check engine light GMC JIMMY 1997 Owner's Manual

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.
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 wl1e.n 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 tone will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fisten 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 tone nor the
light
will come on.
2-72

Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light 011 the instrument
panel, which shows
AIR RAG. The system checks the
air bag's electrical system for ~~~alfunctions. The light
tells you if there is an electrical problem. The syslem
check includes the air bag sensors. the air
bag module,
the wiring and the diagnostic module. For n~ore
information
on the air bag system. sec .'Air Rag" in
the Index.
AIR
BAG
This light will ~0111e on
when you start your engine,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then thc light
should go out. This means
the system
is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays 011 after you start the
engine or comes on when you are driving, your ail- 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
co111e on then. have it fixed so it will be
re.ady
to warn you if there is a problem.
_. -
lrging System Indicator Light
II
The charging system light
will come on brietly 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 problem 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 011, be
certain to turn off
all your accessories. such as the radio
and air conditioner.
2-73

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Service Engine Soon Light)
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after
a while, your emission controls may not
work as well, your fuel econonly 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 ;I check to show you it is
working, tvhen the ignition is on and the engine is not
running. It' the light doesn't conw on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two t1;ays:
2-77

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 anlount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains
on steady. see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues t.o flash, when it is safe to do so.
stop the \?el?ic&~. Find a safe place to park your vehiclc.
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 flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.
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 s111-e to fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can cleter~nine
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,
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?
I1 so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with cpality fuel (see
“Fuel”
in the Index). Poor fuel quality will cause your
engine not to
r11n as e,fficiently as designed. You may
notice this
as stalling after start-up, stalling when you put
the vehicle
into gear, mistlring, 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
problcnls that may have developed.

Shift Light
SHIFT
You have the shift light
if you
have a manual
transmission. This light
comes on very briefly as a
bulb check when you start
the engine. Shilting when
the indicator light is
on wi 11
help you get the best fuel
economy. See "Shift Light"
in the Index.
Check Gages Light
1 The CHECK GAGES light
1 will come on briefly when
you are starting the enlrine.
CHECK
GAGES
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light
This light is on the
instrument panel.
It goes on
whenever the DRL are on,
the ignition is on. the
headlamp switch is
off
and the parking brake is :*.:(-J
-e released.
2-80

Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly
CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside.
CO could overcome you and kill
you. You can’t see it or smell it,
so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking your exhaust pipe. And check
around again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn’t collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that’s away from the wind. This will help
keep
CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When
you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly.
This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged.
You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle. and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine
off and close the window almost
all the way
to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold.
But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long
as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and
do some hirly vigorous exercises
every half
hour or so until help comes.
4-40

Section 9 Index
Accessory Power Outlcts ........................ 2-03
Adding Sound Equipment ........................ 3-20
Air Bag ....................................... 1-20
Adding Equipment ............................ 1-25
How Does it Restrain .......................... 1-23
HowitWorks ................................ 1-22
Location .................................... 1-22
Readiness Light ......................... 1-2 1. 2-73
Servicing
................................... 1-25
What Makes
it Inflate .......................... 1-23
What You See After it Inflates ................... 1-24
When Should it Intlate ......................... 1-23
Air Cleaner .................................... 6- 13
Air Conditioning ................................ 3-3
Refrigerants ................................. 6-64
All-Wheel Drive
.......................... 2.23. 6.21
Aluminum Wheels. Clcaning ...................... 6-55
Antenna . Fixed ................................. 3-2 I
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light ......... 2-76. 4-7
Appeararlce CXC
............................... 6-49
Materials ..................................... 6-57
Adding Equipment
to the Outside of Your Vehicle
...... 6-3
Add-on Equipment
............................. 4-44
Alignment
and Balance . Tire ...................... 6-46 Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-9
Armrest.
Storage ............................... 2-56
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-6
Automatic Overdrive
............................ 2-20
Automatic Transmission
Ashtrays
...................................... 2-61
Check ...................................... 7-47
Fluid
....................................... 6-14
Operation ................................... 2-18
Park Mechanism Check ........................ 7-49
Shifting
..................................... 2-18
Starting Your Engine .......................... 2-15
Front
....................................... 6-22
Rear
..................................... 6-20
Axle
Backglass Wipers. BM~ Replacement ............. 6-40
Battery
....................................... 6-32
Chargc Light ................................ 2-73
Jump Starting ................................. 5-3
Replaccment. Keyless Entry ...................... ?-7
Warnings
................................ 5.3. 5.5
BBB Auto Line ................................. 8-9
Better Business Bureau Mediation ................... 8-9
9-1

Labels Certificatioflire
............................. 4-42
Fuse
....................................... 6-60
Safety Belt
.................................. 1-48
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-58
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-58
Lamps
........................................ 2-45
Dome
...................................... 2-48
FrontMap
................................... 2-48
Front Reading
........................... 2-47, 2-51
Latches, Seatback
................................ 1-6
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-5
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
....... 2-32
Air Bag Readiness
....................... 1-21, 2-73
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2-76, 4-7
Brake System Warning
......................... 2-75
Charging System
............................. 2-73
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator
............... 2-80
Gate Ajar
................................... 2-81
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1-9, 2-72
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-77
Shift
.................................. 2-22, 2-80
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-42
Locking Rear Axle
.............................. 2-23
LockoutSwitch
................................ 2-37
Interior
..................................... 2-47
OnReminder
................................ 2-4 6
Lighter
....................................... 2-61
Lights
CheckGages
................................ 2-80 Locks
......................................... 2-4
Door ........................................ 2-4
Key Lock Cylinder
Service ..................... 7-47
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-5
Rear Door Security
............................. 2-5
Steering Column Park Lock Check
............... 7-49
Loss of Control
................................ 4-13
Lubricants and Fluids
....................... 6-64, 7-52
Lubrication Service, Body
........................ 7-47
Luggagecarrier
................................ 2-59
Lumbar Controls
............................ 1-3, 1-4
Maintenance Record
........................... 7-55
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Long Tripmighway
....................... 7-6, 7-30
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-46
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-50
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-52
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Short TripKity
............................ 7-5, 7-7
Maintenance, Underbody
......................... 6-56
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-54
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-77
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1-2
Manual Lumbar Support
.......................... 1-3
Manual Transmission Check
...................................... 7-47
Fluid
....................................... 6-18
Shifting
..................................... 2-21
Starting Your Engine
.......................... 2-16
9-6

Lap-Shoulder ........................... 1.13. 1-28
Questions and Answers
........................ 1 . 12
Rear Comfort Guides
.......................... 1-3 1
Rear Seat Passengers
.......................... 1-28
Replacing After a Crash
........................ 1-48
Right Front Passenger Position
.................. 1-26
Use During Pregnancy
......................... 1-26
WhyTheyWork
............................... 1-9
SafetyChains
.................................. 4-49
Safety Defects. Reporting
................... 8.10. 8.11
Safety Warnings and Symbols
....................... iii
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................... 7-4
Seatback
Latches
...................................... 1-6
Reclining Front
............................... 1-4
Seats and Restraint Systems
........................ 1-1
Second Gear
Automatic Transmission
....................... 2-20
Manual Transmission
.......................... 2-21
Service and Appearance Care
...................... 6-1
Service and Owner Publications
.............. 8.11. 8.12
Service Engine
Soon Light ....................... 2-77
Service Parts Identification Label
.................. 6-58
Service Work. Doing Your Own
.................... 6-2
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
........... 1-25
Sheet Metal Damage
............................ 6-55
Shift Light
............................... 2.22. 2.80
Shifting
.................................. 2- 18. 2.21
Into Park
.................................... 2-30
Out of Park
.................................. 2-33 Signaling Turns
................................ 2-39
SIR .......................................... 1-20
Skidding
...................................... 4-13
Specifications and Capacities
................. 6.63. 6.64
Speech Impaired. Customer Assistance
............... 8-4
Speedometer
................................... 2-71
Stains. Cleaning
................................ 6-51
Starter Switch Check
............................ 7-48
Starting Your Engine
............................ 2-15
Steam
........................................ 5-12
Steering In Emergencies
............................... 4-10
Power
....................................... 4-9
Steering Column Park Lock Check
................. 7-49
Steering Wheel. Tilt
............................. 2-38
Storage Compartments
........................... 2-50
Storage. Vehicle
................................ 6-33
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools
............... 5-32
Stuck: In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow
.................. 5-36
Sunvisors
.................................... 2-62
Sunglasses Storage
.............................. 2-56
Sunroof
....................................... 2-63
Supplemental Inflatable Restraint
.................. 1-20
Symbols. Vehicle .................................. v
Tachometer .................................. 2-71
Taillamp Bulb Replacement
....................... 6-37
TapePlayerCare
............................... 3-20
Temnerature and Compass Display
................. 2-53
9-9