1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU ignition

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Daytime Running Lamps / Automatic
Light Control
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
A light sensor below the defroster grille makes the DRL
and Automatic Light Control (ALC) work, so be sure it
isn’t covered. The
DRL system will make your
low-beam headlamps come on at a reduced
brightness when:
0 The ignition is on,
0 The headlamp switch is off,
The transaxle is not in PARK (P) and
The park brake is not set. When the DRL are
on, only your low-beam headlamps
will be on. The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps
won’t be on. Your instrument panel won’t be lit
up either.
When it’s dark enough outside, the ALC system will
turn your headlamps on to full brightness. The other
lamps that come on with your headlamps will
also
come on.
When it’s bright enough outside, the ALC system will
turn off your regular lamps, and your low-beam
headlamps change to the reduced brightness of DRL.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, set the park brake
while the ignition is off. Then start the vehicle. The
DRL will stay off until you release the park brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Illuminated Entrymxit System
When you open any door, the lamps inside your vehicle will go on. These lamps will fade out after about
40 seconds, or when the ignition is turned on after all
doors have been closed. If the ignition was recently
turned
off, the lamps will fade out after four seconds.
These lamps will also go on when you press the LOCK
or UNLOCK button on the optional Keyless Entry System transmitter.
If the ignition has been
off for less than two minutes,
the lamps inside your vehicle will stay on for about
15 seconds after your key is removed from the ignition
to provide an illuminated exit.
Mirror Reading Lamps (If Equipped)
Press the switch on the lower front portion of the mirror
to turn on the lamp. Press the other side
of the switch to
turn the lamp
off.
Three-Position Dome Lamp Trunk Lamp
The
trunk lamp comes on when you open your trunk.
Battery Saver
Your Chevrolet is equipped with a battery saver feature
designed to protect your vehicle’s battery.
When any interior lamp (trunk, reading, footwell or
glove box) is left on when the ignition is turned off, the
battery saver system will automatically shut the lamp off after
20 minutes. This will avoid draining the battery.
To reactivate the interior lamps, either:
The ignition must be turned on,
a The activated lamp switch must be turned off and
A door must be opened.
then on or
The battery saver feature will also be activated when any door
of your vehicle is left open.
The switch on this lamp has three positions. The
ON
position will turn on the light. The DOOR position will
turn on the light whenever a door is opened. The
OFF
position will shut off the lamp completely, even when a
door is opened.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your instrument panel is designed to let you know
at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know
how fast you’re going, how much fuel you’re using,
and many other things you’ll need to drive safely
and economically.
The main components of your instrument panel are:
A. Instrument Panel Brightness Control
B. Fog Lamp Switch
C. Turn Signal Multifunction Lever
D. Cruise Control Switches
E. Instrument Cluster
E WIndshield Wipermasher Lever
G. Ignition Switch
H. Hazard Switch
J. Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
K. Fuse Panel
L. Climate Control System
M. Accessory Power Outlet
N. Ashtray
0. Lighter
P. Audio System
Q. Supplement Restraint System (SRS) and Horn
R. Park Brake Pedal
S. Tilt Wheel Lever
T. Hood Release Lever
U. Remote Trunk Release Switch
V. Instrument Panel Cupholder
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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 sensor, the air bag
modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module. For more information on the air bag
system, see “Air Bag” in the Index.
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
ON. 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
The charging system
indicator light will come on
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.
If it stays on,
or comes on while yoa aye- driving and you
hear
a chime, 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 the light on, be
certain to
turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brake System Warning Light
Your Chevrolet’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
This light should come on
briefly when you turn the
ignition key to
ON. 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 and chime come 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
sull on, nave the
vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your Vehicle”
in the Index.)
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 Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake system, this light will come
on when you
turn your
ignition on or start your
engine and it will stay on
for three seconds.
That’s normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if the
light comes on and
the chime sounds 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 Chevrolet 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 shoula come
on briefly when you
turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be
ready to warn you
if there is a problem.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
0
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature.
If the
gage pointer moves into the
red area, the light comes on and you hear
a chime, your
engine is too hot! It means
that your engine coolant
has overheated.
If you have been operating your vehicle 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 shows 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 light comes on
briefly when you turn
If this light comes on and stays on and you hear a chime,
the vehicle should promptly be pulled
off the road and
the coolant level checked.
See “Engine Coolant” in the Index.
If there are visible
signs of steam, see “Engine Overheating”
in the Index
before opening the hood. Have your vehicle serviced as soon as you can.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
CHECK
Your Chevrolet is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD 11 (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
II is replaced by Enhanced Diagnostics.)
The CHECK ENGINE light comes on and a chime will
sound 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. If the Light
Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage
to
your vehicle:
0 Reducing vehicle speed.
Avoiding hard accelerations.
0 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 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 vehick. 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.
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:
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.
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