GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Displays Test

Certain instrument panel cluster (IPC) features are tested when the ignition is turned on in order to verify the features are working properly. The following occurs at key up:

    • The air bag indicator flashes 7 times.
    • The Antilock Brake System (ABS) indicator illuminates briefly.
    • The service engine soon indicator (MIL) illuminates briefly.
    • The charge indicator illuminates briefly.
    • The seat belt indicator illuminates for 70 seconds or until the driver seat belt is latched.
    • The brake indicator illuminates briefly.
    • The coolant temperature indicator
    • The cruise engaged indicator
    • The oil pressure indicator
    • The security indicator
    • The traction control indicator
    • All odometer segments illuminate briefly.

Indicators and Warning Messages

Refer to Indicator/Warning Message Description and Operation.

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage

The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the engine coolant temperature as determined by the engine control module (ECM). The IPC receives a serial data message from the ECM indicating the engine coolant temperature.

Fuel Gage

The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the fuel level as determined by the engine control module (ECM). The IPC receives a serial data message from the ECM indicating the fuel level percent.

Odometers

Each instrument panel cluster (IPC) is equipped with a season odometer and 2 trip odometers. The IPC uses the odometer rolling count message from the engine control module (ECM). The rolling count value is determined by counting the speed pulses from the vehicle speed signal (VSS). The odometers can be displayed in miles or kilometers. The units displayed is switched between English and Metric by pressing the menu button on the driver information center (DIC) until the units mode is displayed. Pressing the set/reset button will select between English or Metric.

Season Odometer

The season odometer displays the total accumulated miles or kilometers of the vehicle. This value is permanently stored in the IPC. If an odometer malfunction occurs or if the IPC must be replaced, an authorized service center must be contacted to program proper vehicle specifics, including the odometer. The season odometer is capable of displaying 999,999 kilometers or 999,999 miles depending on units selected.

Trip Odometer

The trip odometer displays the accumulated miles or kilometers since the last reset. This value is stored in the IPC. The IPC has 2 trip odometers which can be selected by pressing the DIC information button. Pressing this button allows you to scroll through trip mode A or trip mode B. The displayed trip odometer can be reset by pressing and holding the set/reset button for 3 seconds. Select the specific trip mode (A or B) in order to reset that specific trip odometer. Both trip odometers accumulate miles or kilometers even when they are not displayed. If the set/reset button is pressed and held for 3 seconds while in a trip mode (A or B), the display will reset to zero.

Engine Oil Life

The IPC displays the engine oil life remaining percent based on serial data messages from the ECM. The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the current percent of the GM Oil Life System in the trip odometer display. When the oil needs changing the change oil indicator in the message center turns on. When the engine oil is changed the oil life percent needs to be reset. Press and hold the set/reset button for 3 seconds until 100 percent is displayed in the trip odometer.

PRNDL Display

The instrument panel cluster (IPC) is equipped with a Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, Low (PRNDL) display. The IPC PRNDL receives a serial data message from the engine control module (ECM) indicating the PRNDL position.

Speedometer

The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays vehicle speed as determined by the engine control module (ECM). The IPC receives serial data messages from the ECM indicating the vehicle speed. The IPC uses the vehicle speed data received from the ECM to determine the speedometer display.

Tachometer

The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the engine speed as determined by the engine control module (ECM). The IPC receives serial data messages from the ECM indicating the engine speed.