2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE check engine

PASS-Key®
Your vehicle is equipped
with the
PASS-Key
®(Personalized
Automotive Security
System) theft-deterrent
system. PASS-Key
®is a
passive theft-deterrent
system. It works when you
insert or remove the key
from the ignition.
PASS-Key
®uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key that
matches a decoder in your vehicle.
When the PASS-Key
®system senses that someone is
using the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle’s
starter and fuel systems. For about three minutes, the
starter will not work and fuel will not go to the engine. If
someone tries to start your vehicle again or uses
another key during this time, the shutdown period will
start over again. This discourages someone from
randomly trying different keys with different resistor
pellets in an attempt to make a match.The key must be clean and dry before it is inserted in
the ignition or the engine may not start. If the SECURITY
light comes on, the key may be dirty or wet.
If this happens and the starter will not work, turn the
ignition off. Clean and dry the key, wait three minutes
and try again. If the starter still will not work, wait three
minutes and try the other ignition key. At this time,
you may also want to check the fuses. SeeFuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 5-93. If the starter will not
work with the other key, your vehicle needs service. If
your vehicle does start, the first ignition key may be
faulty. See your dealer or a locksmith who can service
the PASS-Key
®.
If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or
missing resistor pellet, you will see no SECURITY light.
You do not have to wait three minutes before trying
the proper key.
If the resistor pellet is damaged or missing, the starter
will not work. Use the other ignition key, and see
your dealer or a locksmith who can service the
PASS-Key
®to have a new key made.
If the SECURITY light comes on while driving, have
your vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
If you lose or damage a PASS-Key
®ignition key, see
your dealer or a locksmith who can service PASS-Key®.
In an emergency, call Chevrolet Roadside Assistance.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-6for more
information.
2-18

Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in NEUTRAL and the parking
brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the floor
and start the engine. Your vehicle will not start if the
clutch pedal is not all the way down – that is a safety
feature.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
Notice:Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it does not start within 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor, while
you hold the ignition key in START. When
the engine starts, let go of the key and let up on the
accelerator pedal. Wait about 15 seconds between
each try.When starting your engine in very cold weather (below
0°F or−18°C), do this:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START and hold it there up to
15 seconds. When the engine starts, let go of
the key.
2. If your engine still will not start, or starts but then
stops, it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the
vehicle starts briefly but then stops again, do the
same thing, but this time keep the pedal down
for five or six seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly.
2-22

Starter Interlock Feature
For your convenience and to avoid damage to your
starter, your vehicle is equipped with a starter interlock
feature. This feature will not allow you to crank the
engine while the vehicle is already running.
Racing or Other Competitive Driving
See your warranty book before using your vehicle
for racing or other competitive driving.
Notice:If you use your vehicle for racing or other
competitive driving, the engine may use more
oil than it would with normal use. Low oil levels can
damage the engine. Be sure to check the oil level
often during racing or other competitive driving and
keep the level at or near 1 quart (1 L) above the
upper mark that shows the proper operating range
on the engine oil dipstick. For information on
how to add oil, seeEngine Oil on page 5-13. After
the competitive driving, remove excess oil so
that the level on the dipstick is not above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range.
Engine Coolant Heater
The engine coolant heater is located on the driver’s side
of the engine under the manifold.
In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You will get easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle. At
temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant
heater is not required.
2-23

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-4
Other Warning Devices...................................3-5
Horn.............................................................3-5
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-5
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-6
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-13
Interior Lamps..............................................3-17
Head-Up Display (HUD).................................3-18
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-22
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-23
Climate Controls............................................3-23
Dual Automatic Climate
Control System.........................................3-23
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-31
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-32
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-33
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-34
Tachometer.................................................3-34
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-34
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-35
Air Bag Off Light..........................................3-36
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-37
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-38
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-39
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light . . .3-39Active Handling System Light.........................3-40
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-41
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-41
Engine Oil Pressure Gage.............................3-44
Security Light...............................................3-45
Check Gages Warning Light...........................3-46
Fuel Gage...................................................3-46
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-48
DIC Controls and Displays.............................3-49
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-58
Other Messages...........................................3-68
Audio System(s).............................................3-69
Setting the Time...........................................3-69
Radio with Cassette......................................3-70
Radio with CD..............................................3-76
Trunk-Mounted CD Changer...........................3-81
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-86
Radio Reception...........................................3-88
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player.................3-88
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-89
Care of Your CD Player................................3-89
Fixed Mast Antenna (Z06)..............................3-89
Power Antenna Mast Care (Convertible)...........3-90
Integrated Windshield and Rear Window
Antennas (Coupe).....................................3-90
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The information may be displayed in English or metric
units and appears as an image focused out toward
the front of your vehicle. The HUD consists of the
following information:
•Speedometer
•Turn Signal Indicators
•High-Beam Indicator Symbol
•Tachometer
•Oil, Temperature and Fuel Gages
•Shift Light (Performance SHIFT Light)
This light is used for performance driving to indicate
that the vehicle’s best performance level has been
reached to shift the transmission into the next higher
gear. The SHIFT light will display at an engine speed
of about 5,750 rpm (6,250 rpm on Z06), just prior to
reaching the engine fuel cut-off mode.
•Check Gages IconThere are five HUD selections that you can choose to
view in the HUD display. By pressing and holding
the PAGE button, you can scroll through these pages in
the following order:
•Speed Only
•Speed and Gage
•Speed, Tachometer and Gage
•Speed and Tachometer
•Tachometer Only
When you have chosen the desired HUD display,
release the PAGE button.
Gages can be scrolled through by tapping the PAGE
button (only when a gage is displayed). The gages
shown are the following:
•Oil Pressure
•Coolant Temperature
•Fuel Level
The selections that you choose will remain in the HUD
display until they are changed.
3-19

Be sure to continue scanning your displays, controls
and driving environment just as you would in a vehicle
without HUD. If you never look at your instrument
panel cluster, you may not see something important,
such as a warning light. Under important warning
conditions, the CHECK GAGES icon will illuminate in
the HUD. View your Driver Information Center (DIC) for
more information.The HUD controls are located to the left of the
steering wheel.
To adjust the HUD so you can see it properly, do the
following:
1. Start your engine and slide the HUD dimmer control
all the way up.
The brightness of the HUD image is determined by
the light conditions in the direction your vehicle is
facing and where you have the HUD dimmer control
set. If you are facing a dark object or a heavily
shaded area, your HUD may anticipate that you are
entering a dark area and may begin to dim.
3-20

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 are 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 is 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 are a big help.
Your vehicle may also have a Driver Information Center
that works along with the warning lights and gages.
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-48.
3-32

{CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light ever comes on
when you have turned off the air bag, it means
that something may be wrong with the air bag
system. The passenger’s air bag could inate
even though the switch is off. If this ever
happens, don’t let anyone whom the national
government has identied as a member of a
passenger air bag risk group sit in the
passenger’s position (for example, don’t
secure a rear-facing child restraint in your
vehicle) until you have your vehicle serviced.
See “Air Bag Off Switch” in the Index.
Voltmeter Gage
When the key is in ON
with the engine not
running, the voltmeter
shows the voltage output
of your battery. When
the engine is running, it
shows the voltage
output of the
charging system.
The reading will change as the rate of charge changes
(with engine speed, for example), but if the voltmeter
reads at 9 volts or below, your instrument panel cluster
and other systems may shut down. The Driver
Information Center (DIC) will read LOW VOLTAGE
when your vehicle is at 10 volts or below. Have
it checked right away. Driving with the voltmeter reading
at 10 volts or below could drain your battery and
disable your vehicle.
3-37