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I was wondering how to activate the instrument panel as to get a service troubleshooting code via amber and red engine lights flashing?this is in regards to an international truck medium duty 4400 series DT466 w/ diesel motor. it was not listed in product category so i used chevy 1500 series. disregard chevy please i am inquiring about international. thank you i would appreciate any knowledge on this matter
Re: I was wondering how to activate the instrument panel...
I don't know what problem you're trying to diagnose or
the year of the truck. But I do know that the new style internationals, have known computer issues.
ie. speedodemeter not accurate/rt headlight out/cruise ctl. quits/some gauges quit/fuel transfer pump sucks the feed tank, to the point it dumps fuel in the street until you notice it or it runs out of fuel.
These are just a few of the more memorable ones.
And it starts out intermitent,and never all at once.
Start by checking the connections for the computer.
This worked on 3 of the trucks. The rest I sent to
international, were they sat waiting for computers.
I hope this helps Good luck.
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Take it to a good local auto-electrician as advised.
Jeff Armer Oct 11, 2021
Have it checked for DTC'S - diagnostic trouble codes , before you start playing with thing's . All the gauge setting information comes to the instrument cluster over serial data network GM Class 2 from the PCM/ECM engine computer . Could have U codes stored, Do you know anything about serial data networks or U codes ? If not, do yourself a favor an have a qualified repair shop check it.
Fuel Gauge
The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the fuel level based on information from the engine control module (ECM). The engine control module (ECM) calculates the fuel level based on information from the fuel level sensor. The engine control module (ECM) sends the fuel level information to the body control module (BCM) via the serial data circuit. The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the fuel level as received from the BCM. The fuel gage defaults to E (empty) if:
• The ECM detects a malfunction in the fuel level sensor circuit.
• The IPC detects a loss of serial data communications with the BCM.
• The BCM detects a loss of serial data communications with the ECM.
When the fuel level is less than a pre-determined value, the Low Fuel indicator message illuminates.
Speedometer
The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the vehicle speed based on information from the engine control module (ECM). The engine control module (ECM) calculates the vehicle speed from the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) input. The ECM sends a serial data message to the BCM indicating the vehicle speed. The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the vehicle speed as received from the BCM via serial data circuit.
The speedometer defaults to 0 km/h (0 mph) when any of the following occur:
• The ECM detects a malfunction in the vehicle speed sensor.
• The BCM detects a loss of serial data communications with the ECM.
• The IPC detects a loss of serial data communications with the BCM.
You need to get the fault codes read because of the red check engine light coming on. Do you have an OBDII reader? or does a friend have one? If not ... I would take it back to where you got it serviced.
The piece of data that could be helpful is the check engine light going on after refueling. If you are lucky ... you may have not 100% screwed the fuel cap back on with the final clicking. That can cause the check engine light to go on. It is curious though that your tire and VSC lights went on ... there may be something electrical going haywire.
There is a diagnostic procedure in the factory service repair manual for engine light lit ,no codes . Did you take it to ford dealer ? MIL - is referring to check engine , service engine soon etc...
MIL always on when engine is running (no DTCs):
MIL circuits
For Focus, Mustang, Town Car, Continental, LS6/LS8, Escape, Windstar, F-150, Expedition and Navigator/Blackwood:
Instrument Cluster, Section 413-01 of the Workshop Manual.
All Others:
GO to NB1
SERVICE ENGINE SOON indicator
After the engine is started, the SERVICE ENGINE SOON indicator will prove out for a duration of three seconds. If the instrument cluster does not receive a message from the PCM within five seconds, the instrument cluster will illuminate the SERVICE ENGINE SOON indicator and log a diagnostic trouble code (DTC).
An indicator is inoperative/always on - SERVICE ENGINE SOON
Circuitry.
Bulb.
Instrument cluster.
PCM.
GO to Pinpoint Test P .
PINPOINT TEST P: AN INDICATOR IS INOPERATIVE/ALWAYS ON - SERVICE ENGINE SOON
CONDITIONS
DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
P1 CARRY OUT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SERVICE ENGINE SOON INDICATOR ACTIVE COMMAND
Trigger the HEC active command MIL.
Did the SERVICE ENGINE SOON indicator illuminate?
Yes REFER to Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual.
No INSTALL a new instrument cluster; REFER to Instrument Cluster . CLEAR the DTCs. REPEAT the self-test.
There is a connector but it is not like the connector used in the newer 1996 OBD2 cars, your year uses OBD1, here is how you check for codes in this car.
Acura OBD1 Codes Retrieval
Acura vehicles 1986-95 obd1 code retrieval
There are a few different ways to retrieve the codes for "check engine light" for Acura vehicles. One method is to use a led light (sometimes 2 led lights) on the computer or controller box itself. If it has 2 led lights, the color is red and amber. The red is used for flashing the codes whereas the amber is used for adjustment. If you have only a single led light indicator, then that is used for flashing the code.
The controller box can be found by lifting the carpet of the passenger side front foot well or floorboard. You can see the led lights without removing the controller. On other models, you can find the controller under the driver or passenger front seat.
The second way to get the code is using a jumper wire on the diagnostic connector located on the kick panel at the front passenger side. You then watch the codes being flashed at the dash panel after you turn the key on. To read the code being flashed is easy. Example: Code 23 is 2 long flashes followed by 3 short flashes. A longer pause separates the next code that follows.
Here are Acura vehicles 1986-95 general codes:
Code 0 Electronic control unit (ecu) Code 1 02 (oxygen) sensor Code 3 and 5 map sensor Code 4 Crank angle sensor Code 6 Coolant temperature sensor Code 7 Throttle angle sensor Code 8 Crank angle sensor (TDC) Code 9 Crank angle sensor (CLY) Code 10 Intake air temperature sensor Code 12 EGR system fault Code 13 Atmospheric pressure sensor Code 14 Electronic air control valve Code 15 Ignition output signal Code 16 Fuel injector fault Code 17 Vehicle speed sensor Code 21 Spool solenoid valve Code 22 Valve timing oil pressure switch fault Code 23 Knock sensor Code 41 Oxygen sensor heater fault Code 43 Fuel supply system
NOTE: The following explains how to activate the Trouble Code signal light in the instrument cluster.
Before suspecting the C-4 or CCC system, or any of its components as being faulty, check the ignition system (distributor, timing, spark plugs and wires). Check the engine compression, the air cleaner and any of the emission control components that are not controlled by the ECM. Also check the intake manifold, the vacuum hoses and hose connectors for any leaks. Check the carburetor mounting bolts for tightness.
NOTE: For information regarding computer control/troubleshooting of the Electronic and Digital fuel injected vehicles, please refer to Section 5 of this manual.
The following symptoms could indicate a possible problem area with the C-4 or CCC systems:
Detonation
Stalling or rough idling when the engine is cold
Stalling or rough idling when the engine is hot
Missing
Hesitation
Surging
Poor gasoline mileage
Sluggish or spongy performance
Hard starting when engine is cold
Hard starting when the engine is hot
Objectionable exhaust odors
Engine cuts out
Improper idle speed (CCC only).
As a bulb and system check, the Check Engine light will come on when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position but the engine is not started.
The Check Engine light will also produce the trouble code/codes by a series of flashes which translate as follows: When the diagnostic test lead (C-4) or terminal (CCC) under the instrument panel is grounded, with the ignition in the ON position and the engine not running, the Check Engine light will flash once, pause, and then flash twice in rapid succession. This is a Code 12, which indicates that the diagnostic system is working. After a long pause, the Code 12 will repeat itself two more times. This whole cycle will then repeat itself until the engine is started or the ignition switch is turned OFF.
When the engine is started, the Check Engine light will remain on for a few seconds and then turn off. If the Check Engine light remains on, the self-diagnostic system has detected a problem. If the test lead (C-4) or test terminal (CCC) is then grounded, the trouble code will flash (3) three times. If more than one problem is found to be in existence, each trouble code will flash (3) three times and then change to the next one. Trouble codes will flash in numerical order (lowest code number to highest). The trouble code series will repeat themselves for as long as the test leads or terminal remains grounded.
A trouble code indicates a problem with a given circuit. For example, trouble code 14 indicates a problem in the cooling sensor circuit. This includes the coolant sensor, its electrical harness and the Electronic Control Module (ECM).
Since the self-diagnostic system cannot diagnose every possible fault in the system, the absence of a trouble code does not necessarily mean that the system is trouble-free. To determine whether or not a problem with the system exists that does not activate a trouble code, a system performance check must be made. This job should be left to a qualified service technician.
In the case of an intermittent fault in the system, the Check Engine light will go out when the fault goes away, but the trouble code will remain in the memory of the ECM. Therefore, if a trouble code can be obtained even though the Check Engine light is not on, it must still be evaluated. It must be determined if the fault is intermittent or if the engine must be operating under certain conditions (acceleration, deceleration, etc.) before the Check Engine light will come on. In some cases, certain trouble codes will not be recorded in the ECM until the engine has been operated at part throttle for at least 5-18 minutes.
On the C-4 system, the ECM erases all trouble codes every time that the ignition is turned off. In the case of intermittent faults, a long term memory is desirable. This can be produced by connecting the orange connector/lead from terminal S of the ECM directly to the battery (or a hot fuse panel terminal). This terminal must always be disconnected immediately after diagnosis as it puts an undue strain on the battery.
On the CCC system, a trouble code will be stored until the terminal R at the ECM has been disconnected from the battery for at least 10 seconds.
Fig. 1: C-4 system diagnostic test lead location - above ECM
Fig. 2: Under dash test terminal location
Fig. 3: CCC system diagnostic test terminal located underneath the left side of the instrument panel
amber or a yellowish orange color is normal for a check engine light take it to a autozone or a checker oriely's auto parts store and they can run a diagnostic scan on it to tell you what error code is popping up it it is a really major problem the light will be flashing if it is get it checked out!!!
A malfunction indicator lamp (MIL), commonly referred
to as the "Check Engine Light" is an indicator of malfunction of the
computerized engine management system. It is found on the instrument
console of most automobiles. When illuminated, it is typically either an
amber or red color. On vehicles equipped with OBD-II,
the light has two stages: steady (indicating a minor fault such as a
loose gas cap or failing oxygen
sensor) and flashing (indicating a severe fault, that will
eventually destroy the catalytic converter, such as a misfire). When the
MIL is lit, the engine
control unit stores a fault code related to the malfunction, which
can be retrieved with a scan
tool and used for further diagnosis. The malfunction indicator lamp
is usually labeled with the text check engine, service engine
soon, check engine soon, or a picture of an engine.
The MIL appeared in the early 80s along with computerized engine
controls. Even the earliest systems, such as GM's CCC (Computer Command
Carburetor) system had self diagnosis functionality. When the computer
detected a fault, it illuminated the MIL. Up until OBDII, on most cars
the MIL could output codes, when two pins on the ALDL are jumped, the
light would flash the codes, for instance (blink) (pause) (blink)
(blink) for code 12. Some manufacturers retained this feature even after
OBDII, such as Honda.
Hope this help (remember comment and rated this). Good luck.
sounds like your check engine light is on. On 99ish 3 series the check engine light was an amber engine in the instrument cluster. I thought 5 series actually said service engine soon. If you cycle your key the bulb check should illuminate all lights. see if you have a light that says service engine soon, if not, the amber engine, is the check engine light.
Fig. 2: Under dash test terminal location
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