ignition GMC SIERRA 1500 2009 Workshop Manual

Readings outside the normal operating range can also
occur when a large number of electrical accessories are
operating in the vehicle and the engine is left idling for an
extended period. This condition is normal since the
charging system is not able to provide full power at
engine idle. As engine speeds are increased, this
condition should correct itself as higher engine speeds
allow the charging system to create maximum power.
The vehicle can only be driven for a short time with the
readings outside the normal operating range. If the
vehicle must be driven, turn off all accessories, such as
the radio and air conditioner.
Readings outside the normal operating range indicate a
possible problem in the electrical system. Have the
vehicle serviced as soon as possible.Brake System Warning Light
With the ignition on, the brake system warning light
comes on when the parking brake is set. If the vehicle is
driven with the parking brake engaged, a chime sounds
when the vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h).
The vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two
parts. If one part is not working, the other part can still
work and stop the vehicle. For good braking, both parts
need to be working well.
If the warning light comes on and a chime sounds there
could be a brake problem. Have the brake system
inspected right away.
This light can also come on due to low brake uid. See
Brakes on page 5-41for more information.
United States
Canada
3-42

This light comes on briey when the ignition key is
turned to ON/RUN. If it does not come on then, have it
xed so it is ready to warn if there is a problem.
{CAUTION:
The brake system might not be working properly if
the brake system warning light is on. Driving with
the brake system warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for service.
If the light comes on while driving, pull off the road and
stop carefully. The pedal might be harder to push or
might go closer to the oor. It can take longer to stop.
If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-47.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with the
Antilock Brake System
(ABS), this light comes on
briey when the engine
is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the light
comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on, or
comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs service.
If the regular brake system warning light is not on, the
vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock brakes. If the
regular brake system warning light is also on, the vehicle
does not have antilock brakes and there is a problem with
the regular brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-42.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC), see
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-66for all
brake related DIC messages.
3-43

Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with a tire
pressure monitoring
system, this light comes on
briey when the engine
is started.
It provides information about tire pressures and the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System.
When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of the tires is signicantly
underinated.
A tire pressure message in the Driver Information Center
(DIC), can accompany the light. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-66for more information. Stop and
check the tires as soon as it is safe to do so. If a tire is
underinated, inate to the proper pressure. SeeTires on
page 5-67for more information.
When the Light Flashes First and Then is
On Steady
This indicates that there could be a problem with the Tire
Pressure Monitor System. The light ashes for about a
minute and stays on steady for the remainder of the
ignition cycle. This sequence repeats with every ignition
cycle. SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-79
for more information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
A computer system called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition, and emission control systems.
It ensures that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment.
This light should come on
when the ignition is on, 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.
3-45

Four-Wheel-Drive Light
The four-wheel-drive light
comes on when a vehicle
with a manual transfer
case is shifted into
four-wheel drive and the
front axle engages.
Some delay between the shifting and the light coming
on is normal.
SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-37for more
information.
Tow/Haul Mode Light
This light comes on when
the Tow/Haul mode has
been activated.
For more information, seeTow/Haul Mode on page 2-34.
Fuel Gage
When the ignition is on, the fuel gage shows about how
much fuel is left in the fuel tank.
An arrow on the fuel gage indicates the side of the
vehicle the fuel door is on.
The gage will rst indicate empty before the vehicle is
out of fuel, but the vehicle’s fuel tank should be
lled soon.
When the fuel tank is low the FUEL LEVEL LOW
message appears. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-66for more information.
United StatesCanada
3-51

Here are some situations owners can experience with
the fuel gage. None of these indicate a problem with the
fuel gage.
At the gas station, the fuel pump shuts off before
the gage reads full.
It takes a little more or less fuel to ll up than the
fuel gage indicated. For example, the gage may
have indicated the tank was half full, but it actually
took a little more or less than half the fuel tank’s
capacity to ll it.
The gage goes back to empty when the ignition is
turned off.
For a diesel engine, see “Fuel Gage” in the Diesel
Engine Supplement.
Low Fuel Warning Light
This light, under the fuel
gage, comes on briey
while the engine is being
started.
This light and a chime comes on when the fuel tank is low
on fuel. The Driver Information Center also displays a
“FUEL LEVEL LOW” message. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-66for more information. When fuel
is added this light and message should go off. If it does
not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer.
3-52

Driver Information Center (DIC)
Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC).
The DIC displays information about your vehicle. It also
displays warning messages if a system problem is
detected.
All messages will appear in the DIC display located
below the tachometer in the instrument panel cluster.
The DIC comes on when the ignition is on. After a short
delay, the DIC will display the information that was last
displayed before the engine was turned off.
If your vehicle has DIC buttons, see “DIC Operation and
Displays (With DIC Buttons)” later in this section and
DIC Vehicle Customization (With DIC Buttons) on
page 3-75for the displays available.
If your vehicle does not have DIC buttons, see “DIC
Operation and Displays (Without DIC Buttons)” later in
this section for the displays available.
DIC Operation and Displays
(With DIC Buttons)
If your vehicle has DIC buttons, the information below
explains the operation of this system.
The DIC has different displays which can be accessed
by pressing the DIC buttons located on the instrument
panel, next to the steering wheel.
The DIC displays trip, fuel, and vehicle system
information, and warning messages if a system problem
is detected.
The DIC also allows some features to be customized.
SeeDIC Vehicle Customization (With DIC Buttons)
on page 3-75for more information.
If your vehicle has DIC buttons, you can also use the
trip odometer reset stem to view some of the DIC
displays. See “DIC Operation and Displays (Without DIC
Buttons)” later in this section.
3-53

Trip/Fuel Menu Items
3
(Trip/Fuel):Press this button to scroll through the
following menu items:
Odometer
Press the trip/fuel button until ODOMETER displays. This
display shows the distance the vehicle has been driven in
either miles (mi) or kilometers (km). Pressing the trip
odometer reset stem will also display the odometer.
To switch between English and metric measurements,
see “Units” later in this section.
Trip Odometer
Press the trip/fuel button until TRIP displays. This display
shows the current distance traveled in either miles (mi) or
kilometers (km) since the last reset for the trip odometer.
Pressing the trip odometer reset stem will also display the
trip odometer.The trip odometer can be reset to zero by pressing the
set/reset button while the trip odometer is displayed. You
can also reset the trip odometer while it is displayed by
pressing and holding the trip odometer reset stem.
The trip odometer has a feature called the retro-active
reset. This can be used to set the trip odometer to
the number of miles (kilometers) driven since the ignition
was last turned on. This can be used if the trip
odometer is not reset at the beginning of the trip.
To use the retro-active reset feature, press and hold
the set/reset button for at least four seconds. The trip
odometer will display the number of miles (mi) or
kilometers (km) driven since the ignition was last turned
on and the vehicle was moving. Once the vehicle begins
moving, the trip odometer will accumulate mileage. For
example, if the vehicle was driven 5 miles (8 km) before it
is started again, and then the retro-active reset feature is
activated, the display will show 5 miles (8 km). As the
vehicle begins moving, the display will then increase to
5.1 miles (8.2 km), 5.2 miles (8.4 km), etc.
3-55

Fuel Range
Press the trip/fuel button until FUEL RANGE displays.
This display shows the approximate number of remaining
miles (mi) or kilometers (km) the vehicle can be driven
without refueling. The display will show LOW if the fuel
level is low.
The fuel range estimate is based on an average of the
vehicle’s fuel economy over recent driving history and the
amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank. This estimate
will change if driving conditions change. For example, if
driving in traffic and making frequent stops, this display
may read one number, but if the vehicle is driven on a
freeway, the number may change even though the same
amount of fuel is in the fuel tank. This is because different
driving conditions produce different fuel economies.
Generally, freeway driving produces better fuel economy
than city driving. Fuel range cannot be reset.
Average Economy
Press the trip/fuel button until AVG ECONOMY displays.
This display shows the approximate average miles per
gallon (mpg) or liters per 100 kilometers (L/100 km).
This number is calculated based on the number of mpg
(L/100 km) recorded since the last time this menu item
was reset. To reset AVG ECONOMY, press and hold the
set/reset button.
Fuel Used
Press the trip/fuel button until FUEL USED displays. This
display shows the number of gallons (gal) or liters (L) of
fuel used since the last reset of this menu item. To reset
the fuel used information, press and hold the set/reset
button while FUEL USED is displayed.
Timer
Press the trip/fuel button until TIMER displays. This
display can be used as a timer.
To start the timer, press the set/reset button while TIMER
is displayed. The display will show the amount of time
that has passed since the timer was last reset, not
including time the ignition is off. Time will continue to be
counted as long as the ignition is on, even if another
display is being shown on the DIC. The timer will record
up to 99 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds (99:59:59)
after which the display will return to zero.
To stop the timer, press the set/reset button briey while
TIMER is displayed.
To reset the timer to zero, press and hold the set/reset
button while TIMER is displayed.
3-56

Trip Odometer Reset Stem Menu Items
Odometer
Press the trip odometer reset stem until ODOMETER
displays. This display shows the distance the vehicle
has been driven in either miles (mi) or kilometers (km).
Engine Hours
To display the ENGINE HOURS, place the ignition in
LOCK/OFF or ACC/ACCESSORY, then press and hold
the trip odometer reset stem for four seconds while
viewing the ODOMETER. This display shows the total
number of hours the engine has run.
Trip Odometer
Press the trip odometer reset stem until TRIP displays.
This display shows the current distance traveled in either
miles (mi) or kilometers (km) since the last reset for the
trip odometer.
The trip odometer can be reset to zero by pressing and
holding the trip odometer reset stem while the trip
odometer is displayed.The trip odometer has a feature called the retro-active
reset. This can be used to set the trip odometer to the
number of miles (kilometers) driven since the ignition was
last turned on. This can be used if the trip odometer is not
reset at the beginning of the trip.
To use the retro-active reset feature, press and hold the
trip odometer reset stem for at least four seconds. The
trip odometer will display the number of miles (mi) or
kilometers (km) driven since the ignition was last turned
on and the vehicle was moving. Once the vehicle begins
moving, the trip odometer will accumulate mileage. For
example, if the vehicle was driven 5 miles (8 km) before it
is started again, and then the retro-active reset feature is
activated, the display will show 5 miles (8 km). As the
vehicle begins moving, the display will then increase to
5.1 miles (8.2 km), 5.2 miles (8.4 km), etc.
Transmission Temperature
Press the trip odometer reset stem until TRANS
TEMP displays. This display shows the temperature of
the automatic transmission uid in either degrees
Fahrenheit (°F) or degrees Celsius (°C).
3-60

CHECK TRAILER WIRING
On vehicles with the Integrated Trailer Brake Control
(ITBC) system, this message may display and a chime
may sound when one of the following conditions exists:
A trailer with electric brakes becomes disconnected
from the vehicle.
If the disconnect occurs while the vehicle is
stopped, this message clears itself after a
short time.
If the disconnect occurs while the vehicle is
moving, this message stays on until the ignition
is turned off.
There is a short in the wiring to the electric trailer
brakes.
When this message displays, power is no longer
available to the trailer brakes.
As soon as it is safe to do so, carefully pull your vehicle
over to the side of the road and turn the ignition off.
Check the wiring connection to the trailer and turn the
ignition back on. This message clears if the trailer
is reconnected. This message also clears if you
acknowledge it. If this message still displays, either
your vehicle or the trailer needs service. See your
dealer/retailer.
See “Integrated Trailer Brake Control System” under
Towing a Trailer on page 4-53for more information.
DRIVER DOOR OPEN
This message displays and a chime sounds if the driver
door is not fully closed and the vehicle is shifted out of
P (Park). Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the door for
obstructions, and close the door again. Check to see if
the message still appears on the DIC.
ENGINE HOT A/C (Air Conditioning)
TURNED OFF
This message displays when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating temperature.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Gage (US-Canada)
on page 3-44. To avoid added strain on a hot engine,
the air conditioning compressor automatically turns
off. When the coolant temperature returns to normal, the
air conditioning compressor turns back on. You can
continue to drive your vehicle.
If this message continues to appear, have the system
repaired by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible
to avoid damage to the engine.
ENGINE OIL HOT IDLE ENGINE
This message displays when the engine oil becomes
hotter than the normal operating temperature. Stop and
allow the vehicle to idle until it cools down. SeeEngine
Coolant Temperature Gage (US-Canada) on page 3-44.
3-67