Instrument Panel Cluster System Check
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 1999 Pontiac Grand Am and 1999 Oldsmobile Alero. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Turn ignition on and connect scan tool to DLC. Check for current DTCs in Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC). If no current DTCs are set, go to next step. If DTCs are set, go to appropriate diagnostic procedure. See INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER (IPC) DTC DEFINITIONS table under SELF-DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM. If scan tool does not communicate with IPC, go to INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CHECK under SELF-DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM.
- Turn ignition off. Release parking brake. Unbuckle driver's seat belt. Turn ignition on and observe indicator operation. Indicators will operate as follows:
- SERVICE ENGINE SOON is on steady.
- Seat belt indicator is on for 20 seconds, and then flashes for 55 seconds.
- Air bag indicator will flash 7 times.
- Charge indicator is on steady.
- Oil pressure indicator is on steady.
- All remaining indicators will perform a 3 second function test and turn off.
- Turn ignition on. On Grand Am, press trip reset switch. On Alero, press odometer reset switch. On all models, odometer will switch between odometer and trip odometer readings. If odometer operates as specified, go to next step. If odometer does not operate as specified, go to ODOMETER DOES NOT SWITCH BETWEEN TRIP & MILEAGE under SYMPTOM TESTS.
- Turn ignition on. Operate left and right turn signals. Turn signal indicators will flash with corresponding turn signal. If turn signal indicators operate as specified, go to next step. If turn signal indicators do not operate as specified, go to LEFT TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR INOPERATIVE or RIGHT TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR INOPERATIVE under SYMPTOM TESTS.
- Apply parking brake. BRAKE indicator will come on. If BRAKE indicator operates as specified, go to next step. If BRAKE indicator does not operate as specified, go to BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR INOPERATIVE under SYMPTOM TESTS.
- Turn ignition on. With parking brake applied, depress brake pedal and shift transmission through all gears noting shift indicator operation (automatic transmission). PRNDL indicator will be on with corresponding gear selected. If PRNDL indicator operates as specified, go to next step. If PRNDL indicator does not operate as specified, go to PRNDL INDICATOR INACCURATE OR INOPERATIVE under SYMPTOM TESTS.
- Place vehicle in dark or shady area. Turn headlights on and monitor instrument panel cluster illumination. Adjust instrument panel dimmer switch from minimum to maximum positions. If instrument panel lights go from bright to dim with switch, go to next step. If instrument panel lights do not go from bright to dim with switch, go to INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY under SYMPTOM TESTS.
- Turn headlights on and activate high beams. If high beam indicator comes on, go to next step. If high beam indicator does not come on, go to HIGH BEAM INDICATOR NOT OPERATING PROPERLY under SYMPTOM TESTS.
- Start engine and bring to operating temperature. Allow engine to idle. Tachometer will indicate idle RPM, fuel gauge will indicate correct amount of fuel and coolant temperature gauge will indicate current operating temperature. If gauges operate as specified, go to next step. If gauges do not operate as specified, go to TACHOMETER INACCURATE OR INOPERATIVE , FUEL GAUGE INACCURATE OR INOPERATIVE or COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE INACCURATE OR INOPERATIVE under SYMPTOM TESTS.
- Drive vehicle at 30 mph and note speedometer and odometer operation. Speedometer will indicate corresponding vehicle speed and odometer reading will increase with distance driven. If speedometer and odometer operate as specified, system check is complete. If speedometer and odometer do not operate as specified, go to SPEEDOMETER &/OR ODOMETER INACCURATE OR INOPERATIVE under SYMPTOM TESTS.