Buick Regal: Instrument Cluster Description and Operation

Instrument Cluster (with RPO UDC)

The instrument cluster is a multifunction module that provides the vehicle operator with information that is critical to vehicle operation, such as vehicle speed, engine RPM, oil pressure, battery voltage, fuel level, and coolant temperature, using analog gauges. The instrument cluster also provides the operator with operational warnings and message through various indicators and the driver information center. The driver information center is a one color multifunction display that is located in the instrument cluster.

The driver information center has several screens that can be scrolled through by twisting the trip reset stem.

Instrument Cluster (with RPO UDD)

The instrument cluster is a multifunction module that provides the vehicle operator with information that is critical to vehicle operation, such as vehicle speed, engine RPM, oil pressure, battery voltage, fuel level, and coolant temperature, using analog gauges. The instrument cluster also provides the operator with operational warnings and message through various indicators and the driver information center. The driver information center is a full color multifunction display that is located in the instrument cluster.

The driver information center is also tightly integrated with the vehicle's infotainment system and is highly reconfigurable.

Instrument Cluster (with RPO UHS)

The instrument cluster is a multifunction module that provides the vehicle operator with information such as vehicle speed and engine RPM using analog gauges. Oil pressure, battery voltage, fuel level, and coolant temperature can also be displayed using an interactive LCD display. The instrument cluster is highly reconfigurable, with four different themes available for selection. The instrument cluster also provides the operator with operational warnings and message through various indicators and the driver information center. Because the instrument cluster is an LCD display, driver information center elements are located in various zones of the display, depending on how the instrument panel is configured.

AT - Automatic Transmission
MT - Manual Transmission
P16 - P16 Instrument Cluster
P9 - P9 Driver Information Center Display
S78 - S78 Turn Signal/Multifunction Switch
B9 - B9 Ambient Air Temperature Sensor
B14A - B14A Transmission Output Shaft Speed Sensor
T12 - T12 Automatic Transmission Assembly
B115 - B115 Vehicle Speed Sensor
K20 - K20 Engine Control Module
B46 - B46 Fuel Level Sensor
A7 -A7 Fuel Pump and Level Sensor Assembly
B37 - B37 Engine Oil Pressure Switch
B46B - B46B Fuel Level Sensor - Secondary
B34 - B34 Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor

Indicators and Warning Messages

Refer to Indicator/Warning Message Description and Operation.

Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge (if equipped)

The instrument cluster displays the engine coolant temperature as determined by the engine control module (ECM). The ECM sends the engine coolant temperature information via serial data to the body control module (BCM). The BCM then sends the information via a serial data to the instrument cluster to display the engine coolant temperature.

Engine Oil Pressure Gauge (if equipped)

The IPC displays the engine oil pressure as determined by the ECM. The engine oil pressure sensor changes voltage based on the engine oil pressure. The engine oil pressure sensor is a 3-wire sensor comprising of the signal circuit, the low reference circuit and the 5 V reference circuit. The ECM supplies 5 V to the engine oil pressure sensor via the 5 V reference circuit and provides ground via the low reference circuit. The ECM monitors the signal circuit of the engine oil pressure sensor to determine if the engine oil pressure sensor voltage is within the normal operating range of approximately 1 - 4 V.

When the engine oil pressure is high, the engine oil pressure sensor voltage is high and the ECM senses a high signal voltage. When the engine oil pressure is low, the engine oil pressure sensor voltage is low and the ECM senses a low signal voltage. The ECM sends the engine oil pressure information to the instrument cluster via serial data. The instrument cluster will illuminate or display the engine oil pressure indicator when the engine oil pressure is low. The engine oil pressure gauge defaults to 0 kPa (0 psi) if:

• The ECM detects a malfunction in the engine oil pressure sensor signal circuit.
• The IPC detects a loss of serial data communication with the ECM.

Fuel Level Gauge

The K20 Engine Control Module monitors the fuel level sensor. When the fuel tank is full, the resistances of the fuel level sensor is low and the control module senses a low signal voltage on the signal circuit of the fuel level sensor. When the fuel tank is empty, the resistance of the fuel level sensor is high and the control module senses a high signal voltage. The K20 Engine Control Module converts the signal input to a fuel level value. The ECM sends the fuel level signal via serial data to the BCM.

The BCM then sends the information via serial data to the instrument cluster to display the fuel level.

The instrument cluster displays the fuel level based on the information from the ECM. If the fuel level falls under 11% the instrument cluster will illuminate the low fuel level indicator. The fuel gauge defaults to empty if:

• The ECM detects a malfunction in the fuel level sensor circuit.
• The BCM detects a loss of serial data communications with the ECM.
• The instrument cluster detects a loss of serial data communications with the BCM.

Speedometer

The instrument cluster displays the vehicle speed based on the information from the ECM. The ECM sends the vehicle speed information via serial data to the BCM. The BCM then sends the vehicle speed information via serial data to the instrument cluster to display the vehicle speed.

Odometer

The instrument cluster displays the vehicle odometer in the driver information center. The ECM send a distance rolling count message via serial data to the body control module (BCM). The BCM uses this information to calculate the vehicle odometer. This odometer value is then sent to the instrument cluster.

The instrument cluster does not calculate the odometer.

The odometer value is stored in multiple modules. The instrument cluster is a secondary storage module for the odometer, while the BCM is the primary storage and accumulator.

In addition to storing the odometer value for the vehicle, the instrument cluster and the BCM store the VIN. Software checks are performed to ensure these modules, and their stored odometer information, can not be move or transferred between different vehicles.

Tachometer

The instrument cluster displays the engine speed based on the information from the ECM. The ECM converts the data from the crankshaft position sensor to an engine revolution signal. The ECM sends the engine speed information via serial data to the BCM. The BCM then sends the information via serial data to the instrument cluster to display the engine speed.

Compass (with UE1)

If equipped with this option, the vehicle compass information is gathered through the Telematics Communication Interface Control Module. The Telematics Communication Interface Control Module determines vehicle direction and communicates this with the BCM through serial data. The BCM sends the compass information to the Instrument Cluster via serial data, where it is displayed.

Compass (without UE1)

If equipped with this option, the vehicle compass information is gathered through the Compass Module.

The Compass Module determines vehicle direction and communicates this with the BCM through serial data. The BCM sends the compass information to the instrument cluster via serial data, where it is displayed.

Outside Air Temperature

The outside air temperature can be accessed through the driver information center Trip/Fuel switch function. The driver information center shows the outside air temperature as a damped value. The time and rate of the temperature update is based on an algorithm in the instrument cluster or ECM. Factors such as last temperature reading, current temperature reading, length of time the vehicle was off, current vehicle speed, and the distance driven effect when the displayed temperature is updated. To get the vehicle to display the most accurate temperature faster, drive the vehicle. Constant moving traffic will update the display to the correct temperature more quickly than stop and go traffic.

Driver Information Center Display

The driver information center is located in the lower middle portion of the instrument cluster, between the speedometer and the tachometer. The driver information center displays information about the vehicle and allows the operator to access applications. It also displays warning messages if a system problem is detected.

The driver information center is made up of three zones. The left zone is a list of the applications that can be displayed. The right zone contains choices to customize what information is displayed for the respective application chosen. In the middle is the interactive application display zone. The application display zone allows access to the navigation application, audio application, phone application, or settings applications. The information display zone contains multiple pages that display vehicle information. The compass and PRNDL are displayed at all times in the lower portion of the display zone.

The driver information center can also be configured with several different themes. Changing the theme is accomplished using the infotainment system faceplate settings page. The chosen theme is used for both the faceplate and the driver information center displays.

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