GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Displays Test

Certain instrument cluster features are tested when the ignition is turned on in order to verify the features are working properly. The following occurs when the ignition is turned on:

    • The ABS indicator illuminates briefly.
    • The battery indicator illuminates briefly.
    • The brake indicator illuminates briefly.
    • The door ajar indicator illuminates briefly.
    • The electric park brake on indicator illuminates briefly.
    • The electric park brake service/failure indicator illuminates briefly.
    • The fuel level low indicator illuminates briefly.
    • The oil pressure low indicator illuminates briefly.
    • The park assist service indicator illuminates briefly.
    • The press clutch indicator illuminates briefly.
    • The rain sense indicator illuminates briefly.
    • The security indicator illuminates briefly.
    • The service vehicle soon indicator illuminates briefly.
    • The smart beam indicator illuminates briefly.
    • The tire pressure low indicator illuminates briefly.
    • The vehicle dynamic caution service indicator illuminates briefly.
    • The vehicle dynamics caution off indicator illuminates briefly.
    • All segments of the driver information center illuminate briefly.

Indicators and Warning Messages

Refer to Indicator/Warning Message Description and Operation

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage

The instrument cluster displays the engine coolant temperature as determined by the engine control module (ECM). The ECM sends the engine coolant temperature information via a High Speed CAN-Bus signal to the body control module (BCM). The BCM then sends the information via a Low Speed CAN-Bus signal to the instrument cluster to display the engine coolant temperature. The engine coolant temperature gage defaults to 40°C (104°F) or below if:

    • The ECM detects a malfunction in the engine coolant temperature sensor circuit.
    • The BCM detects a loss of serial data communications with the ECM.
    • The instrument cluster detects a loss of serial data communications with the BCM.

Fuel Level Gage

The instrument cluster displays the fuel level based on the information from the ECM. The ECM converts the data from the fuel level sensors to a fuel level signal. The ECM sends the fuel level signal via a High Speed CAN-Bus signal to the BCM. The BCM then sends the information via a Low Speed CAN-Bus signal to the instrument cluster to display the fuel level. If the fuel level falls under 11% the instrument cluster switches on the low fuel level indicator. The fuel gage defaults to empty if:

    • The ECM detects a malfunction in the fuel level sensor circuit.
    • The BCM detects a loss of serial data communications with the ECM.
    • The instrument cluster detects a loss of serial data communications with the BCM.

Speedometer

The instrument cluster displays the vehicle speed based on the information from the ECM. The ECM sends the vehicle speed information via a High Speed CAN-Bus signal to the BCM. The BCM then sends the vehicle speed information via a Low Speed CAN-Bus signal to the instrument cluster in order to display the vehicle speed, either in kilometers or miles, based on the vehicle requirements. The speedometer defaults to 0 km/h (0 MPH) if:

    • The BCM detects a loss of serial data communications with the ECM.
    • The instrument cluster detects a loss of serial data communications with the BCM.

Tachometer

The instrument cluster displays the engine speed based on the information from the ECM. The ECM converts the data from the engine speed sensor to an engine revolution signal. The ECM sends the engine speed information via a High Speed CAN-Bus signal to the BCM. The BCM then sends the information via a Low Speed CAN-Bus signal to the instrument cluster to display the engine speed. The tachometer defaults to 0 RPM if:

    • The ECM detects a malfunction in the engine speed sensor circuit.
    • The BCM detects a loss of serial data communications with the ECM.
    • The instrument cluster detects a loss of serial data communications with the BCM.

Driver Information Centre Display

In the lower middle of the instrument cluster, an additional display is installed. Its task is to give additional information, such as an odometer or error codes. This part of the instrument cluster is available in 4 different variants, mostly depending on the assembled engine. For further information refer to Driver Information Center (DIC) Description and Operation