Skylark L4-144 2.4L DOHC VIN T SFI (1997)
Brake Warning Indicator: Description and Operation
Red "Brake" and Amber "Antilock" Indicators
STANDARD BRAKES
The standard brake system uses a single red "BRAKE" warning light located in the instrument panel cluster. When the ignition switch is in the
"Start" position, the "BRAKE" warning light should glow and go off when the ignition switch returns to the "Run" position. The following
conditions will activate the "BRAKE" light when the ingition is in the "ON" or "RUN" positions:
1. Parking brake applied. The light should be on whenever the parking brake is applied and the ignition switch is on.
2. Low fluid level. The master cylinder is equipped with a fluid level switch located in the side of the master cylinder reservoir. A low fluid level
in the master cylinder will turn the "BRAKE" light on.
ABS BRAKES
Vehicle equipped with anti-lock brakes use two indicator lamps, a red "BRAKE" warning lamp and and amber "ANTILOCK" indicator lamp, both
located in the instrumment panel cluster.
When the EBCM needs to illuminate the ABS indicator or BRAKE warning lamps, it will transmit a signal (via serial data link) to the Electronic
Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) and the IPC will illuminate the indicator lamp.
Under normal conditions, these lamps should operate as follows:
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When the ignition is turned to the "RUN' position, prior to starting the engine, the amber "ANTILOCK" indicator should turn "ON" for 3
seconds.
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As the engine is cranked, both the red "BRAKE" warning indicator and the amber "ANTILOCK" indicator should turn "ON".
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Once the engine is started and the ignition is in the "RUN" position, both lamps should turn "OFF".
Operation - Red "BRAKE" Warning Lamp
The red BRAKE warning lamp has two functions. It will illuminate whenever the park brake is set (direct input to the IPC) or when the brake fluid
level within the master cylinder reservoir drops below a safe level (commanded by the EBCM via serial data link). As a bulb check procedure, the
EBCM will command the BRAKE warning lamp ON when the EBCM receives power (ignition in RUN or START position). With the ignition in
the OFF/UNLOCK position (loss of EBCM serial data), the IPC will illuminate the BRAKE warning lamp.
Operation - Amber "ANTILOCK" Indicator Lamp
The amber ABS indicator lamp will be illuminated to alert the driver of a malfunction. This indicates that the malfunction affects operation of the
ABS. Normal (non-antilock) braking will remain. In order to regain ABS braking ability, the ABS must be serviced. As a bulb check procedure,
the EBCM will command the ABS indicator lamp ON for 3 seconds when the EBCM receives power (ignition in RUN or START positions). With
the ignition in the OFF/UNLOCK position (loss of serial data), the IPC will illuminate the ABS indicator lamp.
