2003 CHEVROLET SSR wiring

As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows
ash more quickly than normal, a signal bulb may
be burned out and other drivers won’t see your
turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don’t go on at all when you signal
a turn, check the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers
on page 5-82and for burned-out bulbs.
If you have a trailer towing option with added wiring
for the trailer lamps, a different turn signal asher
is used. With this asher installed, the signal indicator
will ash even if a turn signal bulb is burned out.
Check the front and rear turn signal lamps regularly to
make sure they are working.
Turn Signal On Chime
If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km), a chime will sound at each ash of the
turn signal. You will also receive a DIC message.
See “Turn Signal On” underDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-45for more information.
To turn off the chime, move the turn signal lever to
the off position.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low to high beam, push
the lever toward the instrument panel. To return to
low-beam headlamps, pull the multifunction lever toward
you. Then release it.
When the high beams are
on, this indicator light on
the instrument panel
cluster will also be on.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
It works even if your headlamps are in the automatic
position.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you, then
release it.
If your headlamps are in the automatic position or on
low beam, your high-beam headlamps will turn on.
They’ll stay on as long as you hold the lever toward you.
The high-beam indicator on the instrument panel
cluster will come on. Release the lever to return to
normal operation.
3-6

Airbag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel cluster, 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 crash
sensing and diagnostic module. For more information
on the air bag system, seeAirbag Systems on
page 1-40.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash 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 airbag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the airbag system
may not be working properly. The airbags in
your vehicle may not inate in a crash, or they
could even inate without a crash. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away if the airbag
readiness light stays on after you start your
vehicle.
The air bag readiness light should ash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
3-25

Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have extra
wiring and a heavy-duty turn signal asher (included
in the optional trailering package).
The arrows on your instrument panel will ash whenever
you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps will also ash, telling other drivers
you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop.When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
Under normal conditions, use DRIVE (D) to tow a trailer.
You may want to shift the transmission to THIRD (3)
or, if necessary, a lower gear if the transmission shifts
too often under heavy loads or hilly conditions.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn your
engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the transmission in PARK (P) for a few minutes
before turning the engine off. If you do get the overheat
warning, seeEngine Overheating on page 5-27.
4-47

Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-5for more information. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission
uid (don’t overll), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt,
cooling system and brake system. Each of these is
covered in this manual. If you’re trailering, it’s a
good idea to review these sections before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
The trailer wiring is a four-wire harness assembly. The
wires are blunted and taped to the wiring harness.
The harness and wiring are stored under the vehicle on
the driver’s side. The harness has no connector and
should be wired by a qualied electrical technician. The
technician can use the following color code chart
when connecting the wiring harness to your trailer.
Black: Ground wire.
Yellow: Left turn lamps.
Dark Green: Right turn lamps.
Brown: Parking lamps.
Securely attach the harness to the trailer, then tape or
strap it to your vehicle’s frame rail. Be sure you
leave it loose enough so the wiring doesn’t bend or
break, but not so loose that it drags on the ground. Store
the harness in its original place. Wrap the harness
together and tie it neatly so it won’t be damaged.
4-49

5. Disconnect the bulb socket from the wiring harness
and replace the unit.
6. Reinstall the bulb socket back into the headlamp
assembly by turning it clockwise.
7. Reinstall the headlamp cover and tighten the
fastener.
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps
Front Turn and Parking Lamps
To replace the front turn or parking lamp bulbs, do the
following:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-11
for more information.
2. Locate the bar that runs across the front of the
vehicle and remove the two screws located near
the front of the hood that hold the bar in place.
3. Release the tabs that attach the bar to the
headlamps.
5-44

Electrical System
Add-On Electrical Equipment
Notice:Don’t add anything electrical to your
vehicle unless you check with your dealer rst.
Some electrical equipment can damage your vehicle
and the damage wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Some add-on electrical equipment can
keep other components from working as they
should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before
attempting to add anything electrical to your vehicle,
seeServicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
on page 1-52.
Headlamps
The headlamp wiring is protected by an internal circuit
breaker. An electrical overload will cause the lamps
to go on and off, or in some cases to remain off.
If this happens, have your headlamp wiring checked
right away.
Windshield Wiper Fuses
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker and a fuse. If the motor overheats due to heavy
snow or ice, the wiper will stop until the motor cools.
If the overload is caused by some electrical problem,
be sure to get it xed.
Power Windows and Other Power
Options
Circuit breakers protect the power windows and other
power accessories. When the current load is too heavy,
the circuit breaker opens and closes, protecting the
circuit until the problem is xed or goes away.
5-81

Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses and circuit
breakers. This greatly reduces the chance of res
caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure
you replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical
size and rating.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don’t have
a spare fuse, you can borrow one that has the same
amperage. Just pick some feature of your vehicle
that you can get along without — like the radio or
cigarette lighter — and use its fuse, if it is the correct
amperage. Replace it as soon as you can.
Center Console Fuse Block
The center console fuse
block is located on the
center console between
the two seats.
To remove the fuse block cover and access the fuses,
do the following:
1. Move the passenger’s seat all the way forward and
tilt the seatback forward. SeePower Seats on
page 1-2andSeatback Latches on page 1-6for
more information.
2. Pull the handle on the fuse block cover toward you
and then slide it to the side. You will then be able
to remove the cover completely.
3. To reinstall the cover, slide it to the side until it is
lined up with the access hole. Then, push on the
fuse panel cover until it latches into place.
5-82

Trailer Wiring Harness.....................................4-49
Trans (Transmission) Hot Idle...........................3-51
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-21
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-17
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-10
Transportation Options...................................... 7-7
Trip Information..............................................3-42
Trip Odometer................................................3-24
Turn and Lane Change Signals.......................... 3-5
Turn Signal On...............................................3-51
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-5
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-47
U
Underbody Flushing Service.............................6-12
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-81
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-60
United States — Customer Assistance................. 7-4
Unknown Speed.............................................3-51
Using Cleaner on Fabric..................................5-73
Using HomeLink
®...........................................2-30
Using Song List Mode.....................................3-78
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-31
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN).............................................5-80
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-80
Vehicle Personalization
DIC ...........................................................3-52
Memory Seat..............................................2-44
Vehicle Storage..............................................5-36
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-21
Visor Vanity Mirror..........................................2-12
Visors...........................................................2-12
15