check engine CHEVROLET COLORADO 2007 1.G Owners Manual

If a locked door is not opened using the RKE
transmitter, or by OnStar®, the pre-alarm will
go off. If the engine is not started or unlock not
pressed within 10 seconds, the front turn
signal lamps will ash for two minutes, and the
horn will sound for two minutes, then will turn off
to save the battery power.
Remember, the theft-deterrent system will not
activate if you lock the doors with a key, the
manual door lock, or power door lock switch.
The system can only be activated using the
RKE transmitter, or by OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®
System on page 149for additional information.
You should also remember that you can start your
vehicle with the correct ignition key if the alarm
has been set off.
Here is how to avoid setting off the alarm by
accident:
If you do not want to activate the
theft-deterrent system, the vehicle should be
locked with the door key after the doors
are closed.
Always unlock a door with the RKE transmitter.
Unlocking a door any other way will set off
the alarm.If you set off the alarm by accident, you can turn
off the alarm by pressing unlock on the RKE
transmitter. The alarm will not stop if you try to
unlock a door any other way.
Testing the Alarm
To test the alarm:
1. From inside the vehicle, activate the system
by locking the doors with the RKE transmitter.
2. Unlock the door with the manual door lock and
open the door. This should set off the alarm.
3. To turn the alarm off, press the unlock button
on the RKE transmitter or start the engine.
If the alarm does not sound when it should but
the lights ash, check to see if the horn works.
The horn fuse may be blown. To replace the fuse,
seeFuses and Circuit Breakers on page 433.
If the alarm does not sound or the front turn signal
lamps do not ash, see your dealer/retailer for
service.
116

To prevent gear damage, this system also
prevents cranking if the engine is already
running. Engine cranking can be stopped
by turning the ignition switch to the ACC or
LOCK position.
Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods
of time, by returning the key to the START
position immediately after cranking has ended,
can overheat and damage the cranking
motor, and drain the battery. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to allow
the cranking motor to cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below 0°F
or−18°C), it could be ooded with too
much gasoline. Try pushing the accelerator
pedal all the way to the oor and holding
it there as you hold the key in START for
up to a maximum of 15 seconds. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to allow the
cranking motor to cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and accelerator.If the vehicle starts briey but then stops
again, do the same thing. This clears the
extra gasoline from the engine. Do not race
the engine immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and transmission gently
until the oil warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
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/retailer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly. Any resulting
damage would not be covered by your
vehicle’s warranty.
122

Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and
gages on your vehicle. The pictures help to
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 the 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 the details show on the next few pages,
some warning lights come on briey when you
start the engine just to let you know they are
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 is a problem with
your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and
stays on as 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 follow this manual’s advice. Waiting to
do repairs can be costly and even dangerous.
So please get to know your vehicle’s warning
lights and gages. They can be a big help.
Your vehicle may also have a Driver Information
Center (DIC) that works along with the warning
lights and gages. SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 198for more information.
181

Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in
both miles per hour (mph) and kilometers
per hour (km/h).
Your odometer shows how far your vehicle
has been driven, in either miles (used in the
United States) or kilometers (used in Canada).
The odometer mileage can be checked without the
vehicle running. Simply press the trip information
stem. See “Odometer” underDIC Controls
and Displays on page 198for more information.
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle
needs a new odometer installed. If the new one
can be set to the mileage total of the old odometer,
then it must be. But if it cannot, then it is set at
zero, and a label must be put on the driver’s door
to show the old mileage reading when the new
odometer was installed.
Trip Odometer
Your vehicle has a trip odometer that can tell
you how far your vehicle has been driven since
you last set the trip odometer to zero.
See “Trip Odometer” underDIC Controls and
Displays on page 198for more information.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in
revolutions per minute (rpm).
Notice:If you operate the engine with the
tachometer in the shaded warning area, your
vehicle could be damaged, and the damages
would not be covered by your warranty.
Do not operate the engine with the tachometer
in the shaded warning area.
183

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the
engine coolant
temperature.
If the gage pointer is near the top of the gage,
the engine is too hot. It means that your engine
coolant has overheated. If you have been
operating your vehicle under normal driving
conditions, you should pull off the road, stop
your vehicle and turn off the engine as soon
as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 348for
more information.
Tire Pressure Light
This light should come
on briey when you turn
the ignition to ON.
This light will also come on when one or more
of your tires are signicantly underinated.
A LOW TIRE message will also appear in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), seeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 202for more information.
Stop and check your tires as soon as it is safe to do
so. If underinated, inate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 377for more information.
This light will ash for 60 seconds and then turn on
solid if a problem is detected with the Tire Pressure
Monitor system. SeeTire Pressure Monitor System
on page 385for more information.
191

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has
a computer which
monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition,
and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (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. 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. This 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 awhile, the emission controls
might not work as well, your vehicle’s fuel
economy might not be as good, and the engine
might not run as smoothly. This could lead
to costly repairs that might not be covered
by your warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system
of your vehicle or the replacement of the
original tires with other than those of the same
Tire Performance Criteria (TPC) can affect
your vehicle’s emission controls and can cause
this light to come on. Modications to these
systems could lead to costly repairs not
covered by your warranty. This could also
result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 324.
192

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 does not come on, have
it repaired. This light will also come on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has been
detected. A misre increases vehicle emissions
and may damage the emission control system
on your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may
be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control
system malfunction has been detected on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may
be required.
If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled as soon
as it is possibleIf the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to
do so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park
your vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart the engine. If the light
remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady”
following. If the light is still ashing, follow the
previous steps, and see your dealer for service
as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 328.
The diagnostic system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed.
A loose or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the cap properly installed should turn
the light off.
193

Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The
condition will usually be corrected when the
electrical system dries out. A few driving trips
should turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 326. 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, misring, 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 one or more of these conditions,
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, your dealer can check the vehicle.
Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to x any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have
or may begin programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass
this inspection could prevent you from getting a
vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
check engine light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if
the OBD (on-board diagnostic) system determines
that critical emission control systems have not
been completely diagnosed by the system.
The vehicle would be considered not ready for
inspection. This can happen if you have recently
replaced your battery or if your battery has
run down. The diagnostic system is designed
to evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This may take several
days of routine driving. If you have done this and
your vehicle still does not pass the inspection
for lack of OBD system readiness, your dealer
can prepare the vehicle for inspection.
194

Oil Pressure Light
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is
low. If you do, your engine can become so
hot that it catches re. You or others could
be burned. Check your oil as soon as
possible and have your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
may damage the engine. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.The light will come on
when you turn your
key to ON or START.
It goes off once you start your engine. That is
a check to be sure the light works. If it does not
come on, be sure to have it xed so it will be
there to warn you if something goes wrong.
When the light comes on and stays on, it means
that oil is not owing through the engine properly.
The vehicle could be low on oil and it might
have some other system problem. SeeEngine
Oil on page 333and “OIL” underDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 202for more information.
195

DIC Warnings and Messages
Messages are displayed on the DIC to notify the
driver that the status of the vehicle has changed
and that some action may be needed by the driver
to correct the condition. Multiple messages may
appear one after another. The messages are
displayed for several seconds each.
Some messages may not require immediate
action, but you should press and release the
trip odometer reset stem to acknowledge that you
received the messages and to clear them from
the display. Each message must be acknowledged
individually.
Some messages cannot be cleared from the
DIC display because they are more urgent.
These messages require action before they
can be cleared. You should take any messages
that appear on the display seriously and remember
that clearing the messages only makes the
messages disappear, not correct the problem.
The following are the possible messages that can
be displayed and some information about them.
AC (Air Conditioning) OFF
This message displays when the engine coolant
temperature is too high and the air conditioning
in your vehicle needs to be turned off. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 348andClimate Control
System on page 177for more information.
This message displays along with the ENG HOT
message.
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) FAULT
This message displays if there is a problem
with the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS). Check
the ABS as soon as possible and have your
vehicle serviced by your dealer. SeeBrakes on
page 357andAnti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light on page 190for more information. Press
and release the reset stem to acknowledge
the message and clear it from the display.
BRAKES
This message displays if there is a problem with
the brakes. Check the brakes as soon as possible
and have your vehicle serviced by your dealer.
202