GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Warning messages are displayed on the DIC to notify the driver that the status of the vehicle has changed and that some action may be needed by the driver to correct the condition. If there is more than one message that needs to be displayed they will appear one after another. Some messages may not require immediate action but you should press the select button to acknowledge that you received the message and clear it from the display. Some message cannot be cleared from the display because they are more urgent. These messages require action before they can be removed from the DIC display. The following are the possible messages that can be displayed and some information about them.

BATTERY NOT CHARGING

If the battery is not charging during operation, this message will appear on the DIC. Driving with this problem could drain your battery. Have the electrical system checked as soon as possible. Pressing the select button will acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display.

BUCKLE SEATBELT

If your vehicle is equipped with the passenger sensing system, this message reminds you to buckle the driver's and/or passenger's seatbelt. See Passenger Sensing System . The message will come on and a chime will sound when the ignition is in RUN and the following conditions occur:

    •  The driver's seatbelt is unbuckled.
    • The driver's seatbelt is unbuckled and the passenger's seatbelt is unbuckled with the passenger airbag enabled.

Press the select button to acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display.

BUCKLE PASSENGER

If your vehicle is equipped with the passenger sensing system, this message reminds you to buckle the passenger's seatbelt. See Passenger Sensing System . This message will come on and a chime will sound when the ignition is in RUN and the driver's seatbelt is buckled and the passenger's seatbelt is unbuckled with the passenger airbag enabled. Press the select button to acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display.

CHANGE ENGINE OIL

This message is displayed for 10 seconds at the start of each ignition cycle when the engine oil needs to be changed.

When you change the engine oil, be sure to reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message. See Scheduled Maintenance for more information.

CARGO LAMP ON

If the cargo lamp is on, this message will appear on the DIC and you will hear a chime. Turn off the vehicle and check the liftgate. Restart the vehicle and check for the message on the DIC display. Pressing the select button will acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display.

CHECK OIL LEVEL

If the oil level in the vehicle is low, this message will appear on the DIC. Check and oil level and correct it as necessary. You may need to let the vehicle cool or warm up and cycle the ignition to be sure this message will clear. The message will be displayed for 10 seconds at the start of each ignition cycle when the oil needs to checked. Once the problem is corrected, press the select button to clear the message from the DIC display.

CHECK WASHER FLUID

If the washer fluid level is low, this message will appear on the DIC. Adding washer fluid will clear the message. The message will be displayed for 10 seconds at the start of each ignition cycle when the washer fluid is low. Press the select button to acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display.

DRIVER DOOR AJAR

If the driver's door is not fully closed, this message will appear on the display and you will hear a chime. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the door for obstacles, and close the door again. Check to see if the message still appears on the DIC. Pressing the select button will acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display.

ENGINE COOLANT HOT

If the cooling system temperature gets hot, this message will appear in the DIC. Stop the vehicle and let the engine idle in PARK (P) to allow the coolant to reach a safe temperature. This message will clear when the coolant temperature drops to safe operating temperature, or by pressing the SELECT button.

ENGINE OVERHEATED

If the engine cooling system reaches unsafe temperatures for operation, this message will appear in the DIC and you will hear a chime. Stop and turn off the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so to avoid severe damage. This message will clear when the engine has cooled to a safe operating temperature.

FUEL LEVEL LOW

If the fuel level is low, this message will appear on the DIC and you will hear a chime. Refuel as soon as possible. Pressing the select button will acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display. The message will be displayed for 10 seconds at the start of each ignition cycle when the fuel level is low.

KEYFOB X BATTERY LOW

If a remote keyless entry transmitter battery is low, this message will appear on the DIC. The battery needs to be replaced in the transmitter. Pressing the select button will acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display.

LOW COOLANT LEVEL

If your vehicle is equipped with a low coolant level sensor, this message will appear on the DIC if the engine coolant level is low. Adding coolant will clear the message.

OIL LIFE RESET

This message will appear on the display for about 10 seconds after resetting the change engine oil message.

OIL PRESSURE LOW

If low oil pressure levels occur, this message will be displayed on the DIC and a chime will sound. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible and do not operate it until the cause of the low oil pressure has been corrected. Check your oil as soon as possible and have your vehicle serviced.

PASSENGER DOOR AJAR

If the passenger's door is not fully closed, this message will appear on the display and you will hear a chime. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the door for obstacles, and close the door again. Check to see if the message still appears on the DIC. Pressing the select button will acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display.

REDUCED ENGINE POWER

This message is displayed when the cooling system temperature gets too hot and the engine further enters the engine coolant protection mode.

See Engine Overheating for further information.

SERVICE AIRBAG

If there is a problem with the air bag system, this message will be displayed on the DIC. Have a qualified technician inspect the system for problems. Pressing the select button will acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display.

SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM

If there is a problem with the brake system, this message will be displayed on the DIC. If this message appears, stop as soon as possible and turn off the vehicle. Restart the vehicle and check for the message on the DIC display. If the message is still displayed, or appears again when you begin driving, the brake system needs service.

SERVICE BRAKE BOOSTER

If your vehicle has vacuum assist power brakes, this message will be displayed on the DIC when there is a problem with the Supplemental Brake Assist system. If the message is displayed immediately after starting the vehicle or the message appears while driving, your Supplemental Brake Assist system needs service. See Brake System Warning Light .

Caution: Your brake system may not be working properly if the SERVICE BRAKE BOOSTER message is displayed.

If the brake system warning light is also on, you should have the vehicle towed for service. See Brake System Warning Light .

If the brake system warning light is not on, you still have brakes, but the supplemental brake assist system may not operate properly. In the event of a vacuum loss, you may not have vacuum power assist for braking. The brake pedal will be harder to push and it will take longer to stop. If you continue to drive with this message displayed it can lead to a crash. Have the brake system serviced as soon as possible.

SERVICE 4WD

If a problem occurs with the four wheel drive system, this message will appear on the DIC. If this message appears, stop as soon as possible and turn off the vehicle. Restart the vehicle and check for the message on the DIC display. If the message is still displayed, or appears again when you begin driving, the four wheel drive system needs service. Press the SELECT button to acknowledge the message.

SERVICE 4 WHEEL STEER

If a problem occurs with the 4 wheel steer system, this message will appear on the DIC. If this message appears, stop as soon as possible and turn off the vehicle. Restart the vehicle and check for the message on the DIC display. If the message is still displayed, or appears again when you begin driving, the four wheel steer system needs service. Press the SELECT button to acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display.

SERVICE AIR SUSPENSION

If a problem occurs with the suspension system, this message will appear on the DIC. If this message appears, stop as soon as possible and turn off the vehicle. Restart the vehicle and check for the message on the DIC display. If the message is still displayed, or appears again when you begin driving, the air suspension system needs service. Press the SELECT button to acknowledge the message.

SERVICE RIDE CONTROL

If a problem occurs with the suspension system, this message will appear on the DIC. If this message appears, stop and turn off the vehicle. Restart the vehicle and check for the message on the DIC display. If the message is still displayed, or appears again when you begin to drive, the air suspension system needs service.

TIGHTEN FUEL CAP

If the vehicle's fuel cap is not tightened properly this message may appear along with the check engine light on the instrument panel. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp . Reinstall the fuel cap fully. See Filling the Tank . The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving tips with the cap properly installed should turn the light and message off.

TURN SIGNAL ON

If a turn signal is left on for 3/4 of a mile (1.2 km), this message will appear on the display and you will hear a chime. Move the turn signal/multifunction lever to the off position. Pressing the select button will acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display.

TRACTION ACTIVE

When the traction control system had detected that any of the vehicle's wheels are slipping, the traction control system will activate and this message will appear on the DIC. For more information see "Traction Assist" in the Index.

TRANSMISSION HOT

If the transmission fluid temperature becomes high, the message center will display this message.

When the transmission enters the protection mode, you may notice a change in the transmission shifting patterns. When the transmission fluid temperature returns to normal, the display will turn off and the transmission shifting patterns will return to normal.

Notice: If you drive your vehicle while the transmission fluid is overheating and the transmission temperature warning is displayed on the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, you can damage the transmission. This could lead to costly repairs that would not be covered by your warranty. Do not drive your vehicle with overheated transmission fluid or while the transmission temperature warning is displayed.

The following situations can cause the transmission to operate at higher temperatures:

    • Towing a trailer
    • Hot outside air temperatures
    • Hauling a large or heavy load
    • Low transmission fluid level
    • High transmission fluid level
    • Restricted air flow to the radiator and the auxiliary transmission oil cooler.

A temporary solution to hotter transmission operating temperatures may be to let the transmission cool down. If the transmission is operated at higher temperatures on a frequent basis, see Scheduled Maintenance for the proper transmission maintenance intervals.