by the LED, which is sol-
dered onto the instrument cluster electronic circuit
board. The seatbelt indicator is serviced as a unit
with the instrument cluster.

OPERATION

The seatbelt indicator gives an indication to the

vehicle operator of the status of the driver side front
seat belt. This indicator is controlled by a transistor
on the instrument cluster circuit board based upon
cluster programming and a hard wired input received
from the seat belt switch on the driver side front seat
belt. 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
detects that the ignition switch is in the On position.
Therefore, the LED will always be off when the igni-
tion switch is in any position except On. 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 fol-
lowing reasons:

• Seatbelt Reminder Function - Each time the

cluster detects that the ignition switch has been
turned to the On position the seatbelt indicator will
be illuminated as a reminder for about six seconds,
or until the ignition switch is turned to the Off posi-
tion, whichever occurs first. This reminder function
will occur regardless of the status of the input
received by the cluster from the driver side front seat
belt switch.

• Driver Side Front Seat Belt Switch Input -

Following the seatbelt reminder function, each time
the cluster detects ground on the seatbelt indicator
driver circuit (seat belt switch closed = seatbelt
unbuckled) with the ignition switch in the On posi-
tion, the seatbelt indicator will be illuminated. The
seatbelt indicator remains illuminated until the seat
belt switch input to the cluster is an open circuit
(seat belt switch open = seatbelt buckled), or until
the ignition switch is turned to the Off position,
whichever occurs first.

• Airbag Indicator Malfunction - Following the

seatbelt reminder function, each time the cluster
detects a malfunction in the airbag (SRS) indicator or
the airbag indicator circuit, the cluster will flash the
seatbelt indicator on and off. The cluster will con-
tinue to flash the seatbelt indicator until the airbag
indicator circuit fault is resolved, or until the ignition
switch is turned to the Off position, whichever occurs
first.

The instrument cluster continually monitors the

status of the driver side front seat belt switch and
the airbag indicator circuit to determine the proper
seatbelt indicator response. The seat belt switch is

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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER

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connected in series between the instrument cluster
and ground. The seat belt switch and the seatbelt
indicator driver circuit to the instrument cluster can
be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and
methods. For proper diagnosis of the ACM, the air-
bag (SRS) indicator, or the instrument cluster cir-
cuitry

that

controls

the

seatbelt

indicator,

a

diagnostic scan tool is required. Refer to the appro-
priate diagnostic information.

SPEEDOMETER

DESCRIPTION

A speedometer is standard equipment on all instru-

ment clusters. The speedometer is located in the cen-
ter of the instrument cluster. The speedometer
consists of a movable gauge needle or pointer con-
trolled by the instrument cluster circuitry and a fixed
210 degree primary outer scale on the gauge dial face
that reads left-to-right either from “0” to “100” miles-
per-hour, or from “0” to “180” kilometers-per-hour,
depending upon the market for which the vehicle is
manufactured. Each version also has a secondary
inner scale on the gauge dial face that provides the
equivalent opposite units from the primary scale.
Text appearing on the cluster overlay near the left
end of each scale abbreviates the unit of measure,
either “mph” or “km/h”.

The speedometer graphics are white against a

black field, making them clearly visible within the
instrument cluster in daylight. When illuminated
from behind by the panel lamps dimmer controlled
cluster illumination lighting with the exterior lamps
turned On, the white graphics appear amber. The
orange gauge needle is internally illuminated. Gauge
illumination is provided by Light Emitting Diode
(LED) units soldered onto the instrument cluster
electronic circuit board. The speedometer is serviced
as a unit with the instrument cluster.

OPERATION

The speedometer gives an indication to the vehicle

operator of the vehicle road speed. This gauge is con-
trolled by the instrument cluster circuit board based
upon cluster programming and electronic messages
received by the cluster from the Controller Anti-lock
Brake (CAB) over the Controller Area Network
(CAN) data bus. The speedometer is an air core mag-
netic unit that receives battery current on the instru-
ment cluster electronic circuit board when the
instrument cluster detects that the ignition switch is
in the On position. The cluster is programmed to
move the gauge needle back to the low end of the
scale after the ignition switch is turned to the Off
position. The instrument cluster circuitry controls
the gauge needle position and provides the following
features:

• Vehicle Speed Message - Each time the clus-

ter receives a vehicle speed message from the CAB it
will calculate the correct vehicle speed reading and
position the gauge needle at that relative speed posi-
tion on the gauge scale. The gauge needle will con-
tinue to be positioned at the actual vehicle speed
position on the gauge scale until the ignition switch
is turned to the Off position.

• Communication Error - If the cluster fails to

receive a speedometer message, it will hold the gauge
needle at the last indication for about three seconds,
or until the ignition switch is turned to the Off posi-
tion, whichever occurs first. After three seconds, the
gauge needle will return to the left end of the gauge
scale.

The CAB continually monitors the four wheel

speed sensors to determine the vehicle road speed.
The CAB then sends the proper vehicle speed mes-
sages to the instrument cluster. For proper diagnosis
of the wheel speed sensors, the CAB, the CAN data
bus, or the electronic message inputs to the instru-
ment cluster that control the speedometer, a diagnos-
tic scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate
diagnostic information.

TACHOMETER

DESCRIPTION

A tachometer is standard equipment on all instru-

ment clusters. The tachometer is located to the left of
the speedometer, to the left of center in the instru-
ment cluster. The tachometer consists of a movable
gauge needle or pointer controlled by the instrument
cluster circuitry and a fixed 45 degree scale on the
gauge dial face that reads left-to-right from “0” to “7”.
The text “rpm X 1000” imprinted on the cluster over-
lay near the left end of the gauge scale identifies that
each number on the tachometer scale is to be multi-
plied by 1000 rpm.

The tachometer graphics are white against a black

field, making them clearly visible within the instru-
ment cluster in daylight. When illuminated from
behind by the panel lamps dimmer controlled cluster
illumination lighting with the exterior lamps turned
On, the white graphics appear amber. The orange
gauge needle is internally illuminated. Gauge illumi-
nation is provided by Light Emitting Diode (LED)
units soldered onto the instrument cluster electronic
circuit board. The tachometer is serviced as a unit
with the instrument cluster.

OPERATION

The tachometer gives an indication to the vehicle

operator of the engine speed. This gauge is controlled
by the instrument cluster circuit board based upon
cluster

programming

and

electronic

messages

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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER

8J - 25

received by the cluster from the Engine Control Mod-
ule (ECM) over the Controller Area Network (CAN)
data bus. The tachometer is an air core magnetic
unit that receives battery current on the instrument
cluster electronic circuit board when the instrument
cluster detects that the ignition switch is in the On
position. The cluster is programmed to move the
gauge needle back to the low end of the scale after
the ignition switch is turned to the Off position. The
instrument cluster circuitry controls the gauge nee-
dle position and provides the following features:

• Engine Speed Message - Each time the cluster

receives an engine speed message from the ECM it
will calculate the correct engine speed reading and
position the gauge needle at that relative speed posi-
tion on the gauge scale. The gauge needle will con-
tinually be repositioned at the relative engine speed
position on the gauge scale until the engine stops
running, or until the ignition switch is turned to the
Off position, whichever occurs first.

• Communication Error - If the cluster fails to

receive an engine speed message, it will hold the
gauge needle at the last indication for about three
seconds, or until the ignition switch is turned to the
Off position, whichever occurs first. After three sec-
onds, the gauge needle will return to the left end of
the gauge scale.

The ECM continually monitors the crankshaft posi-

tion sensor to determine the engine speed. The ECM
then sends the proper engine speed messages to the
instrument cluster. For proper diagnosis of the
crankshaft position sensor, the ECM, the CAN data
bus, or the electronic message inputs to the instru-
ment cluster that control the tachometer, a diagnos-
tic scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate
diagnostic information.

TRACTION CONTROL INDICA-
TOR

DESCRIPTION

A traction control (ASR) indicator is standard

equipment on all instrument clusters. The traction
control indicator is located near the center of the
speedometer in the instrument cluster. The traction
control indicator consists of an “!” (exclamation point)
imprinted within a triangular cutout in the opaque
layer of the instrument cluster overlay. The dark
outer layer of the overlay prevents the indicator from
being clearly visible when it is not illuminated. An
amber Light Emitting Diode (LED) behind the cutout
in the opaque layer of the overlay causes the excla-
mation point to appear silhouetted against an amber
field through the translucent outer layer of the over-
lay when the indicator is illuminated from behind by
the LED, which is soldered onto the instrument clus-

ter electronic circuit board. The traction control indi-
cator is serviced as a unit with the instrument
cluster.

OPERATION

The traction control (ASR) indicator gives several

indications to the vehicle operator concerning the
operating status of the traction control (ASR) system.
The traction control indicator is controlled by a tran-
sistor on the instrument cluster circuit board based
upon cluster programming and electronic messages
received by the cluster from the Controller Anti-lock
Brake (CAB) over the Controller Area Network
(CAN) data bus. The traction control 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 instru-
ment cluster detects that the ignition switch is in the
On position. Therefore, the LED will always be off
when the ignition switch is in any position except
On. The LED only illuminates when it is provided a
path to ground by the instrument cluster transistor.
The instrument cluster will turn on the traction con-
trol indicator for the following reasons:

• Bulb Test - Each time the ignition switch is

turned to the On position the traction control indica-
tor is illuminated for about two seconds as a bulb
test.

• Traction Control (ASR) Indicator Lamp-On

Message - Each time the cluster receives a traction
control indicator lamp-on message from the CAB, the
indicator will be illuminated. This indicator can be
flashed on and off, or illuminated solid, as dictated
by the CAB message. The indicator is illuminated
solid when the traction control system has been deac-
tivated; and is flashed when the traction control is
activated or when the driven wheels lose traction
with the traction control deactivated. The indicator
remains flashing or illuminated solid until the clus-
ter receives a lamp-off message from the CAB, or
until the ignition switch is turned to the Off position,
whichever occurs first.

The CAB continually monitors the traction control

(ASR) switch and the four wheel speed sensors to
determine the correct operating mode for the traction
control system. The CAB then sends the proper
lamp-on or lamp-off messages to the instrument clus-
ter. See the owner’s manual in the vehicle glove box
for more information on the features, use, activation
and deactivation of the traction control (ASR) system.
For proper diagnosis of the traction control system,
the CAB, the CAN data bus, or the electronic mes-
sage inputs to the instrument cluster that control the
traction control indicator, a diagnostic scan tool is
required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic infor-
mation.

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