light PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1994 Repair Manual

Problems on the Road
Hazard Warning
Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you
warn others. They also let police know
you have a problem. Your front and rear
turn signal lights will flash on and
off.
J
Press the button in to make your front and
rear turn signal lights flash on and
off.
Your hazard warning flashers work no
matter what position your key
is in, and
even if the key isn't in.
'0 turn off the flashers, pull out on the
ollar.
Vhen the hazard warning flashers are on,
our
turn signals won't work.
Ither Warning Devices
F you carry reflective triangles, you can
et one up at the side of the road about
00 feet (100 m) behind your vehicle.
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Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may
want to use another vehicle and some
jumper cables to start your Pontiac. But
please follow the steps below to do
it
safely.
11 other. lt tney are, 11 COUIU cause a
NOTICE:
I1
ground connection you don’t want.
You wouldn’t be able to start your
Ignoring these steps could result
in
costlj damage to your vehicle that
wouidn”t be covered by your war-
ranty.
Trying to start your Pontiac by push-
ing or pulling it could damage your
yehicle, even if you have a manual
tran’smission. And if you have
an
automatic transmission, it won’t start
that way.
ro Jump Start Your Pontiac:
1. Cheik the other vehicle. It must have
a 12-volt battery with a negative
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt
system with. a negative ground, both
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the
jumper cables can reach, but be sure
the vehicles aren’t touching each Pontiac, and the
bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles.
Turn
off all lights that aren’t needed,
and radios. This will avoid
sparks and
help save both batteries. And it‘could
save your radio!
I NOTICE:
If you leave your radio on, it could be
badly damaged. The repairs woddn’t
be covered by your warranty.
1
ground system. 4. Open the hoods and locate the
NOTICE: batteries.
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I
I
NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equiment
or fascia/fog light damage will occur.
Use wheel lift or car carrier equip-
ment. Additional ramping may be
required for car carrier equipment.
Use safety chains and wheel straps. Attach a
separate safety chain around
outboard end of each lower control arm.
~TICE:
I
Take care not to damage the brake
pipes and hoses or the
ABS sensor
and wiring.
NOTICE:
Towing a vehicle over rough surfaces
could damage a vehicle. Damage can
occur from vehicle-to-ground
or vehicle-to-wheel-lift-equipment
contact.
To help avoid damage,
install a towing dolly and raise
vehicle until adequate clearance is
obtained between the ground and/or
wheel-lift equipment.
4
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I NOTICE:
Towing a vehicle over rough surfaces
could damage a vehicle. Damage
can occur from vehicle-to-ground
or vehicle-to-wheel-lift-equipment
contact.
To help avoid damage, install
a towing dolly and raise vehicle until
adequate clearance is obtained between
the ground and/or wheel-lift equipment.
Engine Overheating
I
If Steam Is Coming from Your Engine:
You will find a coolant temperature gage
on your Pontiac’s instrument panel.
You may also find a low coolant warning
light
on your Pontiac instrument panel.
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NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy
parts of your vehicle as well as the
tires.
If you spin the wheels too fast
while shifting your transmission back
and forth, you can destroy your trans-
mission.
Rocking your vehicle to get it out:
First, turn your steering wheel left and
right. That will clear the area around your
front wheels. If your vehicle has traction
control, you should
turn the system off.
(See “Traction Control System” in the
Index.) Then shift back and forth’ between
“R’ (Reverse) and a forward gear (or with
a manual transmission, between First or
Second gear and Reverse), spinning the
wheels as little as possible. Release the
accelerator pedal while you shift, and
press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear.
If that
doesn’t get you out after a few tries,
you
may need to be towed out. If you:do need
to be towed out, see “Towing
Yow
Vehicle” in the Index. .’
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OIL
Engine Oii
If the “LOW OIL” light on the instrumenl
panel comes on, it means you need to
check your engine oil level right away.
For more information, see
“Low Oil
Light”
in the Index. You should check
your engine oil level regularly; this is an
added reminder.
3.4L L32 (Code S)
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil
every time you get fuel. In order to get an
accurate reading, the oil must be warm
and the vehicle must be on level ground.
5.7L LTl (Code P)
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few
ninutes to drain back into the oil pan. If
’ou don’t, the oil dipstick might not show
he actual level.
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Service and Appearance Care
To Check Engine Oil
(3.4L L32 (Code S) Engine)
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a
paper towel or cloth, then push it back
in
all the way. Remove it again, keeping the
tip lower, and check the level.
To Check Engine Oil
(5.7L LT1 (Code P) Engine)
Pull out the dipstick slightly. Pinch the
end of the dipstick tube as you remove
the dipstick to wipe the oil from it. Then
push it all the way back in. Now remove
it without pinching the tube, keeping the
tip lower.
3.4L L32 (Code S)
When to Add Oil:
If the oil is at or below the “ADD’ line,
then you’ll need to add some oil. But
you must use the right kind. This section
explains what kind of oil to use. For
crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications” in the Index.
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Service and Appearanc’e Care
The proper coolant for your Pontiac will:
0
Give freezing protection down to
-34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 262°F
(128°C)
.
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
temperature.
Let the warning lights work as
they
should.
What to Use:
Use a mixture of one-half clean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze that meets
“GM Specification
1825M,” which won’t damage aluminum
parts. You can also use a recycled coolant
conforming to GM Specification 1825M
with a complete coolant flush and refill. If
you use this mixture, you don’t need to
add anything else.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix,
your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your war-
ranty. Too much water in the mix can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator,
heater core and other parts.
Adding Coolant
To Check Coolant: When your engine is
cold, check the dipstick on the cap of the
coolant recovery tank. The coolant level should be “COLD,” or a little higher.
When your engine is warm, the level on
the dipstick should be up to
“HOT,” or a
little higher.
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LOW
COOLANT
f you have the 5.7L LTl (Code P) engine
nd this light comes
on, it means you’re
3w on engine coolant.
ro Add Coolant to the Recovery Tank:
f you need more coolant, add the proper
nix at the coolant recovery tank, but only
vhen your engine is cool. If the tank
is
‘ery low or empty, also add coolant to the
adiator, see “Engine Overheating” in the
ndex for information. Add
coolant mix at
the recovery tank, but
be careful not to spill it.
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What to Add:
When you do need brake fluid, use only
DOT-3 brake fluid - such as Delco-
Supreme ll@
(GM Part No. 1052535).
Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only, and always clean the
brake fluid reservoir cap before
removing it.
NOTICE:
Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid. For example,
just
a few drops of mineral-based
oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll
have to be replaced.
Brake fluid can damage paint,
so
be careful not to spill brake fluid on your vehicle. If you
do, wash it
off immediately. See “Appearance
Care”
in the Index.
Brake Wear
Unless you have the four-wheel disc
brake option, your Pontiac has front disc
brakes and rear drum brakes. Disc
brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The
sound may come and
go or be heard all
the time your vehicle is moving (except
when you are pushing on the brake pedal
firmly).
I NOTICE:
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Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair. Some driving conditions
or climates may
cause a brake squeal when the brakes are
first applied or lightly applied. This does
not mean something is wrong with your
brakes.
If you have rear drum brakes, they don’t
have wear indicators, but if you ever hear
a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected. Also, the rear
brake drums should be removed and
inspected each time the tires are removed
for rotation or changing. When you have
the front brakes replaced, have
the rear
brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced
as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does
not return to normal height, or if there is a
rapid increase in pedal travel.
This could
be a sign
of brake trouble.
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