ignition GMC SIERRA 1500 2009 Service Manual

;(Parking Lamps):Turns on the parking lamps
together with the following:
Instrument Panel Lights
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
2(Headlamps):Turns on the headlamps together
with the following:
Parking Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
When the headlamps are turned on while the vehicle is
on, the headlamps turn off automatically 10 minutes after
the ignition is turned off. When the headlamps are turned
on while the vehicle is off, the headlamps will stay on for
10 minutes before automatically turning off to prevent the
battery from being drained. Turn the headlamp control to
off and then back to the headlamp on position to make
the headlamps stay on for an additional 10 minutes.
Push the turn signal/multifunction lever toward the
instrument panel to change the headlamps from low
beam to high beam.
Headlamps on Reminder
A reminder chime will sound when the headlamps or
parking lamps are manually turned on and the ignition
is off and a door is open. To disable the chime, turn the
light off.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
Fully functional daytime running lamps are required on
all vehicles rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will come on when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps control is in AUTO.
The transmission is not in P (Park).
The light sensor determines it is daytime.
When the DRL are on, only the DRL lamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarker, instrument panel lights,
and other lamps will not be on.
When it begins to get dark, the automatic headlamp
system will switch from DRL to the headlamps.
To turn off the DRL lamps, turn the exterior lamps control
to the OFF position and then release. For vehicles rst
sold in Canada, the transmission must be in the P (Park)
position, before the DRL lamps can be turned off.
3-17

Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, the automatic headlamp
system turns on the headlamps at the normal brightness,
along with the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps,
and the instrument panel lights. The radio lights will also
be dim.
To turn off the automatic headlamp system, turn the
exterior lamps switch to the off position and then release
it. For vehicles rst sold in Canada, the transmission
must be in the P (Park) position, before the automatic
headlamp system can be turned off.
The vehicle has a light sensor located on the top of the
instrument panel in the defroster grille that regulates
when the automatic headlamps turn on. Do not cover the
sensor or the headlamps will come on whenever the
ignition is on.
The system may also turn on the headlamps when
driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast
weather, or a tunnel. This is normal.There is a delay in the transition between the daytime and
nighttime operation of the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
and the automatic headlamp systems so that driving
under bridges or bright overhead street lights does not
affect the system. The DRL and automatic headlamp
system is only affected when the light sensor detects a
change in lighting lasting longer than the delay.
If the vehicle is started in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system will come on immediately. Once the
vehicle leaves the garage, it takes approximately one
minute for the automatic headlamp system to change to
DRL if it is bright enough outside. During that delay, the
instrument panel cluster may not be as bright as usual.
Make sure the instrument panel brightness control is in
the full bright position. SeeInstrument Panel Brightness
on page 3-20.
To idle the vehicle with the automatic headlamp system
off, turn the control to the off position.
The headlamps will also stay on after you exit the
vehicle. This feature can be programmed using the
Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Vehicle
Customization (With DIC Buttons) on page 3-75.
The regular headlamp system can be turned on when
needed.
3-18

Puddle Lamps
If the vehicle has puddle lamps, they come on when the
unlock button on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
Transmitter is pressed. The lamps time out or turn off
once the engine is started.
Fog Lamps
For vehicles with fog lamps, the control is located next
to the exterior lamps control on the instrument panel,
to the left of the steering column.
The ignition must be in the ON/RUN position for the fog
lamps to come on.
#(Fog Lamps):Press to turn the fog lamps on or off.
A light will come on in the instrument panel cluster.
When the fog lamps are turned on, the parking lamps
automatically turn on.
When the headlamps are changed to high-beam, the
fog lamps also go off. When the high-beam headlamps
are turned off, the fog lamps will come on again.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps to
be on along with the fog lamps.
Auxiliary Roof-Mounted Lamp
If the vehicle has this feature, this button includes wiring
provisions for a dealer or a qualied service center to
install an auxiliary roof lamp.
This button is located on
the overhead console.
When the wiring is connected to an auxiliary roof
mounted lamp, pressing the bottom of the button will
activate the lamp and illuminate an indicator light at
the bottom of this button. Pressing the top of the button
will turn off the roof mounted lamp and indicator.
The emergency roof lamp circuit is fused at 30 amps, so
the total current draw of the attached lamps should be
less than this value. The attachment points for the roof
lamp circuits are two blunt cut wires located above the
overhead console, a dark green switched power wire and
a black ground wire.
3-19

For further information on roof mount emergency lamp
installation, please visit the GM Uptter website at
www.gmuptters.com or contact your dealer.
If the vehicle has this button, the vehicle may have the
snow plow prep package. For further information see
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment on page 4-40.
Instrument Panel Brightness
D(Instrument Panel Brightness):This feature
controls the brightness of the instrument panel lights and
is located next to the exterior lamp control.
Push the knob to extend out and then it can be turned.
Turn the knob clockwise or counterclockwise to brighten
or dim the instrument panel lights. Turning the knob to the
farthest clockwise position turns on the dome lamps.
Dome Lamps
The dome lamps come on when any door is opened.
They turn off after all the doors are closed.
The dome lamps can also be turned on by turning the
instrument panel brightness knob, located on the
instrument panel to the left of the steering column,
clockwise to the farthest position. In this position, the
dome lamps remain on whether a door is opened or
closed.
Dome Lamp Override
The dome lamp override button is located next to the
exterior lamps control.
k(Dome Off):Press the button in and the dome
lamps remain off when a door is opened. Press
the button again to return it to the extended position
so that the dome lamps come on when a door is
opened.
Entry Lighting
The vehicle has an illuminated entry feature.
When the doors are opened, the dome lamps will
come on if the dome override button is in the extended
position. If the dome override button is pressed in,
the lamps will not come on.
Exit Lighting
The interior lamps come on when the key is removed
from the ignition. They turn off automatically in
20 seconds. The lights do not come on if the dome
override button is pressed in.
3-20

EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the battery.
It does this by balancing the generator’s output and the
vehicle’s electrical needs. It can increase engine idle
speed to generate more power, whenever needed.
It can temporarily reduce the power demands of some
accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without
being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels of
corrective action, this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC) message
might be displayed, such as BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE,
BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW, or LOW BATTERY. If this
message is displayed, it is recommended that the driver
reduce the electrical loads as much as possible. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-66.
Battery Run-Down Protection
This feature shuts off the dome and reading lamps, if they
are left on for more than 10 minutes after the ignition is
turned off. The cargo lamp shuts off after 20 minutes.
This prevents the battery from running down.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
Accessory power outlets can be used to connect auxiliary
electrical equipment, such as a cellular telephone.
The vehicle may have two accessory power outlets
located below the climate control system, or may have
one accessory power outlet and one cigarette lighter.
The cigarette lighter is designed to t only in the
receptacle closest to the driver.
There may be another accessory power outlet in the
rear cargo area. If the vehicle has a oor console, there
is an accessory power outlet inside the storage bin
and one on the rear of the oor console.
To use an accessory power outlet, remove the protective
cap. When not in use, always cover the accessory power
outlet with the protective cap.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment plugged in for
an extended period of time while the vehicle is off
will drain the battery. Power is always supplied
to the outlets. Always unplug electrical equipment
when not in use and do not plug in equipment
that exceeds the maximum 20 ampere rating.
3-22

Certain power accessory plugs may not be compatible to
the accessory power outlet and could result in blown
vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a problem,
see your dealer/retailer for additional information on the
accessory power plugs.
The accessory power outlets are powered, even when
the ignition is in LOCK/OFF. Continuing to use power
outlets while the ignition is in LOCK/OFF may cause the
vehicle’s battery to run down.
Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to the
vehicle can damage it or keep other components
from working as they should. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not use
equipment exceeding maximum amperage rating of
20 amperes. Check with your dealer/retailer before
adding electrical equipment.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow
the proper installation instructions included with the
equipment.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can cause
damage not covered by the warranty. Do not hang
any type of accessory or accessory bracket from the
plug because the power outlets are designed for
accessory power plugs only.Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
The vehicle may have a front ashtray located near the
center of the instrument panel. Pull on the door to
open it. The ashtray may have a cigarette lighter.
Notice:If papers, pins, or other ammable items
are put in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other
smoking materials could ignite them and possibly
damage the vehicle. Never put ammable items
in the ashtray.
To remove the ashtray, open the door and pull the
ashtray bin toward you. To replace the ashtray, insert
the ashtray bin inside the ashtray door and press down
until it engages. To use the cigarette lighter, push it
in all the way, and let go. When it is ready for use, the
lighter pops back out.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating does not let the lighter back away from the
heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating can occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold a
cigarette lighter in while it is heating.
3-23

The recirculation mode cannot be selected in the defog or
defrost mode. When either mode is selected, the system
runs the air conditioning compressor, unless the outside
temperature is close to freezing.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
:(Outside Air):Press to turn the outside air mode
on. An indicator light comes on to show that outside air is
on. In this mode outside air circulates throughout the
vehicle. The outside air mode can be used with all
modes, but it cannot be used with the recirculation mode.
?(Recirculation):Press to turn the recirculation
mode on. An indicator light comes on to show that
recirculation is on.
This mode recirculates and helps to quickly cool the air
inside the vehicle. It can be used to help prevent outside
air and odors from entering the vehicle.
The recirculation mode cannot be used with oor, defog
or defrost modes. If recirculation is selected with one of
these modes, the indicator light ashes three times and
then turns off. While in recirculation mode the windows
may fog when the weather is cold and damp. To clear the
fog, select either the defog or defrost mode and increase
the fan speed.
The recirculation mode can be turned off by pressing the
outside air button, or by turning off the ignition.
#(Air Conditioning):Press to turn the air conditioning
system on or off. An indicator light comes on to show that
the air conditioning is on. The air conditioning can be
selected in any mode as long as the fan switch is on.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so a small amount of water might drip under the
vehicle while idling or after turning off the engine.
This is normal.
Rear Window Defogger
For vehicles with a rear window defogger, a warming
grid is used to remove fog from the rear window.
<(Rear):Press to turn the rear window defogger on or
off. An indicator light on the button comes on to show that
the rear window defogger is on.
The rear window defogger only works when the ignition
is in ON/RUN. The rear window defogger stays on for
approximately 10 minutes after the button is pressed,
unless the ignition is turned to ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF. The defogger can also be turned off by
turning off the engine.
Notice:Do not use anything sharp on the inside of
the rear window. If you do, you could cut or damage
the warming grid, and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not attach a
temporary vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything
similar to the defogger grid.
3-26

@(Recirculation):Press to turn the recirculation
mode on. An indicator light comes on to show that the
recirculation is on.
This mode recirculates and helps to quickly cool the air
inside the vehicle. It can be used to help prevent outside
air and odors from entering the vehicle.
The recirculation mode cannot be used with oor, defog,
or defrost modes. If recirculation is selected with one of
those modes, the indicator light ashes three times and
then turns off. The air conditioning compressor also
comes on when this mode is activated. While in
recirculation mode the windows may fog when the
weather is cold and damp. To clear the fog, select either
the defog or defrost mode and increase the fan speed.
The recirculation mode can be turned off by pressing the
outside air button, or by turning off the ignition.
;(Outside Air):Press to turn the outside air mode on.
An indicator light on the button comes on to show that
outside is on. When selected, air from outside the vehicle
circulates throughout the vehicle. The outside air mode
can be used with all modes, but it cannot be used with the
recirculation mode.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
<(Rear Window Defogger):For vehicles with
this feature, press to turn the defogger on or off.
It automatically turns off several minutes after it has
been activated. The defogger can also be turned off by
turning the engine off. Do not drive the vehicle until all
the windows are clear.
Notice:Do not use a razor blade or sharp object to
clear the inside rear window. Do not adhere anything
to the defogger grid lines in the rear glass. These
actions may damage the rear defogger. Repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Heated Mirrors:For vehicles with heated outside
rearview mirrors, the mirrors heat to help clear fog or frost
from the surface of the mirror when the rear window
defog button is pressed. SeeOutside Power Mirrors on
page 2-58.
3-31

Speedometer and Odometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle speed in both miles
per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h). The
odometer shows how far the vehicle has been driven, in
either miles (used in the United States) or kilometers
(used in Canada).
Engine Hour Meter Display
The Driver Information Center (DIC) can also display
the number of hours the engine has run. To display
the engine hours, turn the ignition off, press and hold the
reset button for at least four seconds. The hour meter
displays for up to 30 seconds, or until the ignition is
turned on. SeeDIC Operation and Displays (With DIC
Buttons) on page 3-53orDIC Operation and Displays
(Without DIC Buttons) on page 3-59for more
information.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer shows how far the vehicle has been
driven since the trip odometer was last set to zero.
Press the reset button, located on the instrument panel
cluster next to the voltmeter, to toggle between the trip
odometer and the regular odometer. Holding the reset
button for approximately one second while the trip
odometer is displayed will reset it.
To display the odometer reading with the ignition off,
press the reset button.
SeeDIC Operation and Displays (With DIC Buttons) on
page 3-53orDIC Operation and Displays (Without
DIC Buttons) on page 3-59for more information.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm). For a description of how Grade Braking
affects vehicle speed while the Tow/Haul Mode is
activated, see “Grade Braking (Allison Transmission
®)”
underTow/Haul Mode on page 2-34for more information.
3-35

Charging System Light
This light comes on briey
when the ignition key is
turned to START, but the
engine is not running, as a
check to show it is working.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer.
The light should go out once the engine starts. If it stays
on, or comes on while driving, there could be a problem
with the charging system. A charging system message
in the Driver Information Center (DIC) can also appear.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-66for more
information. This light could indicate that there are
problems with a generator drive belt, or that there is an
electrical problem. Have it checked right away. If the
vehicle must be driven a short distance with the light on,
turn off accessories, such as the radio and air
conditioner.
Voltmeter Gage (US-Canada)
For vehicles with a
voltmeter gage, this gage
indicates the battery
voltage when the ignition
is turned on.
When the ignition is on, this gage indicates the battery
voltage.
When the engine is running, this gage shows the
condition of the charging system. The gage can transition
from a higher to lower or a lower to higher reading. This is
normal. If the vehicle is operating outside the normal
operating range, the charging system light comes on.
SeeCharging System Light on page 3-41for more
information. The voltmeter gage may also read lower
when in fuel economy mode. This is normal.
3-41