light GMC SIERRA 1996 Owner's Manual
Page 106 of 404
Electrochromic Inside Rearview Mirror
with Compass (Option)
Your vehicle may have an electrochromic inside
rearview mirror.
When on, the mirror automatically dims to the proper
level
to minimize glare from lights behind you after dark.
The mirror also includes an eight point compass
display
in the upper right
corner of the mirror face.
When
on, the compass
automatically calibrates
as the vehicle
is driven.
To use the electrochromic mirror only, move the switch
at the bottom
of the mirror to the M position. To use the
electrochromic mirror
as well as the compass. move the
switch to the
C/M position. To turn both features off,
move the switch to the
OFF position. When
the ignition is on and the mirror switch is
in the
CIM position, the compass display'will show two
character boxes for approximately two seconds. If, after
two seconds, the display does
not show a compass
heading
(N for North, for example), there may be a
strong magnetic field interfering with the compass. Such
interference may include magnetic antenna mounts,
a
magnetic note pad holder, or a similar magnetic item. If
removing these items does not correct the condition, see
your
GM dealer for assistance.
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened
with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror
as that may cause
liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.
Compass Varia~ 3
Under certain circumstances, as during a long distance
cross-country trip,
it will be necessary to adjust the
compass
to compensate for compass variance. Compass
variance
is the difference between earth's magnetic
north and true geographic north.
If not adjusted to
account for compass variance, your compass
could give
hlse readings.
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Page 110 of 404
With the garage door opener
positioned properly and the
right number
of pegs in
place, you should only have
to press the PUSH button
slightly
to operate the
opener.
Adjust the position
of the garage door opener and add or
remove pegs,
as needed, until the opener operates properly.
Sunglasses Storage Compartment
The center overhead compartment can be used to
conveniently store your sunglasses.
To open the center compartment, press the release
button located at the rear
of the compartment door. Place your sunglasses
in the compartment door
with the
lenses facing out.
The rear compartment can
be used to store a small item,
like
a book.
To open the rear compartment, press the release button
located at the rear
of the compartment door.
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Page 114 of 404
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
Front Ashtray
The front ashtray is located at the bottom of the instrument
panel. Pull
on the notch in the ashtray door to open it.
NOTICE:
If you store paper or other things that burn in
your ashtrays, they could be set on fire by
cigarettes
or other smoking materials. That could
cause
a fire and possibly damage your vehicle. Do
not store papers and other things that burn in
your ashtrays.
To remove the front ashtray, press the retainer spring
and pivot
the ashtray toward you. To replace the ashtray.
place
the bottom part of the ashtray on the pivot bar at
the bottom
of its mounting on the instrument panel.
Then rotate the ashtray
back to its original position.
Rear Ashtray
To use a rear ashtray, if you have them, pull at the top of
the ashtray door to flip the door open.
To remove a rear ashtray. press down on the inside tabs
and open the door fully.
NOTICE:
If you store paper or other things that burn in
your ashtrays, they could be
set on fire by
cigarettes or other smoking materials. That could
cause a fire and possibly damage your vehicle.
Do
not store papers and other things that burn in
your ashtrays.
To use the cigarette lighter, push it in all the way, and let
go. When it’s ready, it will pop back by itself.
NOTICE:
Holding a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it is heating can make it overload,
damaging the lighter and the heating element.
Just
push the lighter all the way in and let go.
When it’s done, it
will pop back by itself.
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Accessory Power Outlets
Two auxiliary power outlets are located near the
cigarette lighter. Use these outlets to power mobile
telephones or other devices designed
to operate with
vehicle electrical systems.
Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors. You
can also swing them out to help block glare at the front
and side windows.
Your visor may have a strap
to hold small items, such
as maps.
Some visors have an
extender on the inside
edge. When the visor is
down, pull the extender
out for extra glare coverage
at the front or side.
Some visors have mirrors with lamps. If the mirror has
lamps, they will come on when
you lift the mirror cover.
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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 briefly when you start the
engine just
to let you know they’re 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’s 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’re a big help.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a tone will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people
to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is
already buckled.
-
The safety belt light will
on for about 20 seconds,
also
come
on and stay
then
it will flash for about
belt is already buckled,
55 seconds. If the driver’s
neither the tone nor
the
light will come on.
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Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR BAG. The system checks the
air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells
you if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag module,
the wiring and the diagnostic module. For more
information
on the air bag system, see “Air Bag” in
the Index.
AIR
BAG
You will see this light flash
for a few seconds when you
turn your ignition
to RUN
or START. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
Charging System Indicator Light
If the air bag readiness light doesn’t come on when you
start your vehicle, or stays on, or comes on when you
are driving, your air bag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away. This
light should come
on
briefly when you turn on the
ignition, before starting the
engine, as
a check to show
you it is working.
After the engine starts,
the light should go out. If it stays
on or comes on while
you are driving, you may have a
problem with your charging system. It could indicate a
problem with the alternator drive belt,
or some other
charging system problem. Have
it checked right away.
Driving while this light is on could drain your battery.
If
you must drive a short distance with this light on, it
helps to turn off all your accessories, such
as the radio
and air conditioner.
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Brake System Warning Light r
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two
parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
BRAKE
This light should come
on briefly when
you turn
the ignition key to
RUN.
If it doesn’t come on then,
have
it fixed so it will be
ready to
warn you if there’s
a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, 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 floor.
It may take longer to stop. If
the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your Vehicle”
in the Index.)
I! 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’ve
pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake. The
light will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release
fully.
If it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released,
it means you have a brake problem.
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ANTI -
LOCK
Qnti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake.
system, this light will come
on when
you start your
engine and may stay on
for several seconds.
That’s normal.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you’re driving,
your vehicle needs service.
If the regular brake system
warning light isn’t on,
you still have brakes, but you
don’t have anti-lock brakes.
If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, you don’t have anti-lock brakes
and there’s
a problem with your regular brakes. See
“Brake System Warning Light” earlier
in this part.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
I This gage shows the engine
~ coolant temperature.
It also provides an indicator of how hard your vehicle is
working. During a majority of the operation, the gage
will read 210°F
(100°C) or less. If you are pulling a
load or going up hills, it is normal for the temperature to
fluctuate and approach the 260°F ( 125 “C) mark. If the
gage reaches the 260°F
(I 25 “C) mark, it indicates that
the cooling system is working beyond its capacity.
In “Problems
on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
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Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service
- ;ine Soon Light) (Gasoline Engine)
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation
of the
fuel, ignition and emission SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
control systems.
This system
is called OBD I1 (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. (In Canada,
OBD TI is replaced by
Enhanced Diagnostics.) The
SERVICE ENGINE SOON
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, which
may prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This
system is
also designed to assist your service technician
in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.
I NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while, 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.
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 doesn’t come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come
on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:
0 Light Flashing -- A misfire condition has been
detected.
A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage
the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service
is required.
0 Light On Steady -- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may be required.
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If the Light Is Flashing If the Light Is On Steady
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
0 If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo being
hauled
as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains
on steady, see “If
the Light
Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Put your vehicle in PARK (P). 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 flashing follow the
previous steps, and drive the vehicle
to your dealer or
qualified service center for service.
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you just put fuel
into your vehicle?
If so7 reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or improperly installed. This will
allow fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. A few
driving trips 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.
Are you low on fuel?
As your engine starts to run out of fuel, your engine may
not run as efficiently as designed since small amounts of
air are sucked into the fuel line causing a misfire. The
system can detect this. Adding fuel should correct this
condition. Make
sure to install the fuel cap properly. it
will take a few driving trips to turn the light off.
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