battery CHEVROLET C/K 1999 User Guide

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4-40
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, especially any
that 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.
If you have a diesel engine, you may have to run it at a
higher speed to get enough heat. Then, shut the engine
off and close the window almost all the way to preserve
the heat. Start the engine again and repeat this only
when you feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But
do it as little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as you
can. To help keep warm, you can get out of the vehicle
and do some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or
so until help comes.

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4-42 Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case into NEUTRAL (N) can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the transmission
is in PARK (P), for an automatic transmission, or
if your vehicle is in gear, for a manual
transmission. You or others could be injured.
Make sure the parking brake is firmly set before
you shift the transfer case into NEUTRAL (N).
Vehicles equipped with the electronic transfer case
cannot be towed with all four wheels on the ground.
Use the following procedure to correctly tow your
vehicle on all four wheels with a manual transfer case:
1. Firmly set the parking brake.
2. Place the transmission in PARK (P) or a manual
transmission in FIRST (1).
3. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the
tow vehicle.
4. With the engine running, shift the transfer case to
NEUTRAL (N). See ªFour
-Wheel Driveº in the
Index for the proper procedure to select the neutral
position for your vehicle.
5. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle
being towed is firmly attached to the towing vehicle.
6. Turn the ignition to OFF. The OFF position unlocks
the steering column and reduces battery drain.
Unlocking the steering column will allow the proper
movement of the front wheels and tires during towing.

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4-48
Camper Wiring Harness
(If Equipped)
A five-wire harness may be stored under your vehicle.
The harness is located inside the frame rail and is even
with the front of the pickup box. This harness has a
30 amp battery feed wire and no connector, and should be
wired by a qualified electrical technician. After choosing
an aftermarket mating connector pair, have the technician
attach one connector to the five
-wire camper harness and
the other connector to the wiring harness for the camper.
The technician can use the following color code chart
when connecting the wiring harness to your camper.
Brown: Rear Lamps

Yellow: Left Stoplamp and Turn Signal

Dark Green: Right Stoplamp and Turn Signal

White (Heavy Gage): Ground

Light Green: Back
-up Lamps
When the harness is not being used, store it in its
original place. Wrap the harness together and tie it
neatly so it won't be damaged.
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab
General Motors is aware that some vehicle owners may
consider having the pickup box removed and a
commercial or recreational body installed. Before you
do so, first contact the GM Customer Assistance Office
for your area for information on such conversions
specific to this vehicle. (See the ªWarranty and Owner
Assistanceº booklet for Customer Assistance Office.)
Owners should be aware that, as manufactured, there are
differences between a chassis cab and a pickup with the
box removed which may affect vehicle safety. The
components necessary to adapt a pickup to permit its
safe use with a specialized body should be installed by a
body builder in accordance with the information
available from the Customer Assistance Office.

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4-60 Trailer Wiring Harness
A. Light-Duty Wiring Harness
B. Additional Heavy
-Duty Wiring
C. Tie Straps
An eight
-wire harness is stored under the rear end of
your vehicle. Five wires (A) are located between the rear
bumper and the spare tire, near the center. This wiring
harness is tie
-strapped to the taillamp and stoplamp
harness. Three wires (B) (light gauge white, blue and
orange) are located at the rear left hand frame rail.This harness has a 30
-amp battery feed wire and no
connector, and should be wired by a qualified electrical
technician. After choosing an aftermarket mating
connector pair, have the technician attach one connector
to the eight
-wire trailer harness and the other connector
to the wiring harness on the trailer. Be sure that the
wiring harness on the trailer is strapped to the trailer's
frame and leave it loose enough so that the wiring
doesn't bend or break, but not so loose that it drags on
the ground. The technician can use the following color
code chart when connecting the wiring harness to
your trailer.

Brown: Rear Lamps

Yellow: Left Stoplamp and Turn Signal

Dark Green: Right Stoplamp and Turn Signal

White (Heavy Gauge): Ground

Light Green: Back
-up Lamps

White (Light Gauge): Center High
-Mounted
Stop Lamp

Blue: Auxiliary/Electric Trailer Brake Circuit

Orange: Fused Auxiliary Circuit
Store the harness in its original place. Wrap the harness
together and tie it neatly so it won't be damaged.

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5-3
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can use them to
warn others. Set one up at the side of the road about
300 feet (100 m) behind your vehicle.
Jump Starting
If your battery (or batteries) have run down, you may
want to use another vehicle and some jumper cables
to start your vehicle. But please use the following steps
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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5-4
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren't touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don't want. You wouldn't be able to
start your vehicle, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake firmly on both vehicles involved in
the jump start procedure. Put an automatic
transmission in PARK (P) or a manual transmission
in NEUTRAL (N). If you have a four
-wheel-drive
vehicle, be sure the transfer case is not in
NEUTRAL (N).
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or accessory power outlets. Turn off all lamps
that aren't needed as well as radios. This will avoid
sparks and help save both batteries. In addition, it
could save your radio!
NOTICE:
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn't be covered by
your warranty.
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find the
positive (+) and negative (
-) terminals on each battery.
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.

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5-5
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.
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 heavy
unpainted metal engine part. Don't connect positive
(+) to negative (
-) or you'll get a short that would
damage the battery and maybe other parts too.
On vehicles equipped with dual batteries, make any
battery connections to the primary battery located on
the passenger's side of the vehicle.
CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engine is running.

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5-6
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.
8. Now connect the black
negative (
-) cable to
the good battery's
negative (
-) cable.
Don't let the other end
touch anything until the
next step. The other end
of the negative (
-) cable
doesn't go to the dead
battery. It goes to a
heavy unpainted metal
part of the vehicle with
the dead battery.

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5-7
9. Attach the cable at least 18 inches (45 cm) away
from the dead battery, but not near engine parts that
move. The electrical connection is just as good
there, but the chance of sparks getting back to the
battery is much less.
10. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run
the engine for awhile.
11. Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery.
If it won't start after a few tries, it probably
needs service.12. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent
electrical shorting. Take care that they don't touch
each other or any other metal.
A. Heavy Metal Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead Battery

6-
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6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel (Gasoline Engine)
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries (Gasoline Engines)
6
-5 Filling Your Tank (Gasoline Engine)
6
-8 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-12 Noise Control System
6
-13 Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
6
-17 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (Gasoline Engines)
6
-20 Automatic Transmission Fluid
6
-23 Manual Transmission Fluid
6
-24 Hydraulic Clutch
6
-25 Rear Axle
6
-26 Four-Wheel Drive
6
-27 Radiator Pressure Cap (Gasoline Engine)
6
-28 Thermostat
6
-28 Engine Coolant6
-32 Power Steering Fluid
6
-33 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-34 Brakes
6
-38 Battery
6
-39 Bulb Replacement
6
-49 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-50 Tires
6
-61 Appearance Care
6
-61 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-65 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-68 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-69 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-69 Electrical System
6
-75 Replacement Bulbs
6
-76 Capacities and Specifications
6
-78 Air Conditioning Refrigerants
6
-78 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts