key CHEVROLET VENTURE 1998 Owner's Manual

Ignition Positions
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five positions.
C
A E
ACCESSORY
(A): This is an on position in which you
can operate your electrical power accessories. Press in
the ignition switch as you
turn the top of it toward you.
LOCK (B): This is the only position in which you can
remove the key. This locks your steering wheel, ignition
and transaxle.
OFF (C): This position unlocks the steering wheel,
ignition and transaxle, but does not send electrical
power to any accessories. Use this position if your
vehicle must be pushed or towed, but never try to
push-start your vehicle.
A warning chime will sound if
you open the driver’s door when the ignition is off and
the key is
in the ignition.
RUN (D): This is an on position to which the switch
returns after you start your engine and release
the
switch. The switch stays in RUN when the engine is
running. But even when the engine
is not running, you
can use
RUN to operate your electrical power
accessories, and
to display some instrument panel
warning lights.
START (E): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release
the key. The ignition switch will
return
to RUN for normal driving.
Note that even if
the engine is not running, the positions
ACCESSORY and RUN are positions that allow you to
operate your electrical accessories, such as the radio.
2-26
ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key;
if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But turn
the key only with your hand.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Chevrolet
is moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to
PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Using a tool to force
it could break the key or the
ignition switch.
If none of this works, then your ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
vehicle needs service.
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
1.
Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
I engine gets warm.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use
NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor.
2-27
ProCarManuals.com

2. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in
START. If it doesn’t start in three seconds (or starts
but then stops), push the accelerator pedal about
one-quarter
of the way down for 12 more seconds,
or until it starts.
3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops),
it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try this:
Wait
15 seconds to let the starter motor cool down.
Then push your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor. Hold it there. Then hold the key in
START.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine. When
the engine starts, let go of the key and the accelerator
pedal. If the engine still doesn’t start, wait another
15 seconds and repeat this step.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories,
you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part
of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
I
2-28
ProCarManuals.com

Automatic Transaxle Operation
There are several different positions for your shift lever. If you
cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK
(P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you wish. See
I( “Shifting Out of PARK (P)” in this section.
I
PRND321
PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has
a Brake-Transaxle
Shift Interlock (BTSI). You have to fully
apply your
regular brakes
before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition key is in RUN. As you step on the
brake pedal, while in PARK
(P), you may hear a click
from the solenoid of the BTSI. This ensures that the
BTSI is operating properly.
I
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly
set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re
on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. If
you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer‘’
in the Index.
ProCarManuals.com

Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Move the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle
is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running,
it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don’t leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless
you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle
is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you’ve moved the shift lever into PARK
(P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. See if you
can move the
shift lever away from PARK
(P) without first pulling
it toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever
wasn’t fully locked into PARK
(P).
2-36
ProCarManuals.com

Torque Lock Shifting Out of PARK (P)
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put
too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out
of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.” To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift
into PARK
(P) properly before you leave the driver’s
seat.
To find out how, see “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in
the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out
of PARK
(P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill
to take some of the
pressure
from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P). Your
vehicle has a Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock
(BTSI). You have to fully apply your regular brakes
before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition
is in
RUN.
As you step on the brake pedal, while in PARK (P),
you may hear a click from the solenoid of the BTSI.
This ensures that the BTSI is operating properly. See
“Automatic Transaxle Operation” in the Index.
If you cannot shift out
of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way
into PARK
(P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want. If you ever
hold the brake pedal down but still can’t shift out of
PARK
(P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
2-37
ProCarManuals.com

Entering Programming Mode
To program features, your vehicle must be in the
programming mode. Follow these steps:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The Content Theft-Deterrent system (if equipped)
must be disarmed. See “Content Theft-Deterrent
System” in this section.
Remove the
BCM PRGRM fuse from the instrument
panel fuse block, located to the right of the glove
box. (See “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index.)
Close the driver’s door.
Turn the ignition switch towards you to
ACCESSORY.
Count the number of chimes you hear. You will
hear two to four chimes depending on the features
your vehicle is equipped with. Refer to the chart
shown previously.
You can now program your choices.
To exit the programming mode, follow the steps
listed under “Exiting Programming Mode” later in
this section.
Delayed Illumination and Exit Lighting
With Delayed Illumination, the interior lamps will stay
on for about
25 seconds after all the doors and the
liftgate are closed.
With Exiting Lighting, the interior lamps will come on
and stay on for about
25 seconds whenever you remove
the key from the ignition.
To customize these features to your preference, see
“Programmable Modes” following.
Programmable Modes
Your vehicle can be programmed to one of the
following modes.
Mode 1: Both Features Off (The interior lamps will
turn on or
off at the same instant that a door is opened
or closed.)
Mode 2: Delayed Illumination Only (The interior lamps
will stay on for about
25 seconds after all the doors and
liftgate are closed, or until you lock the doors.)
Mode 3: Exit Lighting Only (The interior lamps
will come on whenever you remove the key from the
ignition and stay on for about
25 seconds, or until you
lock the doors.)
2-41
ProCarManuals.com

Mode 4: Automatic Unlocking with Transaxle in
PARK (P)
0 Shift into PARK (P) with the ignition on; all doors
will unlock automatically.
0 Shift out of PARK (P) with the ignition on and the
driver’s door closed,
all doors will lock automatically.
Vehicles are delivered programmed in Mode
3.
To change the mode:
1. Follow the instructions for “Entering Programming
2. Press LOCK on the power door lock switch.
Mode”
listed previously.
3. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
of chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is in.
You can change the mode by pressing LOCK again.
4. Repeat Step 2 until you hear the number of chimes
The mode
you selected is now set. You can either exit
the programming mode by following the instructions
later in this section or program the next feature available
on your vehicle.
that matches the
mode you want.
Last Door Closed Locking and
Lockout Prevention
With the Last Door Closed Locking and Lockout
Prevention features, your vehicle will do the following:
If you leave your key in the ignition and leave the
driver’s door open, you won’t be able to lock the
doors using the power door lock switch.
0 When you press LOCK on the power door lock
switch or remote keyless entry transmitter
(if
equipped) while any door or the liftgate is open,
the doors will not lock. Instead you will hear three
chimes which let you know that the Last Door
Closed Locking feature is in operation. Five seconds
after all the doors and the liftgate are closed, all the
doors and the liftgate will automatically lock.
To customize these features to your preference, see
“Programmable Modes” following.
2-43
ProCarManuals.com

Programmable Modes 2. Press UNLOCK on the power door lock switch.
Your vehicle can be programmed to one
of the
following modes.
Mode 1: Both Features Off (Doors will always lock
immediately when you press LOCK on the the power
door lock switch or the remote keyless entry transmitter,
if equipped.)
Mode 2: Lockout Deterrent Only (If you leave your key
in the ignition with the driver’s door open, you won’t be
able to lock the doors with the power door locks).
Mode 3: Last Door Closed Locking Only (If the power
door lock switch or remote keyless entry transmitter
(if
equipped) is used to lock the vehicle while any door or
the liftgate is open, you will hear three chimes. The
doors will not lock. Five seconds after the last door is
closed, all doors and liftgate will lock.)
Mode 4: Both Features On (This combines Modes 2
and 3.)
Vehicles are delivered programmed in Mode 4.
To change the mode:
1. Follow the instructions for “Entering Programming
Mode” listed previously.
3. Count the number of chimes you hear. The
number of chimes tells you which mode your
vehicle is in.
You can change the mode by pressing
UNLOCK again.
4. Repeat Step 2 until you hear the number of chimes
that matches the mode you want.
The mode you selected
is now set. You can either exit
the programming mode by following the instructions
later in this section or program the next feature available
on your vehicle.
Remote Driver’s Unlock Control
With the Remote Driver’s Unlock Control feature, you
can program your vehicle to do
the following:
0 When you press UNLOCK on your remote keyless
entry transmitter, the driver’s door will unlock and,
When you press UNLOCK on your remote keyless
entry transmitter again within five seconds, all doors
and the liftgate will unlock.
To customize this feature to your preference, see
“Programmable Modes” following.
2-44
ProCarManuals.com

Programmable Modes
Your vehicle can be programmed to one of the
following modes.
Mode 1: Remote All Doors Unlock (When you press
UNLOCK on your remote keyless entry transmitter,
all doors and the liftgate will unlock.)
Mode 2: Remote Driver’s Door Unlock Only (When
you press UNLOCK on your remote keyless entry
transmitter once, the driver’s door will unlock. When
you press
UNLOCK on your remote keyless entry
transmitter again, within five seconds, all doors and
the liftgate will unlock.)
Vehicles are delivered programmed in Mode
2.
To change the mode:
1.
2.
3.
Follow the instructions for “Entering Programming
Mode” listed previously.
Press UNLOCK on the remote keyless
entry transmitter.
Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
of chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is
in. You can change the mode by pressing
UNLOCK again.
4. Repeat Step 2 until you hear the number of chimes
that matches the mode you want.
The mode you selected
is now set. You can either exit
the programming mode by following the instructions
later in this section or program the next feature available
on your vehicle.
Remote Lock and Unlock Confirmation
With the Remote Lock and Unlock Confirmation
feature, your vehicle can do the following:
When you use the remote keyless entry transmitter
to lock your vehicle, your parking lamps will flash
briefly to let you know the command has been
received. If you press LOCK on the remote keyless
entry transmitter again, the horn will sound briefly
and the parking lamps will flash briefly to let you
know your vehicle is locked and,
When you use the remote keyless entry transmitter
to unlock your vehicle or operate your power sliding door (if equipped), your parking lamps will
flash briefly.
To customize these features to your preference, see
“Programmable Modes” following.
2-45
ProCarManuals.com