warning light CHEVROLET CAVALIER 1997 3.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES
BY
SHIELDING Q
CAUSTIC
BURNS AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,\I/,
COULD FLAME
EXPLODE BATTERY
These symbols are important
for you
and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle
is
driven:
n
UNLOCK la
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
0p
AIR BAG p
These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:
SIGNALS e
TURN
FOG LAMPS # 0
These symbols are
on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
These symbols are used
on
warning and
indicator lights:
ENGINE k
COOLANT - th
TEMP -
CHARGING I-1
BATTERY
SYSTEM
'
BRAKE (a)
R
COOLANT
ENGINE OIL
e,
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
(e)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
t
LIGHTER
HORN
)a(
SPEAKER
b
FUEL p3

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0 Section 2 Features and Controls
2-2
2-4
2-6
2-10 2-10
2-1 1
2-12
2-12
2- 14
2-
17
2-18
2-23
2-26
2-27
2-29 2-30
2-30
2-3 1
2-32 2-33
2-4
1
2-44
2-46
2-48
2-5 1
2-5 1
2-62
2-67 Parking Over Things That
Bum
Engine Exhaust
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
(Automatic Transaxle)
Windows
Turn Signalhlultifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors Storage Compartments
Sunroof
(If Equipped)
Convertible Top
(If Equipped)
The Instrument Panel
-- Your
Information System
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
Here
you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your Chevrolet, 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.
Keys
Door Locks
Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
Trunk
Theft
Passlock
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater
(If Equipped)
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Manual Transaxle Operation
Parking Brake
Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic
Transaxle Models Only)
Shifting Out
of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
2-1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine OFF (C): This position unlocks the steering wheel,
ignition and transaxle, but does not send electrical
power to any accessories. In the
OFF position, the
instrument cluster and the automatic transaxle gear shift
indicator have electrical power. Use this position if your
vehicle must be pushed
or towed, but never try to
push-start your vehicle.
A warning chime will sound if
you open the driver’s door when the ignition is off and
the key
is in the ignition.
RUN (D): This is an on position to which the switch
returns after you start your engine and release the
switch. The switch stays in the RUN position when the
engine is running. But even when the engine is
not
running, you can use RUN to operate your electrical
power accessories, and to display some instrument panel
warning lights.
START
(E): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the
key. The ignition switch will
return to RUN for normal driving.
Note that even if the engine is not running, the positions
ACCESSORY and RUN are on positions that allow you
to operate your electrical accessories, such
as the radio. On manual transaxle
vehicles, turning the key to
LOCK will lock the steering column and result in
a loss of ability to steer the vehicle. This could
cause
a collision. If you need to turn the engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only
to
OFF. Don’t press the key release button while
the vehicle is moving.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure
you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using
a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch.
If none of this works, then your
~ vehicle needs service.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Parking Brake
The parking brake lever is located between the
bucket seats.
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down and
pull up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition is on,
the brake system warning light will
come on.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down.
Pull the parking brake lever up until you can press the
release button. Hold the release button
in as you move
the brake lever all the way down.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts
of your vehicle.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Parking Lamps
PC This position will turn on the following:
0 Parking Lamps
0 Sidemarker Lamps
0 Taillamps
0 Instrument Panel Lights
Headlamps
0: This position will turn on the following:
0 Headlamps
0 Parking Lamps
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
0 Instrument Panel Lights
Turn the band clockwise all the way to turn the lamps off.
Lamps On Reminder
If you open the driver’s door with the ignition off and
the lamps on, you will hear a warning chime.
Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic
Light Control
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to
see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
The DRL system will make your high-beam headlamps
come on at reduced brightness in daylight when:
The ignition is on with the engine running,
0 The headlamp switch is OFF,
0 The parking brake is released and
0 The transaxle is not in PARK (P) on models with an
automatic transaxle.
This indicator light on your
instrument panel comes on
when the DRL are on.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Instrument Panel Clusters
Your Chevrolet is equipped with one of these instrument panel clusters, which include indicator warning \
lights and
gages that are explained
on the following pages. Be sure to read about those that apply to the instrument panel cluster
for your vehicle.
Standard Cluster

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Tachometer (If Equipped)
11 The tachometer displays the 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 ais0 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 alarrned
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.
NOTICE:
-
I
Do not operate the engine with the tachometer in
the red area, or engine damage
may occur. I
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one
of the gages shows I I there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help
you
locate them. 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.
2-67
__

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Charging System Light
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 when the engine
is started.
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 your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Brake System Warning Light
Your Chevrolet’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts.
If one part isn’t working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
BRAKE
This light should come on
briefly when you turn the
ignition key to
RUN.
If it doesn’t come on then,
have it fixed
so it will be
ready to warn you if there’s
a problem.
2-69

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully.
You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your Vehicle’’
il he
- *)
Your brake system may not be working propc--y
if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident.
If the light is still on after you’ve
pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also
come on when you set your parking brake. The
light will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release
fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released, it means you have
a brake problem.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will come
on when you start your
engine and it will stay
on for three seconds.
That’s normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if the
light comes on when you’re driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition
off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system.
If the light still stays on, or
comes on again while you’re driving, your Chevrolet
needs service. If the regular brake system warning light
isn’t on, you still have brakes, but you don’t have
anti-lock brakes.
If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, you don’t have anti-lock brakes and
there’s
a problem with your regular brakes. See “Brake
System Warning Light” earlier in this section.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly 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.
2-70

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
(If Equipped)
ETS
OFF
With the Enhanced Traction System (ETS), this warning
light should come on briefly
as you start the engine. If
the warning light doesn’t
come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn
you
if there’s a problem.
If it stays on, or comes on when you’re driving, there
may be a problem with your Enhanced Traction System
and your vehicle may need service. When this warning
light is on, the system will
not limit wheel spin. Adjust
your driving accordingly. The
Enhanced Traction System warning light may come
on for the following reasons:
a
0
0
If you turn the ‘system off by moving the shift lever
to FIRST (1) or SECOND (2), the warning light will
come on and stay on.
To turn the system back on,
move the shift lever back to a position other than
FIRST
(1) or SECOND (2). The warning light
should go off. (See “Enhanced Traction System” in
the Index for more information.)
The warning light will come on when you set your
parking brake with the engine running, and it will
stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release fully. If
the transaxle shift lever is in any position other than
FIRST (1) or SECOND
(2) and the warning light
stays on after your parking brake is fully released,
it
means there’s a problem with the system.
If the traction control system is affected by an engine-related problem,
the system will turn off
and the warning light will come on.
If the Enhanced Traction System warning light comes
on and stays
on for an extended period of time when
the transaxle shift lever is in any position other than
FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) and the parking brake is
fully released, your vehicle needs service.
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