1997 CADILLAC CATERA light

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system
checks the air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The
system check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag
modules, the wiring and the diagnostic module. For
more information on the air bag system, see “Air Bag”
in the Index.
This light will come on for
a few seconds when you
i start your engine. Then the
light should go out. This
means the system is ready. The
air bag readiness light should come on for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to
RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be
ready
to warn you if there is a problem.
Charging System Indicator Light
When you turn the key to
START, this light will
come on briefly to show
that the generator and
battery charging systems
are working.
If this light stays on, you need service and you should
take your Catera to the dealer at once.
To save the
battery until you get there, turn
off all accessories.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
engine
or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brake System Warning Light
Your Catera’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two
parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can still
work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need
both
parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
BRAKE
United States Canada
This light should come on briefly when you turn the
ignition key to
RUN. If it doesn’t come on then, have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem. If
the light comes
on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully.
You may notice that the pedal is
harder
to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your Catera” in
the Index.)
I
/d CAZ
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you’ve
pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when
you set your parking brake. The
light will stay on
if your parking brake doesn’t release
fully. If
it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released, it means you have a brake problem.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Voltmeter
I6h
VOLTS
You can read battery
voltage on the voltmeter. If
it reads
less than 12 volts or
more than 16 volts while the
engine
is running, and it
stays there, you may have a
problem with the electrical
charging system.
Have it checked right away. Driving with the voltmeter
reading in the lower warning zone could drain
or
damage the battery. Driving with the voltmeter reading
in the upper warning zone could cause bulbs
to burn out
(especially headlamp bulbs), various vehicle modules to
shut down (due to overload protection) and the
possibility of a battery acid leak. If
you idle
the engine for a while, the voltmeter reading
might move into the red zone. If the reading stays in
the
red zone while you are driving, you may have a problem
with the electrical charging system. Have it checked.
While the voltmeter reads in the red zone, the battery
may not be able
to power certain electrical accessories,
like
ABS. (If this happens, the ABS light will come on.
See “Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light” in
this section.)
If
you must drive a short distance with the voltmeter
reading in a warning zone, turn
off all the accessories,
including the comfort controls and the audio system.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
ABS
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light(s) will
come on when you
start
your engine and may stay
on for several seconds.
That’s normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if the
light comes on when you’re driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition
off. Then start the engine again
to reset the
system. If the light still stays on, or
comes on again while you’re driving,
your Catera needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light isn’t
on, you still have brakes, but you don’t have anti-lock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is also on, you
don’t have anti-lock brakes and there’s a problem with
your regular brakes. See “Brake System Warning Light”
earlier in this section.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key
to RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be
ready to warn you
if there is a problem.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Traction Engaged
When your traction control system is limiting wheel
spin, the traction control system warning light will flash.
Slippery road conditions may exist if this warning light
is flashing,
so adjust your driving accordingly.
Traction Control System Warning Light
This warning light should
come on briefly as you start
the engine. If the warning
light doesn’t come on then,
have it fixed
so it will be
ready to warn you if there’s
a problem. The warning
light will flash when
the system senses a
traction change.
If it stays on, or comes on and stays on steady when
you’re driving, there may be a problem with your
traction control system and
your vehicle may need
service. When this warning light is
on, the system will
not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly. The
traction control system warning light may come on
for the following reasons:
If there’s a brake system problem that is specifically
related to traction control, the traction control system
will turn
off and the warning light will come on.
If the traction control system is affected by an
engine-related problem, the system will turn off and
the warning light will come on.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period
of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
This light tells you that the
engine has overheated. You
should stop the
car and turn
the engine
off as soon as
possible.
A warning chime
should also sound if
this
light comes on.
As a check, the light should come on for a few seconds
when you
start the engine. In the section “Problems on
the Road,” this manual explains what to do. See “Engine
Overheating” in the Index.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
C &
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature.
If the
gage pointer moves into
the red area, the engine
is
too hot!
This reading means the same thing as the warning
light
-- the engine coolant has overheated. You should
stop the car and turn the engine off as soon as possible.
The section “Problems on the Road” in this manual
explains what to do. See “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Low Coolant Warning Light
This warning light should
come on while you are
starting
the engine. If the
light doesn’t come on, have
4
it repaired.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
Your Catera is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition and emission
CHECK
ENGINE
control systems.
Your Catera is equipped with a low coolant level sensor
(switch and float) that is designed
to detect when your
vehicle’s coolant level drops below the set limit. If the
low coolant level sensor (under the coolant surge tank)
detects that the level drops while the engine is running,
the low coolant indicator will light and remain lit until
the ignition switch is turned off. Check the coolant level and add coolant as needed. The light should turn
off as
soon as the coolant level
is at its proper operating range. This
system is called OBD
I1 (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended
to assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life of the vehicle, helping
to produce a cleaner
environment. (In Canada,
OBD I1 is replaced by
Enhanced Diagnostics.) The CHECK
ENGINE light
comes on to indicate that there is a problem and service
is required. Malfunctions often will be indicated by the
system before any problem is apparent. This may
prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This
system
is also designed to assist your service technician
in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while, your emission controls may not work as well, your fuel economy may not be as
good and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered
by your warranty.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is not
running. If the light doesn’t come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction
in one
of two ways:
0 Light Flashing -- A misfire condition has been
detected.
A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service is required.
Light On Steady -- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may
be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
0 Reducing vehicle speed.
0 Avoiding hard accelerations.
Avoiding steep uphill grades.
0 If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains
on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do
so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key
off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light
Is On Steady” following,
If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.
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