I have searched the forums and found many discussions on this but I figured maybe I could get some more certain answers if I posted my specific problems. My 2000 Monte with 72000 miles randomly displays the service vehicle soon light, if I restart the car the message goes away, sometimes for a day or more. When the light comes on my night lights kick in and my gauge cluster night lights come on and the radio, mileage, and temperature readers all go dim as if it was night. I have checked all the lights and they seem to be working, all my gauges read correctly and I don't seem to be suffering from any performance issues(no sputtering and no fuel economy loss). Thank for any input as to what the problem would be, I just don't want to pay to have the codes pulled to have it something easy to fix.

 

Sounds like an electrical issue to me.

You're sure all your tail lights and headlights are working properly?

 

yea I checked all the lights and a friend also checked all the lights and they all appear to be working

 

autozone and advanced will scan your car for free. its not a deep scan like a dealership can do, but almost anything involved with your check engine light their scanners will get the codes for.

 

this isnt the same as a check engine light, if he getting a service vehicle soon in the message box he may in face have to goto the dealership unfortunetly

 

oh i didnt realize they were different. still can try for the free Scan at the part stores first to see what happens. the code reader may be able to pick up the code. if not then thats when the dealership, or a local mechanic with a good scanner (they charge less than dealership)would come into play. regardless...it will need scanned to really know whats going on. no way around it.

 

I had the same problem that haunted me for over a year. It was the ambient light sensor on top of the dash board. I replaced the sensor and the service vehicle soon light disappeared and the gauge lights returned to normal. Good Luck!

 

Thank you it was the ambient light sensor finally got ahold of one today and swapped it and everything works now. I appreciate the help

 

Try changing the ambient light sensor in the top of your dash ....possiable relay in under hood relay / fuse box near battery should be lower of the two boxs stacked on the passanger side strut tower . sounds like a failing auto light sensor however relay is easier to change and check . best of luck to you!