Dashboard and instrument panel lighting

Operating principle

NOTE: The new instrument cluster needs to be reconfigured. See Section 418-01 for more information.

The illumination of the shield and instrument panel consists of adjustable and non-adjustable illumination. Adjustable panel illumination is controlled by a panel illumination switch (headlight switch element), which allows you to change the brightness level of the background lighting depending on the preferences of the client. When the headlight switch is set to «Parking lights» or «headlights», the backlight intensity can be adjusted using the panel dimmer. Non-adjustable backlighting provides backlighting at full intensity depending on the position of the ignition switch.

Instrument panel and adjustable backlight

For adjustable lighting, traditional lamps and LEDs are used. The following dimmable items are backlit using traditional lamps.

• ashtray
• cigarette lighter
• shift lever
• basic instrument panel (except for vehicles with Duratec ST engine)
• heater control panel

The following dimmable items are backlit using LEDs.

• audio unit
• dashboard
• oil pressure and oil temperature display
• microclimate control unit
• emergency light button
• traction control off switch
• heating switches for right and left front seats

CAUTION: Both Duratec ST engine variant instrument clusters use high voltage AC for the EL backlight system. When making measurements in the electrical circuits of the instrument panel, care must be taken.

By type of backlight, there are two configurations of the instrument panel: the basic configuration of the instrument panel and the configuration of the instrument panel (ov) instrumentation variant with Duratec ST engine. In the basic configuration, traditional lamps are used, in the shield configuration (ov) The instrumentation of the Duratec ST version uses electroluminescent backlighting. The electroluminescent backlight uses a high voltage DC to AC switching circuit. Oil pressure and oil temperature display converts 12V DC to AC with adjustable voltage up to 180V. Adjustable by dimmer (headlight switch element). High voltage alternating current is supplied to the base panel through a fixed electrical circuit. These electrical circuits are marked «High voltage» on both shields.

Non-adjustable backlight

The headlight switch backlight system consists of two permanently lit LEDs powered by separate electrical circuits. Battery voltage is applied to the first lamp when the ignition is set to RUN. Battery voltage is applied to the second bulb when the headlight switch is set to «headlights» or «Parking lights».