2004 BUICK CENTURY ignition

Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic
Headlamp System
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. Daytime running
lamps are required to function at all times on all
vehicles rst sold in Canada.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work, so be sure it is not covered.
The DRL system will make the front turn signal lamps
come on when the following conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps control is off.
The parking brake is released.
While the DRL are on, the front turn signal lamps also
will be on. The headlamps, taillamps, sidemarker
and other lamps will not be on. The instrument panel
will not be lit up either.When it is dark enough outside, the front turn signal
lamps will turn off and the vehicle’s headlamps
and parking lamps will turn on. The other lamps that
come on with the headlamps will also come on.
When it is bright enough outside, the headlamps will go
off and the front turn signal lamps will come on.
To idle the vehicle with the DRL and automatic
headlamp control off, set the parking brake while the
ignition is in OFF or LOCK. Then start the vehicle. The
DRL, headlamps and parking lamps will stay off until
the parking brake is released.
To turn off the automatic headlamp feature when it is
dark outside, move the exterior lamps control to
the parking lamp position. The parking lamps will remain
illuminated and the headlamps will turn off.
As with any vehicle, the regular headlamp system
should be turned on when needed.
3-13

Delayed Headlamps
Delayed headlamp illumination provides a period of
exterior lighting as you leave the vehicle’s area.
The feature is activated when the vehicle’s ignition is
turned off and the headlamps are on due to the
automatic headlamp control feature described previously
in this section. The headlamps will remain on until the
exterior lamps control is moved from OFF to the parking
lamp position or until a 90 second lighting period has
ended.
If the ignition is turned off while the exterior lamps
control is in the parking lamp or headlamp position, the
delayed headlamp illumination cycle will not occur.
This feature can be turned on or off by doing the
following:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN.
2. Close all the doors.
3. Press and hold the LOCK position on the power
door lock switch. While holding the LOCK position
on the door lock switch, cycle the exterior lamps
control on and off two times.4. Release the power door LOCK switch. These steps
must be carried out in a time period of less than
10 seconds, followed by a delay period of no more
than 10 seconds.
5. Then, press and hold the unlock position on the
power door switch. While holding the unlock
position, turn the exterior lamps control on and off
two times. Release the unlock position on the power
door switch. These operations must be carried
out in a time period of less than 10 seconds.
After releasing the unlock position on the power door
switch, a single chime will be heard if the delayed
headlamp illumination function has been turned off.
Two chimes will be heard if the feature has been turned
on. Disconnecting the vehicle’s battery for up to a
year will not change the programmed operation for this
feature.
3-14

Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness
The instrument panel lights can be brightened or
dimmed by turning the exterior lamps knob.
Turning the control all the way clockwise turns on the
courtesy lamps.
Courtesy Lamps
When any door is opened, several courtesy lamps come
on to make it easier to enter and exit the vehicle.
These lamps can also be turned on by turning the
exterior lamps control all the way clockwise to MAX.
Entry Lighting
The courtesy lamps will come on and stay on for a set
time whenever you press UNLOCK on the remote
keyless entry transmitter.
The lamps will stay on while a door is opened and then
turn off automatically about 25 seconds after it is
closed. If the UNLOCK button is pressed and a door is
not open, the lamps will turn off after about 40 seconds.Entry lighting includes a feature called theater dimming.
With theater dimming, the lamps do not turn off at
the end of the delay time. Instead, they slowly dim after
the delay time and then turn off.
The courtesy lamps are canceled if the ignition key is
turned to RUN or START and will not come on unless a
door is opened.
Delayed Entry Lighting
Delayed entry lighting lights the vehicle’s interior for a
period of time after all the doors have been closed.
The ignition must be off for delayed entry lighting
to work. After all the doors have been closed, the
delayed entry lighting feature will continue to work until
one of the following occurs:
The ignition is in RUN.
The doors are locked.
An illumination period of 25 seconds has elapsed.
If during the illumination period a door is opened,
the timed illumination period will be canceled and the
interior lamps will remain on.
3-15

Delayed Exit Lighting
This feature illuminates the interior for a period of time
after the ignition key is removed from the ignition.
The ignition must be off for delayed exit lighting to work.
When the ignition key is removed, interior illumination
will activate and remain on until one of the following
occurs:
The ignition is in RUN.
The power door locks are activated.
An illumination period of 25 seconds has elapsed.
If during the illumination period a door is opened,
the timed illumination period will be canceled and the
interior lamps will remain on.
Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are located on the underside of the
rearview mirror. Press the button next to each lamp
to turn it on and off.
Dome Lamp
The dome lamp will come on when you open a door.
Battery Rundown Protection
This helps the vehicle’s battery from draining the battery
in case the interior courtesy lamps, reading lamps,
visor vanity lamps, trunk lamp, underhood lamp or glove
box lamps are left on. If any of these lamps are left
on while the ignition is off, they will automatically turn off
after 20 minutes. The lamps will not come back on
again until you do one of the following:
Turn the ignition on.
Turn the exterior lamps control off, then on.
Open a door.
If the vehicle has less than 15 miles (25 km) on the
odometer, the battery saver will turn off the lamps after
only three minutes.
3-16

Operation Tips
Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ow of air into the vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of the vehicle more
effectively.
If the vehicle has a passenger compartment air lter
and the airow seems low when the fan is at the
highest setting it may need to be replaced. For more
information, seePassenger Compartment Air
Filter on page 3-26.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The passenger compartment air lter is located in
the engine compartment below the air inlet grille, near
the passenger’s side windshield wiper arm.
The lter traps most of the pollen from the air entering
the air conditioning module. Like the engine’s air cleaner
lter, it may need to be changed periodically. For
information on how often to change the passenger
compartment air lter, seeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4.To change the passenger compartment air lter, use the
following steps:
1. Put the ignition in ACCESSORY and turn the
windshield wipers on.
2. Turn the ignition to OFF when the windshield
wipers are in the upright position.
3. Raise the hood.
4. Disconnect the windshield washer pump hose from
the fender rail and air inlet grille.
5. Remove the hood weather-strip from the
passenger’s side of the vehicle and peel it back
halfway to the center of the hood.
6. Remove the three air inlet grille retainers.
7. Remove the air inlet grille.
3-26

Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the ignition key is turned to RUN or START, a
chime will come on for several seconds to remind
occupants to fasten their safety belts.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay
on for several seconds,
then it will ash for
several more.
If the driver’s belt is already buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.
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 system check includes the air bag modules, the
wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module. For
more information on the air bag system, seeAir Bag
Systems on page 1-49.
This light will come on
when the vehicle is
started, and it will ash for
a few seconds. Then
the light should go out.
This means the system is
functioning properly.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after the vehicle is
started, or comes on as the vehicle is being driven,
there may be an electrical problem and the air
bag system may not work properly. Have the vehicle
serviced right away.
3-30

{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 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 air bag
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 does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Charging System Light
The charging system light
will come on briey when
the ignition is turned
on, as a check to show
that it is working. Then it
should go out.
If it stays on, or comes on while the vehicle is being
driven, there may be a problem with the charging
system. It could indicate that the vehicle has a loose
accessory belt or another electrical problem. Have
it checked right away. Driving while this light is on could
drain the battery.
If the vehicle must be driven a short distance with the
light on, be certain to turn off all the accessories,
such as the radio and air conditioner.
3-31

Brake System Warning Light
The vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two
parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop the vehicle. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have the brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on briey when the ignition key
is turned to RUN. If it does not come on then, have
it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a
problem.When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when the parking brake is set.
The light will stay on if the parking brake does not
release fully. If it stays on after the parking brake is fully
released, it means there is a brake problem.
If the light comes on while the vehicle is being driven,
pull off the road and stop carefully. The pedal may
be harder to push. or it may go closer to the oor. 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 have pulled off the road and
stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed for
service. United StatesCanada
3-32