Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is
a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they’re working. If you are
familiar with this
section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens. Gages
can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you
know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or
when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous.
So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They’re a big help.
ProCarManuals.com
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to
ON or START, a light will
come
on for about eight
seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts.
Unless the driver’s safety
belt
is already buckled, a
chime will also sound.
Charging System Light
This red light will come on
briefly when you turn on the
ignition, but the engine is
not running, as
a check to
show you it is working.
Then it should
go out when
the engine starts.
If the light stays on or comes on while you are driving,
you may have a problem with the electrical charging
system. It could indicate that you have
a loose generator
drive belt or another electrical problem. Have
it checked
right away. Driving while this light is
on could drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with this light on, be
certain to turn
off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
ProCarManuals.com
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer move to the
H (red) side, your engine is too
hot! It means that your engine coolant has overheated
and you should stop your vehicle and turn
off the engine
as soon as possible.
Hot Coolant Can Burn You Badly!
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating”
in the Index.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
A computer monitors
operation
of your fuel,
ignition and emission
control systems. This red
light should come
on when
the ignition
is on, but the
engine
is not running, as a
check to show you it is
CHECK
ENGINE
Da i
I
If it does not come on at all, have it fixed right away. If
it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, the
computer is indicating that you have a problem. You
should take your vehicle in
for service soon.
NOTICE:
If’ you keep driving your vehicle with this light on,
after a while the emission controls won’t work
as
well, your fuel economy won’t be as good and your
engine may not
run as smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs not covered by your warranty.
2-46
I
ProCarManuals.com
Driving In Water
Light rain causes no special off-road driving problems.
But heavy rain can mean flash flooding, and flood
waters demand extreme caution.
Find out how deep the water is before you drive through
it. If it’s deep enough
to cover your wheel hubs, axles,
or exhaust pipe, don’t try it
-- you probably won’t get
through. Also, water that deep can damage your axle
and other vehicle parts.
If the water isn’t too deep, then drive through it slowly.
At fast speeds, water splashes on your ignition system
and your vehicle can stall. Stalling can also occur if
you
get your tailpipe under water. And, as long as your
tailpipe is under water, you’ll never
be able to start your
engine. When you go through water, remember that
when your brakes get wet, it may take you longer
to
stop.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has collected on the
underbody, chassis or under the hood. These
accumulations can be
a fire hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have the brake linings
cleaned and checked. These substances can cause
glazing and uneven braking. Check the body structure,
steering, suspension, wheels, tires, and exhaust system
for damage. Also, check the fuel lines and cooling
svstem for any leakage.
rour vehicle
will require more frequent service due to
off-road use. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule booklet
for additional information.
ProCarManuals.com
Front Axle Engine Coolant
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
“Periodic Maintenance Inspections” and “Scheduled
Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant.
If the differential is at operating temperature (warm),
add enough lubricant to raise the level to the bottom of
the filler plug hole.
If the differential is cold, add enough lubricant to raise
the level to 1/2 inch (12 mm) below the filler plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index. The following explains
your cooling
system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating’’ in the
Index.
The proper coolant for your Geo will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -33°F (-36°C).
Give boiling protection up to 258°F (125°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights work as they should.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half antifreeze that meets
“GM
Specification 1825M,” which won’t damage aluminum
parts. You can also use a recycled coolant conforming to
GM Specification 1825M with a complete coolant flush
and refill. If you use this mixture, you don’t need to add
anything else.
ProCarManuals.com
7 8
9
10 11
12
13
14 Lighter;
Radio
Ignition System; Warning and Indicator Lights
Turn Signal Lamps; Back-up Lamps
WiperNasher
Rear Defogger
Heater
Rear Wheel Anti-Lock Main Relay
Electronic Fuel Injection Main Relay Replacement Bulbs
Back-up .................................... 1156
Center High-Mounted Stop
...................... 921
Dome
............ GM Part No. 9605 1559 or equivalent
Front Parking and Turn Signal
............... 1157 NA
Headlamp (Halogen) .......................... 9004
GM Part
No. 944173 1 or equivalent
GM Part
No. 96052599 or equivalent
Heater
or Air
Conditioning Control ...................
Indicator and Warning
Brake
........... GM Part No. 9433184 or equivalent
Check Engine
..... GM Part No. 9433184 or equivalent
4WD ........... GM Part No. 9433184 or equivalent
................ GM Part No. 9433184 or equivalent
Safety Belt
....... GM Part No. 9433184 or equivalent
Turn Signal
...... GM Part No. 9433 184 or equivalent
Charging System
. . GM Part No. 9433184
or equivalent
Engine Oil Pressure GM Part
No. 9433184 or equivalent
Headlamp High Beam
Instrument Cluster GM Part
No. 9605 1561 or equivalent
6-63
ProCarManuals.com
System Parts. Replacing ....................... 6-34
Trailer
..................................... 4-48
Transmission Shift Interlock
............... 2- 12. 7.50
Wear
...................................... 6-33
Brakes. Anti-Lock
............................... 4-6
Brakes. Trailer
................................. 4-48
Braking
........................................ 4-5
Braking. In Emergencies
.......................... 4-8
Break-In. New Vehicle
........................... 2-7
Brightness Control
.............................. 2-33
BTSI (Brake Transmission Shift Interlock)
...... 2- 12. 7-50
Bulb Replacement .............................. 6-63
Front Parking and Turn Signal
.................. 6-37
Headlamps
................................. 6-35
Rear Combination Lamps
...................... 6-39
Rear Sidemarker
............................. 6-39
Sidemarker Lamps
........................... 6-38
System Warning Light
........................ 2-45
Canada. Vehicles First Sold In
-11
Canadian Roadside Assistance ...................... 8-7
Canvas Top Lowering and Raising
......................... 2-56
Preparing for Storage
......................... 2-61
Removing and Installing
....................... 2-60
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-64
CarbonMonoxide
......................... 2.25. 4.38
Cassette Tape Player Care
........................ 3-19
Certificatioflire Label
.......................... 4-43
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-47
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-48
Changing a Flat Tire ............................. 5-2 1
Charging System Light .......................... 2-44
.. ......................
Check Engine Light ............................. 2-46
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-34
Checking Automatic Transmission Fluid
.................. 6-19
BrakeFluid
................................. 6-33
Engine Coolant
.............................. 6-26
Engineoil
.................................. 6-12
Manual Transmission Fluid
.................... 6-22
Power Steering Fluid
......................... 6-28
Restraint Systems
............................ 1-34
Things Under the
Hood ........................ 6-6
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-57
Child Restraints
................................ 1-26
Securing in a Rear Seat Position
................. 1-27
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position
.......... 1-29
WheretoPut
................................ 1-26
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-16
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
........................... 6-56
Canvas Top and Plastic Windows
................ 6-55
Fabric
..................................... 6-50
Glass
...................................... 6-52
Outside of the Windshield and Wiper Blades
....... 6-53
Stains
...................................... 6-51
The Inside of Your Geo
....................... 6-49
The Outside
of Your Geo ...................... 6-53
Tires
...................................... 6-56
Top
of the Instrument Panel .................... 6-52
Vinyl
...................................... 6-51
TopStrap
................................... 1-26
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-36
Special Problems
............................ 6-51
Clock. Setting the
................................ 3-5
9-2
. ProCarManuals.com
Easy-Entry Seat ................................ I -4
Electrical Equipment. Adding
................ 2-10. 6-59
Enginecoolant
................................. 6-25
Adding
.................................... 6-26
Checking
................................... 6-26
Temperature Gage
............................ 2-46
Exhaust
.................................... 2-25
Identification
................................ 6-59
Overheating
................................. 5- 1 1
Running it While You’re Parked ................. 2-25
Specifications
............................... 6-64
Starting
..................................... 2-9
16-Valve
................................... 6-10
8-Valve
..................................... 6-8
Engineoil
.................................... 6-12
Adding
.................................... 6-13
Additives
................................... 6-15
Checking ................................... 6-12
Pressure Light
............................... 2-47
What Kind to Use
............................ 6- 14
What to do with Used Oil
...................... 6- I6
Whentochange
............................. 6-15
Ethanol(InFue1)
................................ 6-3
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-25
Expectant Mothers. Use
of Safety Belts ............. 1-20
Extender. Safety Belt ............................ 1-34
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-50
Fan Control Lever ............................... 3-2
Feature. Theft-Deterrent
.................... 3- 10. 3- 15
Fifth (5). Manual Transmission .................... 2- 15
FillingYourTank ................................ 6-4
Engine
Filter. Air Cleaner
.............................. 6-18
Finish Care
.................................... 6-54
Finish Damage
................................. 6-56
First
(1). Manual Transmission .................... 2-14
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-1
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-21
Flow-Through Ventilation System
................... 3-4
Fluid Capacities Chart ........................... 6-65
Flushing. Underbody
............................ 7-51
Folding Rear Seat
................................ 1-5
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-4
Four-wheel Drive
......................... 2-17. 6-24
Fourth (4). Manual Transmission
................... 2-15
Freewheeling
Hubs ............................. 2-17
FrenchLanguage Manual
11
Front Ashtray .................................. 2-36
FrontAxle
.................................... 6-25
Front Parking and Turn Signal. Replacement
......... 6-37
Front Seat Side Pockets
........................... 2-6
Front Towing Hook-Ups
.......................... 5-8
Fuel
.......................................... 6-2
Gage
...................................... 2-48
Fuse Block. Instrument Panel
..................... 6-42
Fuse Block. Main
............................... 6-62
Fuseusage
.................................... 6-62
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-60
Gage
.. ...........................
FillingYourTank ............................. 6-4
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-4
Engine Coolant Temperature
................... 2-46
Fuel
....................................... 2-48
Gasolines for Cleaner Air
......................... 6-3
9-4
-.-- .- _____ ..... .... --.-_Y_I____N___W___l~~=,,ll--C. ~~ ~ ProCarManuals.com