1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 workinz. 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.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START. a tone will
come on for about eight seconds
to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver's safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt
light will
also come on and stay on
for about
20 seconds.
then
it will flash for about
55 seconds. If the driver's
belt is already buckled,
neither the tone nor the
light
will come on.
2-72

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
AIR BAG. 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 module,
the wiring and
the diagnostic module. For more
information
on the air bag system, see ‘*Air Bag” in
the Index.
AIR
BAG
This light will come on
when you start your engine,
and
it will flash for a few
seconds.
Then the light
should
go out. This means
the system
is ready.
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. The
air bag
readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when
you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn’t corne
on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready
to warn you if there is a problem.
Charging System Indicator Light
II..
~ The charging system 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.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it stays
on, or comes on while you are driving, you may have
a problem with the charging system. It could indicate
that
you have problems with a 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 the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
2-73

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Voltmeter Gage
(J VOLTS
When your engine is not
running,
but the ignition is
on (in the RUN position).
this gage shows your
battery’s state of charge
in
DC volts.
When the engine is running. the gage shows the
condition
of the charging system. Readings between the
low and high warning zones indicate the normal
operating range. Readings
in the low warning zone may occur when a
large number of electrical accessories
are operating in
the vehicle and the engine is left at an idle for an
extended period.
This condition is normal since the
charging system is not able
to provide full power at
engine idle.
As engine speeds are increased. this
condition should correct itself as higher engine speeds
allow the charging system to create maximum power.
YOLI can only drive for a short time with the reading in
either warning zone. If you must drive. turn off all
unnecessary accessories.
Readings
in either warning zone indicate a possible
problem
in the electrical system. Have the vehicle
serviced
as soon as possible.
2-74

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’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.
1
This light should come on
briefly when
you turn the
ignition key to RUN. If it
doesn‘t come on then, BRAKE
(a) (0)
:;2:0,;21:: if
have it fixed so it will be
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 Vehicle”
in the Index.)
I A CAUTION:
I 1
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.
2-75

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
ANTI - LOCK
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will come
on when you start your
engine and may stay
on for several seconds.
That's normal.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature.
If the
gage pointer moves
into
is too hot!
the
red area, your engine 260
If the light stays on. or comes on when you're driving,
your irehick 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
;I problern with your regular brakes. See
"B1-akc. Svstcm LVmling Light" earlier in this section.
The anti-lock brakc. s>.4tem warning light should come
on briet'ly n.hct1
~.ou turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn't co1nc3 011 111cn. have it fixed so it will be
ready
to w;m U)LI it' thew is a problem. lt means
that your engine coolant
have been operating your vehicle has
overheated.
If you
under normal driving
conditions. you should pull off the road.
stop your
vehicle and
turn off the engine as soon as possible.
In "Problems on the Road." this manual show you what
to
do. See "Engine Overheating" in the Index.
2-76

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon
Light)
1
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation
of the
fuel, ignition and emission
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
control systems.
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 11 is replaced by
Enhanced
Diqnohtics. The SERVICE ENGINE SOON
light co111es
on to indicate that there is a problem and
service
is rquired. X,l;df'unctions often will be indicated
by the
system bciore any problem is apparent. This may
prevent
mort' serious damage to your vehicle. This
system is also t1csignt.d to assist your service technician
in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.
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.
0 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.
2-77

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
If you are towing a trailer. reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops trashing 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 lyehiclc. 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.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently
put fuel into your vehicle'?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap. making sure to fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine
if the fuel cap
has been left off
or improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water'?
If so. your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out.
A few driving trips should turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so. be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel (see
"Fuel"
in the Index). Poor fuel quality will cause your
engine not
to run as efficiently as designed. You may
notice
this as stalling after start-up. stalling when you put
the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation on acceleration
or stumbling
on acceleration. (These conditions may go
away once the engine is warmed up.) This will be detected
by the system and cause the light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions.
change the fuel brand
you use. It will require at least one
full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
tr none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your ciealer or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic
tools to fix any mechanical or electrical
problems
that may have developed.
2-78

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Oil Pressure Gage
011 0-
The oil pressure gage shows
the engine oil pressure in
psi (pounds per square inch)
when the engine
is running.
Canadian vehicles indicate pressure in kPa (kilopascals).
Oil pressure may vary with engine speed, outside
temperature and oil viscosity, but readings above the
low pressure zone indicate
the normal operating range.
A reading in the low pressure zone may be caused by a
dangerously low oil level or other ~roblems causing low
oil pressure.
A CAUTION:
Don't keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become
so hot that it
catches fire.
You or others could be burned.
Check your oil
as soon as possible and have your
vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and is not covered by
your warranty.
2-79