sensor PONTIAC VIBE 2004 Owners Manual

In many crashes severe enough to in¯ate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger air bag.
·Air bags are designed to in¯ate only once. After an
air bag in¯ates, you'll need some new parts for
your air bag system. If you don't get them, the air
bag system won't be there to help protect you
in another crash. A new system will include air bag
modules and possibly other parts. The service
manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace
other parts.
·Your vehicle is equipped with two electronic frontal
sensors, which help the sensing system distinguish
between a moderate frontal impact and a more
severe frontal impact. Additionally, your vehicle has
two sensors which detect side impacts. These
sensors signal the appropriate side air bag to in¯ate.
Your vehicle is also equipped with a crash sensing
and diagnostic module, which records information
about the frontal air bag system. The module
records information about the readiness of the
system, system status and the driver's and
passenger's safety belt usage at deployment.
·Let only quali®ed technicians work on your air bag
systems. Improper service can mean that an air
bag system won't work properly. See your dealer for
service.
Notice:If you damage the covering for the driver's
or the right front passenger's air bag, or the air
bag covering on the driver's and right front
passenger's seatback, the bag may not work
properly. You may have to replace the air bag
module in the steering wheel, both the air bag
module and the instrument panel for the right front
passenger's air bag, or both the air bag module
and seatback for the driver's and right front
passenger's side impact air bag. Do not open or
break the air bag coverings.
If your vehicle ever gets into a lot of water ± such as
water up to the carpeting or higher ± or if water enters
your vehicle and soaks the carpet, the air bag
controller can be soaked and ruined. If this ever
happens, and then you start your vehicle, the damage
could make the frontal and side impact air bags
in¯ate and safety belt pretensioners activate, even if
there's no crash. You would have to replace the
air bags, all the sensors and related parts, parts of the
safety belt system and parts of the driver and right
front passenger's seatbacks. If your vehicle is ever in a
¯ood, or if it's exposed to water that soaks the carpet,
you can avoid needless repair costs by turning off
the vehicle immediately and disconnecting the battery
cables. Don't let anyone start the vehicle under any
circumstances. See your dealer for service.
1-55

Automatic Headlamp System
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic light sensor
on the top left corner of the instrument panel, so be
sure it is not covered or the headlamps will be on
continuously.
When it is dark enough outside, your automatic
headlamp system will turn on your low-beam headlamps
at the normal brightness along with other lamps such
as the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and
instrument panel lights. The parking brake must be
released for the automatic headlamp system to work.
This is indicated by the headlamp symbol on your
instrument panel cluster.
If you are driving through a parking garage, overcast
weather, or a tunnel, the automatic headlamp system
may turn on your low-beam headlamps at a normal
brightness along with the taillamps, sidemarker, parking
lamps and the instrument panel lights. The radio lights
will be dimmer, and the instrument panel cluster lights
may dim. There will be a delay of several seconds before
the lights will turn on when starting the car at night.
Headlamps On Reminder
If you turn the ignition to LOCK or ACC and leave
the lamps on, you'll hear a tone when you open the
driver's door.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
®rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make your headlamps come on at
a reduced brightness when the following conditions
are met:
·The ignition is on with the engine running,
·the exterior lamps switch is off and
·the parking brake is released.
When the DRL are on, only your headlamps will be on
at a reduced brightness. The taillamps, sidemarker
and other lamps won't be on. Your instrument panel
won't be lit up either.
When you turn the exterior lamp switch to the headlamp
position, your DRL will go off and your headlamps will
come on. The other lamps that come on with your
headlamps will also come on.
3-13

Power Outlet 115 Volt Alternating
Current
With this power outlet, you can plug in auxiliary electrical
equipment with a maximum limit of 115 VAC. If you
try to use equipment that requires more than the limit, a
protection circuit will cut the power supply. The power
will automatically restart when equipment that operates
within the limit is plugged in.The power outlet is located near the center of the
instrument panel. Before using the outlet, turn on the
ignition and press the button next to the outlet.
An indicator light in the button will come on. After using
the outlet, press the button again to turn it off.
The power outlet is not designed for the following
electrical equipment and they may not work properly:
·Equipment with high initial peak wattage:
cathode-ray tube type televisions,
compressor-driven refrigerators, electric
power tools.
·Other equipment requiring an extremely stable
power supply: microcomputer-controlled electric
blankets, touch sensor lamps, etc.
3-18

Your vehicle also has a safety belt reminder light for the
right front passenger position.
This light is located on the
center of the instrument
panel, above the audio
system.When the key is turned to ON or START, this light will
come on as a reminder for the right front passenger
to fasten the safety belt. The safety belt light will ¯ash
until the right front passenger's safety belt is buckled.
The passenger's safety belt reminder light will not
illuminate if the right front passenger's belt is already
buckled or if a sensor does not detect the weight
of a passenger in that seat.
If something is placed on the right front passenger's
seat, the sensors in the seat may detect that object and
cause the right front passenger's safety belt reminder
light to come on. If this ever happens, move the object to
the rear seat or place it in a rear storage area, if at all
possible.
3-29

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 modules, the wiring and the diagnostic module.
For more information on the air bag system, see
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) on page 1-47.
This light will come on for
about seven seconds
when you start your
vehicle. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air
bag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
{CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on or keeps
¯ashing after you start your vehicle, it means
the air bag system and safety belt pretension
system may not be working properly. The air
bags in your vehicle may not in¯ate in a crash,
or they could even in¯ate without a crash.
To help avoid injury to yourself or others, have
your vehicle serviced right away if the air bag
readiness light stays on after you start your
vehicle.
The air bag readiness light should come on for about
seven seconds when you turn the ignition key to ON.
If the light doesn't come on then, have it ®xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
3-30