Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 805

ESP/BAS INDICATOR 

Fig. 17: Electronic Stability Program/Brake Assist System Indicator 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

An Electronic Stability Program (ESP)/Brake Assist System (BAS) indicator is standard equipment on all 
instrument clusters. This indicator is located near the base of the speedometer needle hub on the cluster overlay, 
just right of center. 

The ESP/BAS indicator consists of a stencil-like cutout of the text ESP BAS in the opaque layer of the 
instrument cluster overlay. The dark outer layer of the overlay prevents the indicator from being clearly visible 
when it is not illuminated. An amber Light Emitting Diode (LED) behind the cutout in the opaque layer of the 
overlay causes the indicator to appear in amber through the translucent outer layer of the overlay when it is 
illuminated from behind by the LED, which is soldered onto the instrument cluster electronic circuit board. 

The ESP/BAS indicator is serviced as a unit with the instrument cluster. 

OPERATION 

ESP/BAS INDICATOR 

The ESP/BAS indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator when the Electronic Stability Program 
(ESP)/Brake Assist System (BAS) has been activated. This indicator is controlled by a transistor on the 
instrument cluster circuit board based upon cluster programming and electronic messages received by the 
cluster from the Controller Antilock Brake (CAB) and the All-Wheel Drive Control Module (AWDCM) over 
the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus. 

The ESP/BAS indicator Light Emitting Diode (LED) is completely controlled by the instrument cluster logic 
circuit, and that logic will only allow this indicator to operate when the instrument cluster receives a battery 
current input on the fused ignition switch output (run-start) circuit. Therefore, the LED will always be OFF 
when the ignition switch is in any position except ON or START. The LED only illuminates when it is provided 
a path to ground by the instrument cluster transistor. The instrument cluster will turn ON the ESP/BAS indicator 
for the following reasons: 



Bulb Test - Each time the ignition switch is turned to the ON position the ESP/BAS indicator is 
illuminated for about four seconds as a bulb test. 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Instrument Cluster - Service Information - Nitro

  



ESP/BAS Indicator Lamp-On Message - Each time the cluster receives an electronic ESP/BAS 
indicator lamp-ON message from the CAB indicating that the ESP/BAS system has been activated, the 
ESP/BAS indicator will be illuminated. The indicator remains illuminated until the cluster receives a 
lamp-OFF message from the CAB, or until the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, whichever 
occurs first.  



ESP Full Off Textual Message - Each time the cluster receives an electronic ESP Full OFF indicator 
lamp-ON message from the CAB indicating that the ESP/BAS system has been manually disabled, an 
ESP Full OFF textual message will appear within the cluster odometer display. The ESP Full OFF 
textual message remains displayed until the cluster receives a lamp-OFF message from the CAB, or until 
the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, whichever occurs first.  



Actuator Test - Each time the cluster is put through the actuator test, the ESP/BAS indicator will be 
turned ON, then OFF again during the bulb check portion of the test to confirm the functionality of the 
LED and the cluster control circuitry.  

The CAB continually monitors the ESP/BAS circuits and sensors to decide whether the system is in good 
operating condition and the proper outputs to the components of the system. The CAB then sends the proper 
lamp-ON or lamp-OFF message to the Electro Mechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) (also known as the Cab 
Compartment Node/CCN). 

For proper diagnosis of the ESP/BAS system, the CAB, the AWDCM, the EMIC, the CAN data bus or the 
electronic communication related to the ESP/BAS indicator operation a diagnostic scan tool is required. Refer 
to the appropriate diagnostic information. 

ETC INDICATOR 

DESCRIPTION 

ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL INDICATOR 

Fig. 18: Electronic Throttle Control Indicator 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Instrument Cluster - Service Information - Nitro

  

An Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) indicator is standard equipment on all instrument clusters. This indicator 
is located near the bottom of the speedometer dial face of the cluster overlay, just right of center. 

The ETC indicator consists of a stencil-like cutout of the International Control and Display Symbol icon for 
Electronic Throttle Control in the opaque layer of the instrument cluster overlay. The dark outer layer of the 
overlay prevents the indicator from being clearly visible when it is not illuminated. A red Light Emitting Diode 
(LED) behind the cutout in the opaque layer of the overlay causes the indicator to appear in red through the 
translucent outer layer of the overlay when it is illuminated from behind by the LED, which is soldered onto the 
instrument cluster electronic circuit board. 

The ETC indicator is serviced as a unit with the instrument cluster. 

OPERATION 

ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL INDICATOR 

The Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator when the ETC 
system, or a circuit or component of the system is ineffective. The ETC indicator is controlled by a transistor on 
the instrument cluster circuit board based upon cluster programming and electronic messages received by the 
cluster from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus. 

The ETC indicator Light Emitting Diode (LED) is completely controlled by the instrument cluster logic circuit, 
and that logic will only allow this indicator to operate when the instrument cluster receives a battery current 
input on the fused ignition switch output (run-start) circuit. Therefore, the LED will always be OFF when the 
ignition switch is in any position except ON or START. The LED only illuminates when it is provided a path to 
ground by the instrument cluster transistor. The instrument cluster will turn ON the ETC indicator for the 
following reasons: 



Bulb Test - Each time the ignition switch is turned to the ON position the ETC indicator is illuminated 
for about three seconds. The entire bulb test is a function of the instrument cluster.  



ETC Indicator Lamp-On Message - Each time the cluster receives an electronic ETC indicator lamp-
ON message from the PCM, the ETC indicator will be illuminated. The indicator can be flashed ON and 
OFF, or illuminated solid, as dictated by the PCM message. The indicator remains illuminated solid or 
continues to flash for about 12 seconds or until the cluster receives a lamp-OFF message from the PCM, 
whichever is longer. If the indicator is illuminated solid with the engine running the vehicle will usually 
remain drivable. If the indicator is flashing with the engine running the vehicle may require towing. A 
flashing indicator means the ETC system requires immediate service. The indicator will be extinguished 
when the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position.  



Actuator Test - Each time the cluster is put through the actuator test, the ETC indicator will be turned 
ON, then OFF again during the bulb check portion of the test to confirm the functionality of the LED and 
the cluster control circuitry. The actuator test illumination of the ETC indicator is a function of the PCM. 

The PCM continually monitors the ETC system circuits and sensors to decide whether the system is in good 
operating condition. The PCM then sends the proper lamp-ON or lamp-OFF message to the Electro Mechanical 
Instrument Cluster (EMIC) (also known as the Cab Compartment Node/CCN). If the PCM sends a lamp-ON 
message after the bulb test, it indicates that the PCM has detected an ETC system malfunction or that the ETC 
system is ineffective. The PCM will store a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for any malfunction it detects. 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Instrument Cluster - Service Information - Nitro

  

Each time the ETC indicator fails to illuminate due to an open or short in the cluster ETC indicator circuit, the 
cluster sends a message notifying the PCM of the condition, then the EMIC and the PCM will each store a 
DTC. 

For proper diagnosis of the ETC system, the PCM, the EMIC, the CAN data bus or the electronic 
communication related to ETC indicator operation a diagnostic scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate 
diagnostic information. 

FRONT FOG LAMP INDICATOR 

DESCRIPTION 

FRONT FOG LAMP INDICATOR 

Fig. 19: Front Fog Lamp Indicator 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

A front fog lamp indicator is standard equipment on all instrument clusters. However, on vehicles not equipped 
with the optional front fog lamps, this indicator is electronically disabled. This indicator is located near the 
bottom of the speedometer dial face of the cluster overlay, just left of center. 

The front fog lamp indicator consists of a stencil-like cutout of the International Control and Display Symbol 
icon for Front Fog Light in the opaque layer of the instrument cluster overlay. The dark outer layer of the 
overlay prevents the indicator from being clearly visible when it is not illuminated. A green Light Emitting 
Diode (LED) behind the cutout in the opaque layer of the overlay causes the indicator to appear in green 
through the translucent outer layer of the overlay when it is illuminated from behind by the LED, which is 
soldered onto the instrument cluster electronic circuit board. 

The front fog lamp indicator is serviced as a unit with the instrument cluster. 

OPERATION 

FRONT FOG LAMP INDICATOR 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Instrument Cluster - Service Information - Nitro