GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Important: The following steps must be completed before using the symptom tables.

  1. Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Instrument Cluster before using the Symptom Tables in order to verify that all of the following are true:
  2. • There are no DTCs set.
    • The control module(s) can communicate via the serial data link.
  3. Review the system operation in order to familiarize yourself with the system functions. Refer to the following:
  4. •  Instrument Cluster Description
    •  Instrument Cluster Operation
    •  Instrument Cluster Gauge Operation
    •  Instrument Cluster Odometer Operation
    •  Instrument Cluster Indicator Operation
    •  Instrument Cluster Circuit Description
    •  Driver Information Center (DIC) or Message Center Description
    •  Driver Information Center (DIC) or Message Center Warning Messages Description
    •  Driver Information Center (DIC) or Message Center Status Messages Description

Visual/Physical Inspection

    • Inspect for aftermarket devices which could affect the operation of the instrument cluster. Refer to Checking Aftermarket Accessories in Wiring Systems.
    • Inspect the easily accessible or visible system components for obvious damage or conditions which could cause the symptom.
    • For any indicator or driver information center (DIC) message relating to fluid level, perform a visual inspection of the fluid level before beginning diagnosis.
    • Verify that the indicators work properly during the bulb check.

Intermittent

Faulty electrical connections or wiring may be the cause of intermittent conditions. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems.

Symptom List

Refer to a symptom diagnostic procedure from the following list in order to diagnose the symptom:

Gauges and PRDNL Display

The following is a list of the symptoms for the instrument cluster (IPC) gauges and PRNDL display:

    •  Engine Coolant Temperature Gage Inaccurate or Inoperative
    •  Fuel Gage Inaccurate or Inoperative
    •  Odometer Inoperative - Trip
    •  PRNDL Display Inaccurate or Inoperative
    •  Speedometer and/or Odometer Inoperative
    •  Tachometer Inoperative

Indicators

The following is a list of the symptoms for the instrument cluster (IPC) indicators or a reference to the related subsection:

    •  ABS Indicator Always On in Antilock Brake System.
    •  ABS Indicator Inoperative in Antilock Brake System.
    •  AIR BAG Warning Lamp Circuit Malfunction in SIR
    •  Battery Charge Indicator Always On in Engine Electrical
    •  Battery Charge Indicator Inoperative in Engine Electrical
    •  Brake Warning Indicator, Message, and Chime Always On in Hydraulic Brakes
    •  Brake Warning Indicator, Message, and Chime Inoperative in Hydraulic Brakes
    •  BRAKE Indicator Always On in Hydraulic Brakes
    •  BRAKE Indicator Inoperative in Hydraulic Brakes
    •  CRUISE Indicator Always On in Cruise Control
    •  CRUISE Indicator Inoperative in Cruise Control
    •  Engine Coolant Temperature Indicator Always On in Engine Cooling
    •  Engine Coolant Temperature Indicator Inoperative in Engine Cooling
    •  Engine Oil Pressure Indicator Always On
    •  Engine Oil Pressure Indicator Inoperative
    •  Fasten Safety Belt Indicator/Chime Always On in Seat Belts
    •  Fasten Safety Belt Indicator/Chime Inoperative in Seat Belts
    • Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) (SERVICE ENGINE SOON) Indicator Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check in Engine Controls - 4.6L.
    •  MPH (Km/h) Indicator Inoperative
    •  Fog Lamp Indicator Always On in Lighting Systems
    •  Rear Fog Lamp Indicator Always On in Lighting Systems
    •  Fog Lamp Indicator Inoperative in Lighting Systems
    •  Fog Lamp Indicator Inoperative in Lighting Systems
    •  High Beam Indicator Always On in Lighting Systems
    •  High Beam Indicator Inoperative in Lighting Systems
    •  LIGHTS ON Indicator Always On in Lighting Systems
    •  LIGHTS ON Indicator Inoperative in Lighting Systems
    •  SECURITY Indicator Always On or Flashing in Theft Deterrent
    •  SECURITY Indicator Inoperative in Theft Deterrent
    •  TRACTION CONTROL Indicator Always On in Antilock Brake System
    •  TRACTION CONTROL Indicator Inoperative in Antilock Brake System
    •  Turn Signal Indicator Always On - Left Side in Lighting Systems
    •  Turn Signal Indicator Always On - Right Side in Lighting Systems
    •  Turn Signal Indicators Inoperative - Left Side in Lighting Systems
    •  Turn Signal Indicators Inoperative - Right Side in Lighting Systems

Driver Information Center (DIC)

The following is a list of the symptoms for the driver information center (DIC) or a reference to the related subsection:

    • BATTERY NOT CHARGING Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Electrical in Engine Electrical.
    • BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Electrical in Engine Electrical.
    • BATTERY VOLTS HIGH Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Electrical in Engine Electrical.
    • BATTERY VOLTS LOW Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Electrical in Engine Electrical.
    • CHANGE ENGINE OIL Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check in Engine Controls - 4.6L.
    • CHANGE TRANS FLUID Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check in Engine Controls - 4.6L.
    • CHECK BRAKE FLUID Message Always On. Refer to Brake Warning Indicator, Message, and Chime Always On in Hydraulic Brakes.
    • CHECK BRAKE FLUID Message Inoperative. Refer to Brake Warning Indicator, Message, and Chime Inoperative in Hydraulic Brakes.
    • CHECK BRAKE PADS Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Diagnostic System Check - ABS in Antilock Brake System.
    •  CHECK COOLANT LEVEL Message Always On in Engine Cooling.
    •  CHECK COOLANT LEVEL Message Inoperative in Engine Cooling.
    • CHECK FUEL GAGE Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Fuel Gage Inaccurate or Inoperative .
    • CHECK GAS CAP Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check in Engine Controls - 4.6L.
    • CHECK OIL LEVEL Message Always On. Refer to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check in Engine Controls - 4.6L.
    •  CHECK OIL LEVEL Message Inoperative
    •  CHECK WASHER FLUID Message Always On in Wiper/Washer System
    •  CHECK WASHER FLUID Message Inoperative in Wiper/Washer System
    • DRIVER DOOR AJAR Message Always On. Refer to DOOR AJAR Message Always On in Doors.
    • DRIVER DOOR AJAR Message Inoperative. Refer to DOOR AJAR Message Inoperative in Doors.
    •  Driver Information Center (DIC) Switch Inoperative
    • ENGINE COOLANT HOT/IDLE ENGINE Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Diagnostic System Check in Engine Cooling.
    • ENGINE HOT - AC OFF Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check in Engine Controls - 4.6L.
    • ENGINE OVERHEATED/STOP ENGINE Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Refer to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check in Engine Controls - 4.6L.
    • FUEL LEVEL LOW Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Fuel Gage Inaccurate or Inoperative .
    • HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Diagnostic System Check - Lighting Systems in Lighting Systems.
    • ICE POSSIBLE Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Diagnostic System Check in HVAC Systems - Automatic.
    • LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR Message Always On. Refer to DOOR AJAR Message Always On in Doors.
    • LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR Message Inoperative. Refer to DOOR AJAR Message Inoperative in Doors.
    • OIL PRESSURE LOW/STOP ENGINE Message Always On. Refer to Engine Oil Pressure Indicator Always On .
    • OIL PRESSURE LOW/STOP ENGINE Message Inoperative. Refer to Engine Oil Pressure Indicator Inoperative .
    • PASSENGER DOOR AJAR Message Always On. Refer to DOOR AJAR Message Always On in Doors.
    • PASSENGER DOOR AJAR Message Inoperative. Refer to DOOR AJAR Message Inoperative in Doors.
    • RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR Message Always On. Refer to DOOR AJAR Message Always On in Doors.
    • RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR Message Inoperative. Refer to DOOR AJAR Message Inoperative in Doors.
    • SERVICE AC SYSTEM Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Diagnostic System Check in HVAC Systems - Automatic.
    • SERVICE AIR BAG Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Diagnostic System Check - SIR in SIR.
    • SERVICE CHARGING SYS Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Electrical in Engine Electrical.
    • SERVICE ELECTRICAL SYS Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Electrical in Engine Electrical.
    • SERVICE FUEL SYSTEM Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check in Engine Controls - 4.6L.
    • SERVICE IDLE CONTROL Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check in Engine Controls - 4.6L.
    • SERVICE STABILITY SYS Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Diagnostic System Check - ABS in Antilock Brake System.
    • SERVICE STEERING SYS Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Diagnostic System Check - Variable Effort Steering in Variable Effort Steering.
    • SERVICE SUSPENSION SYS Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to A Diagnostic System Check in Road Sensing Suspension - RSS.
    • SERVICE THEFT SYSTEM Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Diagnostic System Check - Theft Deterrent in Theft Deterrent.
    • SERVICE TRANSMISSION Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check in Engine Controls - 4.6L.
    • SERVICE VEHICLE SOON Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check in Engine Controls - 4.6L.
    • SNAPSHOT TAKEN Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check in Engine Controls - 4.6L.
    • SPEED LIMITED TO XXX Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check in Engine Controls - 4.6L.
    • STABILITY SYS ENGAGED Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Diagnostic System Check - ABS in Antilock Brake System.
    • STARTING DISABLED/REMOVE KEY Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Diagnostic System Check - Theft Deterrent in Theft Deterrent.
    • THEFT ATTEMPTED Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Diagnostic System Check - Theft Deterrent in Theft Deterrent.
    • TOP SPEED FUEL CUT-OFF Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check in Engine Controls - 4.6L.
    • TRACTION ENGAGED Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Diagnostic System Check - ABS in Antilock Brake System.
    •  TRACTION OFF Message Always On in Antilock Brake System
    •  TRACTION OFF Message Inoperative in Antilock Brake System
    • TRACTION SUSPENDED Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Diagnostic System Check - ABS in Antilock Brake System.
    • TRACTION ENGAGED Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Diagnostic System Check - ABS in Antilock Brake System.
    • TRANS HOT IDLE ENGINE Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check in Engine Controls - 4.6L.
    •  TRUNK OPEN Message Always On in Body Rear End
    •  TRUNK OPEN Message Inoperative in Body Rear End
    • TURN SIGNAL ON Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Diagnostic System Check - Lighting Systems in Lighting Systems.
    • VEHICLE OVERSPEED Message Always On or Inoperative. Refer to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check in Engine Controls - 4.6L.