GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Warning messages are displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC) to notify the driver that the status of the vehicle has changed and that some action may be needed by the driver to correct the condition. If there is more than one message that needs to be displayed, they will appear one after another. Some messages may not require immediate action, but you should press any of the four DIC buttons on the steering wheel to acknowledge that you received the messages and to clear them from the display. If your vehicle does not have DIC buttons on the steering wheel, press the trip odometer reset stem, located on the instrument panel cluster, to acknowledge messages and clear them from the display.

Some messages cannot be cleared from the display because they are more urgent. These messages require action before they can be removed from the DIC display. You should take any messages that appear on the display seriously and remember that clearing the messages will only make the messages disappear, not correct the problem.

The following are the possible messages that can be displayed and some information about them.

If your vehicle has the DURAMAX Diesel engine, see the DURAMAX Diesel manual for more information.

BATTERY NOT CHARGING

On some vehicles, if the battery is not charging during operation, this message will appear on the DIC. Driving with this problem could drain the battery. Have the electrical system checked by your dealer as soon as possible. Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display. See Battery Warning Light and Voltmeter Gage .

BUCKLE PASSENGER

If your vehicle has the passenger sensing system, this message reminds you to buckle the passenger's safety belt. See Passenger Sensing System .

This message will display and a chime will sound when the ignition is on, the driver's safety belt is buckled, the passenger's safety belt is unbuckled with the passenger airbag enabled, and the vehicle is in motion. You should have the passenger buckle their safety belt.

This reminder will be repeated if the ignition is on, the vehicle is in motion, the driver is buckled and the passenger is still unbuckled, and the passenger airbag is enabled. If the passenger's safety belt is already buckled, this message and chime will not come on.

Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display.

BUCKLE SEATBELT

If your vehicle has the passenger sensing system, this message reminds you to buckle the driver's safety belt. See Passenger Sensing System .

This message will display and a chime will sound when the ignition is on, the driver's safety belt is unbuckled, and the vehicle is in motion. You should buckle your safety belt.

If the driver remains unbuckled when the ignition is on and the vehicle is in motion, the reminder will be repeated. If the driver's safety belt is already buckled, this message and chime will not come on.

This message is an additional reminder to the Safety Belt Reminder Light in the instrument panel cluster. See Safety Belt Reminder Light for more information.

Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display.

CHANGE ENGINE OIL

This message is displayed when the engine oil needs to be changed.

When you change the engine oil, be sure to reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message. See Engine Oil Life System , Engine Oil , and Scheduled Maintenance for more information.

CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE

On some vehicles, if there is a problem with the generator and battery charging system, this message will appear on the DIC, a chime will sound, and the battery warning light on the instrument panel cluster will come on. Driving with this problem could drain the battery. Turn off all unnecessary accessories. Stop and turn off the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Have the electrical system checked by your dealer immediately. See Battery Warning Light and Voltmeter Gage for more information.

CHECK OIL LEVEL

If your vehicle has an oil level sensor, and the oil level in the vehicle is low, this message will appear on the DIC. Check the oil level and correct it as necessary. You may need to let the vehicle cool or warm up and cycle the ignition to be sure this message will clear. Once the problem is corrected, pressing any of the four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display. See Engine Oil for additional information.

CHECK WASHER FLUID

If the washer fluid level is low, this message will appear on the DIC. See Windshield Washer Fluid . Adding washer fluid to the windshield washer reservoir will clear the message. Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display.

DRIVER DOOR AJAR

If the driver's door is not fully closed, this message will appear on the display and you will hear a chime. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the door for obstructions, and close the door again. Check to see if the message still appears on the DIC. Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display.

ENGINE COOLANT HOT

If the cooling system temperature gets hot, this message will appear in the DIC. Turn off the air conditioning. If the message is still on, or if the engine coolant temperature gage continues to rise, pull the vehicle over when it is safe to do so. See Engine Coolant Temperature Gage for more information. Stop the vehicle and let the engine idle in PARK (P) for a few minutes, or NEUTRAL with the parking brake set for manual transmissions, to allow the coolant to reach a safe temperature. This message will clear when the coolant temperature drops to safe operating temperature.

ENGINE OVERHEATED

Notice: If you drive your vehicle while the engine is overheating, severe engine damage may occur. If an overheat warning appears on the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon as possible. Do not increase the engine speed above normal idling speed. See Engine Overheating for more information.

If the engine cooling system reaches unsafe temperatures for operation, this message will appear in the DIC and you will hear a chime. Stop and turn off the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so to avoid severe damage. This message will clear when the engine has cooled to a safe operating temperature.

FUEL LEVEL LOW

If the fuel level is low, this message will appear on the DIC and you will hear a chime. Refuel as soon as possible. Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display. See Low Fuel Warning Light , Fuel Gage , and Fuel .

KEYFOB X BATTERY LOW

If a Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter battery is low, this message will appear on the DIC. The battery needs to be replaced in the transmitter. See "Battery Replacement" under Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation . Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display.

LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR (Crew Cab)

If the driver's side rear door is not fully closed, this message will appear on the display and you will hear a chime. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the door for obstructions, and close the door again. Check to see if the message still appears on the DIC. Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display.

LOW COOLANT LEVEL

Notice: Engine damage from running your engine without coolant is not covered by your warranty. See "Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode" in the Index for information on driving to a safe place in an emergency.

If your vehicle has a low coolant level sensor, this message will appear on the DIC if the engine coolant level is low. Adding coolant to the coolant recovery tank will clear the message. See Cooling System . Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display.

OIL LIFE RESET

This message will appear on the display for about 10 seconds after resetting the change engine oil message. See "Engine Oil Life System" under DIC Operation and Displays and Engine Oil for more information.

OIL PRESSURE LOW

Notice: If you drive your vehicle while the engine oil pressure is low, severe engine damage may occur. If a low oil pressure warning appears on the Driver Information Center (DIC), stop the vehicle as soon as possible. Do not drive the vehicle until the cause of the low oil pressure is corrected. See Engine Oil for more information.

If low oil pressure levels occur, this message will be displayed on the DIC and a chime will sound. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible and do not operate it until the cause of the low oil pressure has been corrected. Check the oil as soon as possible and have your vehicle serviced by your dealer. See Engine Oil .

PASSENGER DOOR AJAR

If the passenger's door is not fully closed, this message will appear on the display and you will hear a chime. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the door for obstructions, and close the door again. Check to see if the message still appears on the DIC. Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display.

RANGE SHIFT INHIBITED (Allison Transmission® Only)

If the transmission is unable to shift into a selected gear, this message will appear on the DIC. The electronic shift position indicator on the instrument panel cluster may blink when this occurs. To make the vehicle shift to the requested gear, you may have to shift back to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and re-select the desired gear.

REDUCED ENGINE POWER

This message is displayed when the cooling system temperature gets too hot and the engine further enters the engine coolant protection mode. See Engine Overheating for further information.

This message will also display when the vehicle's engine power is reduced. Reduced engine power can affect the vehicle's ability to accelerate. If this message is on, but there is no reduction in performance, proceed to your destination. The performance may be reduced the next time the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may be driven at a reduced speed while this message is on, but acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime this message stays on, the vehicle should be taken to your dealer for service as soon as possible.

RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR (Crew Cab)

If the passenger's side rear door is not fully closed, this message will appear on the display and you will hear a chime. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the door for obstructions, and close the door again. Check to see if the message still appears on the DIC. Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display.

SERVICE 4WD (Four-Wheel-Drive)

If a problem occurs with the four-wheel-drive system, this message will appear on the DIC. If this message appears, stop as soon as possible and turn off the vehicle. Restart the vehicle and check for the message on the DIC display. If the message is still displayed or appears again when you begin driving, the four-wheel-drive system needs service. See your dealer.

SERVICE AIRBAG

If there is a problem with the airbag system, this message will be displayed on the DIC. Have your dealer inspect the system for problems. See Airbag Readiness Light and Airbag System for more information. Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display.

SERVICE BRAKE BOOSTER

Caution: Your brake system may not be working properly if the SERVICE BRAKE BOOSTER message is displayed.

If the brake system warning light is also on, you should have the vehicle towed for service. See Brake System Warning Light .

If the brake system warning light is not on, you still have brakes, but the supplemental brake assist system on vehicles with rear disc brakes may not operate properly. In the event of a vacuum loss, you may not have vacuum power assist for braking. The brake pedal will be harder to push and it will take longer to stop. If you continue to drive with this message displayed it can lead to a crash. Have the brake system serviced as soon as possible.

If your vehicle has vacuum assist power brakes, this message will be displayed on the DIC when there is a problem with the Supplemental Brake Assist system. If the message is displayed immediately after starting the vehicle or the message appears while driving, the Supplemental Brake Assist system needs service. See your dealer. See Brake System Warning Light for additional information.

SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM

If there is a problem with the brake system, this message will be displayed on the DIC. If this message appears, stop as soon as possible and turn off the vehicle. Restart the vehicle and check for the message on the DIC display. If the message is still displayed or appears again when you begin driving, the brake system needs service. See your dealer.

SERVICE CHARGING SYSTEM

On some vehicles, if there is a problem with the battery charging system, this message will appear on the DIC. Under certain conditions, the battery warning light may also turn on in the instrument panel cluster. See Battery Warning Light . The battery will not be charging at an optimal rate and the vehicle will lose the ability to enter the fuel economy mode. The vehicle is safe to drive, however you should have the electrical system checked by your dealer. Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display.

TIGHTEN FUEL CAP

If the vehicle's fuel cap is not tightened properly, this message may appear along with the check engine light on the instrument panel. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp . Fully reinstall the fuel cap. See Filling the Tank . 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 and message off.

TRACTION ACTIVE

When the traction control system had detected that any of the vehicle's wheels are slipping, the traction control system will activate and this message will appear on the DIC. For more information, see Traction Assist System (TAS) .

TRANSMISSION HOT

Notice: If you drive your vehicle while the transmission fluid is overheating and the transmission temperature warning is displayed on the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, you can damage the transmission. This could lead to costly repairs that would not be covered by your warranty. Do not drive your vehicle with overheated transmission fluid or while the transmission temperature warning is displayed.

If the transmission fluid temperature becomes high, this message will appear on the DIC display.

When the transmission enters the protection mode, you may notice a change in the transmission shifting patterns. When the transmission fluid temperature returns to normal, the display will turn off and the transmission shifting patterns will return to normal.

If the vehicle has the Tow/Haul mode, use this feature if the transmission is operating at higher temperatures and/or the following situations exist, which can cause the transmission to operate at higher temperatures:

    • Towing a trailer
    • Hot outside air temperatures
    • Hauling a large or heavy load
    • Over-loading
    • Low transmission fluid level
    • High transmission fluid level
    • Restricted air flow to the radiator and the auxiliary transmission oil cooler

A temporary solution to hotter transmission operating temperatures may be to let the transmission cool down. If the transmission is operated at higher temperatures on a frequent basis, see Scheduled Maintenance for the transmission your vehicle is equipped with for the proper transmission maintenance intervals. Also see Transmission Temperature Gage for more information.

TRANS (Transmission) HOT IDLE ENGINE

Notice: If you drive your vehicle while the transmission fluid is overheating and the transmission temperature warning is displayed on the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, you can damage the transmission. This could lead to costly repairs that would not be covered by your warranty. Do not drive your vehicle with overheated transmission fluid or while the transmission temperature warning is displayed.

If the transmission fluid in the vehicle gets hot, this message will appear on the DIC along with a continuous chime. Driving with the transmission fluid temperature high can cause damage to the vehicle. Stop the vehicle and let it idle to allow the transmission to cool. This message will clear and the chime will stop when the fluid temperature reaches a safe level. See Transmission Temperature Gage .

TRANS (Transmission) IN WARM UP (Allison Transmission® Only)

When temperatures are very cold, the transmission will prevent certain operations such as shifts to some ranges and engaging the torque converter clutch to protect against damage. When active, the DIC will display the message TRANS IN WARM UP.

TURN SIGNAL ON

If a turn signal is left on for 3/4 of a mile (1.2 km), this message will appear on the display and you will hear a chime. Move the turn signal/multifunction lever to the off position. Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC display.

Warning messages are displayed on the DIC to notify the driver that the status of the vehicle has changed and that some action may be needed by the driver to correct the condition. If there is more than one message that needs to be displayed they will appear one after another. Some messages may not require immediate action but you should press the select button or the trip odometer reset stem on the instrument panel cluster to acknowledge that you received the message and clear it from the display. Some messages cannot be cleared from the display because they are more urgent; these messages require action before they can be removed from the DIC display. The following are the possible messages that can be displayed and some information about them. For information on other DIC messages, see "DIC Warnings and Messages" in the owner manual Index.

42V SWITCH OFF

When a fuse in the 42-volt battery system is blown, the battery cut off (BCO) switch is open or the battery disconnect switch is open, this message will appear. It will clear when the problem is fixed, when the battery disconnect switch is closed or by pressing the DIC select button or the trip reset stem on the instrument panel cluster. The fuse on the 42-volt battery pack can only be replaced and the automatic battery disconnect can only be closed by a qualified service technician. See Fuses and Circuit Breakers and Battery Disconnect Switch and "Instrument Panel Cluster" in the owner manual Index for more information.

120V DISABLED

This message will display when the hybrid's power system is too hot to function in the APO normal mode. This message will display for 10 seconds or until the system cools down. This message will also display for 10 seconds each time the APO is activated while the system is too hot to function. See "Normal Mode" under Auxiliary Power Outlet (APO) System .

120V GROUND FAULT

This message will display when the APO normal or continuous mode turns off due to an electrical ground fault.

When in the normal mode, the message will display for 10 seconds.

When in the continuous mode, the engine will continue to run for five minutes after a ground fault condition is identified and the APO is not reset. The message will be displayed the entire time the engine is running. See "Resetting the Short Circuit, Overload or Ground Fault Detection (GFD) Circuit" under Auxiliary Power Outlet (APO) System .

120V OVERLOAD

This message will display when the APO normal or continuous mode turns off due to an electrical overload fault.

When in the normal mode, the message will display for 10 seconds.

When in the continuous mode, the engine will continue to run for five minutes after an overload condition is identified and the APO is not reset. The message will be displayed the entire time the engine is running. See "Resetting the Short Circuit, Overload or Ground Fault Detection (GFD) Circuit" under Auxiliary Power Outlet (APO) System .

120V READY

This message will display and the light in the APO button will flash when the system is ready/waiting to enter the continuous mode for 30 seconds or until the ignition is turned to LOCK. See "Continuous Mode" under Auxiliary Power Outlet (APO) System .

120V SYSTEM FAULT

This message will display when the APO normal or continuous mode turns off due to a system fault.

When in the normal mode, the message will display for 10 seconds.

When in the continuous mode, the message will display for 60 seconds and the engine will turn off. It will also display for 10 seconds the next time the engine is started until the problem is fixed. See Auxiliary Power Outlet (APO) System .

BATTERY NOT CHARGING

If the hybrid battery system faults or fails (42-volt or 12-volt system), this message will appear on the DIC. The engine auto start/stop feature will be disabled and the battery/charging system light will appear in the instrument panel cluster. See "Battery Warning Light" in the owner manual Index.

Driving with this light on could drain your batteries. Have the electrical system checked as soon as possible. Pressing the select button or the trip odometer reset stem on the instrument panel cluster will acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display.

ENGINE AUTO START MODE

When the vehicle is in PARK (P) and the auto stop function is active, this message will display to let you know that the engine may start automatically at any given time. This message will clear when the vehicle is taken out of PARK (P), if the key is turned to LOCK, or when the engine auto starts.

Pressing the DIC select button or the trip odometer reset stem on the instrument panel cluster will also clear the message.

ENGINE COOLANT HOT

If the engine cooling system temperature gets hot, this message will appear on the DIC. Stop the vehicle and let the engine idle in PARK (P) to allow the coolant to reach a safe temperature. This message will clear when the coolant temperature drops to a safe operating temperature. See "Cooling System" in the owner manual Index for more information.

The APO continuous mode will also stop operating when this message comes on. See "Continuous Mode" under Auxiliary Power Outlet (APO) System .

FUEL LEVEL LOW

If the fuel level is low while the APO system is in continuous mode, this message will appear on the DIC and the horn will sound for five seconds every minute for five minutes. Refuel as soon as possible. If the vehicle is left unattended for the full five minute warning, the engine and APO system will shut down, unless the APO button is pressed during the five minute warning period. See "Continuous Mode" under Auxiliary Power Outlet (APO) System .

Pressing the select button or the trip odometer reset stem on the instrument panel cluster will acknowledge this message immediately and clear it from the DIC display. It will also clear itself after five minutes. The low fuel light near the fuel gage will still remain on in either case. See "Fuel Gage" and "Instrument Panel Cluster" in the owner manual Index.

HOOD AJAR

If the hood is not fully closed, this message will appear on the display. Close the hood to clear the message. Pressing the select button or the trip stem on the instrument panel cluster will acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC display also.

When this message is displayed, the auto start/stop function will not operate with the hood open. If the vehicle is in auto stop mode when this message appears, you will have to restart the engine with the ignition key. See Starting the Vehicle .

OIL PRESSURE LOW

If engine oil pressure is low, this message will be displayed on the DIC. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible and do not operate it until the cause of the low oil pressure has been corrected. Check your oil as soon as possible and have your vehicle serviced. See "Engine Oil" in the owner manual Index.

The APO continuous mode will stop operating when this message comes on. The message will reappear for 60 seconds when the vehicle is shut off and 10 seconds when restarted to let you know why the APO continuous mode was canceled. See "Continuous Mode" under Auxiliary Power Outlet (APO) System .

SECURITY

This message, along with the security light on the instrument panel cluster, will appear on the DIC for 60 seconds when a security violation has occurred. The APO continuous mode will cancel at this time . See "Theft-Deterrent Systems" in the owner manual Index.

SERVICE 42V BATTERIES

This message will display when the 42-volt batteries need service or replacement due to age or if a failure condition is present. This message will be displayed for 10 seconds and then will display again each time the ignition key is turned from LOCK to RUN. See Battery for more information.

SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM

If you hear four short chimes along with the brake system warning light and this message alternating with the SERVICE STEER SYSTEM message, the power assist system is not working. You will still be able to steer and brake, but it will be much more difficult. Pull off the road to a safe location and have your vehicle towed to the nearest dealer for service. See "Brakes," "Brake System Warning Light," and "ABS Brake System Warning Light" in the owner manual Index.

SERVICE STEER SYSTEM

If the SERVICE STEER SYSTEM message is displayed without any chimes, the power assist system will continue to function, but it may be more difficult to steer. Have the steering system serviced as soon as possible. Also, see "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM" listed previously.