GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 1999 🢒 Firebird 🢒 Body and Accessories 🢒 Instrument Panel, Gauges, and Console 🢒 Instrument Cluster System Check

Step

Action

Normal Result(s)

Abnormal Result(s)*

1
  1. Close all of the vehicle's 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.

The vehicle performs a bulb check on the following indicators (the indicators illuminate for approximately 3 seconds):

    • ASR Off (Chevrolet with traction control)
    • Brake
    • Change Oil
    • Check Gauges
    • Hatch Ajar
    • Low Oil
    • Low Trac
    • Reduced Engine Power (V6 VIN K)
    • Service Engine Soon
    • Service Vehicle 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 ASR indicator stays on. Refer to Diagnostic System Check - ABS .
    • The Brake indicator does not illuminate. Refer to Brake Warning System Check .
    • The Brake indicator stays on. Refer to Brake Warning System Check .
    • The Change Oil indicator does not illuminate. Refer to CHANGE ENGINE OIL Indicator Inoperative .
    • The Check Gauges indicator does not illuminate. Refer to CHECK GAGES Indicator Inoperative .
    • The Hatch Ajar indicator does not illuminate. Refer to REAR LID AJAR Warning 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 Low Traction Indicator Inoperative .
    • 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 Fasten Safety Belt Indicator/Chime Always On .

3

Apply the park brake.

The Brake indicator illuminates.

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

4
    • Operate the left turn signal.
    • Operate the right turn signal.

The turn signal indicators flash with turn signals.

The turn signal indicators do not operate. Refer to:

5

Open the rear compartment lid.

The Hatch Ajar indicator illuminates.

The Hatch Ajar indicator does not illuminate. Refer to REAR LID AJAR Warning Inoperative .

6

Turn the high beam headlamps on.

The High Beam indicator illuminates.

The High Beam indicator does not illuminate. Refer to High Beam Indicator Inoperative .

7

Turn the high beam head lamps off.

The High Beam indicator turns off.

The High Beam indicator stays on. Refer to High Beam Indicator Always On .

7

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 .

8

Press the odometer trip reset button.

The trip odometer resets to zero.

Refer to Instrument Cluster Replacement .

9

Observe the fuel gauge.

The fuel gauge indicates the correct fuel level.

Refer to:

10

Observe the oil pressure gauge.

The engine oil pressure gauge indicates normal oil pressure.

Refer to:

11

Observe the tachometer.

The tachometer indicates the correct engine speed.

Refer to Tachometer Inoperative .

12

Observe the temperature gauge.

The engine temperature gauge indicates the correct engine temperature.

Refer to:

13

Observe the voltmeter.

The voltmeter indicates approximately 9-14 volts.

Refer to Volt Gage Inaccurate or Inoperative .

14

Observe the ABS Inop indicator.

The ABS Inop indicator is off.

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

15

Observe the Air Bag indicator.

The Air Bag indicator is off.

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

16

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

The ASR Off indicator is off.

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

17

Observe the Change Oil indicator

The Change Oil indicator is off.

The Change Oil indicator is illuminated. Refer to CHANGE ENGINE OIL Indicator Always On .

18

Observe the Check Gauges indicator.

The Check Gauges indicator is off.

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

19

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 .

20

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 .

21

Observe the Low Trac indicator (if equipped).

The Low Trac indicator is off.

The Low Trac indicator is illuminated. Refer to Low Traction Indicator Always On .

22

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 OBD System Check.

23

Observe the Service Engine Soon indicator.

Service Engine Soon indicator is off.

The Service Engine Soon indicator is illuminated. Refer to:

24

Observe the Service Vehicle Soon indicator.

The Service Vehicle Soon indicator is off.
    • The Service Vehicle Soon indicator stays on. No other indicators are on. Refer to:
    • The Service Vehicle Soon indicator stays on (Reduced Engine Power indicator is also on). Refer to: Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check (3.8L)
    • The Service Vehicle Soon indicator stays on. The following indicators are also on:
       - ABS Inop
       - ASR or TCS off (if equipped)
       - Brake
    • Refer to Diagnostic System Check - ABS .
    • The Service Vehicle Soon indicator stays on (Air Bag indicator is also on). Refer to SIR Diagnostic System Check .

25

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 (5.7L).

26

Observe the TCS Off indicator (Pontiac with traction control)

The TCS Off indicator is off.

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

27

Drive vehicle at 48 km/h (30 mph).

The speedometer and the odometer operate properly.

The speedometer and odometer do not operate properly. Refer to:

    •  Odometer Inoperative

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