2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU ignition

Cargo Lamp
If your vehicle is the MAXX model, it has a cargo
lamp. The cargo lamp comes on when the liftgate is
opened. If you want to leave the liftgate open you
can turn off the cargo lamp by pushing on the lens.
Battery Run-Down Protection
Your vehicle has a battery run-down protection
feature designed to protect your vehicle’s battery.
When any interior lamp (trunk, reading, or visor
vanity) is left on while the ignition is turned off,
the battery run-down protection system will
automatically shut the lamp(s) off after 20 minutes.
This will avoid draining the battery.
To reactivate the interior lamps, do one of the
following:
Turn on the ignition.
Turn the exterior lamp control off and then on.
Open a door.
Press any remote keyless entry transmitter
button (if equipped).
Press the remote trunk release button.
Press the power door lock switch.The battery run-down feature will also be activated
when any door on the vehicle is left open and
the ignition is in OFF.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
With accessory power outlets you can plug in
auxiliary electrical equipment such as a cellular
telephone.
For vehicles with Traction Control system, the
accessory power outlets are located on the front
of the center console storage area and also
inside the console storage compartment. The
compartment has notches that allow power cords
to be routed outside of the console while the
lid is closed. On vehicles without Traction Control,
both outlets are located on the front of the
center console storage area. There is also an
outlet in the rear cargo area of the MAXX.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on
for extended periods will drain the battery.
Always turn off electrical equipment when
not in use and do not plug in equipment
that exceeds the maximum amperage rating.
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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 ON.
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 ON 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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Charging System Light
The charging system
light will come on
briey when you turn
on the ignition, but
the engine is not
running, as a check to
show you it is working.
It should go out once the engine is running.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving,
you may have a problem with the charging system.
It could indicate that you have problems with a
generator drive belt, or another electrical problem.
Have it checked right away. Driving while this
light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such
as the radio and air conditioner.
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 warning light comes on, there is a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
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This light should come on briey when you turn
the ignition key to ON. 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 you set
your parking brake. The light will stay on if your
parking brake does not release fully. If it stays
on after your parking brake is fully released,
it means you have a brake problem.
The Driver Information Center (DIC) may display
a BRAKE FLUID message. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 222for 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.
Try turning off and restarting the vehicle one or
two times, if the light is still on, have the vehicle
towed for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle
on page 330.
{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
Your vehicle may have
the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS).
This light will come on when your engine is
started and may stay on for several seconds.
This is normal.If the light stays on, turn the ignition to off.
If the light comes on and the chime sounds 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 206earlier in this section.
The ABS warning light will come on briey
when you turn the ignition key to ON. This is
normal. 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
Warning Light
This light indicates
that the engine coolant
has overheated or
the radiator cooling fan
is not working.
This light will come on briey when you turn on
the ignition as a check to show you it is working.
If the light comes on and the vehicle has been
operating under normal driving conditions,
pull off the road, stop the vehicle, and turn off
the engine as soon as possible.
SeeCooling System on page 374for more
information.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves into the red area,
the light comes on and you hear a chime, your
engine is too hot! It means that your engine
coolant has overheated.
If you have been operating your vehicle under
normal driving conditions and the gage reads hot,
you should pull off the road, stop your vehicle
and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 371.
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Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has
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, the emission controls
might not work as well, your vehicle’s fuel
economy might not be as good, and the engine
might not run as smoothly. This could lead
to costly repairs that might not be covered by
your warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transaxle, 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. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 344.
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This light should come on, as a check to show
you it is working, when the ignition is on and the
engine is not running. 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.
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 you are towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled as soon
as it is possibleIf 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 key 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 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 349.
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.
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