2005 CADILLAC STS check engine light

You can also program the remote vehicle start system
to start up the vehicle’s automatic climate control
system. If this feature is turned on, the system monitors
the outside temperature and turns on the rear window
defogger, front window defogger, and heated or
ventilated seats, if equipped. See “Personal Settings
Menu” underVehicle Personalization on page 2-47.
Laws in some local communities may restrict the use of
remote starters, for example, requiring a person
using remote start to have the vehicle in view when
doing so. Check local regulations for any requirements
on remote starting of vehicles.
Do not use the remote start feature if your vehicle is low
on fuel. Your vehicle may run out of fuel.
The remote start feature provides two separate starts,
each with 10 minutes of engine running. If you press the
remote start button on the keyless access transmitter
again before the rst 10 minutes of engine running time
has expired, 10 minutes is added to the remaining
minutes. For example, if the remote start button
is pressed again after ve minutes of the engine run
time, 10 minutes is added and you now have 15 minutes
with the engine running. Once two remote starts or
20 minutes of the engine running have been provided,
the vehicle must be started using the keyless access
with pushbutton start feature, if the engine needs to be
restarted. SeeStarting the Engine on page 2-24for
more information regarding the keyless ignition.The remote start feature will not operate if any of the
following occur:
The check engine light is displayed.
The valet lockout switch is on.
The keyless access transmitter is in the vehicle.
The vehicle’s hood is open.
The vehicle personalization feature is not enabled.
An unauthorized vehicle entry or a vehicle theft
was attempted.
Your keyless access transmitter, with the remote start
button, provides an increased range of operation.
However, the range may be less while the vehicle is
running. As a result, you may need to be closer to your
vehicle to turn it off than you were to turn it on.
There are other conditions which can affect the
performance of the transmitter, seeKeyless Access
System on page 2-3.
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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 briey when you start the engine
just to let you know they’re 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’s 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. 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’re a big help.
Your vehicle also has a Driver Information Center (DIC)
that works along with the warning lights and gages.
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-73for
more information.
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Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
See “MPH (km)” underDIC Controls and Displays
on page 3-74for more information.
The odometer mileage can be checked without the
vehicle running. Your vehicle’s odometer works together
with the driver information center. You can set a Trip
A and a Trip B odometer. See “Trip Information” under
DIC Controls and Displays on page 3-74for more
information.
If your vehicle ever needs a new odometer installed, the
new one will be set to the correct mileage total of the
old odometer.
Tachometer
This gage indicates
the engine speed in
revolutions per
minute (rpm).
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the ignition is turned on, a chime will be provided
for several seconds to remind people to buckle their
safety belts. The driver safety belt light will also
be provided and stay on for several seconds, then
it will ash for several more. You should buckle your
seat belt.
This chime and light will
be repeated if the driver
remains unbuckled and the
vehicle is in motion.
If the driver’s belt is buckled, neither the chime nor the
light will be provided.
3-62

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (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 Check Engine light 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 awhile, 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.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, 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.
Modications to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This may also
result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test.
This light should come on briey, as a check to show
you it is working, as you start the engine. If the light
does not come on, have it repaired. This light will also
come on during a malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has been
detected. A misre increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Diagnosis and service may be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service may be required.
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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
If the light stops ashing and remains on steady, see
“If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the engine 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 ashing, follow the previous steps, and see your
dealer for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You also 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. SeeFilling the 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, misring, 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,
your dealer can check the vehicle. Your dealer has
the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to x
any mechanical or electrical problems that may
have developed.
3-69

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.
Here are some things you need to know to help your
vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the Check
Engine light is on or not working properly.
To perform a Check Engine light bulb check with the
keyless ignition, make sure the transmitter fob is in the
passenger compartment. SeeIgnition Positions on
page 2-22. Press the bottom of the ACC button on the
instrument panel and hold the button down for ve
seconds. The instrument panel, including the Check
Engine light, will light up and the ignition will be on, but
the engine will not start — if you press the bottom of
the ACC button only briey, less than ve seconds, the
accessory mode will be turned on, but not the ignition.
After the bulb check, be sure to press and release
the ACC button again to turn the ignition off and avoid
draining the vehicle’s battery.
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, your
GM dealer can prepare the vehicle for inspection.
Oil Pressure Light
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
If you do, your engine can become so hot that
it catches re. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
may damage the engine. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
3-70

This light tells you if there
could be a problem with
your engine oil pressure.
This light will come on briey when you start your
engine. That is a check to be sure the light works.
If it does not come on, be sure to have it xed so it
will be there to warn you if something goes wrong.
When the light comes on and stays on, it means that
oil is not owing through your engine properly. You could
be low on oil and you might have some other system
problem.
Security Light
For information
regarding this light,
seeTheft-Deterrent
System on page 2-19.
Fog Lamp Light
The fog lamps light will
come on when the fog
lamps are in use.
The light will go out when the fog lamps are turned off.
SeeFog Lamps on page 3-39for more information.
Lights On Reminder
This light comes on
whenever the parking
lamps are on.
SeeHeadlamps on Reminder on page 3-37for more
information.
3-71

CHECK BRAKE FLUID
This message will display if the ignition is on to inform
the driver that the brake uid level is low. Have the
brake system serviced by your GM dealer as soon as
possible. SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-64
for more information.
CHECK COOLANT LEVEL
This message will display when there is a low level of
engine coolant. Have the cooling system serviced
by your GM dealer as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-22for more information.
CHECK GAS CAP
When this message displays, the gas cap has not been
fully tightened. You should recheck the gas cap to
ensure that it is on and tightened properly.
CHECK OIL LEVEL
This message will display when the oil level is low.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15for more information on
checking your engine oil.
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
This symbol appears
with the CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE message.
If your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure monitor,
this message will display when one or more of the
vehicle’s tires are low or high. SeeDIC Controls and
Displays on page 3-74for information on checking your
vehicle’s tire pressures.
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