2007 CHEVROLET EQUINOX ignition

The battery can be discharged at idle if the
electrical loads are very high. This is true for
all vehicles. This is because the generator
(alternator) may not be spinning fast enough
at idle to produce all the power that is needed
for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams,
fog lamps, rear window defogger, climate
control fan at high speed, heated seats, engine
cooling fans, trailer loads, and loads plugged into
accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s
output and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It
can increase engine idle speed to generate more
power, whenever needed. It can temporarily
reduce the power demands of some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels,
without being noticeable. In rare cases at
the highest levels of corrective action, this
action may be noticeable to the driver.If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC) message
might be displayed, such as Battery Saver
Active or Service Battery Charging System. If this
message is displayed, it is recommended that
the driver reduce the electrical loads as much as
possible. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 198.
Battery Run-Down Protection
Your vehicle has a battery saver feature designed
to protect the vehicle’s battery.
When any interior lamp is left on and the ignition is
turned off, the battery rundown protection system
will automatically turn the lamp off after 20 minutes.
This will avoid draining the battery. This vehicle also
has a retained accessory power feature. If the radio
is on, it will turn off after 10 minutes or if any door
on the vehicle is opened. SeeRetained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 116.
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9(Fan):Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
fan speed. In any setting other than off, the fan will
run continuously with the ignition on. To turn off
the air completely, turn the fan to 0 and select the
recirculation button.
Use the right knob to select from the
following modes:
There is one position between each mode to nely
adjust airow position.
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This mode directs about half of
the air to the instrument panel outlets, and
then directs the remaining air to the oor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air
to the oor outlets with some air directed to the
windshield and side windows.
The right knob may also be used to select the
defrost and defog modes that are described in
this section.You can also select modes by using the following
buttons:
;(Outside Air):Press this button to turn the
outside air mode on. When this mode is on,
outside air will circulate throughout the vehicle.
When the button is pressed, an indicator light
in the button will come on to let you know that
it is activated. The outside air mode can be used
with all modes, but it cannot be used with the
recirculation mode.
@(Recirculation):Press this button on the
center knob to recirculate cabin air through
the vehicle. It can be used to prevent outside air
and odors from entering the vehicle or to help heat
or cool the air inside the vehicle more quickly.
An indicator light above the symbol will come on
in this mode. Operation in this mode during periods
of high humidity and cool outside temperatures
may result in increased window fogging. If window
fogging is experienced, select the defrost mode.
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Defogging and Defrosting
Fog or frost on the inside of windows is a result of
high humidity (moisture) condensing on the cool
window glass. This can be minimized if the climate
control system is used properly. To avoid fogging
windows on rainy and humid days at temperatures
above freezing, turn on the air conditioning
system. Also, it is best to avoid the use of the
recirculation mode, except when maximum
A/C performance is needed or for short times to
avoid exterior odors.
Use the defog mode to clear the windows of fog or
moisture and warm the passengers. Use the defrost
mode to remove fog or frost from the windshield
more quickly. When you select either of these
modes, or the oor mode which also helps defog
the windows slightly, the system runs the air
conditioning compressor and cancels recirculation
mode to dry the air; however, the recirculation light
will stay on. For best results, clear all snow and ice
from the windshield before defrosting.Turn the right knob to select the defog or
defrost mode.-(Defog):This mode directs half of the air to
the windshield and the side window outlets,
and half to the oor outlets.
0(Defrost):This mode directs most of the air to
the windshield and the side window outlets, with
some air directed to the oor outlets.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
The rear window defogger will only work when the
ignition is in RUN.
<(Rear):Press this button to turn the rear
window defogger on or off. An indicator light on
the button will come on to let you know that
the rear window defogger is activated.
The rear window defogger will only work when
the ignition is in RUN. The rear window defogger
will stay on for about 10 minutes after the
button is pressed, unless the ignition is turned to
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{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after
you start your vehicle, it means the airbag
system may not be working properly. The
airbags 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 airbag readiness light stays
on after you start your vehicle.
The airbag 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.
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
Your vehicle has the passenger sensing system.
Your instrument panel has a passenger airbag
status indicator.
When the ignition key is turned to RUN or START,
the passenger airbag status indicator will light
ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and off,
for several seconds as a system check. Then,
after several more seconds, the status indicator
will light either ON or OFF, or either the on
or off symbol, to let you know the status of the
right front passenger’s frontal airbag.
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175

Battery Warning Light
The battery warning light
will come on briey as a
check, when you turn on
the ignition. Then it
should go out when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on when you start your
vehicle, have your vehicle serviced right away.
This condition may indicate your battery warning
light is not functioning properly. If this light
comes on while you are driving, be sure to turn
off accessories such as the radio and climate
control system. Have your vehicle serviced right
away. The SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING
SYSTEM message may also appear in the
Driver Information Center. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 198for more information.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the
other part can still work and stop you. For good
braking, though, you need both parts working well.
If the brake system warning light comes on, there
is a brake problem. Have your brake system
inspected right away.
The brake light is located in the instrument panel
cluster.
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178

This light should come on briey when you turn
the ignition key 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 light will come
on when you set your parking brake. The light
will stay on if your parking brake does not release
fully. A chime will also sound if the parking
brake is not fully released and the vehicle is
moving. If it stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
The brake light will also come on to indicate a
low brake uid level. SeeBrakes on page 365for
more information.
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 oor. It may take longer to stop.
If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed for
service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 320.
{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.
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Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the Anti-Lock
Brake System (ABS),
the light will come
on when your engine is
started and stay on
for several seconds.
This is normal.
If the ABS warning light comes on and stays on,
there may be a problem with the anti-lock
portion of the brake system. If the brake system
warning light is not on, you still have brakes,
but you do not have anti-lock brakes. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 178for more
information.If the light stays on, turn the ignition to LOCK.
If the light comes on when you are 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 are driving, your vehicle needs service. If the
regular brake system warning light is not on,
you still have brakes, but you do not have anti-lock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light
is also on, you do not have anti-lock brakes
and there is a problem with your regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 178for
more information.
The ABS warning light should come on briey
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.
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Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage measures
the temperature of
the vehicle’s engine.
If the indicator needle moves into the shaded
area, the engine is too hot. A temperature indicator
light will turn on.
If you have been operating your vehicle under
normal driving conditions, and the temperature
indicator light comes on, you should pull off
the road, stop your vehicle and turn off the
engine as soon as possible.
Tire Pressure Light
This light will come on
briey when you turn
the ignition to RUN.
This light will also come on when one or more of
your tires are signicantly underinated.
A CHECK TIRE PRESSURE DIC message will
accompany the light.
Stop and check your tires as soon as it is safe to do
so. If underinated, inate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 382for more information.
This light will ash for 60 seconds and then turn
on solid if a problem is detected with the Tire
Pressure Monitor system.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 391
for more information.
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