check engine light GMC ENVOY 1998 Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: GMC, Model Year: 1998, Model line: ENVOY, Model: GMC ENVOY 1998Pages: 386, PDF Size: 20.33 MB
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During  normal operation, the SECURITY  light will go 
off  after the  engine is started. 
If the  engine  stalls  and the SECURITY light  flashes, 
wait  about 
10 minutes until the light  stops  flashing 
before trying  to restart  the engine.  Remember  to release 
the  key  from the 
START position as soon as  the 
engine  starts. 
If the  engine  does  not start  after  three (3) tries,  the 
vehicle needs  service. 
If you are driving  and the SECURITY  light comes on, 
you will be able to restart  the engine if you  turn  the 
engine 
off. However,  your Passlock system  is  not 
working  properly  and 
must be  serviced  by your dealer. 
Your  vehicle  is  not protected  by Passlock at this  time. 
You may also want to check the  fuse (see ”FLIS~S  and 
Circuit  Breakers” 
in the  Index).  See  your dealer 
for  service. 
If the  SECURITY  light comes  on while  the engine  is 
running. 
a problem  has  been  detected  and  the system 
may need  service.  See  your dealer  for service. 
In an emergency,  call the GMC  Roadside  Assistance 
Center 
at 1 -800-GMC-8782 (in Canada,  call 
1-800-268-6800). 
New Vehicle “Break-In” 
NOTICE: 
~~~  ~ ~ 
Your  vehicle  doesn’t  need an  elaborate 
“break-in.”  But  it  will perform  better  in  the  long 
run  if you  follow  these  guidelines: 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Keep  your  speed  at 55 mph (88 kmh)  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. 
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. 
Don’t  tow  a  trailer  during  break-in. 
See  “Towing  a  Trailer”  in  the  Index  for 
more  information. 
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1 ing 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. 
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 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. 
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 
is 
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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Air Bag Readiness  Light 
There is  an air bag readiness  light on the instrument 
panel,  which  shows 
the air bag  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 
module, the wiring and the  diagnostic module. For more 
information 
on the air  bag  system,  see  “Air  Bag” in 
the Index. 
This light will come  on 
when  you  start your engine, 
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 
engine  or comes  on when you are  driving,  your air  bag 
system  may 
not work properly. Have your  vehicle 
serviced right away. 
The  air  bag readiness  light should  flash  for  a few 
seconds  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. 
Charging System Indicator Light 
The  charging system light 
will  come  on briefly when 
you  turn on the ignition,  but 
’ the engine is  not running, 
as a check to show you it 
is  working. 
It should  go out  once  the engine 
is running. If it stays 
on, or comes  on while  you are driving,  you  may  have a 
problem  with the charging  system. 
It could  indicate  that 
you  have problems  with 
a 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. 
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Malfunction Indicator Lamp 
(Service Engine Soon Light) 
SERVICE 
ENGINE 
SOON 
United  States  Canada 
Your 
vehicle  is equipped  with a computer  which 
monitors  operation  of the  fuel,  ignition and  emission 
control  systems. 
This  system 
is called  OBD I1 (On-Board 
Diagnostics-Second  Gene.ration)  and 
is intended to 
assure that emissions are at acceptable  levels for the life 
of the vehicle,  helping  to produce a cleaner 
environment.  The SERVICE  ENGINE  SOON  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. 
a 
a 
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 
of  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  may be 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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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 gar,  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  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, 
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. 
Engine  Oil  Pressure  Gage 
The oil pressure  gage  shows 
the engine 
oil pressure in 
psi (pounds  per square  inch) 
when the  engine is running. 
Canadian  vehicles indicate pressure 
in kPa (kilopascals). 
Oil pressure may  vary  with  engine speed, outside 
temperature  and oil viscosity,  but readings  above the 
low  pressure  zone indicate the normal operating  range. 
A reading in the low pressure  zone  may  be caused by a 
dangerously  low 
oil level or  other  problems  causing low 
oil pressure. 
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I A 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. 
I 
I NOTICE: 
Damage  to your engine from  neglected  oil 
problems can  be  costly and 
is not covered  by 
your warranty. 
Security Warning Light 
SECURITY 
This  light will  come on 
briefly when  you turn the 
key toward START. The 
light  will stay  on until the 
engine  starts. 
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. 
This  light should  also flash  as you  open 
the door  (if your 
ignition is off). 
This is  a reminder to activate the 
theft-deterrent  system.  See “Content Theft-Deterrent” in 
the  Index  for more information. 
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Service 4WD Light 
SERVICE 
4WD 
This light  should  come  on 
briefly  when  you turn on the 
ignition, as  a  check  to show 
you it is  working. 
The 
SERVICE 4WD light  comes on to indicate  that 
there  may be a problem  with the  drive system and 
service  is required.  Malfunctions  can  be indicated by the 
system  before any problem  is apparent,  which may 
prevent  serious  damage 
to the vehicle.  This system is 
also  designed  to assist your service technician in 
correctly  diagnosing  a  malfunction. 
Check  Gages  Light 
The CHECK GAGES light 
CHECK 
GAGES 
will come  on  briefly  when 
you are starting the  engine. 
If the light comes  on  and stays on while  you are  driving, 
check  your coolant  temperature and engine  oil pressure 
gages 
to see if they  are in the warning zones. 
Gate  Ajar  Light 
GATE 
AJAR 
This  light  will come  on 
briefly  when 
you are 
starting the  engine. 
If  it  stays  on,  your  liftgate 
is ajar.  Try closing  the liftgate 
again.  Never drive with the liftgate even partially  open. 
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To help avoid hearing loss or damage: 
0 Adjust the volume control  to the  lowest setting. 
Increase volume slowly until you  hear comfortably 
and  clearly, 
NOTICE: 
Before  you add  any sound equipment  to your 
vehicle 
-- like a tape  player, CB radio,  mobile 
telephone  or two-way  radio 
-- be sure  you can 
add  what 
you want.  If  you  can, it’s  very 
important  to do  it properly.  Added sound 
equipment  may interfere  with the operation 
of 
your  vehicle’s  engine, Delco Electronics radio  or 
other  systems,  and even damage  them.  Your 
vehicle’s  systems may  interfere with the 
operation 
of sound equipment  that has been 
added improperly. 
So, before adding sound equipment,  check  with 
your  dealer  and  be sure 
to check  Federal  rules 
covering  mobile radio  and  telephone units. 
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player 
A tape player that  is not cleaned regularly can cause 
reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes  or 
a damaged 
mechanism.  Cassette tapes should  be stored 
in their 
cases away from contaminants,  direct sunlight and 
extreme  heat. 
If they aren’t,  they may  not  operate 
properly  or may  cause failure  of the tape  player. 
Your  tape player should  be cleaned regularly after every 
SO hours of use.  Your  radio  may display CLN to indicate 
that  you  have used your tape player  for 
50 hours  without 
resetting  the tape clean timer.  If this message appears on 
the  display, 
your cassette tape player  needs to be 
cleaned. 
It will  still play  tapes,  but you should clean it as 
soon 
as possible to prevent  damage  to your tapes and 
player. 
If you  notice  a reduction  in sound quality, try a 
known good cassette  to see 
if it is the  tape  or the tape 
player at  fault, 
If this other  cassette has  no improvement 
in sound quality,  clean the tape player. 
The  recommended cleaning  method for your cassette 
tape player  is the  use 
of a scrubbing  action, 
non-abrasive  cleaning  cassette with pads  which  scrub 
the  tape  head 
as the hubs  of  the  cleaner cassette turn. 
The  recommended cleaning cassette  is available through 
your dealership 
(GM Part No. 12344789). 
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And, of course,  actual stopping  distances  vary greatly 
with  the surface  of  the road (whether  it‘s pavement  or 
gravel); 
the condition  of the road (wet,  dry, icy);  tire 
tread;  the condition  of your  brakes;  the weight of the 
vehicle and the  amount of brake  force  applied. 
Avoid  needless  heavy  braking.  Some people drive 
in 
spurts -- heavy acceleration  followed  by heavy 
braking 
-- rather  than keeping pace with traffic.  This is a 
mistake. Your brakes  may  not  have time to cool between 
hard  stops.  Your brakes  will wear out rnucit  faster 
if you 
do  a  lot of heavy  braking. 
If you  keep  pace with the 
traffic  and allow realistic  following  distances,  you 
will 
eliminate  a lot of unnecessary  braking.  Th, ti t means 
better braking  and  longer brake  life. 
If your engine  ever  stops while you’re  driving,  brake 
normally but  don’t  pump your brakes. 
If you do, the 
pedal  may get harder 
to push  down. If your engine 
stops, 
you will  still have  some power brake  assist. But 
you will use it when you brake.  Once the power assist  is 
used 
up, it may take  longer to stop  and the brake  pedal 
will  be  harder 
to push. 
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) 
Your vehicle has anti-lock  brakes  (ABS). ABS is an 
advanced  electronic  braking system that  will help 
prevent 
;1 braking  skid. 
When  you  start your  engine  and begin  to drive away, 
your anti-lock  brake system 
will check  itself. You may 
hear 
a momentary  motor  or clicking  noise while this  test 
is  going  on.  This  is normal. 
If there’s a problem with the 
anti-lock  brake  system, this 
warning  light 
will stay  on. 
See  “Anti-Lock  Brake 
System  Warning  Light” 
in 
the Index. 
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Driving in Water 
Light  rain causes no special off-road  driving problems. 
But  heavy  rain  can mean  flash flooding, and 
flood 
waters  demand extreme caution. 
Find 
out how  deep  the water is before you drive  through 
it. If' it's deep  enough to cover  your wheel  hubs.  axles or 
exhaust pipe, don't  try it -- you probably won't get 
through. 
Also, water that deep  can damage  your axle 
and  other  vehicle  parts. 
If the water  isn't too deep, then drive  through it slowly. 
At fast speeds,  water splashes on your ignition system 
and  your  vehicle  can stall.  Stalling 
can also occur if you 
get your tailpipe under  water. And, as long as your 
tailpipe 
is under  water?  you'll never be able to start your 
engine.  When  you  go through  water.  remember that 
when  your brakes  get  wet, 
it may  take you longer 
to stop. 
' Driving  through  rushing  water  can  be  dangerous. 
Deep  water  can  sweep  your  vehicle  downstream 
and 
you and  your  passengers  could  drown. If it's 
only  shallow  water,  it can still  wash  away  the 
ground  from  under  your  tires,  and  you  could  lose 
traction  and  roll  the  vehicle  over.  Don't  drive  through  rushing  water. 
See "Driving  Through Wdter" in the Index for more 
information 
on driving through  water. 
After Off-Road Driving 
Remove  any  brush  or debris  that  has  collected on the 
underbody,  chassis or under  the hood.  These 
accumulations  can 
be a fire hazard. 
After  operation 
in mud or sand, have the  brake linings 
cleaned  and checked.  These substances  can cause 
glazing  and  uneven  braking. Check  the  body  structure, 
steering, suspension, wheels, tires  and exhaust system 
for 
da1nage. Also, check the fuel lines and cooling 
system  for any  leakage. 
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