The IPC is designed to withstand normal current drains associated with vehicle operations, however, care must be used to avoid overloading any of these circuits. In testing for opens or shorts, do not ground or apply voltage to any of the IPC circuits unless instructed to do so by the diagnostic procedures. These circuits should only be tested using the DMM (J-39200) while they remain connected to the IPC. Refer to

Notice: Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage many solid-state electrical components. ESD susceptible components may or may not be labeled with the ESD symbol. Handle all electrical components carefully. Use the following precautions in order to avoid ESD damage:

The IPC is equipped with an extensive diagnostic system which is capable of detecting and compensating for malfunctions and alerting the operator of a malfunction. The IPC displays warning messages and/or sets a Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) when a malfunction is detected.

Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) when set, indicate that the IPC has detected a malfunction in a particular circuit or other system. The IPC is programmed with routines for internal checks that it follows only under prescribed conditions (Test Conditions). When these conditions exist, the IPC checks certain circuits or systems for a malfunction (Failure Conditions). When the failure conditions are true, a DTC is set current. Some DTCs command that the IPC illuminate the Service Vehicle Soon indicator.

Diagnostic Trouble Codes are not stored in the IPC's EEPROM and therefore, are not retained after a battery disconnect.

Current DTC(s)

When the IPC determines that the test conditions and failure conditions for a particular DTC are true, it sets that DTC as current. All DTCs remain current at least until the next time the IPC finds the test conditions are true and the failure conditions are false. A few DTCs remain current until the next ignition cycle or until the failure conditions are false several times.

History DTC(s)

After a DTC has been set, the IPC continues to monitor for the test and failure conditions. For most DTCs, if the test conditions are true and the failure conditions are false, the DTC is changed to history. Some DTCs require the test conditions to be true and failure conditions false several times or require an ignition cycle to change from current to history. If there are no current DTCs for a period of 50 ignition cycles, all history DTCs will be cleared.

The IPC contains a data storage device which can save critical data even when battery power is removed. This device, the Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) is used by the IPC to store odometer readings, options settings and manufacturing information.

Important: The EEPROM is soldered into the IPC and cannot be serviced separately.

The IPC contains a data storage area which saves pertinent data when the ignition is turned off, but the data is lost when battery power is removed. This area, the KAM, is used by the IPC to store trip odometer readings, fuel data information and DTCs.

Important: The KAM area is an integral part of the IPC microprocessor and cannot be serviced separately.

The IPC displays are dimmable, only the indicators are non-dimmable. The IPC backlighting (graphics and pointers) is directly controlled by the Dash Integration Module (DIM) via the IP dimmer switch, the IPC receives the dimming status via a class 2 message from the DIM. The IPC controls the Instrument Panel Integration Module (IPM) VF display dimming via circuit  1369 (YEL).

IPC Control Buttons

The IPC control buttons are located on the left and right side of the IPC. Pressing one of the buttons activates the IPC to perform a function.

DSPL MODE Button

Pressing the DSPL Mode Switch activates or deactivates the reflective speed display and/or gauge backlighting and pointers.

ENG/MET Button

This switch changes all vehicle displays between either the English or metric units of measure.

The IPC stores the current measurement mode in KAM. After a time battery reconnect or loss of KAM the IPC defaults to the English mode if the vehicle option content indicates the point of sale is the U.S. Otherwise, the default mode is metric.

For example, if the IPC is currently displaying English units, the following occurs when a valid switch is detected:

RESET TRIP A/B Button

This button consists of the Trip Odometer A/B Select Switch and Trip Odometer Reset Switch.

INFO Button

This button consists of the INFO up and INFO down switches.

INFO RESET Button

This button resets various DIC information to the default values.

ON/OFF Button

This button activates or deactivates the DIC display and is used during the personalization programming mode.

The IPC control buttons and DIC are used to allow the driver to customize various vehicle personalization features. When activated the personalization messages are displayed in a predetermined order on the DIC. To set/change the personalization functions use the following procedure.

Procedure for Setting or Changing the Personalization Features

1. Gear selector in PARK.
2. Ignition switch ON.
3. Press the ON button. The DIC displays a status message.
4. Press the INFO UP button, until the FEATURE PROGRAMMING OFF message is displayed.
5. Press the ON button. The personalization mode is activated and the FEATURE PROGRAMMING ON message is displayed.
6. Press the INFO DOWN button, until the desired personalization feature is displayed. The current feature setting is conveyed to the right of the feature message.
7. Press the ON/OFF button. The current setting toggles through available settings for the displayed feature.
8. Press the INFO DOWN button. The class 2 message associated with the feature setting is sent to the appropriate system. This is done regardless of change, i.e. even if the setting has not changed it will be sent out. The next feature option is displayed.
9. Press the INFO DOWN until the FEATURE PROGRAMMING ON message is displayed.
10. Press the INFO RESET button. The personalization mode is terminated and the FEATURE PROGRAMMING OFF message is displayed.