engine CHEVROLET ASTRO 1998 2.G Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: CHEVROLET, Model Year: 1998, Model line: ASTRO, Model: CHEVROLET ASTRO 1998 2.GPages: 414, PDF Size: 21.46 MB
Page 141 of 414

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Speedometer  and  Odometer 
Your speedometer lets  you see your  speed  in  both  miles 
per  hour (mph)  and kilometers  per hour (km/h).  Your 
odometer shows  how far your  vehicle  has  been  driven, 
in  either  miles  (used 
in the  United  States) or kilometers 
(used  in  Canada). 
Your  odometer  is tamper resistant.  The digital  odometer 
will  read  999,999 if someone  tries to turn  it  back. 
You  may  wonder  what  happens if your  vehicle  needs a 
new  odometer  installed. If the  new  one can be  set  to  the 
mileage  total  of the old  odometer,  then it must  be.  But  if 
it can’t, then it’s  set  at  zero,  and  a label must  be  put on 
the  driver’s  door to show  the  old  mileage  reading  when 
the  new  odometer  was installed. 
Trip Odometer 
The  trip odometer can  tell  you  how far your vehicle  has 
been  driven  since you  last  set  the  trip  odometer to zero. 
The  trip odometer  will appear  in  place  of  your  regular 
odometer  when  you  press  the  TRIP button. 
To  reset  the  trip odometer,  press  and  hold  the  TRIP 
button.  To  change back 
to the regular  odometer,  press 
the  TRIP  button  again. 
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. 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 
also come  on  and  stay on 
for  about 20 seconds, 
then  it will  flash  for about 
55 seconds. 
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  modules, 
the wiring  and the crash  sensing  and  diagnostic  module. 
For  more  information  on the  air bag  system,  see “Air 
Bag” 
in the  Index. 
AIR 
This  light  will  come on 
when  you  start  your  engine, 
and 
it will  flash  for a few 
seconds. Then  the  light 
should  go 
out. This means 
the  system  is  ready. 
If the air  bag  readiness  light  stays on after you start  the 
engine or comes 
on when you are  driving,  your  air bag 
system  may 
not work  properly.  Have  your  vehicle 
serviced  right  away. 
The  air bag  readiness  light  should  flash  for  a  few 
seconds  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. If the  driver’s  belt  is  already  buckled,  neither  the  tone 
nor  the  light  will  come on. 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Charging  System  Indicator  Light 
The charging  system light 
will  come 
on briefly  when 
you turn  the ignition  on, but 
the  engine  is  not running,  as 
a  check  to show 
you the 
light  is  working. 
- 
Then 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  electrical charging system. It 
could indicate that  you  have a loose accessory  drive belt, 
or another electrical  problem. Have it checked  right 
away.  Driving while  this light  is on could drain 
your  battery. 
If 
you must  drive  a short  distance  with  the  light  on, be 
certain  to turn 
off all  your accessories,  such as the  radio 
and  heatedair  conditioner. 
Voltmeter 
When your engine  is  not 
running,  but  the  ignition  is 
on (in  the RUN position), 
the  gage shows  your 
battery’s  state 
of charge in 
DC  volts. 
When  the  ignition  is running,  the gage shows  the 
condition 
of the  charging  system. Readings  between  the 
low  and  high warning zones indicate the  normal 
operating range. 
Readings  in  the  low  warning zone may occur  when a 
large  number 
of electrical  accessories  are operating  in 
the  vehicle  and  the engine  is  left  at  an idle  for an 
extended  period. This condition  is  normal since the 
charging  system  is  not  able to provide full  power  at 
engine  idle. 
As engine speeds  are increased,  this 
condition should correct  itself as higher  engine speeds 
allow  the charging system 
to create  maximum  power. 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine You can only  drive  for a short  time  with  the  readings in 
either  warning 
zone. If  you  must  drive, turn  off  all 
unnecessary  accessories. 
Readings  in either  warning  zone  indicate a possible 
problem  in  the  electrical  system.  Have the  vehicle 
serviced  as soon  as  possible. 
Brake  System  Warning  Light 
When  the  ignition  is  on,  the  brake  system  warning  light 
will  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. 
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.) 
A CAUi iON: 
- 
Your brake  system  may  not  be  working  prop( y 
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. 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Anti-Lock  Brake  System  Warning  Light 
ANTI - 
LOCK 
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 section. 
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 
If the  gage  pointer  moves  to 
the  red  area,  your  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. 
The “Problems on  the  Road” section of  this  manual 
shows 
you what to do.  See  “Engine  Overheating” in 
the  Index. 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Malfunction  Indicator  Lamp (Service  Engine  Soon  Light) 
1 
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.  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. This  may 
prevent  more  serious damage 
to your  vehicle. This 
system 
is also  designed  to assist  your service  technician 
in correctly  diagnosing  any  malfunction. 
0 
0 
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: 
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  may  be  required. 
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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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If  the  Light Is Flashing 
The following  may  prevent  more serious damage to 
your  vehicle: 
0 Reducing vehicle speed. 
0 Avoiding  hard  accelerations. 
Avoiding steep uphill  grades. 
0 If you are 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. Find  a safe  place to park  your  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  flashing, 
follow 
the previous  steps, and drive the vehicle to your 
dealer  or qualified service center  for service. 
If  the  Light Is On Steady 
You 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.  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? 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If so, be sure to fuel  your  vehicle  with  quality  fuel  (see 
“Fuel” in  the  Index).  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,  misfiring,  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, 
have  your  dealer or qualified  service  center  check  the 
vehicle.  Your dealer  has  the  proper  test  equipment  and 
diagnostic  tools  to  fix  any  mechanical  or electrical 
problems  that  may  have  developed. 
Oil Pressure  Gage 
The  oil  pressure  gage shows 
the  engine  oil  pressure  in 
psi  (pounds  per  square  inch) 
when  the  engine 
is running. 
Canadian  vehicles  indicate  pressure 
in kPa  (kilopascals). 
Oil  pressure  may  vary  with  engine speed, outside 
temperature  and 
oil viscosity,  but  readings  above  the 
low  pressure  zone  indicate 
the normal  operating  range. 
A reading in the  low  pressure  zone  may  be  caused  by  a 
dangerously  low  oil  level  or other  problems  causing 
low 
oil  pressure. 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A CAUTION: 
Don’t keep  driving if the oil pressure  is low. If 
you  do,  your  engine  can  become so hot  that it 
catches  fire.  You or  others  could  be  burned. 
Check  your  oil as soon  as  possible  and  have  your 
vehicle  serviced. 
NOTICE: 
Damage  to  your  engine  from  neglected  oil 
problems  can  be  costly and is not  covered  by 
your  warranty. 
Security Light 
This  light  will  come on 
briefly  when  you  turn  the 
The light  will stay on  until  the  engine starts. 
If the light 
flashes,  the  Passlock” System has entered  a tamper 
mode. 
If the vehicle fails to start, see  “Passlock” in 
the  Index. 
If  the  light comes on  continuously  while  driving and 
stays on, there  may be a problem  with  the  Passlock 
System.  Your vehicle  will  not  be protected  by  Passlock, 
and  you  should  see your 
GM dealer. 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Daytime  Running  Lamps  Indicator  Light 
You will  have  this  light on 
:::o 
the  instrument  panel: It  goes 
on  whenever  the  Daytime 
Running  Lamps (DRL) 
are 
on. 0.0 
When  it begins  to get dark,  the DRL indicator  light  is  a 
reminder to  turn on your  headlamps. 
Check  Gages  Light 
CHECK 
GAGES 
This  light  will  come on 
briefly  when  you  are 
starting  the  engine. 
If  the  light  comes on and  stays 
on while  you are driving, 
check  your  various  gages 
to see if they  are in the 
warning  zones. 
Fuel  Gage 
The  fuel gage  tells you 
approximately  how  much 
fuel  you have  remaining 
FUEL  ONLY 
when  the  ignition is on. 
When  the  gage first  indicates  EMPTY  (E), you still  have 
a little  fuel  left,  but you should  get more  fuel as soon 
as  possible. 
Here  are things  some owners  ask  about.  None 
of these 
indicate a  problem  with  your  fuel  gage: 
0 At the gas  station,  the gas pump shuts  off  before  the 
gage  reads 
FULL (F). 
0 The fuel  tank  will  take  either a little  more  or a little 
less  fuel to fill up than  the  gage  shows. 
0 The gage  moves a little  when you turn  a corner or 
speed  up. 
The  gage  doesn’t  go back  to EMPTY (E) when  you 
turn 
off the  ignition. 
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