check engine CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2004 1.G Workshop Manual

At Least Once a Year
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-42if
necessary.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready
to turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter
should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the starter works in any other position, contact
your GM Goodwrench dealer for service.
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-42if necessary.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately
if the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the
RUN position, but do not start the engine. Without
applying the regular brake, try to move the shift
lever out of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift
lever moves out of PARK (P), contact your
GM Goodwrench dealer for service.
6-11

Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever position.
The key should turn to LOCK only when the
shift lever is in PARK (P).
The key should come out only in LOCK.
Contact your GM Goodwrench dealer if service is
required.
Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission Park (P) Mechanism Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake,
set the parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With
the engine running and transmission in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK (P). Then
release the parking brake followed by the regular
brake.
Contact your GM Goodwrench dealer if service is
required.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-12

In a crash or near crash event, computer systems, such
as the Air Bag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)
in your vehicle may record information about the
condition of the vehicle and how it was operated, such
as engine speed, brake applications, throttle position,
vehicle speed, safety belt usage, air bag readiness, air
bag performance data, and the severity of a collision.
This information has been used to improve vehicle crash
performance and may be used to improve crash
performance of future vehicles and driving safety. Unlike
the data recorders on many airplanes, these on-board
systems do not record sounds, such as conversation of
vehicle occupants.
To read this information, special equipment is needed
and access to the vehicle or the SDM is required.
GM will not access information about a crash event or
share it with others other than
with the consent of the vehicle owner or, if the
vehicle is leased, with the consent of the lessee,
in response to an official request of police or similar
government office,
as part of GM’s defense of litigation through the
discovery process, or
as required by law.In addition, once GM collects or receives data, GM may
use the data for GM research needs,
make it available for research where appropriate
condentiality is to be maintained and need is
shown, or
share summary data which is not tied to a specic
vehicle with non-GM organizations for research
purposes.
Others, such as law enforcement, may have access to
the special equipment that can read the information
if they have access to the vehicle or SDM.
If your vehicle is equipped with OnStar
®, please check
the OnStar®subscription service agreement or manual
for information on its operations and data collection.
7-11

C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canada – Customer Assistance.......................... 7-5
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-8
Capacities and Specications..........................5-128
Carbon Monoxide...........2-14, 2-23, 2-47, 4-44, 4-68
Care of
Safety Belts..............................................5-114
Your CD and DVD Player...........................3-116
Your CDs and DVDs..................................3-116
Cargo Area, All-Weather..................................2-78
Cargo Area Floor Drains..................................2-82
Cargo Cover Panels........................................2-67
Cargo Lamps.................................................3-19
Cargo Panel Storage System............................2-70
Cargo Tie Downs............................................2-77
CD Messages........................................3-85, 3-99
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-66
Center Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts....1-23
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-65
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block................5-122
Center Overhead Console................................2-65
Chains, Tire...................................................5-88CHANGE ENGINE OIL....................................3-65
Charging System Light....................................3-40
Check Engine Light.........................................3-47
CHECK OIL LEVEL.........................................3-66
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE...............................3-72
CHECK WASHER FLUID.................................3-68
Checking Brake Fluid......................................5-44
Checking Coolant............................................5-28
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-16
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-117
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-36
Infants and Young Children...........................1-32
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-42
Older Children.............................................1-30
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front
Seat Position...........................................1-46
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-47
3

E
Easy Exit Seat...............................................2-92
Electrical System...........................................5-119
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-120
Power Windows and Other Power Options....5-120
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-120
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-49
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-21
Battery.......................................................5-47
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-47
Coolant......................................................5-26
Coolant Heater............................................2-33
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-45
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-16
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-47
Fan Noise..................................................5-40
Oil .............................................................5-16
Overheating................................................5-29
Starting......................................................2-32
ENGINE COOLANT HOT.................................3-66
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-19
ENGINE OVERHEATED..................................3-66
Entry Lighting and Exit Lighting.........................3-20Environmental Concerns..................................4-21
Erasing HomeLink
®Buttons..............................2-64
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................7-10
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-29
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-21
Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station
(RDS and XM™).................................3-77, 3-89
Finding a Station....................................3-75, 3-87
Finish Care..................................................5-115
Finish Damage.............................................5-117
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-116
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire........................................................5-89
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-90
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-23
Power Steering...........................................5-41
Windshield Washer......................................5-42
FM Stereo....................................................3-115
Fog Lamps....................................................3-18
Following Distance..........................................4-76
6

H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-9
Headlamps....................................................5-58
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-58
Daytime Running Lamps...............................5-65
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-63
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Parking
Lamps....................................................5-62
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-58
Headphones.................................................3-100
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Heating.........................................................3-27
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-42
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-43
Hitches..........................................................4-74
HomeLink
®Transmitter....................................2-61
HomeLink®Transmitter, Programming................2-62
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn............................................................... 3-7
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank......5-35How to Add Fluid............................................5-26
How to Check Lubricant...................................5-55
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-42
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-14
Hydroplaning..................................................4-37
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-32
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-30
If the Light is Flashing.....................................3-48
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-48
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard.........................4-47
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-49
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-69
Ignition Positions.............................................2-31
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors.........................2-26
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-32
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-76
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-34
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-20
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..........................5-120
Interior Lamps................................................3-20
8

Midgate Operation...........................................2-14
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview with Compass
and Temperature Display...........................2-52
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®,
Compass and Temperature Display.............2-49
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror with Curb
View Assist.............................................2-58
Outside Camper-Type Mirrors........................2-56
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-57
Outside Heated Mirrors................................2-58
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-56
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-30
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-15
O
Odometer......................................................3-35
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-17
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-16
Pressure Gage............................................3-50OIL LIFE RESET............................................3-65
OIL PRESSURE LOW.....................................3-65
Older Children, Restraints................................1-30
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar
®Personal Calling.................................2-60
OnStar®Services............................................2-59
OnStar®Steering Wheel Controls......................2-60
OnStar®System.............................................2-59
OnStar®Virtual Advisor....................................2-60
Operating Your All-Wheel-Drive Vehicle Off
Paved Roads..............................................4-20
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-7
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-32
Outside
Automatic Dimming Mirror with Curb View
Assist.....................................................2-58
Camper-Type Mirrors....................................2-56
Convex Mirror.............................................2-57
Heated Mirrors............................................2-58
Power Mirrors.............................................2-56
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . 5-30
Overseas – Customer Assistance........................ 7-5
Owner Checks and Services.............................6-10
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
Owner’s Information........................................7-14
11

Radios (cont.)
Radio with CD............................................3-73
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-85
Rear Seat Audio........................................3-112
Setting the Time..........................................3-73
Theft-Deterrent..........................................3-114
Understanding Reception............................3-115
RDS Messages......................................3-79, 3-91
Reading Lamps..............................................3-21
Rear Axle......................................................5-55
Locking......................................................4-11
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-13
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-27
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)..................................3-112
Rear Seat Entertainment System.......................3-99
Rear Seat Operation......................................... 1-7
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-24
Rear Storage Area..........................................2-67
Rear Window Defogger............................3-28, 3-31
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
Compass and Temperature Display................2-52
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
OnStar
®, Compass and Temperature Display . . . 2-49
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-5
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-13
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-52REDUCED ENGINE POWER...........................3-66
Reinstalling the Cargo Cover Panels..................2-74
Remote Control.............................................3-106
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-5
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare
Tire ...........................................................5-96
Removing the Front/Rear Rails and Bows..........2-87
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-91
Removing the Tonneau Cover...........................2-84
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-66
Replacing Brake System Parts..........................5-47
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-12
General Motors...........................................7-13
United States Government............................7-12
Reprogramming a Single HomeLink
®Button.......2-65
Resetting Defaults...........................................2-65
Restraint System Check
Checking Your Restraint Systems...................1-67
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a
Crash.....................................................1-68
Restraint Systems
Checking....................................................1-67
Replacing Parts...........................................1-68
13

W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-33
Warnings
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-65
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-6
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-7
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage.............................................. iv
Washing Your Vehicle....................................5-114
Weight of the Trailer........................................4-71
Weight of the Trailer Tongue.............................4-73
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use........................5-17
What to Do with Used Oil................................5-20
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-86
Replacement...............................................5-86
When to Add Engine Oil..................................5-16
When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life System)...................................5-19
When to Check Lubricant.................................5-55
When to Check Power Steering Fluid................5-41
When to Inspect.............................................5-21
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking
on a Hill.....................................................4-79Where to Put the Restraint...............................1-38
Why Safety Belts Work....................................1-10
Windows.......................................................2-25
Power........................................................2-26
Windshield and Wiper Blades..........................5-116
Windshield Washer.........................................3-10
Fluid..........................................................5-42
Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement......................................5-67
Fuses......................................................5-120
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-10
Winter Driving................................................4-44
X
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System..............3-117
XM™ Satellite Radio Service..........3-74, 3-86, 3-115
Y
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................... 6-2
18