GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

The indicator description and operation uses generic indicator names. Refer to the table below for the indicators that are available on this vehicle:

IPC Indicators

Vehicle Indicator Name

Indicator Description Title

ABS Symbol

ABS Indicator

Air Bag Symbol

Air Bag Indicator

BRAKE

Brake System Indicator

Brake Pad Wear Symbol

Brake Pad Wear Indicator

BRAKE TO SHIFT

Shift Indicator(s)

Charge Symbol

Charging System Indicator(s)

CHECK ENGINE

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)

Coolant Temperature Symbol

Engine Coolant Indicator(s)

CRUISE

Cruise Control Indicator

Fasten Safety Belt Symbol

Fasten Safety Belt Indicator

Fog Lamp Symbol

Lighting System Indicator(s)

FUEL CAP

Fuel System Indicator(s)

Headlamps On Required Symbol

Lighting System Indicator(s)

High Beam Symbol

Lighting System Indicator(s)

LEVELING

Suspension Indicator

Low Coolant Level Symbol

Engine Coolant Indicator(s)

Low Engine Oil Level Symbol

Engine Oil Indicator(s)

Low Fuel Symbol

Fuel System Indicator(s)

Low Oil Pressure Symbol

Engine Oil Indicator(s)

Low Washer Fluid Symbol

Washer System Indicator

OVER SPEED

Vehicle Overspeed Indicator

SECURITY

Theft System Indicator(s)

Sport Mode Symbol

Shift Indicator(s)

Traction Control Symbol

Traction Control System Indicator

Trunk Ajar Symbol

Trunk Ajar Indicator

Turn Signal Symbols

Lighting System Indicator(s)

ABS Indicator

The IPC illuminates the ABS indicator when the following occurs:

    • The IPC detects a malfunction with the antilock brake system.
    • The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The indicator illuminates for approximately 3 seconds.

Air Bag Indicator

The IPC illuminates the air bag indicator when the following occurs:

    • The IPC detects a malfunction with the supplemental inflatable restraint system. The IPC receives a discrete input from the SDM requesting illumination.
    • The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The IPC illuminates the air bag indicator.

Brake Pad Wear Indicator

The IPC illuminates the brake pad wear indicator when the following occurs:

    • The IPC detects a hardwire input from the LH or RH disc brake pad wear sensor (signal is low).
    • The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The indicator illuminates for approximately 3 seconds.

Brake System Indicator

The IPC illuminates the brake indicator when the following occurs:

    • The IPC detects a low brake fluid condition. The IPC receives a discrete input from the brake fluid level switch requesting illumination.
    • The IPC detects the park brake is engaged. The IPC receives a discrete input from the park brake switch requesting illumination.
    • The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The indicator illuminates for approximately 3 seconds.

Charging System Indicator

The IPC illuminates the charge indicator when the following occurs:

    • The generators output is less than 11 volts or greater than 16 volts. The IPC receives a discrete input from the generator requesting illumination.
    • The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The IPC illuminates the charge indicator.
    • The ignition is ON, with the engine OFF.

Cruise Control Indicator

The IPC illuminates the CRUISE indicator when the engine control module (ECM) detects that the cruise control is requested.

Engine Coolant Indicator(s)

Coolant Temperature

The IPC illuminates the coolant temperature indicator when the following occurs:

    • The IPC determines that the coolant temperature is greater than 121°C (248°F) from the engine coolant temperature gage sensor.
    • The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The indicator illuminates for approximately 3 seconds.

Low Coolant Level

The IPC illuminates the low coolant indicator when the following occurs:

    • The IPC detects a low coolant level condition (signal is low) from the coolant level sensor.
    • The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The indicator illuminates for approximately 3 seconds.

Engine Oil Indicator(s)

Low Engine Oil Level

The IPC illuminates the low engine oil level indicator when the following occurs:

    • The IPC detects an open from the engine oil level sensor.
    • The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The IPC illuminates the low engine oil level indicator.

Low Oil Pressure

The IPC illuminates the low oil pressure indicator when the following occurs:

    • The IPC detects low oil pressure (signal is low) from the engine oil pressure gage switch. When this indicator is on there is an audible warning that chimes through the IPC.
    • The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The IPC illuminates the low oil pressure indicator.

Fasten Safety Belt Indicator

The IPC illuminates the fasten safety belt indicator when the following occurs:

    • The IPC detects that the driver's seat belt is unbuckled. The IPC illuminates the indicator for 5 seconds and then flashes the indicator. The IPC activates the audible warning for 8 seconds or until the seat belt is buckled.
    • The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The indicator illuminates for approximately 5 seconds.

Fuel System Indicator(s)

FUEL CAP Indicator

The IPC illuminates the FUEL CAP indicator when the following occurs:

    • The IPC receives a hardwire input from the ECM when the fuel cap is not closed.
    • The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The IPC illuminates the FUEL CAP indicator.

Low Fuel Indicator

The IPC illuminates the low fuel indicator when the following occurs:

    • The IPC detects the fuel level is less than a pre-determined value. The IPC receives a hardwire input from the fuel sender indicating the fuel level voltage.
    • The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The indicator illuminates for approximately 3 seconds.

Lighting System Indicator(s)

Fog Lamp

The IPC illuminates the fog lamp indicator when the malfunction relay K134 detects that the fog lamps are requested (signal is low) from the multifunction relay K134.

Headlamp On Required

The IPC illuminates the headlamp on required indicator when the ambient light sensor detects it is dark enough outside that the headlamps and/or other exterior lamps are required. The BCM sends a hardwire (signal is low) output to the IPC.

High Beam

The IPC illuminates the high beam indicator when the body control module (BCM) detects that the high beams are requested (signal is low).

Turn Signals

The IPC illuminates the right or left turn signal indicator when the IPC detects a turn signal request or a hazard request.

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)

The PCM illuminates the MIL (service engine soon or check engine) when the following occurs:

    • The PCM detects a malfunction in the emissions system.
    • The PCM performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The indicator illuminates for approximately 3 seconds.
    • The ignition is on, with the engine off.

Shift Indicator(s)

BRAKE TO SHIFT

The IPC illuminates the BRAKE TO SHIFT indicator when the following occurs:

    • The BCM sends a hard wire input to the IPC (signal is low). The IPC illuminates this indicator when the BCM determines that a shift is necessary.
    • The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The IPC illuminates the BRAKE TO SHIFT indicator.

Sport Mode

    • The IPC receives a hardwire input from the TCM (signal is low) when the sport mode button is pushed on the IPC. When this lamp is illuminated the vehicle will have slightly firmer shifts and increased performance for part and full throttle situations. This lamp will also flash when there may be a problem with the automatic transmission. The transmission control module (TCM) performs a continual self diagnosis of certain control functions. The lamp will flash only when an error is detected. The TCM will store in memory a current and/or history trouble code when a problem is detected.
    • The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The indicator illuminates for approximately 3 seconds.

Suspension Indicator

LEVELING Indicator

The IPC illuminates the LEVELING indicator when the following occurs:

    • The IPC detects a malfunction with the automatic leveling control system.
    • The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The indicator illuminates for approximately 3 seconds.

Theft System Indicator(s)

SECURITY

The IPC illuminates the SECURITY indicator in the message center as determined by the vehicle theft deterrent (VTD) system. The IPC receives a class 2 message from the theft deterrent controller module requesting illumination.

    • The VTD system requests the IPC to illuminate the indicator only when the ignition switch is ON. The VTD system uses the indicator as a malfunction indicator.
    • The content theft deterrent (CTD) system requests the IPC to illuminate the indicator only when the ignition switch is OFF. The CTD system uses the indicator to identify system status.

Traction Control Indicator

The IPC illuminates the traction control indicator when the following occurs:

    • The electronic brake control module (EBCM) detects a malfunction in the traction control system. The IPC receives a hardwire input (signal is low) from the EBCM requesting illumination.
    • The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The indicator illuminates for approximately 3 seconds.

Trunk Ajar Indicator

The IPC illuminates the trunk ajar indicator when:

    •  The rear compartment lid ajar indicator switch closes which indicates that the trunk is open.
    • The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle.

Vehicle Overspeed Indicator(s)

Over Speed Indicator

When the vehicle speed reaches 120 km/h plus or minus 2 km/h the IPC illuminates the over speed indicator in the message center. When the vehicle speed is reduced to 115 km/h plus or minus 2 km/h this message turns off.

Washer Fluid Indicator

The IPC illuminates the low washer fluid indicator when the following occurs:

    • The IPC detects a low washer fluid condition (signal circuit is low).
    • The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The indicator illuminates for approximately 3 seconds.