check engine light CHEVROLET ASTRO 1998 2.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine i
I
1 CAUTION:
Air bags inflate with great force, faster than the
blink of an eye. If you’re too close to an inflating
air bag, it could seriously injure you. Safety belts
help keep you in position before and during a
crash. Always wear your safety belt, even with
air
bags. The driver should sit as far back as possible
while still maintaining control of the vehicle.
c
i
A CAUTION:
Children who are up against, or very close to, an
air bag when
it inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. This is true even if your vehicle has
reduced-force frontal
air bags. Air bags plus
lap-shoulder belts offer the best protection for
adults, but not for young children and infants.
Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its air
CAUTION: (Continued)
I CAUTION: (Continued)
bag system is designed for them. Young children
and infants need the protection that
a child
restraint system can provide. Always secure
children properly in your vehicle.
To read how,
see the part of this manual called “Children” and
see the caution labels on the sunvisors and the
right front passenger’s safety belt.
There is an air bag
readiness light on the
instrument panel, which
BAG
shows AIRBAG.
The system checks the air bag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you
if there is an electrical
problem. See “Air Bag Readiness Light” in the Index
for more information.
1-27

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order
you an extender. It’s free. When you go
in
to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit, To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. If your vehicle has
a
built-in child restraint, also periodically make sure the
harness straps, latch plates, buckle, clip, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt and built-in child restraint
system parts. If you see anything that might keep a
safety belt or built-in child restraint system from doing
its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt
is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
If your vehicle has the built-in child restraint, torn or
frayed harness straps can rip apart under impact forces
just like torn or frayed safety belts can. They may not
protect
a child in a crash. If a harness strap is torn or
frayed, get
a new harness right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
If you’ve had a crash, do you need new safety belts or
built-in child restraint parts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the safety belts or built-in child restraint harness
straps were stretched, as they would be if worn during a
more severe crash, then
you need new safety belts or
harness straps.
1-68

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If the engine stalls and the SECURITY light flashes,
wait until the light stops flashing before trying to restart
the engine. Remember to release the key from the
START position as soon as the engine starts.
If you are driving and the SECURITY light comes on,
you will be able to restart the engine if you turn the
engine
off. However, your Passlock system is not
working properly and must be serviced by your dealer.
Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock at this time.
You may also want
to check the fuses (see “Fuses and
Circuit Breakers”
in the Index). See your dealer
for service.
If the SECURITY light comes on while the engine is
running, a problem has been detected and the system
may need service. See your dealer for service.
In an emergency, call
the GM Roadside Assistance
Center.
See “Roadside Assistance” in the Index.
New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
0
0
0
0
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 kmh) or
less for the first
500 miles (805 km).
Don’t drive at any one speed
-- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow
a trailer during break-in.
See “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.
2-15

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows don’t
flash but just stay on, a signal bulb may be burned out
and other drivers won’t see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned
out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don’t go
on at all when you
signal a turn, check the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit
Breakers” in the Index) and for burned-out bulbs.
Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield
wipers by turning
the band
with the wiper symbol on it.
- .- .. For a single-wiping cycle,
a turn the band to MIST. Hold m
If you have a trailer towing option with added wiring for
the trailer lamps, a different turn signal flasher is used.
With this flasher installed, the signal indicator
will flash
even if
a turn signal bulb is burned out. Check the front
and rear turn signal lamps regularly
to make sure they it there
until the wipers
start, then let go. The wipers
will stop after
one wipe. If
you want more wipes, hold
the band on MIST longer.
are working.
Headlamp HighLow Beam Changer between wipes. This can be very useful in light rain or
To change the headlamps from low beam to high or high closer to Low, the shorter the delay,
to low,
pull the multifunction lever all the way toward You
can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay
snow. Turn the band
to choose the delay time. The
you. Then release it.
When the high beams are
on, this indicator light on
the instrument panel also
will be
on.
For steady wiping at low speed, turn the band away
from
you to LOW. For high-speed wiping, turn the band
further, to HIGH.
To stop the wipers, move the band
to OFF.
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If they’re frozen
to the windshield,
carefully loosen or thaw them. If your blades do become
worn or damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
2-32

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Exterior Lamps
Your lamp switch is on the driver’s side of the
instrument panel.
Rotate the knob toward the right to
the parking lamp
symbol
to turn on the following:
Parking Lamps
Taillamps
0 License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights Rotate
the knob toward the right to the master lighting
symbol to turn on all
the lamps listed as well as
the headlamps.
Rotate the knob toward the left to
OFF to turn off
your lamps.
Rotate the dial next
to the knob up to adjust your
instrument panel lights. Rotate the dial up to
the first
notch for
full intensity. If you rotate the dial to the
second notch,
your interior lamps will come on.
Rotate
the dial next to the lamp switch down to dim
your instrument panel lights.
Headlamps
You can switch your headlamps from high to low beam
by pulling
the multifunction lever toward you.
A circuit breaker protects your headlamps. If you have
an electrical overload, your headlamps
will flicker on
and off. Have your headlamp wiring checked right away
if this happens.
Headlamps On Reminder
A reminder tone will sound when your headlamps or
parking lamps are turned
on and your ignition is in the
OFF, LOCK or ACCESSORY position. To turn the tone
off, turn
the switch to OFF.
2-37

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
Loading cargo that weighs more than 200 Ibs.
(91 kg) on the luggage carrier may damage your
vehicle. When
you carry large things, never let
them hang over the rear or the sides of your
vehicle. Load your cargo
so that it rests on the
slats and does not scratch or damage the vehicle.
Put the cargo against the side rails and fasten it securely to the luggage carrier. Put the main
weight
as far forward as you can.
Don’t exceed
the maximum vehicle capacity when
loading your vehicle. For more information on vehicle
capacity and loading, see “Loading Your Vehicle” in
the Index.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you’re driving,
check now and then to make sure
the luggage carrier and
cargo are still securely fastened.
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
The cigarette lighter is on the left of the engine
cover console.
To use the lighter, press it in all the way and let go.
When it’s done heating, it will pop back by itself.
NOTICE:
Don’t hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it
is heating. If you do, it won’t be able to
back away from the heating element when it’s
ready. That
can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter
and the heating element.
2-48 -

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.
2-58

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.
2-59

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.
2-62

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.
2-64