wiring BUICK CENTURY 1997 Owners Manual

Resynchronizing Your Remote Keyless
Entry Transmitter
After you have changed the battery in your transmitter,
you will need
to resynchronize the transmitter. To do
this, press the
LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on the
transmitter together and hold for approximately seven
seconds
or until three brief horn chirps are heard. You
will also need to use
this procedure if your vehicle has
lost battery power for an extended period
of time.
Trunk
It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk open
because carbon monoxide
(CO) gas can come into
your vehicle. You can’t see or smell
CO. It can
cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the trunk open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections must
pass through the seal between the body and
the trunk:
Make sure all windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to
its highest speed with the setting
on VENT. That will force outside air into
your vehicle. See “Comfort Controls” in
the Index.
instrument panel, open them all the way.
If you have air outlets on or under the
See C4Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
2-14
ProCarManuals.com

Sunroof (If Equipped)
Your Buick may be ;?quipped with an express-open
sunroof. It includes a sliding glass panel and a one-piece
sunshade. The control switch works
only when the
ignition or
RAP is on. See “Retained Accessory Power”
in the Index. The control switch is located overhead on
the headliner.
To open the sunroof, push the rear of the switch once
and the sunroof will open
to the vent position only. You
will need to open the sunshade by hand. Push the rear
of the switch
a second time and the
sunroof will open the remainder
of the way by itself.
This
is the express-open feature.
To close the sunroof, push and hold the front of the
switch until the sunroof motor stops. The sunshade can
only be closed by hand.
Cellular Phone Provisions (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a wiring harness that
will work with a dealer-installed
GM Hughes@ portable
phone. The phone has integrated features with the radio
and car audio speakers. See your Buick dealer for
more details.
2-52
ProCarManuals.com

When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when
you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about
it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting
to do repairs can be costly -- and even
dangerous.
So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They’re a big help.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt
is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for about
20 seconds, then it
will flash for about
55 seconds. If the driver’s
belt is already buckled,
neither the chime nor the
light
will come on.
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system
checks the air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The
system check includes the air bag modules, the wiring
and the crash sensing and diagnostic module. For more
information
on the air bag system, see “Air Bag” in
the Index.
This right will come on
when you start your engine,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should
go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays
on after you start the
engine or comes on when
you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
2-56
ProCarManuals.com

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your Buick dealer. The green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash whenever you signal a turn
or lane change. Properly hooked
up, the trailer lamps
will also flash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash for turns even
if the bulbs on
the trailer are burned
out. Thus, you may think drivers
behind you are seeing your signal when they are not.
It’s important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs
are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long
or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to
use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around
45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility of engine and transaxle overheating.
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached,
on a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer
can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet.
Have someone place chocks under the
trailer’s wheels.
When the wheel chocks are
in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake, and shift
to PARK (P).
Release the regular brakes.
4-36
ProCarManuals.com

// -1 Attach T-hook chains in
front of the wheels, into the
slots
of the front shipping
brackets
on the cradle (both
sides). Insert the hook from
the inward side of the slot
and not the outward side.
NOTICE:
When attaching T-hooks to the shipping slots in
the frame rail, attach them inside of the frame to
avoid damage to the frame or front fascia.
These slots are to be used when securing to
car-carrier equipment.
Attach
a separate safety
chain around the outboard
end
of each lower
control arm.
NOTICE:
Take care not to damage the brake pipes and
hoses or the
ABS sensor and wiring.
5-12
ProCarManuals.com

Headlamps 4. Connect the new headlamp assembly to the wiring
harness, making sure the connector tab snaps
into place.
5. Insert the headlamp into the slots in the fascia.
6. Slide the retainers downward until they are
fully seated.
Front Parking and Turn Signal Lamp
1. Remove the headlamp assembly. Refer to the
removal procedure earlier in this section.
2. Remove rubber bulb access cover.
3. Twist and pull the sidemarker lamp socket from the
4. Holding the base of the bulb, pull the bulb from
headlamp assembly.
the socket.
1. Pull
up on the headlamp retainers to release the
assembly locator tabs.
2. Slide the headlamp assembly out of the slots.
3. Lift the plastic locking tab on the electrical
connector and pull the connector from the headlamp
bulb socket.
5. Push the new bulb into the socket.
6. Put the socket back into the headlamp assembly and
turn it to the right until it
is secure.
7. Replace the rubber bulb access cover.
6-31
ProCarManuals.com

2. Lift the plastic locking tab on the electrical
connector and pull the connector from the dome
lamp assembly.
3. Grasp the bulb housing located in the center of the
assembly and pull straight
up.
4. Pull the bulb out of the socket.
5. Push in a new bulb.
6. Replace the socket into the dome lamp assembly.
7. Reconnect the dome lamp assembly to the wiring
harness, making sure the connector
tab snaps
into place.
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
8. Reposition the dome lamp assembly to the roof, and
gently push the assembly into the base plate.
Replacement blades for your vehicle are
22 inches
(56 cm) in length.
1. Turn the wipers on to the lowest intermittent setting.
6-36
ProCarManuals.com

Electrical System
Add-on Electrical Equipment
NOTICE:
Don’t add anything electrical to your Buick
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 Buick, see “Servicing
Your Air Bag-Equipped Buick” in the Index.
Headlamp Wiring
The headlamp wiring is protected by a circuit breaker in
the underhood electrical center.
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
system checked right away.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker and a fuse.
If the motor overheats due to heavy
snow, etc., the wiper will stop until the motor cools. If
the overload is caused by some electrical problem, have
it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power Options
Circuit breakers in the fuse panel 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.
6-56
ProCarManuals.com

Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses, circuit breakers
and fusible thermal links
in the wiring itself. 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.
[nstrument Panel Fuse Block
Some fuses are in a fuse
block on the passenger’s
side of the instrument panel.
Pull off the cover labeled
FUSES to expose the fuses.
6-57
ProCarManuals.com

tiuide en Franpis 11
GVWR ....................................... 4-29
Halogen Bulbs
................................ 6-30
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints
................................. 1-5
Headlamps .................................... 2-41
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-3 1
Flash-to-Pass ................................ 2-35
High/LowBeam
.............................. 2-35
On Reminder
................................ 2-41
Wiring
..................................... 6-56
Hearing Impaired, Customer Assistance .............. 8-4
Heated Foldaway Outside Mirrors
.................. 2-48
Heating
............................... 3-4.3-6. 3- 10
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-35
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-22
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-33
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-7
Release
...................................... 6-8
Horn
......................................... 2-33
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-18
Ignition Positions
.............................. 2- 17
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.................... 7-40
Illuminated Entry
............................... 2-44
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-38
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
................. 2-46
Inspections Brakesystem
................................ 7-41
.. ................................. Exhaust Systems ............................. 7-41
Front Drive Axle Boot
......................... 7-41
Front Drive Axle Seal
......................... 7-41
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-41
Steering
.................................... 7-41
Suspension
.................................. 7-41
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-41
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-53
Cleaning
.................................... 6-48
Cluster
..................................... 2-54
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-57
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
................ 2-44
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-44
Jack. Tire
...... 5.25.5.27.5.28.5.29.5.30.5.31. 5.33
Jump Starting ................................... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service
..................... 7-38
Key Reminder Warning
.......................... 2-15
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
Labels Certification
................................. 4-29
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-55
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-28
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-55
Lamps
........................................ 2-41
Courtesy
.................................... 2-44
Dome
...................................... 2-45
Exterior
.................................... 2-41
Interior
..................................... 2-44
Reading. Rearview Mirror
...................... 2-45
ProCarManuals.com