GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Displays Test

Certain instrument panel cluster (IPC) features are tested when the ignition is turned ON in order to verify the features are working properly. The following occurs at key up:

    • The air bag indicator flashes 7 times.
    • The ANTI-LOCK indicator illuminates for 3 seconds.
    • The battery/charge indicator turns ON and stays ON.
    • The BRAKE indicator illuminates for 3 seconds.
    • The odometer displays all segments and the word TRIP for 3 seconds.
    • The seat belt indicator stays ON steady for 20 seconds and then flashes for 50 seconds then turns OFF. If the ignition is OFF and the seat belt is buckled, this indicator will not illuminate during bulb check.
    • The SERVICE ENGINE SOON indicator turns ON and stays ON.

Indicators and Warning Messages

Refer to Indicator/Warning Message Description and Operation.

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage

The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the engine coolant temperature (ECT) as determined by the engine control module (ECM) or the powertrain control module (PCM). The IPC receives a class 2 message from the ECM/PCM indicating the ECT. The range on the ECT gage is between 60-125°C (140-260°F). The ECT gage defaults to 60°C (140°F) or below if the ECM/PCM detects a malfunction in the ECT sensor circuit. Refer to Cooling System Description and Operation.

Fuel Gage

The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the fuel level as determined by the engine control module (ECM)/powertrain control module (PCM). The IPC receives a class 2 message from the ECM/PCM indicating the fuel level percent. The fuel gage defaults to E (empty) if the ECM/PCM detects a malfunction in the fuel level sensor circuit. Refer to Fuel System Description for the 3.5L engine or Fuel System Description for the 3.6L engine.

When the fuel level is less than 11 percent (less than 1/16 tank) of a tank of gas, the LOW FUEL message illuminates in the message center.

Odometer

The instrument panel cluster (IPC) contains a season odometer and a trip odometer. Press the trip/reset switch for 1 second on the IPC in order to toggle between the season odometer and the trip odometer. The IPC displays the vehicle mileage and trip mileage as determined by the IPC. The IPC calculates the mileage based on the vehicle speed signal circuit from the engine control module (ECM)/powertrain control module (PCM). The odometer will display ERROR if an internal IPC memory malfunction is detected or there is a class 2 communication fault. The odometer displays either miles or kilometers as requested by the activation of the english/metric button on the driver information center (DIC). The associated indicator (km or mi) illuminates.

Season Odometer

  1. The season odometer is capable of displaying 99999.9 miles. When the season odometer hits 99999.9 miles it will not roll over to 00000.0, it stays at its maximum level of 99999.9.
  2. The season odometer cannot be reset.
  3. The season odometer is functional with the ignition OFF. With the ignition OFF and the driver door closed, press the trip/reset button and the season odometer stays on for 5 seconds and then turns OFF. When the ignition is OFF and the driver door is open, the season odometer stays ON for 15 seconds.

Trip Odometer

  1. The trip odometer is capable of displaying 99999.9 miles. When the trip odometer hits 99999.9 miles it will roll over to 00000.0.
  2. Press the trip/reset switch for greater than 1 second, while the trip odometer is displayed, in order to reset the trip odometer.

Speedometer

The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the vehicle speed as determined by the engine control module (ECM)/powertrain control module (PCM). The ECM/PCM converts the data from the vehicle speed sensor to a 4,000 pulses/mile signal. The IPC uses the vehicle speed signal circuit (4,000 pulses/mile), class 2 message from the ECM/PCM in order to calculate the vehicle speed. If the IPC detects a malfunction in the vehicle speed signal circuit from the ECM/PCM, the IPC uses the class 2 message from the EBCM, indicating the vehicle speed as a backup. If the speedometer reaches (108 mph) the fuel will shut-off, and it will turn back ON when the speedometer is at (106 mph). The speedometer displays either miles or kilometers as requested by the activation of the english/metric button on the driver information center (DIC). The associated indicator (km/h or mph) illuminates.

Tachometer

The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the engine speed as determined by the engine control module (ECM)/powertrain control module (PCM). The IPC receives a class 2 message from the ECM/PCM indicating the engine speed. The IPC is capable of displaying between 0-7,000 RPM. The tachometer will default to 0 RPM if the ECM/PCM detects a malfunction in the engine speed sensor signal circuit.