GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 1998 🢒 Firebird 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Controls - 3.8L 🢒 Instrument Cluster System Check

Step

Action

Normal Result(s)

Abnormal Result(s)*

1
  1. Close all of the vehicle doors.
  2. Unbuckle the driver seat belt.
  3. (Automatic transmission) Place the gear selector is in the PARK position.
  4. (Manual transmission) Place the transmission in neutral.
  5. Turn the ignition switch to the RUN position, with the engine off.
    • The vehicle performs a bulb check on the following indicators (the indicators illuminate for approximately 3 seconds):
       - ASR Off (Chevrolet with traction control)
       - Brake
       - Low Trac
       - Service Engine Soon
       - Skip Shift (V8 VIN G with manual transmission)
       - TCS Off (Pontiac with traction control)
    • The Low Coolant indicator illuminates for approximately ½ to 1½ seconds.
    • The Fasten Seat Belt indicator illuminates for approximately 4-8 seconds.
    • The Security indicator illuminates for approximately 5 seconds.
    • The Air Bag indicator flashes 7 times and turns off.
    • The check gauges indicator is on continuously.
    • The low oil indicator is on for approximately 1 second.
    • The ASR indicator stays on. Refer to ABS Diagnostic System Check .
    • The Brake indicator does not illuminate. Refer to Brake Warning System Check .
    • The Brake indicator stays on. Refer to Brake Warning System Check .
    • The Check Gauges indicator does not illuminate. Refer to CHECK GAGES Indicator Inoperative .
    • The Low Oil indicator does not illuminate. Refer to Low Engine Oil Level Indicator Inoperative .
    • The Low Trac indicator does not illuminate. Refer to ABS Diagnostic System Check .
    • The Low Coolant indicator does not illuminate. Refer to Low Engine Coolant Indicator Inoperative .
    • The Fasten Seat Belt indicator does not illuminate. Refer to Fasten Safety Belt Indicator/Chime Inoperative
    • The Security indicator does not illuminate. Refer to SECURITY Indicator Inoperative .
    • The Air bag indicator stays on. Refer to SIR Diagnostic System Check .

2
  1. Buckle the driver seat belt.
  2. Observe the Fasten Seat Belt indicator.

The Fasten Seat Belt indicator is off.

The Fasten Seat Belt indicator stays on. Refer to Brake Warning System Check .

3

Apply the park brake.

The Brake indicator illuminates.

The Brake indicator does not illuminate. Refer to Brake Warning System Check .

4

Start the engine.
    • The engine cranks and starts.
    • The Security indicator is off.
    • The speedometer displays zero.
    • The Security indicator illuminates.
    • The engine does not start.

Refer to Vehicle Theft Deterrent (VTD) System Check .

5

Press the odometer trip reset button.

The trip odometer resets to zero.

Refer to Instrument Cluster Replacement .

6

Observe the fuel gauge.

The fuel gauge indicates the correct fuel level.
    • Fuel gauge is inaccurate. Refer to Fuel Gage Inaccurate or Inoperative
    • Fuel gauge always indicates full. Inspect the PCM for DTCs. If you do not find DTCs, replace the instrument cluster. Refer to Instrument Cluster Replacement .

7

Observe the oil pressure gauge.

The engine oil pressure gauge indicates normal oil pressure.

8

Observe the tachometer.

The tachometer indicates the correct engine speed.

Refer to Tachometer Inaccurate or Inoperative .

9

Observe the temperature gauge.

The engine temperature gauge indicates the correct engine temperature.

Refer to:

10

Observe the voltmeter.

The voltmeter indicates approximately 9-14 volts.

Refer to Instrument Cluster Replacement .

11

Observe the ABS Inop indicator.

The ABS Inop indicator is off.

ABS indicator is illuminated. Refer to ABS Diagnostic System Check .

12

Observe the Air Bag indicator.

The Air Bag indicator is off.

Air Bag indicator is illuminated. Refer to SIR Diagnostic System Check .

13

Observe the ASR Off indicator (Chevrolet with traction control).

The ASR Off indicator is off.

The ASR indicator is illuminated. Refer to ABS Diagnostic System Check .

14

Observe the Check Gauges indicator.

The Check Gauges indicator is off.

The Check Gauges indicator is illuminated. Refer to CHECK GAGES Indicator Always On .

15

Observe the Low Coolant indicator. (V8 VIN G only)

The Low Coolant indicator is off.

The Low Coolant indicator is illuminated. Refer to Low Engine Coolant Indicator Always On .

16

Observe the Low Oil indicator.

The Low Oil indicator is off.

The Low Oil indicator is illuminated. Refer to Low Engine Oil Level Indicator Always On .

17

Observe the Low Trac indicator (if equipped).

The Low Trac indicator is off.

The Low Trac indicator is illuminated. Refer to ABS Diagnostic System Check .

18

Observe the Reduced Engine Power indicator. (V6 VIN K only)

The Reduced Engine Power Indicator is off.

The Reduced Engine Power indicator is illuminated. Refer to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check in Engine Controls (3.8L).

19

Observe the Service Engine Soon indicator.

Service Engine Soon indicator is off.

The Service Engine Soon indicator is illuminated. Refer to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check or Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check in Engine Controls.

20

Observe the Skip Shift indicator. (V8 VIN G only)

The Skip Shift indicator is off.

The Skip Shift indicator is illuminated. Refer to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check in Engine Controls (5.7L).

21

Observe the TCS Off indicator (Pontiac with traction control)

The TCS Off indicator is off.

The TCS Off indicator is illuminated. Refer to ABS Diagnostic System Check .

22

Drive vehicle at 48 km/h (30 mph).

The speedometer and the odometer operate properly.

    • The speedometer or the odometer is inaccurate, refer to Instrument Cluster Replacement
    • The speedometer and the odometer are inaccurate or inoperative, refer to Speedometer and/or Odometer Inoperative

* Refer to the appropriate symptom diagnostic table for the applicable abnormal result.