Chevrolet Silverado Dashboard Warning Lights

These are the dashboard warning lights for the Chevrolet Silverado; 1500, 2500 and 3500 versions. Depending on your version of Chevrolet Silverado, a warning light and/or a text warning message may illuminate on the dashboard display. Many of the warning lights apply to all versions of the Chevrolet Silverado – where a warning light is model specific, it will be noted. Warning lights, gauges and messages can signal that something is wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an expensive repair or breakdown.

Warning light name: Chevrolet Silverado airbag warning light.
Models applicable: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500
Description: This is the airbag readiness warning light and under normal circumstances it should come on for several seconds when the vehicle engine is started and go out shortly after. If the warning light doesn’t come on at all, stays on constantly or comes on while driving, it indicates an electrical fault with the airbag system. The various components include:

• Airbag sensor(s)
• Passenger sensing system (if equipped)
• Seat belt pretensioners
• Airbag modules
• Wiring
• Crash sensing and diagnostic module

With the airbag warning light illuminated, there’s a risk of the airbag failing to deploy during an impact or the airbag may unexpectedly deploy without a crash taking place. Common faults relate to the passenger sensing sensor or seat belt pretensioner system due to wear on the buckle or cabling around the seating area becoming disconnected. Depending on your version of Silverado, the warning message ‘Service Air Bag’ may display.

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Warning light name: Chevrolet Silverado oil pressure warning light.
Models applicable: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500
Description: A low oil pressure warning may be indicated by the oil pressure gauge, a warning light or warning message. For the oil pressure gauge, it displays pressures in kPa (kilopascals) or psi (pounds per square inch) when the engine is running. It’s normal for oil pressures to vary based on engine speed / load, outside temperature, coolant temperature and oil viscosity. If a warning light illuminates or a text message is displayed or the oil pressure gauge warns of low pressure, it’s important to take immediate action. Low oil pressure if left undiagnosed can cause severe engine damage, the likelihood of which isn’t covered by vehicle warranty. You should:

1. Immediately stop the vehicle and switch off the engine if driving.
2. Wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the pan.
3. Check engine oil level.

Warning
If the engine oil level is within the acceptable level range, do not restart the engine and arrange to have the vehicle towed. If oil level is low and engine oil was added, only continue driving if the warning light has gone off.
Warning messages
Depending on your version of Chevrolet Silverado, you may receive the warning text message: ‘OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP ENGINE’. Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and follow the above advice. If the warning text message ‘ENGINE OIL HOT IDLE ENGINE’ displays

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Warning light name: Chevrolet Silverado coolant temperature warning light.
Models applicable: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500
Description: High engine coolant temperature warning may be indicated by the coolant temperature gauge, a warning light or warning message. For the coolant temperature gauge, it may display temperatures in Fahrenheit or Celsius. If the needle on the temperature gauge moves into the red area, immediately pull off the road and switch off the engine. If this occurs under normal driving conditions, it may indicate low engine coolant levels or a leak in the system. Before continuing your journey, wait several minutes for the coolant to cool and check levels. Check cooling fan and drive belts are operational.
Warning messages
Depending on your version of Chevrolet Silverado, you may receive the warning text message: ‘ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE’. In this instance, stop the vehicle as soon as possible but allow the engine to idle. Continued driving may cause severe engine damage.

The warning text message: ‘ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED’ may display. This in an override protection mode that operates when the engine is overheating. This mode alternates firing groups of cylinders and helps to prevent engine damage. A drop in engine performance will be noticed. When protection mode is in operation, drive to a safe location only and avoid extended mileage. After driving in protection mode, the engine oil will be severely degraded. Change engine oil and locate the cause of engine coolant loss / overheating.
If the warning message: ‘ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE’ illuminates, pull off the road and immediately switch off the engine. A warning chime may also be heard.

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Warning light name: Chevrolet Silverado voltmeter gauge / battery warning light.
Models applicable: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500
Description: The condition of the charging system may be indicated by the voltmeter gauge gauge, a warning light or warning message. When the ignition is on, this gauge indicates the battery voltage. The normal range is around 14 volts, though it’s normal for the gauge to read higher and lower readings. This may become more apparent when:

• In fuel economy mode.
• A large number of electrical accessories are running and the engine is idling. Voltage readings should increase when the engine speed increases.

Warning light
If voltage is outside of the normal operating range, the battery warning light comes on. This means there’s a fault with the charging system and usually indicates a problem with the:

• Alternator
• Battery
• Cables / wiring / connections
• Alternator belt

In this condition, the vehicle can only be driven for a limited amount of time before the engine shuts down. Immediately switch off any electrical accessories, such as the radio and air conditioner. During this condition, the warning text message: ‘SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM’ may display.

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Warning light name: Chevrolet Silverado check engine warning light.
Models applicable: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500
Description: The check engine warning light often brings attention to engine faults before they become noticeable. The check engine warning icon is a generic warning light meaning that there are many potential faults associated with it. The most common faults associated with the Chevrolet Silverado check engine warning light coming on are:

• Loose or faulty gas cap. Due to the loss of pressure inside the gas tank, the check engine warning light is triggered. After properly securing the gas cap, it might take a little while for the warning light to go off.
• Oxygen sensors. These can get a build up of grime and ash and no longer monitor fuel / air mixture correctly triggering the check engine light.
• A faulty spark plug and/or wiring.
• Catalytic converter faults.
• Mass airflow sensor. This sensor monitors air entering the engine and controls how much fuel to inject.
• Exhaust gas recirculation valve. The EGR valve reroutes some of the exhaust gases that emit from the engine back into the combustion chambers in the engine to help reduce exhaust emissions.
• Poor fuel quality.

Locating the fault
You will need to hook up diagnostic equipment to read fault codes. The fault codes localize where the problems are.
What to do if the check engine light comes on
Chevrolet Silverado check engine warning light is generally associated with the emissions control system and it may light up or flash.
▷ Lights up: Reduce speed and engine load. This is not usually urgent, but have diagnostic service done as soon as possible.
▷ Flashes: If the check engine light is flashing, it can potentially result in engine / catalytic converter damage. If the engine sounds rough, it could be misfiring. Immediately reduce speed, avoid high engine load. If carrying weight, if possible reduce the weight. If check engine light continues to flash, pull off the road and switch off the engine. After a restart, the the light may stop flashing. Have diagnostics as soon as possible.

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Warning light name: Chevrolet Silverado lane departure warning light.
Models applicable: Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500
Description: The lane departure warning (LDW) uses a camera located in front of the rear view mirror to detect lane lines an is designed to warn the driver that a lane line has been crossed without the use of indicators. The green light indicates the system is ready and changes to amber and flashes due to unintentional lane departures. Unlike lane keep assist (LKA) detailed below, LDW does not assist with the steering. The Chevrolet Silverado lane departure warning may not work properly due to:

• Driving too close to the vehicle ahead.
• The camera is obscured by dirt – clean the windshield.
• The camera has direct sunlight facing into it.
• Sudden light changes.
• Lane markings are of poor quality.
• Poor weather such as heavy rain or fog.

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Warning light name: Chevrolet Silverado security warning light.
Models applicable: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500
Description: The car and lock symbol is the security / theft-deterrent/ immobilizer warning light. The light should come on briefly when the engine starts and goes off shortly after. If the security warning light doesn’t come on at all or the light stays on and the engine doesn’t start, it indicates a problem with the system. The system operates by use of RKE transmitters – Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) key which is matched to the immobilizer control unit in the vehicle.

If the key is damaged or the battery exhausted in the key, the vehicle engine may not start. In this instance, try another key. If your version of Chevrolet Silverado applies, place the key in the transmitter pocket located in the center console and attempt to change ignition mode. If this fails, the key may require programming to your vehicle. The text warning message: ‘SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM’ may display depending on your version of Silverado.

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Warning light name: Chevrolet Silverado lane keep assist warning light.
Models applicable: Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Description: Lane keep assist (LKA) is a safety system for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 which alerts the driver when an unintentional lane departure takes place. As with LDW, it uses a camera mounted ahead of the rear view mirror to detect lane markings. The system may assist with steering the vehicle back between lane lines. LKA may not work properly if:

• The driver is too close to the vehicle ahead.
• The camera mounted at the top center of the windshield is obscured by dirt – clean the windshield.
• The camera has direct sunlight facing into it.
• Sudden light changes.
• Lane markings are of poor quality.
• Poor weather such as heavy rain or fog.

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Warning light name: Chevrolet Silverado tire pressure warning light.
Models applicable: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500
Description: As a system check, the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light comes on briefly when the engine starts. This will provide information about tire pressures. The tire pressure warning light may come on for two other instances:
▷ Always on: One or more tires is significantly underinflated. Stop as soon as possible whilst observing traffic conditions. Avoid harsh steering or heavy braking. Check tire pressures or replace affect tire with spare. The warning message: ‘TIRE LOW ADD AIR TO TIRE’ may display on the dashboard instrument cluster.
▷ Flashes: There is a problem with the tire pressure monitoring system. The light will remain stable-on after about one minute. A text warning message: ‘SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM’ may display. The TPMS uses pressure sensors inside each tire that transmit pressure values via radio frequency to the vehicle. The tire pressure light may flash due to:

• A tire being fitted without a pressure sensor, such as the spare for example.
• A pressure sensor has been damaged.
• A tire not recommended by Chevrolet has been fitted.
• Battery inside a sensor has expired.
• You are near a facility that is emitting radio frequencies that is interrupting the operation of the TPMS frequency.
• The TPMS sensor matching process was not done or not completed successfully after rotating the tires.

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Warning light name: Chevrolet Silverado electronic stability control warning light.
Models applicable: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500
Description: The electronic stability control (ESC) / StabiliTrak comprises of traction control (TCS) which reduces wheel spin and StabiliTrak/ESC which helps to reduce understeer and oversteer when cornering. The system reduces engine power and/or applies the brakes to specific wheels to help provide stabilization. The ESC light should come on briefly when the engine starts as a system check and then go out. There are two other instances where the ESC light may come on:
▷ Always on: If the ESC light remains constantly on, it means there’s a fault with the system.
▷ Flashing: The ESC light flashing means that the system is actively attempting to stabilize the vehicle.

Common problems
Wheel speed sensors are a common fault with the ESC. On certain models of Chevrolet Silverado, having non-factory fitted wheels / tires or any modifications in this area can also cause the ESC to not work as expected. Other issues that can trigger the ESC warning light are steering wheel angle sensor and yaw-rate sensor – all of which are used to compare data for the ESC. The yaw-rate sensor determines how far off-axis a car is tilting during a turn. The wheels speed sensor ring on the wheel bearing is also know to cause issues.

Related messages
Related error messages that you may see on the dashboard include:
SERVICE STABILITRAK: Try to reset the system by stopping the vehicle, turn off the engine for at least 15 seconds; then start the engine again. If the warning message remains on, a vehicle repair is required.
SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL: The vehicle requires diagnostic to pull fault codes.
SERVICE POWER STEERING: Due to the power steering system being linked to the ESC system, this warning message also often comes on. Steering may become harder.
STABILITRAK INITIALIZING: This warning message may come on due to the road conditions or due to the incorrect tires being fitted.
STABILITRAK OFF: This message may appear when diagnostics of the system are taking place. The brake system warning light may illuminate. In this instance, if the brakes do not operate as expected (the brake pedal is harder to push or the pedal goes to the floor) do not continue driving and arrange to have the vehicle towed.

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Warning light name: Chevrolet Silverado traction control warning light.
Models applicable: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500
Description: Traction control (TCS) is part of the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system and is on by default at each ignition cycle. Traction control limits wheels spin and in general provides better traction for pull away and accelerating. On occasions however, traction control can limit the vehicle’s ability to free itself when stuck in mud or snow for example.

Chevy Silverado stuck in snow or mud
If your Chevy Silverado gets stuck in snow or mud, you’ll need to begin ‘rocking’ the vehicle to get it out.

1. Turn the steering wheel full lock left to right to clear an area around the wheels. Avoid keeping the steering on full lock for more than 15 seconds. The power steering motor may overheat causing damage.
2. Straighten out the steering so that the wheels are pointed directly ahead.
3. For four-wheel-drive versions of the Silverado, shift into Four-Wheel Drive High.
4. Switch off ESC / traction control.
5. Now begin to shift back and forth between reverse and a forward gear whilst trying to maintain as little spinning of the wheels as possible.
6. Ideally to prevent wear on the transmission, wait until the wheels stop spinning before shifting gears.
7. Slowly spinning the wheels in forward and reverse direction will cause a rocking motion that may help to free the vehicle.
8. There are risks associated with spinning the tires at high speeds. Tires will heat up and potentially burst along with excessive heat on the vehicle mechanical components.

Traction control faults
If a fault occurs with the traction control system, the ESC warning light will illuminate and depending on your version of Silverado, the warning message: ‘SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL’ may illuminate. This is related to the ESC system. See ESC warning light above.

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Warning light name: Chevrolet Silverado four-wheel drive warning light.
Models applicable: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500
Description: The four-wheel drive warning light displays the current mode the vehicle is in; 2WD, 4HI, AUTO (all transfer cases); 4LOW and N (two-speed transfer case only). During the shifting process, the four-wheel drive light will flash and on completion, will remain steady.

Avoid shifting the transmission into gear while the light is flashing as this may damage the transfer case. If the warning light is amber, there may be a malfunction with the four-wheel drive system. The text warning message: ‘SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE’ may also display. In this instance, stop the vehicle as soon as possible and switch off the engine. Ensure the key is in the LOCK/ OFF position for at least one minute and then restart the engine. Check the warning light and/or warning message has gone out. If it remains on, the four-wheel drive system requires a service.

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Warning light name: Chevrolet Silverado ABS warning light.
Models applicable: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500
Description: Under normal operation, the ABS warning light comes on as the engine starts and should go out shortly. If the light doesn’t come on, the system may not be able to warn of a fault. If the ABS warning light comes on along with a chime when driving, it means the anti-lock braking system has a fault. This is often related to:

• A wheel speed sensor issue. You can find the sensors on the wheel bearing and hub assembly – a small rectangular box. Ensure that all wires are intact and connected. This is an environment that is subjected to wear and tear.
• Check the ABS fuse. Locate the fuse box under the steering wheel and remove and check the ABS fuse. Replace if necessary.
  Though ABS will not operate, normal brakes remain unaffected. To reset the system, stop the vehicle and switch off the engine, then restart the system. If the ABS warning light comes on along with the brake warning light, ABS has malfunctioned along with a brake system fault.

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Warning light name: Chevrolet Silverado Brake warning light.
Models applicable: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500
Description: If the red brake warning light illuminates on your Chevy Silverado dashboard, a fault with the brake system has occurred. Braking ability may be reduced. If driving, carefully pull off the road and stop the vehicle. As a safety measure, versions of Silverado equipped with an electric brake booster will have reduced engine power. Electric brake boosters reduce the amount of force required to press the brake pedal and are gradually replacing mechanical brake boosters.

With the brake warning light on, you may notice the brake pedal requires greater force to apply, or that it travels further to the floor than usual. You may receive the text warning message ‘SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM’ on the dashboard display. After you have stopped the vehicle and switch off the engine, restart the engine to check if the warning light and warning message have gone. Only continue your journey if they have – checking that the brakes are operable as you do. If the brake warning light and message remain on, do not continue driving – the vehicle will require towing for service.