Electrical System; Add-On Electrical Equipment; Headlamps; Windshield Wiper Fuses - GMC 2003 Sonoma Owner's Manual

Electrical System

Add-On Electrical Equipment

Notice: Don't add anything electrical to your vehicle
unless you check with your dealer first. Some
electrical equipment can damage your vehicle and
the damage wouldn't be covered by your warranty.
Some add-on electrical equipment can keep other
components from working as they should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting
to add anything electrical to your vehicle, see
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-64 .

Headlamps

The headlamp wiring is protected by an internal circuit
breaker. An electrical overload will cause the lamps to go
on and off, or in some cases to remain off. If this
happens, have your headlamp wiring checked right away.

Windshield Wiper Fuses

The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker and a fuse. If the motor overheats due to heavy
snow or ice, the wiper will stop until the motor cools.
If the overload is caused by some electrical problem, be
sure to get it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power
Options
Circuit breakers protect the power windows and other
power accessories. When the current load is too heavy,
the circuit breaker opens and closes, protecting the
circuit until the problem is fixed or goes away.

Fuses and Circuit Breakers

The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses and circuit
breakers. This greatly reduces the chance of fires
caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical
size and rating.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don't have
a spare fuse, you can borrow one that has the same
amperage. Just pick some feature of your vehicle
that you can get along without— like the radio or
cigarette lighter—and use its fuse, if it is the correct
amperage. Replace it as soon as you can.
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