check engine light CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2005 6.G Owners Manual

Battery Run-Down Protection
Your vehicle has a feature to help prevent you from
draining the battery in case the underhood lamp, vanity
mirror lamps, cargo lamps, reading lamps, console
or glove box lamps are accidentally left on. If you leave
any of these lamps on, they will automatically time-out
after about 20 minutes. To reset it, all of the above
lamps must be turned off or the ignition key on.
Head-Up Display (HUD)
{CAUTION:
If the HUD image is too bright, or too high in
your eld of view, it may take you more time to
see things you need to see when it is dark
outside. Be sure to keep the HUD image dim
and placed low in your eld of view.
If your vehicle is equipped with the Head-Up
Display (HUD), you can see some of the driver
information that appears on your instrument panel
cluster.The information may be displayed in English or metric
units and appears as an image focused out toward
the front of your vehicle. The HUD consists of the
following information:
Speedometer
Turn Signal Indicators
High-Beam Indicator Symbol
Tachometer
Oil and Temperature Gages
Shift Light (Performance SHIFT Light)
This light is used for performance driving to indicate
that the vehicle’s best performance level has
been reached to shift the transmission into the next
higher gear. The SHIFT light will display at an
engine speed of about 6,250 rpm, just prior
to reaching the engine fuel cut-off mode.
Check Gages Warning
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
Transmission Oil Temperature Gage
Engine Oil Temperature Gage
Engine Oil Pressure Gage
G-Force Gage
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If your vehicle is equipped
with a navigation radio,
many of the turn-by-turn
navigation features
will also be displayed on
the HUD if you are in
Street Mode.
Be sure to continue scanning your displays, controls
and driving environment just as you would in a vehicle
without HUD. If you never look at your instrument
panel cluster, you may not see something important,
such as a warning light. Under important warning
conditions, the CHECK GAGES warning will illuminate
in the HUD. View your Driver Information Center (DIC)
for more information.The HUD controls are
located to the left of the
steering wheel.
To adjust the HUD so you can see it properly, do the
following:
1. Start your engine and press the HUD dimmer
control all the way up by pressing the (+) button.
The brightness of the HUD image is determined by
the light conditions in the direction your vehicle is
facing and where you have the HUD dimmer control
set. If you are facing a dark object or a heavily
shaded area, your HUD may anticipate that you are
entering a dark area and may begin to dim.
It is possible for sunlight to enter the HUD making
it difficult to see the image. The display will return
to normal when the sunlight is no longer entering
the HUD.
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3. Remove the passenger compartment air lter from
the housing.
4. Insert the new lter into the housing.
5. Reinstall the passenger compartment air lter
housing cover.
6. Engage the passenger compartment air lter
housing cover retainer clips.
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you
or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you will
see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briey when you start the
engine just to let you know they are working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there is a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages
shows there may be a problem, check the section that
tells you what to do about it. Please follow this
manual’s advice. Waiting to do repairs can be
costly — and even dangerous. So please get to know
your warning lights and gages. They are a big help.
Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center that works
along with the warning lights and gages. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-49.
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{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light ever comes on
when you have turned off the passenger’s
frontal airbag and side impact airbag
(if equipped), it means that something may
be wrong with the airbag system. The
passenger’s frontal airbag and side impact
airbag (if equipped) could inate even though
the switch is off. If this ever happens, do not
let anyone whom the national government has
identied as a member of a passenger airbag
risk group sit in the passenger’s position
(for example, do not secure a rear-facing child
restraint in your vehicle) until you have your
vehicle serviced. SeeAirbag Off Switch on
page 1-48.
Voltmeter Gage
The voltmeter shows the
voltage output of your
battery. When the engine
is running, it shows
the voltage output of the
charging system.
The reading will change as the rate of charge changes
(with engine speed, for example), but if the voltmeter
reads at 9 volts or below, your instrument panel cluster
and other systems may shut down. The Driver
Information Center (DIC) will read BATTERY VOLTAGE
LOW when your vehicle is at 10 volts or below. Have
it checked right away. Driving with the voltmeter reading
at 10 volts or below could drain your battery and
disable your vehicle.
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If the light comes on while you are driving and you have
a CHECK BRAKE FLUID message showing on the
DIC, pull off the road and stop carefully. You may notice
that the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal may
go closer to the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the
light is still on, have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-36.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning light
on can lead to an accident. If the light is still
on after you have pulled off the road and
stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed for
service.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light will come
on when your engine is
started and may stay on for
several seconds. That is
normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition off. Or, if the light
comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the light still stays on,
or comes on again while you are driving, your vehicle
needs service. If the regular brake system warning light
is not on, you still have brakes, but you do not have
anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, you do not have anti-lock brakes
and there is a problem with your regular brakes. See
“SERVICE ANTILOCK BRAKES” underDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-54.
The anti-lock brake system warning light will come on
briey when you turn the ignition on. This is normal.
If the light does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
3-39

Tire Pressure Light
This light should come on
briey as you start the
engine. It will then come on
only when a at or low
tire pressure condition
exists.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-60for
more information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the
life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The Check Engine light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system
before any problem is apparent. This may prevent more
serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
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Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after awhile, your emission controls
may not work as well, your fuel economy may not
be as good, and your engine may not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that may
not be covered by your warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
your vehicle or the replacement of the original tires
with other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission
controls and may cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This may
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test.
This light should come on briey, as a check to show
you it is working, as you start the engine. If the light
does not come on, have it repaired. This light will also
come on during a malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has
been detected. A misre increases vehicle
emissions and may damage the emission control
system on your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may
be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If the light stops ashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the engine off, wait at least 10 seconds and
restart the engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is still
ashing, follow the previous steps, and see your dealer
for service as soon as possible.
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If the Light Is On Steady
You also may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 5-7. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing
fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed
should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
Gasoline Octane on page 5-5. Poor fuel quality will
cause your engine not to run as efficiently as designed.
You may notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling
when you put the vehicle into gear, misring, hesitation
on acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the
light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
your dealer can check the vehicle. Your dealer has
the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to x any
mechanical or electrical problems that may have
developed.
3-44

Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
may begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this
inspection could prevent you from getting a vehicle
registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help your
vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the Check
Engine light is on or not working properly.
To perform a Check Engine light bulb check with the
keyless ignition, make sure the transmitter fob is in the
passenger compartment. SeeIgnition Positions on
page 2-21. Press the bottom of the ACC button on the
instrument panel and hold the button down for ve
seconds. The instrument panel, including the Check
Engine light, will light up and the ignition will be on, but
the engine will not start — if you press the bottom of
the ACC button only briey, less than ve seconds, the
accessory mode will be turned on, but not the ignition.
After the bulb check, be sure to press and release
the ACC button again to turn the ignition off and avoid
draining the vehicle’s battery.Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the OBD
(on-board diagnostic) system determines that critical
emission control systems have not been completely
diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would be
considered not ready for inspection. This can happen if
you have recently replaced your battery or if your
battery has run down. The diagnostic system is
designed to evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This may take several days
of routine driving. If you have done this and your vehicle
still does not pass the inspection for lack of OBD
system readiness, your GM dealer can prepare the
vehicle for inspection.
3-45

BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE:When the vehicle has
detected that the battery voltage is dropping beyond a
reasonable point, the BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
message will display. The battery saver system will start
reducing certain features of the vehicle that you may
not be able to notice. At the point that features are
disabled, this message is displayed. It means that the
vehicle is trying to save the charge in the battery.
Turn off unnecessary accessories to allow the battery to
recharge.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL:This message will appear
when the life of the engine oil has expired. See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4. After an oil
change, the engine oil life system must be reset. See
“Engine Oil Life” underDIC Controls and Displays
on page 3-49. Also, seeEngine Oil on page 5-13and
Engine Oil Life System on page 5-16for more
information.
CHECK BRAKE FLUID:This message will appear, a
chime will sound and the brake system warning light on
the instrument panel cluster will be on if the ignition is
on to inform the driver that the brake uid level is
low. SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-38.
Have the brake system serviced by your GM dealer as
soon as possible. SeeBrakes on page 5-34.CHECK COOLANT LEVEL:This message will appear
when there is a low level of engine coolant. Have
the cooling system serviced by your GM dealer as soon
as possible. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-21.
CHECK GAS CAP:If the gas cap has not been fully
tightened, this message will appear. You should
check your gas cap to ensure that it is on properly.
Once tightened, it will take at least one overnight park
to reset or clear this message. If there is a CHECK GAS
CAP message and a malfunction indicator lamp on in
the instrument panel cluster, you may need to see your
GM dealer for service. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 3-42for more information.
CHECK OIL LEVEL:Press the RESET button to
acknowledge that you have read the message and to
remove it from the display. The message will reappear
every 10 minutes until this condition changes. Once
the vehicle senses a change in the engine oil level, the
light will remain off.
You will hear two chimes when this message is
displayed. If this message appears after starting your
engine, your engine oil level may be too low. You
may need to add oil. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-24.
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