check engine light GMC ACADIA 2007 Owner's Manual

Changes or modications to this system by other
than an authorized service facility could void
authorization to use this equipment.
PASS-Key
®III+ uses a radio frequency
transponder in the key that matches a decoder in
your vehicle.
PASS-Key®III+ Operation
Your vehicle has PASS-Key®III+ (Personalized
Automotive Security System) theft-deterrent
system. PASS-Key
®III+ is a passive
theft-deterrent system. This means you do not
have to do anything special to arm or disarm the
system. It works when you transition the key
to ON, ACCESSORY or START from the OFF
position.
When the PASS-Key
®III+ system senses that
someone is using the wrong key, it prevents the
vehicle from starting. Anyone using a
trial-and-error method to start the vehicle will be
discouraged because of the high number of
electrical key codes.If the engine does not start and the security light
on the instrument panel comes on when trying
to start the vehicle, the key may have a damaged
transponder. Turn the ignition off and try again.
If the engine still does not start, and the key
appears to be undamaged, try another ignition
key. At this time, you may also want to check the
fuse, seeFuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 490. If the engine still does not start with the
other key, your vehicle needs service. If your
vehicle does start, the rst key may be faulty. See
your dealer/retailer who can service the
PASS-Key
®III+ to have a new key made. In an
emergency, contact Roadside Assistance.
It is possible for the PASS-Key
®III+ decoder to
learn the transponder value of a new or
replacement key. Up to nine additional keys may be
programmed for the vehicle. The following
procedure is for programming additional keys only.
If all the currently programmed keys are lost or do
not operate, you must see your dealer/retailer or a
locksmith who can service PASS-Key
®III+ to have
keys made and programmed to the system.
121

Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and
gages on your vehicle. The pictures help to
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 the 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 the details show 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 as 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 vehicle’s warning
lights and gages. They can be a big help.
214

If, after several seconds, both status indicator
lights remain on, or if there are no lights at
all, there may be a problem with the lights
or the passenger sensing system. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the
instrument panel cluster ever comes on
and stays on, it means that something may
be wrong with the airbag system. If this
ever happens, have the vehicle serviced
promptly, because an adult-size person
sitting in the right front passenger’s
seat may not have the protection of the
airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 217for more on this, including
important safety information.
Charging System Light
The charging system
light will come on briey
when you turn on the
ignition, but the engine is
not running, as a check
to show you it is working.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it
stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the charging system.
It could indicate that you have problems with a
generator drive belt, or another electrical problem.
Have it checked right away. Driving while this light
is on could drain your battery.
When this light comes on, the Driver Information
Center (DIC) will also display the SERVICE
BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM message. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 244for more
information.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such as
the radio and air conditioner.
220

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
Under normal driving conditions the gage will
read 210°F (100 °C) or less. If the gage pointer
is near 260°F (125 °C), the engine is too hot.
It means that your engine coolant has overheated.
If you have been operating your vehicle under
normal driving conditions, you should pull off the
road, stop your vehicle and turn off the engine
as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 410for more
information.
Tire Pressure Light
This light comes on
briey when you turn
the ignition to ON.
It will also come on when one or more of your
tires are signicantly underinated.
A CHECK TIRE PRESSURE Driver Information
Center (DIC) message will accompany the light.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 244
for more information.
Stop and check your tires as soon as it is safe to do
so. If underinated, inate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 435for more information.
This light will ash for about 70 seconds and then
stay on if a problem is detected with the Tire
Pressure Monitor system.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 444
for more information.
United StatesCanada
225

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has 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 make sure 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 can prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle. This system is also designed
to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with
this light on, after awhile, the emission controls
might not work as well, your vehicle’s fuel
economy might not be as good, and the engine
might not run as smoothly. This could lead
to costly repairs that might 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 can cause
this light to come on. Modications to these
systems could lead to costly repairs not
covered by your warranty. This could also
result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 385.
226

This light should come on, as a check to show
you it is working, when the ignition is on and the
engine is not running. 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 could damage the emission
control system on your vehicle. Diagnosis and
service might be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control
system malfunction has been detected on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service might be
required.
If the Light is Flashing
The following can prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled as soon
as it is possible.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 the vehicle. Turn the key 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/retailer
for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You might 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 390.
The diagnostic system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed.
A loose or missing fuel cap allows fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the cap properly installed should
turn the light off.
227

Did you just drive through a deep puddle
of water?
If so, your vehicle’s electrical system might be
wet. The condition is usually 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.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 388. Poor fuel
quality causes the engine not to run as efficiently
as designed. You might 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
might 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/retailer can check the vehicle.
Your dealer/retailer has the proper test equipment
and diagnostic tools to x any mechanical or
electrical problems that might have developed.Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have
or might 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.
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 the battery or if the battery has run
down. The diagnostic system is designed
to evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This can 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 dealer/retailer
can prepare the vehicle for inspection.
228

Oil Pressure Light
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is
low. If you do, your engine can become
so hot that it catches re. You or others
could be burned. Check your oil as soon as
possible and have your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
may damage the engine. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
This light tells you if
there could be a
problem with your
engine oil pressure.The light comes on when you turn your key to ON
or START. It goes off once you start your engine.
That is a check to be sure the light works. If it does
not come on, be sure to have it xed so it will be
there to warn you if something goes wrong.
When the light comes on and stays on, it means
that oil is not owing through your engine properly.
You could be low on oil and you might have
some other system problem.
Security Light
This light ashes
when the security
system is activated.
For more information, seeTheft-Deterrent
Systems on page 118.
229

AUTOMATIC LIGHT CONTROL ON
This message displays when the automatic
headlamps are turned on. This message clears
itself after 10 seconds.
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
This message displays when the system detects
that the battery voltage is dropping below expected
levels. The battery saver system starts reducing
certain features of the vehicle that you may be able
to notice. At the point that the features are disabled,
this message is displayed. It means that the vehicle
is trying to save the charge in the battery.
Turn off all unnecessary accessories to allow
the battery to recharge.
The normal battery voltage range is
11.5 to 15.5 volts.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when the engine oil needs
to be changed. When you change the engine oil, be
sure to reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message. SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 400
for information on how to reset the message.
SeeEngine Oil on page 397andScheduled
Maintenance on page 502for more information.
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
This message displays when the pressure in
one or more of the vehicle’s tires need to
be checked. This message also displays LEFT
FRONT, RIGHT FRONT, LEFT REAR, or
RIGHT REAR to indicate which tire needs to be
checked. You can receive more than one tire
pressure message at a time. To read the other
messages that may have been sent at the
same time, press the set/reset button or the trip
odometer reset stem. If a tire pressure message
appears on the DIC, stop as soon as you can.
Have the tire pressures checked and set to those
shown on the Tire Loading Information label.
SeeTires on page 435,Loading Your Vehicle
on page 361, andInflation - Tire Pressure
on page 442. The DIC display also shows the
tire pressure values for the front and rear tires by
pressing the vehicle information button. See
“DIC Operation and Displays (With DIC Buttons)”
earlier in this section. If the tire pressure is
low, the low tire pressure warning light comes on.
SeeTire Pressure Light on page 225.
245

SERVICE TRANSMISSION
This message displays when there is a problem
with the transmission. See your dealer/retailer
for service.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This message displays when a non-emissions
related malfunction occurs. Have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon as
possible.
SPEED LIMITED TO XXX MPH (KM/H)
This message displays when your vehicle speed
is limited to 80 mph (128 km/h) because the
vehicle detects a problem in the speed variable
assist steering system. Have your vehicle serviced
by your dealer/retailer.
STARTING DISABLED SERVICE
THROTTLE
This message displays when your vehicle’s throttle
system is not functioning properly. Have your
vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer.
THEFT ATTEMPTED
This message displays if the content theft-deterrent
system has detected a break-in attempt while
you were away from your vehicle. SeeContent
Theft-Deterrent on page 118for more information.
TIGHTEN GAS CAP
This message may display along with the check
engine light on the instrument panel cluster if
the vehicle’s fuel cap is not tightened properly.
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on page 226.
Reinstall the fuel cap fully. SeeFilling the Tank
on page 390. The diagnostic system can determine
if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. A loose or missing fuel cap allows fuel
to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the cap properly installed should turn
this light and message off.
253