2003 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE service

Battery Warning Light
If your vehicle has this
feature, this light will come
on briefly when you
start the vehicle, as a
check to show you
it is working; then it should
go out.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the electrical charging system.
Have
it checked right away. Eriving while this light is
on could drain your battery and result in a vehicle that
may stall.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn
off all your accessories, such as the radio
and climate control system.
Some instrument panel clusters with a voltmeter gage
do not have a battery warning light. They have a CHECK
GAGES warning to indicate a problem.
On vehicles with a DIC, a CHECK CHARGE SYSTEM
message will be displayed and a warning chime will
sound. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-60
for more information.
Voltmeter Gage
You have a voltmeter
unless you have the
supercharged engine.
When the ignition is running, the gage shows the
condition
of the charging system. Readings between the
shaded warning zones indicate the normal operating
range. Readings in the shaded warning zones indicate a
possible problem in the electrical system.
On vehicles with the systems monitor, the CHECK
GAGES light will also come on, and a warning chime
will sound
if there is a problem in the electrical system.
Have your vehicle serviced immediately.
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On vehicles with a DIC, a CHECK CHARGE SYSTEM
message will be displayed and a warning chime will
sound
if there is a problem in the electrical system. Have
your vehicle serviced immediately. See
DIC Warnings
and Messages on page
3-60 for more information.
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.
iL
BRAKE
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.
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 you
try to drive off with the parking brake
set,
a chime will also come on until you release the
parking brake.
If the light stays on after your parking
brake is fully released, it means you have a brake
problem.
If you have the optional Driver Information Center (DIC),
a PARK BRAKE SET message will be displayed
while the parking brake is set.
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 on page 4-32.
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.
I
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Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
ANTI-
LOCK
United States Canada
With the anti-lock brake system, the light(s) will come
on when your engine
is starled and x2y stay on
for several seconds. That’s normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if the
light comes 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, 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 Brake System Warning Light on page 3-42.
The anti-lock brake system warning light will come on
briefly when you turn the ignition key to
ON. 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.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
TRAC
OFF
For vehicles equipped with
the traction control system,
this warning light should
come on briefly when
the engine is started.
If the warning light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
If it stays on, or comes on when you’re driving, there
may be a problem with your traction control system and
your vehicle may need service. When this warning
light is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust
your driving accordingly.
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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 center
console, 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. See Traction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-9 for more
information.
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.
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 Active Light
LOW
TRAC
Your LOW TRAC (Low
Traction Active) light may
come on for one of the
following reasons:
An advanced computer-controlled system called
Stabilitrak@
(if equipped) has come on to help
your vehicle continue
to go in the direction in which
you’re steering. This stability enhancement
system activates when the computer senses that
your vehicle is just starting
to spin, as it might if you
hit a patch of ice or other slippery spot on the
road. When the system is on, you may hear a noise
or feel
a vibration in the brake pedal. This is
normal.
In these situations when the
LOW TRAC light is on
and the system is engaged, you should continue
to steer in the direction you want
to go. The system
is designed to help you in bad weather or other
difficult driving situations by making the most
of whatever road conditions will permit.
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Tire Pressure Light
The check tire pressure system can alert you to a large
change in the pressure of one tire.
TIRE PRESS
After the system has been
properly calibrated, the
TIRE PRESS light
will come on
if a pressure
difference (low pressure) is detected in one tire.
The light will stay on until you turn off the ignition or
reset (calibrate) the system. See
Check Tire Pressure
System on page
5-64.
The TIRE PRESS light also comes on briefly when you
turn your ignition key to START.
If the light doesn’t
come
on then, have it fixed so it will be there to tell you
if the pressure in a tire is low.
If the anti-lock brake system warning light comes on,
the check tire pressure system may not be working
properly. See your dealer for service. Also, see
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light on page 3-43.
On vehicles with the optional Driver Information Center
(DIC), a
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE message replaces
the TIRE
PRESS light when the system detects a
pressure difference (low pressure) in one tire. See
DIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-60 for more
information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Service Engine Soon Light
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition and emission
SERVICE
ENGl NE 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. The SERVICE
ENGINE SOON light
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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.
N~tice: Msdifications 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 this light to come on.
Modifications to these systems could lead to costly
repairs
mi covered by your warraiiiy. This zzy
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
lnspection/Maintenance test.
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 iight cioesn’i corns on, LA. ,_ :I IIclVG I1
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 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.
0 If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being irauied as suwh as it is p~~sibk.
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 vehicle.
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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. See
Filling Your Tank on page 5-8. 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
Gasoline Octane on page 5-5. 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.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn
off,
have your dealer 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.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
may begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this
inspection could prevent you from getting a vehicle
registration.
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Here are some things you need to know in order to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection
if the SERVICE
ENGINE SOON light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection
if the OBD
(on-board diagnostic) system determines that critical
emission control systems have not been completely
diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would be
considered not ready for inspection. This can happen
if
you have recently replaced your battery or if your
battery has run down. The diagnostic system is
designed to evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This may take several days
of routine driving.
If you have done this and your vehicle
still does not pass the inspection for lack of
OBD
system readiness, see your dealer or qualified service
center to prepare the vehicle for inspection.
Oil Pressure Gage
United States
Canada
Readings above the shaded warning zone indicate the
normal operating range. Oil pressure may vary with
engine speed, outside temperature and oil viscosity.
A reading in the shaded warning zone may be caused
by a low oil level or another problem causing low
011
pressure. On vehicles with the systems monitor,
the
CHECK GAGES light will come on and a warning
chime will sound.
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