Service Vehicle Soon Light

Tiny
NMMILLER4481
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 43,000 MILES
Hello, I bought a used 2005 Chevy Equinox and I love it except for two problems. One, periodically when I start the car - it will start fine - but the Service Vehicle Soon light comes on. It stays on until I turn the Equinox off and then back on. I took it in to the dealership and they said it needed a new battery. They replaced the battery, though it had a new battery put in one month prior when it arrived on the lot. The light still comes on periodically. I don't know what to do!
Second, and even more annoying, is a dinging noise that I get from the front passenger speaker. The door adjar sound, turn signals, and other "warning" noises all come from my speakers in the 05 model of the Equinox. This dinging noise sounds like the reminder that my key is in the ignition noise, however it comes on when I am driving down the road or it will come on before I even unlock the doors (I can hear it through the windows and the car is off!) It is random as to when it comes on and goes off, sometimes it pauses or gets softer, but it still dings. Any ideas?
Tuesday, June 15th, 2010 AT 4:07 PM

30 Replies

Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
There are a few possibilities that are available. Are the chime and the SVS light seemingly unrelated meaning, you could have one and not the other. And with the chime, are there any indicators that come with it? Here is the description and operation of audible warnings.

Audible Warnings Description and Operation
The audible warnings alert the driver of a system concern or a critical vehicle condition. The radio generates the audible warnings. The BCM receives audible warning requests via the class 2 serial data line or the controller area network (CAN) data line. If the BCM receives multiple audible warning requests, the warning with the highest priority sounds first. The following lists the audible warning priority and the pulse rate:

Fast rate chime--200 pulses per minute
Medium rate chime--150 pulses per minute
Slow rate chime--50 pulses per minute
Single chime
Fasten Safety Belt Warning
The body control module (BCM) activates the fasten safety belt audible warning as requested by the sensing and diagnostic module (SDM). The SDM sends a class 2 message to the BCM. The fasten safety belt warning sounds and the fasten safety belt indicator illuminates when the following occurs:

"Â The ignition switch transitions to ON.

"Â The inflatable restraint SDM detects that the driver seat belt is not buckled and or the signal is low. The BCM receives a class 2 message from the SDM indicating the driver seat belt status.

If the seat belt is buckled when the ignition is turned ON, the chime does not sound. If the seat belt is buckled while the chime is sounding, the chime stops. If the seat belt is unbuckled after the initial transition to ON, the chime does not sound.

Key in Ignition Warning
The BCM monitors the signal circuit of the ignition switch. The BCM activates the key-in-ignition audible warning. The key-in-ignition warning sounds when the following occurs:

"Â The ignition switch is OFF.

"Â The BCM determines that the driver door is open and the signal circuit is low.

"Â The BCM determines that the key-in-ignition switch is closed and the signal circuit is low.

Lights On Warning
The BCM activates the lights on warning. The radio chimes a frequency of a fast rate and a continuous duration. The lights on warning sounds when the following occurs:

"Â The ignition is OFF.

"Â The BCM determines that the driver door is open and the signal circuit is low.

"Â The BCM determines that the headlamp switch is in the park or head position.

Park Brake Warning
The BCM activates the park brake audible warning. The park brake warning sounds and the BRAKE indicator illuminates when the following occurs:

"Â The ignition is ON.

"Â The vehicle speed is greater than 5 km/h (3.1 mph). The BCM receives a CAN serial message from the ECM indicating the vehicle speed.

"Â The BCM determines that the park brake is engaged and the signal circuit is low.

With the SVS light, did the dealer mention any trouble codes? There is a bulletin that may apply, it has a VIN breakpoint that you will have to check to determine eligibility. It is as follows.
#PIT3633A: Intermittent Service Vehicle Soon (SVS) Light Comes On - keywords BCM calibration cluster control DTC module power speed SVS - (Jun 27, 2006)

Subject: Intermittent Service Vehicle Soon (SVS) Light Comes On

Models: 2005 Chevrolet Equinox

Built prior to VIN Breakpoint 56171611

This PI has been reinstated due to a high volume of calls to Technical Assistance.

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern:
Intermittently the Service Vehicle Soon light may illuminate with no codes, or only a history DTC C0000 stored in the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM). The Service Vehicle Soon (SVS) light can be identified by a picture of a car with a wrench in it. For vehicles built prior to VIN break point 56171611, the SVS may illuminate after the bulb check and remain illuminated until the ignition key is turned off. The following information DOES NOT apply to the Service Engine Soon (SES) light.

Recommendation/Instructions:
If ALL of the following criteria are met, follow the repair instructions below.

No codes current or history set in any module or only a C0000 found as a history code in the Power Steering Control Module (refer to Service Bulletin 04-08-47-001 regarding C0000).
There are no concerns about erratic steering feel (heavier/lighter than normal).
There are no concerns about an erratic speedometer needle.
If the concern is "The SVS light came on when the vehicle was started and stayed on after the bulb check until the ignition was turned off". This is not an intermittent illumination "during" a key cycle.
Note: If any of the above conditions are not met, it will be necessary to perform further diagnosis per SI, since other issues may be present.

If ALL of the above Conditions are met, then replace the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC). The following parts can only be obtained through an Electronic Service Center (ESC).

Part Numbers:

15289974 (US)

15289975 (Canada/Mexico)

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

Of course if there was any trouble codes, those would need to be known, and could have some relevance in the light, and possibly the chime depending.
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Friday, June 18th, 2010 AT 10:02 PM
Tiny
NMMILLER4481
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Your information about the SVS light was right on the money! That describes my vehicle's "behavior" exactly! The dealer kept telling me there were no codes in the car's system. He said he checked two types of codes, one I remember was engine codes and I don't recall what he said the other ones were. Thank you!

As for the chime, it only comes from one speaker (front passenger side) and if it is dinging and I turn the radio on, that side will continue to ding and the radio will only come out of the driver's side.
The sound is intermittent, and I would say it is a slow ding. It will last anywhere from about 5 minutes to as long as 20 minutes. At times, I have come out to my car to drive it and approaching the car I can hear it ding. When I am driving it, at times it will start dinging, it is a slow, almost methodicaly ding sound and it will get softer and sometimes even pause before continuing to ding. It never gets extremely loud, but it drives me crazy!

And yes, I often have one without the other. I have owned the Equinox 2 months now and I have heard it do it's "dinging thing" 5 times, it may have done it other times when I wasn't in the car =) I have not had both of the problems together. Yet.

All my dash lights work. When I leave my key in the ignition I will get the same ding sound but from the driver's side speaker not the passenger side speaker. The passenger side speaker only gives me the turn signals sound and this random dinging sound.

Your help is so appreciated! Thank you!
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Saturday, June 19th, 2010 AT 8:26 PM
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
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The fact that the passenger side speaker is making noise, is what is puzzling. Here is the circuit description under chime malfunction;The radio generates the audible warning through the left speaker. The radio receives audible warning requests via the serial data circuit from the instrument panel cluster (IPC) or the body control module (BCM). Did the dealer research for any possible software calibration upgrades that might address. I would think that it may be a possible software issue, The other two possibilities are a fault in the radio, or body control module. At some point maybe the system thinks the vehicle is RH drive(Export Option). When you reply, include the full 17 digit VIN, and I can research a possible calibration that may address this, it will save you a trip to the dealer.
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Sunday, June 20th, 2010 AT 1:59 PM
Tiny
NMMILLER4481
  • MEMBER
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Your help is so appreciated!
The Equinox's VIN is: 2CNDL23FX56123254

I don't know if the problem is with the radio, I had thought of that as a possibilty. I am getting ready to purchase a new wiring harness for a radio I had in my old vehicle that I sold to purchase the Equinox. The wiring harness is way overpriced because the "car sounds" come through the speakers not the engine. I intend to get the radio switched out in the next month or so.

The dealer just emailed me and wants me to bring the Equinox by so he can try to pull codes from the engine. I will have time later this week to get it over there.
Thank you!
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 AT 2:30 PM
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
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There is no software calibration upgrades to address your symptoms. I would not suspect the radio, it is just a medium to transfer the request to the speakers. Has anyone been able to duplicate this with a scan tool installed, I would think monitoring inputs/outputs in the IPC or BCM. If you are opting for replacement of the IPC in regards to the SVS concern, you would eliminate that module itself as a possibility.
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 AT 11:16 PM
Tiny
GAGIRL
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  • 1 POST
  • 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 4,600 MILES
My check engine light come on today. I filled up with gas (87 octane) early this morning (around 12:00 noon) no problems. Ran my errands until about 3:30. I went to the store for a minute; as I was leaving the store cranked the car up, my light came on. The car did not run hot the entire time I was running my errands, I checked the gas cap to make sure that it was secure, it was. Could you please advise as to what the problem could be?

Thank you
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Monday, November 18th, 2019 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
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You need to find the codes from the computer to start diagnosing this. It is something to do with emissions.

Here is a guide to help us get started

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Monday, November 18th, 2019 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TRAINES3
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I replaced the oxygen sensor for a $104.00 fixed it
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Monday, November 18th, 2019 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
VANMILLER
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  • 1 POST
  • 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 76,000 MILES
My check engine light comes on sometimes for a few days and then goes off for a few days.
Can I reset this myself?
The car runs great and we have service preformed on a regular basis. Oil every 3,000 is changed.
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Monday, November 18th, 2019 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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The CEL shoudn't be coming On and Off -you have a problem, get the computer scanned for code/s to find out what's going on.
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Monday, November 18th, 2019 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CJROSS1962
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  • 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 35,000 MILES
My engine light just went on yesterday. I see nothing wrong. What could it be?
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Monday, November 18th, 2019 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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I would start by taking it to a auto part's store like auto zone and have your car scanned for code's. It could be something as simple as a loose gas cap. When you get the code number let me know and I will help you out with that.
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Monday, November 18th, 2019 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WSAPP950
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  • 1 POST
  • 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 53,000 MILES
The engine light is on, how do I get it to go off. I have tryed changing out the gas cap but that was no help.
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Monday, November 18th, 2019 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
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Have the computer scanned for code/s-you have a problem within the engine management system that caused the CEL to turn on-This is your starting point of diagnosis, finding out what's going on.
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Monday, November 18th, 2019 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CONRAD MILLER
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  • 1 POST
  • 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 60,000 MILES
Vin. 2cnd173f966155806. #1 code po120, #2 code po700, #3 code p1125, #4 code p2138, codes were ck, ed cleared car run for 1 day lite back on, if we shut car off abd restart maybe ok. Went to gm dealer, could not find any thing. It is just like you shut down the gas, boggs, in reverse it is ok. Any ideas? Thanks conrad.
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Monday, November 18th, 2019 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRIAN 1
  • MECHANIC
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Check the instrument panel/body inline connector for bent or corroded terminals, its behind the left hinge pillar garnish molding. Start there.
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Monday, November 18th, 2019 AT 12:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GPOL42
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 3.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 216,000 MILES
I have replaced all the equipment that the Check engine codes said were bad and the check engine light came back on with the same codes Any help would appreciated
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Monday, November 18th, 2019 AT 12:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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No diagnostic fault codes ever say to replace parts or that they're bad. They only indicate the circuit or system that needs further diagnosis, or the unacceptable operating condition. First your mechanic will perform electrical tests on the circuit to rule out wiring and mechanical problems before spending your money on parts.

If you want to know how to diagnose a fault code, it would make it a lot easier if you would list which codes you're getting. There's well over 2,000 potential fault codes, so it doesn't pay to guess.
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Monday, November 18th, 2019 AT 12:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GPOL42
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I have a 05 equinox Check engine light was on had mschanic replace egr m o2 sensors and then the light was off came back on with the same codes Took back to mechanis He says it needs to be reflashed at dealer and now it stalls when putting it in gear
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Monday, November 18th, 2019 AT 12:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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You need to tell me the exact fault code numbers, otherwise there's nothing I can do for you over a computer. Without those numbers, I can only offer the generalization in the first paragraph of my previous reply. If it's a code number I'm familiar with, I can give you the list of troubleshooting steps to rule out everything other than a part referenced in the code. When a sensor or other part is mentioned in a code, there's a lot of other things to check before buying a part. The only time we throw a new part at a problem is if it's a known common problem, or we have the part in stock already, so it doesn't cost us or the customer anything to pop it in and try it.
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Monday, November 18th, 2019 AT 12:53 PM (Merged)

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