2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU ignition

2-44 Illuminated Entry/Exit System
When you open any door, the lamps inside of your
vehicle will go on. These lamps will fade out 10 seconds
after the last door is closed, or when the ignition is
turned on after all doors have been closed. These lamps
will also go on when you press the trunk release button,
the unlock button or the horn symbol button on the
remote keyless entry transmitter.
The lamps inside of your vehicle will stay on for about
10 seconds after your key is removed from the ignition
to provide an illuminated exit.
Mirror Reading Lamps (If Equipped)
Press the button located next to each lamp to turn
them on and off.
Three-Position Dome Lamp
The switch on this lamp has three positions. The ON
position will turn on the lamp. The DOOR position will
turn on the lamp whenever a door is opened. The OFF
position will shut off the lamp completely, even when a
door is opened.
Trunk Lamp
The trunk lamp comes on when you open your trunk.
Battery Saver
Your vehicle is equipped with a battery saver feature
designed to protect your vehicle's battery.
When any interior lamp (trunk, reading, footwell,
visor vanity or glove box) is left on when the ignition
is turned off, the battery saver system will automatically
shut the lamp(s) off after 20 minutes. This will avoid
draining the battery.
To reactivate the interior lamps, do one of the following:

Turn on the ignition,

turn the exterior lamp control off and then on,

open a door,

press any remote keyless entry transmitter button
(if equipped),

press the remote trunk release button, or

press the power door lock switch.
The battery saver feature will also be activated when
any door on the vehicle is left open and the ignition
is in OFF.

2-53
The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Side Window Defogger Vents
B. Vent Outlets
C. Instrument Panel Brightness Thumbwheel
D. Fog Lamp Button (If Equipped)
E. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
F. Cruise Control Buttons (If Equipped)
G. Instrument Panel Cluster
H. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever
I. Ignition Switch
J. Hazard Warning Flashers Button
K. Instrument Panel Fuse BlocksL. Instrument Panel Cupholder
M. Remote Trunk Release Button
N. Hood Release
O. Tilt Wheel Lever
P. Parking Brake
Q. Horn
R. Audio System
S. Cigarette Lighter
T. Ashtray
U. Accessory Power Outlet
V. Climate Control System

2-58 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 ªAir Bagº in the Index.
This light will come on
when you start your vehicle,
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
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or they
could even inflate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle
serviced right away if the air bag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
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.

2-59 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.
When the engine is running, it should go out.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are 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 the air conditioner.
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 is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
United States Canada
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.

2-60
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
still on, have the vehicle towed for service. See ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.
CAUTION:
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.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light will come
on when your engine is
started and may stay on
for several 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 vehicle 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 ªBrake System Warning Lightº earlier in this section.
The anti
-lock brake system warning light should 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.

2-61 Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
United States Canada
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.
See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.
Low Coolant Warning Light
This light comes on
briefly when you turn
your ignition on.
If this light comes on and stays on, the coolant level in
your vehicle is low. See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index.
If the light is on along with an overheat warning, you
may have a serious overheating problem, see ªEngine
Coolant Temperature Gageº listed previously.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected coolant
problems can be costly and is not covered by
your warranty.
See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index for information
on what to do. Your vehicle should be serviced as soon
as possible.

2-62 Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
United States Canada
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer which
monitors operation of the fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (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. 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.
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.
NOTICE:
Modifications made to the engine, transaxle,
exhaust, intake or fuel system of your vehicle or
the replacement of the original tires with other
than those of the same Tire Performance Criteria
(TPC) can affect your vehicle's emission controls
and may cause the CHECK ENGINE light to
come on. Modifications to these systems could
lead to costly repairs not covered by your
warranty. This may also result in a failure to pass
a required Emission Inspection/Maintenance test.

2-63
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 may be 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:

Reducing vehicle speed.

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 flashing and remains on steady,
see ªIf the Light Is On Steadyº 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 ªIf the Light
Is On Steadyº 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. See ªFilling Your Tankº in the Index.
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.