check engine CHEVROLET CAVALIER 1996 3.G User Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: CHEVROLET, Model Year: 1996, Model line: CAVALIER, Model: CHEVROLET CAVALIER 1996 3.GPages: 372, PDF Size: 19.73 MB
Page 89 of 372

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow
you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal
a turn, move the lever all the way up or
down. When the turn is finished, the lever will
return automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel will flash in the
direction
of the turn or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release
it.
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.
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Page 92 of 372

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Windshield Washer Driving without washer fluid is dangerous. A bad mud
splash can block your
vision. You could collide with
another vehicle. Check your washer fluid often.
To wash your windshield, pull the stalk with the wiper
symbol on it toward you one time. The wipers will clear
the window and then either
stop or return to your preset
speed.
If you had no speed selected, the wipers will stop.
I
I A CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don’t use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
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Page 103 of 372

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Convex Outside Mirror
Your passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved
so you can see more from the
driver’s seat.
/I CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
Storage Compartments
Center Console Storage Area
To open the center console, pull the lift lever up and
the lid back.
To close the center console, push the lid down until
it clicks.
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Page 115 of 372

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Lowering the Top Manually
NOTICE:
Do not attempt to lower the top manually as
damage to the vehicle will occur. If the top fails to
raise or lower completely, see “Raising the Top
Manually” following.
1. Set the parking brake and shift your automatic
transaxle to PARK (P)
or your manual transaxle to
NEUTRAL
(N). Turn the engine off.
2. Push the button in the latch handle and turn the
handle down.
3. Open the trunk.
I I
Raising the Top Manually
If your vehicle loses power, or something else happens
that prevents you from raising the top electrically, you
may need to raise the top manually. This will allow you
to safely drive the vehicle until you can get the top
repaired. Raising the convertible top manually should
only be done in an emergency and requires two people.
Before you do these steps, check to make sure that the
bypass switch in the
trunk is switched up to the
NORMAL OPERATION position.
If it is not, switch it
to the
NORMAL OPERATION position and see if the
power top works.
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Page 123 of 372

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Warning Lights, Gages and
Indicatl
IS
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.
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 fallow 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 chime will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt i\
s
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. If the driver’s
belt is already buckled,
neither the chime nor the
light will come on.
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Page 124 of 372

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 sensor, 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
BAG
You will see this light flash
,for a few seconds when you
turn your ignition to RUN
or START. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light doesn’t come on when you
start your vehicle, or stays on, or comes on when you
are driving, your
air bag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.
Charging System Light
El
The charging system light
will come on briefly when
you
turn on the ignition, and
the engine is not running,
as
a check to show you it is
working. Then it should
go out.
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 generator 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 yoq accessories, such as the radio
and
air conditioner.
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Page 129 of 372

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light)
Your Chevrolet is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition and emission
CHECK
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. (In Canada, OBD
I1 is replaced by
Enhanced Diagnostics.) The CHECK ENGINE 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, which may
prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This
system is also designed to assist your service technician
in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.
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
af 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 is 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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Page 131 of 372

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
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 this condition, 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 Warning Light
If you have a low engine oil
pressure problem, this light
will stay on after you start
your engine, or come on
when you are driving. This
indicates that your engine is
not receiving enough oil.
The engine could be low on oil, or could have some
other oil problem. Have it fixed immediately.
The oil light could also come on in two other situations:
0 When the ignition is on but the engine is not running,
the light will come on as a test to show you it is
working, but the light will go out when you turn the
ignition to
START. If it doesn’t come on with the
ignition on, you may have a problem with the fuse or
bulb. Have it fixed right away.
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Page 132 of 372

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you’re idling at a stop sign, the light may blink on
If you make a hard stop, the light may come on for a
and then off.
moment. This is normal.
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.
I NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and
is not covered by your
warranty.
Check Oil Light
CHECK
OIL
Prior to checking your oil le! This light should come
on
briefly while you are
starting your engine. If the
light doesn’t come on, have
it repaired.
‘If the light
comes on while starting and
stays on, your engine oil
level should be checked.
,el, be sure
yo bur vehicle has
been shut
off for several minutes and is on a level
surface. Check your oil level and bring it to the proper
level. See “Engine Oil” in the Index.
Note: A false CHECK
OIL light may. be generated when
parking on steep grades.
The oil level monitoring system only checks the oil
during the brief period between turning the key on and
engine start. It does not monitor the engine oil level
while the engine
is running. Additionally, an oil level
check is only performed
if the engine has been turned
off for a considerable period of time allowing the oil
normally in circulation to drain back into the oil pan.
Page 133 of 372

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Passlock Warning Light
THEFT
SYSTEM
This light will come on
when you turn the key
towards the START
position.
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 dealer.
Up-Shift Light (Manual Transaxle)
This light comes on when
you need
to shift to the next
higher gear. See “Manual
Transaxle” in the Index.
SHIFT
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.
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