GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Headlamps-On Reminder

When the headlamp switch is in the headlamps-ON or parking lamps-ON position, voltage is applied to the chime module.

With the headlamp switch ON and the driver's door open, the module loses voltage. The module senses this change. If the voltage is still available, it is applied to sound the chime. The chime can be turned OFF by turning the headlamp switch OFF or closing the driver's door. To replace the chime module, refer to Audio Alarm Module Replacement .

Headlamps

The headlamps are controlled by the multifunction lever located on the left side of the steering column. They will come ON only when the ignition switch is in the RUN position. Turning the headlamp switch to the 1st position turns ON the parking lamps, the side marker lamps, the license plate lamps, and the instrument panel illumination. Turning the switch to the 2nd position turns ON all of the previous lamps and the headlamps. Turning the switch to the OFF position turns OFF all the lamps.

Headlamp high beam and low beam are also controlled by this lever. When the headlamps are ON, pushing the lever away from the driver until the switch clicks changes the lamp from low beam to high beam, and returns to low beam when the lever is pulled back. Pulling the lever toward the driver also turns ON the high beam. The headlamps return to low beam when the lever is released. An indicator lamp on the instrument cluster assembly will come on when the high-beam headlamps are ON.

The headlamps must be aimed for proper illumination of the road. Headlamp aim should be checked whenever a new headlamp assembly is installed or service repairs to the front end area may have disturbed the headlamp assembly or its mountings.

Parking and Turn Signal Lamps

The parking lamps can be turned ON by turning the lighting switch to the first position. The parking lamps can be turned OFF by turning the switch to the OFF position. If the parking lamps are ON and the ignition switch is OFF with the driver's door open, a warning tone will sound as a reminder to turn the lamps OFF.

The front, side, and rear turn signals are controlled by the lighting switch on the left side of the steering column. Moving the lever all the way up or down, past the detent, will turn ON the turn signals. When the turn is completed, the lever will return to horizontal and the turn signals will stop flashing.

For changing lanes or shallow turns, where the steering wheel does not turn far enough to cancel the signal, move the signal only to the first detent and hold it there. When the lever is released, it will return to horizontal and the turn signal will cancel.

The turn signals work only when the ignition switch is ON.

Fog Lamps

The front fog lamp switch is located on the left side steering wheel stalk lever. To use the front fog lamps, turn ON the headlamps or the parking lamps, then twist the stalk lever.

The front fog lamps should not be used as a substitute for the headlamps.

The front fog lamps must be aimed for proper illumination of the road. Fog lamp aim should be checked when a new bulb is installed or if service or repairs in the front end area may have disturbed the fog lamp mountings.

The rear fog lamps are incorporated in the tail lamp assembly and are controlled by the rear fog lamp switch located next to the steering column. The rear fog lamps can be turned ON only when the front fog lamps or the headlamps are ON.

Rear Combination Lamps

The tail lamps, stop lamps, backup lamps, turn signal lamps, and rear fog lamps are one assembly.

Turning ON either the headlamps or the parking lamps will also turn ON the tail lamps. When the brake pedal is pushed, the tail lamps will glow more brightly to serve as stop lamps.

The center high-mounted stop lamp (CHMSL) is located in the rear window and will also come ON when the brake pedal is pressed.

The turn signals are controlled by the multifunction lever on the left side of the steering column. If the brake pedal is held down when a turn is signaled, one side will flash and the other will stay bright.

When the transaxle is shifted into reverse (R), the backup lamps will come ON. On vehicles with an automatic transaxle, the backup lamps are activated by the park/neutral position (PNP) switch. On vehicles with a manual transaxle, they are activated by a backup lamp switch connected to the transaxle.

License Plate Lamp

The license plate lamps will come ON when the headlamps or the parking lamps are ON. The license plate lamps are mounted above the license plate.