check engine CHEVROLET C/K 2003 Owners Manual

2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Windows
2-5 Keys
2-7 Door Locks
2-8 Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2-12 Switchbanks
2-13 Theft
2-14 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2-15 Ignition Positions
2-16 Starting Your Gasoline Engine
2-19 Starting the Diesel Engine
2-24 Starting Your DURAMAX
Diesel Engine
2-27 Engine Checks Before Operating
2-28 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2-30 Diesel Engine Exhaust Brake (If Equipped)
2-31 Two-Speed Rear Axle Electric Shift Control
(If Equipped)
2
-34 Automatic Transmission Operation
2-36 Manual Transmission Operation
2-40 Parking
2-45 Parking Over Things That Burn
2-45 Engine Exhaust2
-46 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
2
-47 Horn
2-48 Tilt Wheel (If Equipped)
2-48 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2-55 Inter-Axle Differential Lock Control
(If Equipped)
2
-56 Rear Axle Differential Lock Control
(If Equipped)
2
-57 Exterior Lamps
2-60 Interior Lamps
2-61 Mirrors
2-63 Storage Compartments
2-65 Accessory Power Outlets
2-66 Trailer Connections (C4/C5 Models Only)
(If Equipped)
2
-67 Trailer Connections (C6/C7/C8 Models Only)
(If Equipped)
2
-68 The Instrument Panel-Your
Information System
2
-70 Instrument Panel Cluster
2-73 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2-14
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:

Let your engine warm up before you
operate your vehicle under load.

Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) 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.
NOTICE: (Continued)
NOTICE: (Continued)

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.

Use the lowest gear you can when you start
a loaded vehicle in motion and when going
up hills to avoid overloading the engine.

Check and adjust engine and transmission
fluid levels often and be sure tires are
properly inflated for the load you're
carrying.

If you have a Caterpillar
 diesel engine, see
the Caterpillar Diesel Engine Operation
& Maintenance Manual.

2-17 Starting Your Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
2. If the engine doesn't start in 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way down and crank the
engine for five more seconds, unless it starts sooner.
3. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Wait 15 seconds to let the starter motor cool down.
Do Steps 1 through 3 again.
When the engine starts, let go of the key and the
accelerator pedal.NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don't,
your engine might not perform properly.
NOTICE:
If you ever need to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.

2-21 Engine Alarm and Automatic Shutdown
(If Equipped)
Your check gages light will come on if the system senses
high engine temperature or low engine oil pressure. If high
engine temperature or low engine oil pressure is detected,
you will also hear a tone alarm at two beats per second.
The alarm and the light will remain on until the condition
is fixed. If the engine temperature or oil pressure condition
worsens, the tone alarm will go to five beats per second.
If the system senses low engine coolant, the five beat
per second alarm and the low coolant warning light will
come on.
The five beats per second tone alarm means that your
engine will shut down in approximately 25
-30 seconds.
There is also an engine shutdown light to indicate that
the engine will shut down. See ªAutomatic Engine
Shutdown Lightº later in this section.
Pull off the road and shut off the engine. Don't start it
until the reason for the problem is known, and the
problem is fixed. If the engine shuts down when you are
still in traffic, you can restart the engine and get another
25
-30 seconds of operation. Do this only if you have to,
since there is a problem that can harm the engine if it
isn't fixed. Engine automatic shutdown, for gasoline
engines, requires activation by your dealer.
High Idle System (Caterpillar
Diesel
and Gasoline Engines)
Your vehicle has both automatic and manual high idle
capabilities.
Automatic High Idle System (Diesel Engines)
(If Equipped)
The automatic high idle feature will engage whenever
you start your vehicle and the engine is below the preset
operating temperature. This will help decrease engine
warm
-up time.
Idle speed will then return to normal under any of the
following conditions:

The engine reaches the preset operating temperature
or has been operating for at least ten minutes.

The brake pedal is pressed.

The manual transmission clutch pedal is pressed or,
the automatic transmission (if equipped) is shifted
from NEUTRAL (N) or PARK (P).

The vehicle speed exceeds approximately
5 mph (8 km/h).

The throttle is pressed.

2-26 If Your Diesel Engine Won't Start
If you've run out of fuel, look at ªRunning Out of Fuel.º
See ªDiesel Fuel Requirements and Fuel Systemº in
the Index.
If you're not out of fuel, and your engine won't start,
do this:
Turn your ignition key to RUN. IMMEDIATELY
after the wait to start light goes off, turn the ignition
key to START.
If the light doesn't go off, wait a few seconds, then try
starting your engine again. And, see your dealer as soon
as you can for a starting system check.
If the light comes on and then goes off and you know
your batteries are charged, but your engine still won't
start, your vehicle needs service.
If the light does not come on when the engine is cold,
your vehicle needs service.If your batteries don't have enough charge to start your
engine, see ªBatteryº in the owner's manual.
Be sure you have the right oil for your engine, and that
you've changed the oil at the proper times. If you use
the wrong oil, your engine may be harder to start.
Be sure you are using the proper fuel for existing
weather conditions. See ªDiesel Fuel Requirements and
Fuel Systemº in the Index.
If the engine starts, runs a short time, then stops, your
vehicle needs service.
CAUTION:
Do not use gasoline or starting ªaids,º such as
ether, in the air intake. They could damage your
engine. There could also be a fire, which could
cause serious personal injury.

2-27
Engine Checks Before Operating
When you've started your engine, let it run for 20 to
30 seconds before you put a load on the engine. But
don't leave the vehicle while the engine is running.
Avoid unnecessary idling of diesel engine equipped
vehicles.
If the engine idles too long, the temperature of the
engine coolant will fall below the normal operating
range. Low engine operating temperature causes several
conditions which affect engine operation and reduce
engine life.
The engine should be permitted to go through a
warm
-up period. Operate the vehicle at a minimum of
600 rpm during the warm
-up period. During this period
and during operation, the following observations should
be made.
During this warm
-up period, check your warning lights
and gages:

If oil pressure doesn't begin to rise within
15 seconds of starting, stop the engine and
find the cause.
If the engine coolant temperature gage needle goes
into the hot area on the gage, stop the engine and
find the cause of the overheating.

If you have air brakes, the dual
-needle air pressure
gage should read at least 115 psi (790 kPa) for both
service systems before you try to move the vehicle.
When air pressure is below 60 psi (420 kPa), the
LOW AIR light will come on and you will hear a
tone alarm. If the pressure doesn't build up or
drops during warm
-up, stop the engine and find
the cause before you try to move the vehicle.
Recommended air pressure before actually driving
away is 120 psi (830 kPa).

The charging system light should come on when
the ignition key is turned to RUN or START and
should go out when the engine is running above idle.
If the light doesn't go out or comes back on during
normal engine operation, have the charging system
checked right away. (This light tells you if the
generator is not charging; it doesn't reflect the
condition of the battery.)

2-28

The voltmeter charge indicator gage tells you the
condition of your battery's charge. The gage should
be in the center area during engine operation. The
red area on the left indicates an undercharge
condition; the red area on the right indicates an
overcharge. If the gage is in either red area, have the
battery and charging system checked right away.
NOTICE:
For diesel engines, don't allow the engine to
operate at low idle for more than five minutes.
This can cause low engine operating
temperatures which can affect engine operation
and reduce engine life. Engine idle speed should
be increased to 1200 rpm whenever extended idle
is required. Once started, the engine should be
placed under load to allow the engine coolant
temperature to reach 150F (66C) before
shutting off the engine.
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped
with this feature, the plug
-in
receptacle is located under
the driver's door.
In very cold weather, 0F (
-18C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You'll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm
-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.

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.

2-82
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.

2-84 Trailer Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
If your vehicle is connected
to an anti
-lock brake system
equipped trailer, this light
should come on briefly, as
a check, when you turn on
the ignition.
When this light comes on and stays on, it means there is
something wrong in the trailer anti
-lock brake system.
Have the system repaired immediately.
If an anti
-lock brake system equipped trailer is not
connected, this light is not functional.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
United States Canada
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into the red area, your engine
coolant might have overheated and your engine may be
too hot. You should pull off the road, stop your vehicle
and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index. If you have a
Caterpillar

diesel engine, also see your Caterpillar

Operation & Maintenance Manual.