2003 BUICK REGAL warning light

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.
3-26
2003 - Regal OM

Charging System Light
The charging system light
will come on briefly when
you turn on the ignition,
as a check to show you it’s
working. Then it should
go out.
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 a loose accessory 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.
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.
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’sa
problem.
United StatesCanada
3-31
2003 - Regal OM

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.
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. SeeTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-31.
{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.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, this warning light
will come on for a few seconds when you turn the
ignition key to RUN. If the anti-lock brake system
warning light stays on longer than normal after you’ve
started your engine, turn the ignition off. Or, if the
light comes on and stays 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, the
anti-lock brake system needs service. If the light is on
and the regular brake system warning light isn’t on, you
still have brakes, but you don’t have anti-lock brakes.
The anti-lock brake system warning light will come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. This is
normal. If the light doesn’t come on then, have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.United States
Canada
3-32
2003 - Regal OM

Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
If your vehicle has a
Traction Control System
(TCS), the traction
control system warning
light may come on for the
following reasons:
•If you turn the system off by pressing the traction
control button located on the black panel directly
behind your automatic transaxle shift lever, the
warning light will come on and stay on. To turn the
system back on, press the button again. The
warning light should go off. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-10for more information.
•With Full-Range Traction Control equipped vehicles,
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 your brakes begin to overheat, the traction
control system will turn off and the warning light will
come on until your brakes cool down.
•If the traction control system is affected by an
engine-related problem, the system will turn off and
the warning light will come on.
•With Full-Range Traction Control, if there is a base
brake problem, the system will turn off and the 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.
Low Traction Light
If your vehicle has the
traction control system,
this light will come on when
the system is limiting
wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the traction control system
working, but this is normal. Slippery road conditions
may exist if the low traction light comes on, so adjust
your driving accordingly. The light will stay on for a
few seconds after the traction control system stops
limiting wheel spin. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 4-10orFull-Range Traction Control System
on page 4-9.
3-33
2003 - Regal OM

The low traction light also comes on briefly when you
turn the ignition key to RUN. If the light doesn’t come on
then, have itfixed so it will be there to tell you when
the traction control system is active.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
This light tells you that
your engine coolant has
overheated or your radiator
cooling fan is not working.
The light will come on briefly when your ignition is
turned on to show you that it is working.
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.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-25.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
You have a gage that
shows the engine coolant
temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into
the red area, your
engine is too hot!
This reading means the same thing as the warning light.
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.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-25.
3-34
2003 - Regal OM

Security Light
The SECURITY light will
come on when you turn
the key to START and stay
on until the vehicle
starts.
It will alsoflash if your ignition key is too dirty or wet for
the PASS-Key
®II system to read the resistor pellet.
SeePASS-Key®II on page 2-16.
If the resistor pellet is damaged or missing, the light will
come on.
Cruise Control Light
The CRUISE light comes
on whenever you set the
cruise control, if equipped.
See“Cruise Control”
underTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever
on page 3-5.
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
The LOW WASH light will
come on when your
windshield washers are
working and thefluid
container is low.
The light will also come on briefly when your ignition is
turned on to show that it is working properly.
Door/Trunk Ajar Warning Light
The DOOR/TRUNK light
will come on if your trunk
or any door is not
completely closed.
3-40
2003 - Regal OM

Low Fuel Warning Light
If your fuel is low, a circular light on your instrument
panel cluster will come on and stay on and a chime will
sound periodically until you add fuel.
It will also come on for a few seconds when youfirst
turn on the ignition as a check to show you it’s working.
If it doesn’t come on then, have itfixed.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
If your vehicle is equipped with the Driver Information
Center (DIC), it is located below the tachometer on the
instrument panel cluster. The DIC gives you important
safety and maintenance facts. When you turn the
ignition on, the entire center lights up for just a
few seconds.
United States
Canada
3800 V6 Engine
3-42
2003 - Regal OM

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle may have anti-lock brakes. ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, this warning light on
the instrument panel will come on briey when you
start your vehicle.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to drive
away, your anti-lock brake system will check itself.
You may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while
this test is going on, and you may even notice that
your brake pedal moves or pulses a little. This is normal.Let’s say the road is wet and you’re driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here’s what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If
one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel. United States
Canada
4-7
2003 - Regal OM