2004 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL warning lights

bags to inflate, it signals the inflators on the crash side of
the vehicle. A quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to
inflate the window bag. The inflating window bag
pushes the side pillar molding out of the way and covers
the window. The airbag inflates in about 30 milliseconds
(about one-quarter of the time it takes to blink your eyes)
with enough force to injure you if you are not belted and
seated properly, or if items are positioned in the area
where the window bag inflates. This especially applies to
children. The window bag is only about 3
1¤2inches (8.9
cm) thick when it is inflated.
Enhanced Accident Response System
If the airbags deploy after an impact and the electrical
system remains functional, vehicles equipped with
power door locks will unlock automatically. In addition,
approximately 10 seconds after the vehicle has stopped
moving, the interior lights will light until the ignition
switch is turned off.
Maintaining Your Airbag Systems
WARNING!
²Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbags are not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or
the upper right side of the instrument panel. Do
not modify the front bumper, vehicle body struc-
ture, or frame.
²You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolster.
²It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has airbags.
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Vehicles equipped with a 4±speed automatic transmis-
sion may exhibit several 4-3 downshifts under the above
conditions. To reduce the frequency of the downshifts
and to improve vehicle performance, it is advisable to
lock out overdrive by pressing the O/D OFF button
located at the end of the gear shifter.
WARNING!
Speed Control can be dangerous where the system
can't maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could
go too fast for the conditions, and you could lose
control. An accident could be the result. Don't use
Speed Control in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, or slippery.
OVERHEAD CONSOLEÐ IF EQUIPPED
The two optional overhead consoles may consist of the
following features:
²Courtesy/Reading Lights
²Compass/Temperature Mini-Trip Computer
(CMTC) Ð If Equipped
²Universal Garage Door Opener Ð If Equipped
112 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Your motorized door or gate will open and close
while you are training the Universal Transceiver. Do
not train the transceiver if people or pets are in the
path of the door or gate. A moving door or gate can
cause serious injury or death to people and pets or
damage to objects.
2. Position the end of your hand-held transmitter 1-3
inches (3-8 cm) away from the HomeLink buttons while
keeping the indicator light in view.
3. Simultaneously press and hold both the HomeLink
button that you want to train and the hand-held trans-
mitter buttons.Do not release the buttons until step 4
has been completed.NOTE:Some gate operators and garage door openers
may require you to replace this Programming Step 3 with
procedures noted in the9Gate Operator/Canadian Pro-
gramming9section.
4. The HomeLink indicator light will flash slowly and
then rapidly after HomeLink successfully receives the
frequency signal from the hand-held transmitter. Release
both buttons after the indicator light changes from the
slow to the rapid flash.
5. Press and hold the just trained HomeLink button and
observe the indicator light. If the indicator lightstays on
constantly, programming is completeand your device
should activate when the HomeLink button is pressed
and released.
NOTE:To program the remaining two HomeLink but-
tons, begin with9Programming9step two. Do not repeat
step one.
122 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:Dual rear wheel pickup models require properly
spaced rear clearance lights. If such a vehicle is operated
without a tailgate, suitable lights must be installed.
WARNING!
To avoid inhaling carbon monoxide, which is deadly,
the exhaust system on vehicles equipped with ªCap
or Slide-In Campersº should extend beyond the over-
hanging camper compartment and be free of leaks.
136 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:If the gauge pointer moves to either extreme of
the gauge, the ªCheck Gagesº indicator will illuminate
and a single chime will sound.
14. Security
The light will flash rapidly for approximately 16 seconds
when the vehicle theft alarm is arming. The light will
flash at a slower rate after the alarm is set. The security
light will also come on for about two seconds when the
ignition is first turned ON.
15. Transmission Range Indicator (Automatic
Tranmissions Only)
When the gear selector lever is moved, this indicator
shows the automatic transmission gear range selected.
16. CRUISE Light
This indicator lights when the electronic speed control
system is turned on.17. Water In Fuel Indicator
Indicates there is water detected in the fuel
filter bowl. Refer to the Maintenance section,
Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter, for water
drain procedure.
18. Brake System Warning Light
This light illuminates when the ignition key is turned to
the ON position and remains on for a few seconds. If the
light stays on longer, it may be an indication that the
parking brake has not been released. This light will
illuminate if the brake fluid is low, especially when
braking or accelerating hard. This light will illuminate if
the ABS indicator light has a malfunction. This light will
flash if the engine is running and the parking brake is on.
If the light remains on when the parking brake is
released, it indicates a possible brake hydraulic system
malfunction. In this case, the light will remain on until
the cause is corrected.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 147
4

²A heated intake air system both improves engine
starting and reduces the amount of white smoke
generated by a warming engine.
Normal Starting Procedure Ð Engine Manifold
AirTemperature Above 66ÉF (19ÉC)
Observe the Instrument Panel Cluster lights when start-
ing the engine.
1. Always apply the parking brake.
2. Shift into PARK for an automatic transmission. Fully
depress and hold the clutch and shift into NEUTRAL for
a manual transmission. Models with manual transmis-
sion are equipped with a clutch interlocking cranking
system. The clutch must be fully depressed to start the
vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to the ON position and look at
the instrument panel cluster lamps.The lamps in the instrument panel cluster will illuminate
when the ignition key is first turned to the ON position.
This is a bulb check programmed to last for approxi-
mately 3 seconds. After the bulb check is completed, the
Malfunction Indicator Light and Brake Warning light will
remain on. After the bulb check is complete and the
WAIT TO START indicator goes out proceed to step 4.
CAUTION!
If WATER IN FUEL indicator light remains on DO
NOT START engine before you drain water from the
fuel filter to avoid engine damage. See Section 7 Ð
Maintaining Your Vehicle, for water drain proce-
dures.
4. Turn the ignition key to START and crank the engine.
Do not press the accelerator during starting.
206 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
NORMAL OPERATION
Observe the following when the engine is operating.
²All message center lights are off.
²Check Engine Lamp is off.
²Engine Oil Pressure is above 10 psi (69 kPa) at idle.
²Low Oil Pressure light is off.
²Voltmeter Operation:
²The voltmeter may show a gauge fluctuation if
certain engine temperatures are below 66ÉF (19ÉC).
This cycling operation is caused by the post-heatcycle of the intake manifold heater system. The
number of cycles and the length of the cycling
operation is controlled by the engine control mod-
ule, this time will not exceed 150 seconds. The
needle should then stabilize at the approximate
operation point.
²The cycling action will cause temporary dimming of
the headlamps, interior lamps, and also a noticeable
reduction in blower motor speed.
Cold Weather Precautions
Operation in ambient temperature below 32ÉF (0ÉC) may
require special considerations. The following charts sug-
gest these options:
STARTING AND OPERATING 211
5

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
mHazard Warning Lights..................296
mAdding Fuel Ð 24±Valve Cummins Turbo
Diesel...............................297
mJack Location..........................298
NAll Models..........................298
mChanging A Flat Tire....................299
NRemoving The Spare Tire................299
NTire Changing Procedure................300
mHoisting.............................309mJump-Starting.........................310
NWith Portable Starting Unit..............313
mFreeing A Stuck Vehicle..................313
mEmergency Tow Hooks Ð If Equipped........314
mTowing A Disabled Vehicle................315
N4-Wheel- Drive Vehicles.................315
N2±Wheel- Drive Vehicles................315
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