Instrument Cluster Description and Operation. Oldsmobile Alero 2002

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Oldsmobile 🢒 2002 🢒 Alero 🢒 Body and Accessories 🢒 Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console 🢒 Instrument Cluster Description and Operation

Displays Test

Certain instrument panel cluster (IPC) features are tested when the ignition is turned ON in order to verify the features are working properly. The following indicators illuminate briefly at key up unless otherwise noted:

•

ABS

•	Air bag (flashes 7 times)

•	Brake system

•	Change oil

•	Charging system

•	Engine oil pressure

•	Fasten safety belt

•	Low engine coolant level

•	Low engine oil level

•	Low traction

•	Low washer fluid

•	Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)

•	Service vehicle soon

•	Shift indicator

•	Theft system

•	Low tire pressure

•	Traction off

Indicators and Warning Messages

Refer to Indicator/Warning Message Description and Operation .

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage

The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the engine coolant temperature as determined by the powertrain control module (PCM). The IPC receives a class 2 message from the PCM indicating the engine coolant temperature. The engine coolant temperature gage defaults to 100°F (38°C) if:

•	The PCM detects a malfunction in the engine coolant temperature sensor circuit.

•	The IPC detects a loss of class 2 communications with the PCM.

Fuel Gage

The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the fuel level as determined by the powertrain control module (PCM). The IPC receives a class 2 message from the PCM indicating the fuel level volume. The fuel gage defaults to E (empty) if:

•	The PCM detects a malfunction in the fuel level sensor circuit.

•	The IPC detects a loss of class 2 communications with the PCM.

When the fuel level is less than 14 percent, the low fuel indicator illuminates.

Odometer

The instrument panel cluster (IPC) contains a season odometer and a trip odometer. Momentarily press the trip/reset switch in order to toggle between the season odometer and the trip odometer. Press the trip/reset switch for greater than 2 seconds, while the trip odometer is displayed, in order to reset the trip odometer. The IPC displays the vehicle mileage and trip mileage as determined by the IPC. The IPC calculates the mileage based on the vehicle speed from the powertrain control module (PCM). The odometer will display "error" if an internal IPC memory failure is detected.

PRNDL Display

The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the selected gear position as determined by the powertrain control module (PCM). The IPC receives a class 2 message from the PCM indicating the gear position. The PRNDL display blanks if:

•	The PCM detects a malfunction in the transmission range switch circuit.

•	The IPC detects a loss of class 2 communications with the PCM.

Speedometer

The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the vehicle speed based on the information from the vehicle speed sensor. The IPC receives a class 2 message from the powertrain control module (PCM) indicating the vehicle speed. The IPC calculates the vehicle speed based on the class 2 message indicating the wheel reference speed from the electronic brake control module (EBCM) if:

•	The PCM detects a malfunction in the vehicle speed sensor circuit.

•	The IPC detects a loss of class 2 communications with the PCM.

The speedometer defaults to 0 km/h (0 mph) if the IPC detects a loss of class 2 communications with both the PCM and the EBCM.

Tachometer

The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the engine speed as determined by the powertrain control module (PCM). The IPC receives a class 2 message from the PCM indicating the engine speed. The tachometer will default to 0 RPM if:

•	The PCM detects a malfunction in the engine speed sensor circuit.

•	The IPC detects a loss of class 2 communications with the PCM.