Service Vehicle Soon Light | What Does it Mean

Service Vehicle Soon

The IPC illuminates the SERVICE VEHICLE SOON indicator when the following occurs, or other
problems depending on model and year:

1: The body control module (BCM) detects certain malfunctions in the lighting system. The IPC
(Instrument Panel Cluster) receives a class 2 message from the BCM requesting illumination. The
IPC sends a class 2 message to the BCM indicating that the service vehicle soon indicator is
illuminated. The BCM sends a class 2 message to the radio in order to activate an audible warning.

2: The Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) detects a malfunction in the traction control
system. The IPC receives class 2 messages from the EBCM requesting illumination of both the
service vehicle soon and traction off indicators.

2: The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The indicator illuminates for
approximately 3 seconds.

3: The IPC detects a loss of class 2 communications with the BCM.

1-15-11
it said it battery current sensor but it been replace two time and will not reset

Comments

2-25-11
Please restate the above in English

Basically this warning comes on when the Body Control
Module(BCM) sees a problem in the systems listed
above, or other computer systems, depending on model
and year of vehicle. Todays vehicle computers TALK to
each other and report problems they see in the systems
that they monitor. Class 2 refers to the circuit that these
computers talk on.

6-15-11
Sometimes computer goes crazy, can't trust it. Car run well just ignore it until light flash
that would tell actual problem.

10-9-11
I have an icon light on my dash, looks like the shape of an alternator. Is it an alternator
light? My 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt did not come with a car book. I do not know where to find
the icons to diagnose this problem. HELP!

1-17-12
Service engine continually stays on. Oxygen senors have been replaced now I'm told a
EVAP system is needed. Where can I purchase one.

That depends on what part needs to be replaced. There
is no EVAP system to purchase. The system consists of
many parts and components.

2-5-12
I have a 2000 Chevy Monte carlo SS,,,,the service vehicle soon light stays on all the
tome,,,,I had the car put on a code reader and the code read B 2648

2-17-12
Buick 2002 Regal service vehicle soon associated with intermittent brake light power
window failure when put in park gas gauge and tachometer failure stick wont move
heater blower quits. What do I look for as there are other electrical failures in dash all
of which are intermittent.

Really? You expect us to fix this over the computer?
Check the ignition switch.

2-18-12
THANK YOU for the response I really appreciate the tip. I found your second
sentence more helpful than the first!!!!!!!!!!! It was not my intent to compound the
problem but I was of the opinion that I should explain the problem as fully as possible
and perhaps it would be recognized as an inherent problem specific to this vehicle. I
am sorry to have confused the issue.

Did not mean to sounds snippy. You were the last of 8
comments i responded to this evening, and I came off as
a little harsh after a long day at the shop. The ignition
switch is a quite common for some of your problems. A
quick test would be to start the car, and then tap on the
head of the key a few times with a small hammer to see if
you can get things to either act up or correct themselves.
This would indicate a bad ignition switch. Aside from that,
some diagnosis with a meter and schematics would be
needed to trace down the root cause of these issues. It
could be ground problem, loose connection, corroded
fuse box internally, etc. But the most common is the
ignition switch.

3-20-12
Pontiac G6 has service vehicle light on and a corresponding message should be shown
on clock. My problem is that there's no message. Please advise . Thank You.

There will not be a message on the radio/clock for a
service engine light. That is not part of the system. You
will need to get the car scanned to see what trouble
codes have set, and go from there to diagnose properly.

4-8-12
how to clear 2005 impala service engine soon light off.

I have a 2004 Cadillac CTS, whenever I get gas the car doesn't want to start for a few
turns, then today my husband got gas and it started finally then died..now we can't get it to
stay started to drive it home. The Service Vehicle Soon light is on..never came on
before...any solutions.

The quickest way to a solution would be to get the car
scanned to see what trouble code or codes have set that
ended up turning the check engine light on. That would
be the best way to diagnose the problem, at least a
starting point anyway. You could be looking at a faulty
fuel pump, a bad computer, wiring issue or more. The
light is on for a reason, and that will at least point the way
in diagnosis once a technician knows the codes.

My daughter's 2000 Impala (3.4L) developed the same issue recently. No codes came up
when scan tool was hooked up.
Two things:
I've read talk of it being a fault within the lighting circuit, but no light issues exist that I know
of. However, the owner's manual says:SERVICE VEHICLE SOON - This message will come
on if you have engine problems. These problems may not be obvious and may not affect
vehicle performance or durability.
A co-worker emissions tech says he recalls seeing this happen twice, with no codes. He
ended up selecting 'erase codes' anyways, and it fixed the problem. Going to do the same
on hers and see if I too have success.

Quite often, there can be a problem such as an electrical
glitch or sensor that reads incorrectly for just a moment
and that can cause many driveability issues. These
issues can often times be fixed on the next ignition cycle
when whatever problem existed prior is now gone.
Clearing codes is a good place to start and if the light
comes on or you still have issues, you will know you have
a constant problem that needs to be addressed.

Any advise would help i mechanically inclined and have multiple lights on 2004 grand prix
series 3 3800 the 2 that concern me r,air bag light,evap code about the air bag light,when
i put my right turn sign on my high beam light comes on any suggestions besides going to
dealer would help.

1991 Olds delta 88 service soon lite comes on at start up car idles high then after a min
car idles down lite goes out the kicker its 80 degrees out it shouldn't be idling like its 25 or
acting that way.

You need to the computer scanned for codes. I would
make guess that you have a bad throttle position
sensor(TPS). Or the wires to the sensor are broken.

I just wanted to say - this is a great website.. very informative. I know NOTHING abotu cars,
except paying for them to get fixed. Today I took my car to have a wheel bearing fixed,
and it was fixed, however the lights on the dash were still lit up like a christmas tree.. I
asked the mechanic why isn't the lights going off, he re-scanned it and said you need a
Speed Sensor??? I don't get all this.. do you really think if i change the speed sensor -
which he is said is just a sensor ( wherever it's located) then these ANNYOING lights will
go off, they are starting to send me C R A ZY.. thanks.

Well, that depends on the vehicle and what lights are on.
In general, ABS and traction lights are related. Wheel
speed sensors are in the hubs. If the hubs did not fixit,
then you may have a wiring problem.

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The Service Vehicle Soon Light Explained