instrument panel CHEVROLET C/K 2003 Owner's Guide

2-69
The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Vents
B. Instrument Panel Cluster
C. Column Shift Lever (If Equipped)
D. Air Brake Control(s) (If Equipped)
E. Auxiliary Gages (If Equipped)
F. Exterior Lamp Control
G. Turn Signal Multifunction Lever
H. Hazard Warning Flashers ButtonI. Auxiliary Switches (If Equipped)
J. Audio System or Storage Area
K. Auxiliary Warning Lights
L. Comfort Controls
M. Instrument Panel Switchbank
N. Air Bag Off Switch (If Equipped)
P. Accessory Power Outlets

2-70
Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You'll know how
fast your going, about how much fuel is left and many other things you'll need to drive safely and economically.
United States, Diesel Engine shown, Canada and Gasoline Engine similar

2-75 Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the airbag symbol. 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, the passenger air bag suppression
circuit and the crash sensing and diagnostic module. For
more information on the air bag system, see ªAir Bagº
in the Index.
This light will come on
when you start your vehicle,
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
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or they
could even inflate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle
serviced right away if the air bag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN or
START. If the light doesn't come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.

2-78 Charging System Indicator Light
The charging system
indicator light may be
located in the instrument
panel cluster, or with the
auxiliary warning lights
in the center of the
instrument panel.
It should come on briefly when you turn on the ignition,
before the engine is running, as a check to show that it
is working.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, have it
checked right away. You could have a loose generator
drive belt or some other problem.
Driving while this light is on will drain your battery. If
you must drive a short distance with the light on, turn
off your radio and other accessories.
Sustained driving with a generator failure could result in
a lack of back
-up braking if the engine quits or the
power steering pump should fail.
Voltmeter
When your engine is
running, the voltmeter
gage, at the right side of
the instrument panel cluster,
shows the charging
system voltage.
Readings in either warning zone indicate a possible
problem in the electrical system.
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 may not be able to provide full power at engine
idle. As engine speeds are increased, this condition
should correct itself because higher engine speeds allow
the charging system to create maximum power.
You can only drive a short time on the battery. Be sure
to shut off the radio, the fan or any unnecessary
accessories and have the system serviced.

2-79 Service Transmission Warning Light
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has an Allison automatic transmission,
certain transmission malfunctions will turn this light on.
This light is located with
the auxiliary warning lights
in the center of the
instrument panel.
If this light comes on while you are driving, do not use
the transmission shift control. Using the transmission
shift control may result in the loss of forward gears. The
computer for the transmission senses a problem and
chooses a gear to stay in so that you can drive the
vehicle in that gear. You may not be able to drive as fast
or back up when this light is on.
NOTICE:
If the service transmission warning light comes
on while you are driving, it is a warning that
making a transmission ªrangeº change could
leave you stranded. The vehicle may not continue
to move if you change gears with the
transmission shift control. The transmission can't
operate in all gears because something is wrong.
Leave the shift control alone and drive directly to
a GM dealer for service. If you can't go in for
service immediately, have the vehicle towed.

2-80 Range Inhibited Warning Indicator
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with an Allison
1000/2000/2400 series automatic transmission, a lighted
bar under the current gear selected will flash.
If your vehicle is equipped with an Allison MD
automatic transmission, the current gear selected on
the pushbutton display will flash.
The flashing bar or gear selection indicates that
transmission range shifts may not occur.
For detailed information on shift inhibit limitations, see
the Allison Automatic Transmission Operator's Manual
in your vehicle for further information.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle has either hydraulic or air brakes.
Each system has different warning lights.
Hydraulic Brake System Warning Lights
Vehicles with hydraulic systems have two brake system
warning lights on the instrument panel.
If the BRAKE warning light
comes on, it means that the
fluid level in the master
cylinder reservoir is low or
there is another problem
with your hydraulic brakes.
When it comes on, you will also hear a warning tone.
The BRAKE warning light may come on, and the
warning tone may sound, when you're turning and
braking at the same time. This is normal. See ªHydraulic
Brake Systemsº in the Index.

2-82
Air Brake System Warning Light
Vehicles with air brake systems have one brake system
warning light on the instrument panel.
United States Canada
The LOW AIR warning light should come on, as a
check, whenever you start the engine. However, it is
designed to come on, and stay on, when brake reservoir
pressure has dropped below 60 psi (410 kPa).When this warning light comes on, you will also hear a
warning tone. If the warning light and tone come on
while you are driving, you should drive only as far as
the nearest point of safety and then stop the vehicle.
Here's a very important thing for you to know:
CAUTION:
If the LOW AIR warning light comes on and the
warning tone sounds, the vehicle can stop
suddenly and without further warning. This is
because the parking brake will come on if the
pressure falls below 35 to 45 psi (240 to 310 kPa).
You or others could be injured. If the LOW AIR
warning light comes on and the warning tone
sounds, stop as soon as you can. You won't know
how quickly the system is losing pressure, so be
aware that the parking brake may come on
suddenly.

2-85 Low Coolant Warning Light
You have a low coolant
warning light. If this light
comes on, your system is
low on coolant and the
engine may overheat.
The warning light should come on briefly, as a check,
when you turn on the ignition.
When it comes on, you will also hear a warning tone at
several beats per second for 10 seconds. See ªEngine
Coolantº in the Index and have your vehicle serviced as
soon as you can.
This light may also come on if your vehicle is equipped
with the automatic engine shutdown system and engine
shutdown has begun. See ªEngine Automatic
Shutdownº in the Index.
Wait to Start Indicator (If Equipped)
This light in the center of
the instrument panel will
come on when the intake
heater is on and the ignition
key is in RUN.
Wait until the indicator light turn off before turning the
ignition key to START. See ªEngine Startingº in your
Caterpillar

Operation & Maintenance Manual for more
information.

2-87 Oil Pressure Gage
United States Canada
The engine oil pressure gage, on the lower right portion
of your instrument panel cluster, shows engine oil
pressure in psi (pounds per square inch) or in kPa
(kilopascals). Oil pressure may vary with outside
temperature and oil viscosity, but readings of 30 to
40 psi (205 to 275 kPa) on gasoline engines at operating
temperature and moderate road speeds are normal. If
you have a diesel engine, the normal operating range
should be between 35 and 70 psi (240 to 480 kPa).A reading in the low pressure zone may be caused by a
dangerously low oil level or other problem.
If you have a Caterpillar

diesel engine, also see your
Caterpillar
Operation & Maintenance Manual.
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.

2-90 Engine Shutdown Warning Light
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has the
engine shutdown feature,
this light will come on when
engine shutdown is active.
For more information, see ªEngine Alarm and
Automatic Shutdownº in the Index.
Transmission Temperature Gage
(If Equipped)
If you have an automatic
transmission, this gage is
located above the
switchbank in the center of
the instrument panel.
When your ignition is on, the gage shows the
temperature of the transmission oil. A reading in the
warning zone, the red area beginning at 300
F (150
C),
means you must stop driving and check into the cause.
One possible cause is a low oil level in the transmission.
NOTICE:
If you drive when the transmission temperature
gage is in the warning zone, you can badly
damage the transmission.