battery GMC C-SERIES 1999 Owners Manual

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v
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
INJURY
PROTECT
EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BATTERY
ACID COULD
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS OR
FLAMES
SPARK OR
FLAME
COULD
EXPLODE
BATTERY
These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
AIR BAG
These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:
MASTER
LIGHTING
SWITCH
TURN
SIGNALS
PARKING
LAMPS
HAZARD
WARNING
FLASHER
DAYTIME
RUNNING
LAMPS
FOG LAMPS
These symbols
are on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD
WASHER
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
REAR
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
FAN
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
ENGINE
COOLANT
TEMP
BATTERY
CHARGING
SYSTEM
BRAKE
COOLANT
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
HORN
SPEAKER
FUEL
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
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2-14

The charging system light should come on when the
ignition switch key is turned to RUN or START and
should go out when the engine is running above idle.
If the light doesn't go out or comes back on during
normal engine operation, have the charging system
checked right away. (This light tells you if the
generator is not charging; it doesn't reflect the
condition of the battery.)

The voltmeter charge indicator gage tells you the
condition of your battery's charge. The gage should
be in the center area during engine operation. The
red area on the left indicates an undercharge
condition; the red area on the right indicates an
overcharge. If the gage is in either red area, have the
battery and charging system checked right away.
NOTICE:
Don't allow the engine to operate at low idle for
more than five minutes. This can cause low
engine operating temperatures which can affect
engine operation and reduce engine life. Engine
idle speed should be increased to 1200 rpm
whenever extended idle is required. Once started,
the engine should be placed under load to allow
the engine coolant temperature to reach
150F (66C) before shutting off the engine.
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2-26
If your vehicle has this
system, you will have a
knob to the right of the
steering column.
To apply the parking brake, pull the knob toward you.
Then shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N) or
PARK (P).
Push the knob in to release the parking brake. The
ignition must be in RUN and the shift lever out of
PARK (P) in order to release the parking brake.
The parking brake will automatically apply if the
ignition is turned off and in PARK (P) and will also
apply (will not release) if the vehicle's battery is dead
or disconnected.The PARK BRAKE light may flash while the parking
brake is being applied or released. This is normal for
this system.
If your vehicle needs towing or the parking brake will
not release, the towing operator will need to disconnect
the propshaft before towing your vehicle. See ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.
Air Brake (If Equipped)
CAUTION:
When the yellow SYSTEM PARK and the red
TRAILER AIR SUPPLY knobs are both pushed
in, your rig will be free to move. It could strike
someone or something. When both of these knobs
are pushed in, either hold the regular brake
pedal down or, if you have it, pull out the blue
TRACTOR PARKING knob, to keep your rig
from moving.
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2-56 Charging System Indicator Light
CAUTION:
If your vehicle has an electric/hydraulic parking
brake, do not drive if the charging system light is
on. If the battery drains too much, the parking
brake can suddenly come on and stop the vehicle.
This can cause severe injury to you and others.
The charging system light is
located in the center of the
instrument cluster just
above the odometer.
It should come on briefly when you turn on the ignition,
before the engine is running, as a check to show that it
is working.If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, have it
checked right away. You could have a loose generator
drive belt or some other problem.
Driving while this light is on could drain your battery. If
you must drive a short distance with the light on, turn
off your radio and other accessories.
Sustained driving with a generator failure could result in
a lack of back
-up braking if the engine quits or the
power steering pump should fail.
Voltmeter
When your engine is
running, the voltmeter gage,
at the lower left of the
instrument cluster, shows
the charging system voltage.
Readings in either warning zone indicate a possible
problem in the electrical system.
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2-57
Readings in the low warning zone may occur when a
large number of electrical accessories are operating
in the vehicle and the engine is left at an idle for an
extended period. This condition is normal since the
charging system may not be able to provide full
power at engine idle. As engine speeds are increased,
this condition should correct itself because higher
engine speeds allow the charging system to create
maximum power.
You can only drive a short time on the battery. Be sure
to shut off the radio, the fan or any unnecessary
accessories and have the system serviced.
Do Not Shift Warning Light
If your vehicle has the
Allison MD automatic
transmission, certain
transmission malfunctions
will turn this light on.If this light comes on while you are driving, do not use
the transmission shift control. Using the transmission
shift control will result in the loss of forward gears. The
computer for the transmission senses a problem and
chooses a gear to stay in so that you can drive the
vehicle in that gear. You may not be able to drive as fast
or back up when this light is on.
NOTICE:
If the DO NOT SHIFT warning light comes on
while you are driving, it is a warning that making
a transmission ªrangeº change could leave you
stranded. The vehicle may not continue to move
if you change gears with the transmission shift
control. The transmission can't operate in all
gears because something is wrong. Leave the shift
control alone and drive directly to a GM dealer
for service. If you can't go in for service
immediately, have the vehicle towed.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle has either hydraulic or air brakes. Each
system has different warning lights.
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2-60 Apply Park Brake Warning Light (Option)
This light warns the driver
that the ignition has been
turned off without applying
the parking brake. The
warning light should come
on, as a check, when you
start the engine.
When it comes on, you will also hear a warning tone.
Leaving the vehicle in this condition could result in your
vehicle moving and will discharge the battery.
Parking Brake Warning Light
This light turns on as a
check when the engine is
first started and any time the
system needs adjustment or
there is a malfunction in the
electric/hydraulic parking
brake system.
When the SERVICE PARK BRAKE light comes on,
you will also hear a warning tone. If this light comes on,
have the system repaired immediately.
CAUTION:
If the SERVICE PARK BRAKE warning light
comes on and the warning tone sounds, your
vehicle can stop suddenly and without further
warning. You or others could be injured. If the
SERVICE PARK BRAKE warning light and the
warning tone come on, pull over to the side of the
road and apply the parking brake immediately.
Parking Brake Indicator Light
Vehicles with hydraulic or
air brakes have a parking
brake indicator light. When
the ignition is on, this light
will come on when you set
your parking brake.
The light will stay on if your parking brake doesn't
release fully.
This light should also come on when you turn the
ignition key to START. If it doesn't come on then, have
it fixed so it will be ready to remind you if the parking
brake is applied or hasn't released fully.
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4-27

Tie a red cloth to your mirror arm to alert police that
you've been stopped by the snow.

Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you.
If you have no blankets or extra clothing, make body
insulators from newspapers, burlap bags, rags, floor
mats
-- anything you can wrap around yourself or
tuck under your clothing to keep warm.
You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.
CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill
you. You can't see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle if any is blocking
your exhaust pipe. And check around again from
time to time to be sure snow doesn't collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that's away from the wind. This will help
keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery (or batteries) charged. You will need a
well
-charged battery (or batteries) to restart the vehicle,
and possibly for signaling later on with your headlamps.
Let the heater run for a while.
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5-5
Jump Starting
If your battery (or batteries) has run down, you may
want to use another vehicle and some jumper cables to
start your vehicle. But please follow the steps below to
do it safely.
CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:

They contain acid that can burn you.

They contain gas that can explode or ignite.

They contain enough electricity to
burn you.
If you don't follow these steps exactly, some or all
of these things can hurt you.
NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage
to your vehicle that wouldn't be covered by
your warranty.
The ACDelco Freedom battery in your vehicle
has a built
-in hydrometer. Do not charge, test or
jump start the battery if the hydrometer looks
clear or light yellow. Replace the battery when
there is a clear or light yellow hydrometer and a
cranking complaint.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling
it won't work, and it could damage your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
NOTICE:
If the other system isn't a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
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5-6
If you have a diesel engine vehicle with two batteries
(or more), you should know before you begin that,
especially in cold weather, you may not be able to
get enough power from a single battery in another
vehicle to start your diesel engine.
If your vehicle has more than one battery, use the
battery that's closest to the starter
-- this will reduce
electrical resistance.
CAUTION:
If your vehicle has air conditioning, the auxiliary
electric fan under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running and can injure
you. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren't touching
each other. You wouldn't be able to start your
vehicle, and the bad grounding could damage the
electrical systems.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Turn off all
lamps that aren't needed, as well as radios. This willavoid sparks and help save both batteries, and it
could save your radio.
4. Locate the batteries on each vehicle. Find the
positive (+) and negative (
-) terminals on
each battery.
CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight if
you need more light.
Be sure the batteries have enough water. You
don't need to add water to the ACDelco
Freedom

battery (or batteries) installed in
every new GM vehicle. But if a battery has filler
caps, be sure the right amount of fluid is there.
If it is low, add water to take care of that first.
If you don't, explosive gas could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Don't get it on you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with
water and get medical help immediately.
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5-7
5. Check that the jumper cables don't have loose or
missing insulation. If they do, you could get a shock.
The vehicles could be damaged, too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some basic
things you should know. Positive (+) will go to
positive (+) and negative (
-) will go to a metal
engine part or some other well
-grounded part. Don't
connect positive (+) to negative (
-) or you'll get a
short that would damage the battery and maybe
other parts, too.
CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engine is running.
6. Connect the red
positive (+) cable to the
positive (+) terminal of
the vehicle with the
dead battery.
7. Don't let the other end
touch metal. Connect it to
the positive (+) terminal
of the good battery.
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