Since 5/97 an instrument cluster has been phased-in which features the plugged-on instrument cluster electronics (IKE ) integrated in the display unit (AE ). This instrument cluster can replace older instrument cluster versions.
The instrument cluster is connected to the transmission control unit by means of a separate data link. By way of this data link, the transmission control unit informs the instrument cluster electronics (IKE ) which drive stage is engaged, which drive program is switched on and whether the transmission is in the emergency program. If the transmission signals "emergency program", the signal is transferred to the light check module (LCM) as a bus signal. If the instrument cluster is coded for automatic transmission, the program and selector lever display for automatic transmission is activated.
In the case of the integrated version of the instrument cluster, phased-in as from 5/97, the coding data defines whether the transmission data is routed via the CAN bus from the transmission control unit or via separate data links from the transmission control unit to the instrument cluster.