What is the point of the "service vehicle" light?

[F1GT]

Anyone ever had it lit up??? It never lit up for any maintenance or anything. Is it for something other than the engine, since thats what the SES is for?

[navyblue2000]

I've had it go off when I had a few fuses missing [img]smile.gif[/img] oops.

But I've never heard of it going off other than that

[malice10985]

I think it is for chassis/ non engine malfuntions. Maybe if the Transmission speed sensor breaks or something.

I thought it would be for ABS failure, but that has its own warning light.

[Go4broke]

well if you have a scann tool or take it up to auto zone you can have it read and see what could be wrong with your car. its very helpful.

[Javelin3o4]

the check engine light will light up usually when there is a malfunction that the ecm cannot correct. On one of my cars the check engine light comes on because the air intake temp sensor is bad. But if you can scan it with a scan tool you can usally narrow down the problem. and hopefully correct it on your own.

[1997redchevycamarors]

the only reason that it will come on is if there is a bad sensor of any kind. crank sensor, o2 sensor, etc. mine is on because of a o2 sensor, you can get a scanner at autozone that fits chevy's for i think 24.99 thats what i did or they will scan it for free. the only way to find out what sensor it is, unless car is running sloppy is to get it scanned

[F1GT]

I think some of you are getting the SERVICE VEHICLE and SERVICE ENGINE SOON mixed up. I'm just wondering what is the difference. Nothing is wrong with my car.
[img]graemlins/burnout.gif[/img]

[chas]

service vehicle is for non-critical items--typically burned out bulbs.

[F1GT]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by chas:
service vehicle is for non-critical items--typically burned out bulbs.<hr></blockquote>

I've had plenty of burned out bulbs, but that never lit up,.,.,.,.

[chas]

same here, but on other gm vehicles the service vehicle soon is used for that purpose. f-body's dont seem to implement this feature but you get the light anyway. i imagine everyone has the 'tcs disabled' lit but its non functional on vehicles w/o tcs.

[C.O.Jones]

Alright people, if you don't know, then shut up.

1) F1GT - have you checked your manual?
2) In my 98 I don't have it, however there are lights for engine oil and coolant level. If you check your manual you might find that these have been rolled into one. Again, I don't know so I'll shut up.

[chas]

fine. from my manual, pg 2-88:

"This warning light should come on in your instrument panel for a three-second bulb check when you first start your vehicle. If the light doesn't come on, have it serviced. This light will stay on steady if you have certain non-emission related vehicle problems. These problems may not be obvious and may affect vehicle performance or durability. Consult a qualified dealership for necessary repairs to maintain top vehicle performance."

however, that being said, practically everything (even non-emissions related, like transmission) lights 'check engine'. btw, this is from a '99 manual. my '99 has a seperate 'check oil level' light as well. as i said before, this light is typically used on other gm vehicles to indicate out bulbs. the f-body doesnt support this so i imagine that this light will almost never be lit (except during bulb check).

[C.O.Jones]

Hey cranky chas, I was actually addressing the other postees that reply instantly with "Go to autozone and get your car scanned."
Didn't mean to tick you off.

[chas]

those people arent necessarily wrong. if its not plainly obvious you will need to scan the code to see what's wrong. it would be nice if these pontiac would flash the codes on the odometer (caddies will put up the codes on the climate control center although most caddie owners dont do their own repair work so it seems pointless to make it easy for them).

[cranky chas is only one of many fine services i offer]