ignition GMC C-SERIES 1999 Owners Manual

2-
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2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Keys
2
-4 Door Locks
2
-5 Theft
2
-5 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-6 Ignition Positions
2
-7 Starting Your Gasoline Engine
2
-10 Starting Your Diesel Engine
2
-13 Engine Checks Before Operating
2
-15 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-16 Diesel Engine Exhaust Brake
2
-17 Two-Speed Rear Axle Electric Shift Control
(If Equipped)
2
-20 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
-22 Manual Transmission Operation
2
-23 Parking
2
-29 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-29 Engine Exhaust2
-30 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
2
-30 Windows
2
-31 Tilt Wheel (If Equipped)
2
-32 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-39 Trailer Brake Hand Control Valve (Option)
2
-40 Inter-Axle Differential Lock Control
(If Equipped)
2
-41 Rear Axle Differential Lock Control
(If Equipped)
2
-42 Engine Air Control (If Equipped)
2
-43 Exterior Lamps
2
-46 Interior Lamps
2
-46 Mirrors
2
-50 Instrument Panel
2
-52 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-55 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
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2-2
Keys
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the controls or even make the
vehicle move. Don't leave the keys in a vehicle
with children.
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2-3
The square-head key is for
the ignition switch only.
The oval-head key is for
the doors.If you have the optional one
-key system, the oval key
will operate all locks, including the ignition switch.
When a new vehicle is delivered, the dealer removes the
plugs from the keys and gives them to the first owner.
Each plug has a code on it that tells your dealer or a
qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep the
plugs in a safe place. If you lose your keys, you'll be
able to have new ones made easily using this code.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of new features that
can help prevent theft. But you can have a lot of
trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever lock
your keys inside. You may even have to damage
your vehicle to get in. So be sure you have
extra keys.
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2-5 Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your
door and set the locks from inside. Then get out and
close the door.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities,
and even commercial vehicles are no exception. Although
your vehicle has a number of theft
-deterrent features, we
know that nothing we put on it can make it impossible to
steal. However, there are ways you can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it's an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don't do it.
Remember to remove your key and take it with you.
Always do this. When you take your key with you, your
ignition will be locked. Also remember to lock the doors.
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:

Let your engine warm up before you
operate your vehicle under load.

Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or
less for the first 500 miles (805 km).

Don't drive at any one speed
-- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don't make full
-throttle starts.

Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren't yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking
-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
NOTICE: (Continued)
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2-6
NOTICE: (Continued)

Use the lowest gear you can when you start
a loaded vehicle in motion and when going
up hills to avoid overloading the engine.

Check and adjust engine and transmission
fluid levels often and be sure tires are properly
inflated for the load you're carrying.

If you have a Caterpillar
 diesel engine,
see the Caterpillar Operation &
Maintenance Manual.
Ignition Positions
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be injured or even killed. They could
operate power windows or other controls or even
make the vehicle move. Don't leave the keys in
the vehicle with children.
Use your square-head key to start your vehicle (unless it
has the single
-key option, where one oval-head key
works everything, including the ignition). You can turn
the ignition switch to five different positions.
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ACCESSORY (A): This position lets you use
accessories when the engine is off. To use
ACCESSORY, push in the key and turn it toward you.
LOCK (B): This position locks your ignition. You will
be able to remove your key only when the switch is in
this position.
OFF (C): This position lets you turn off the engine, but
the key can't be removed.
RUN (D): This is the position for driving and activating
the CAT diesel air inlet heater (if equipped).
START (E): This position starts your engine.
Engine Starter Over-Crank Protection
(If Equipped)
Some vehicles have an engine starter over-crank
protection system. This system includes a built
-in
temperature limiting switch to prevent internal damage
to the starter. If the starter motor overheats and shuts
off due to over
-cranking, the motor must cool down
before the switch will reset and allow you to operate the
starter. It can take up to six minutes before the starter
will work again.
Starting Your Gasoline Engine
Engines start differently. The 8th digit of your Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) shows the code letter for
your engine. (See ªVehicle Identification Numberº in
the Index.) Follow the proper steps to start the engine.
To start a diesel engine, see ªStarting Your Diesel
Engineº in the Index.
Automatic Transmission
Set the parking brake and move your shift lever to
NEUTRAL (N) or PARK (P) if so equipped. Your
engine won't start in any other position
-- that's a
safety feature.
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2-8 Manual Transmission
Set the parking brake, shift your gear selector to
NEUTRAL and hold the clutch pedal to the floor while
starting the engine.
Starter Motor Operation
1. The starter motor will disengage if you release
the key or the engine reaches a predetermined
engine speed.
2. To prevent overheating, the starter motor will
disengage after continuously operating for 15 seconds.
You must release the key from the start position to
re
-engage the starter.
3. The starter motor will not engage if the engine is
already running.
4. The starter motor will disengage if, after two
seconds, the starter pinion gear does not engage the
flywheel or there is no engine rpm signal from the
engine speed sensor.
Starting Your Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
2. If the engine doesn't start in 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way down and crank the
engine for five more seconds, unless it starts sooner.
3. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Wait 15 seconds to let the starter motor cool down.
Do Steps 1 through 3 again.
When the engine starts, let go of the key and the
accelerator pedal.
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2-10
Starting Your Diesel Engine
If you have a Caterpillar diesel engine, also refer to
your Caterpillar
Operation & Maintenance Manual for
starting procedure.
To make starting easier in cold weather (below 32F or
0C), the proper viscosity engine oil should be used. It's
also best to heat the engine oil first. You can do this by
using an engine coolant heater. A GM Automatic Ether
Injection System aids cold weather starting.
NOTICE:
Your diesel engine has an electric air intake
heater system which reduces white smoke and
helps start the engine in cold weather. Do not
spray starting fluid into the air intake where it
can contact the heater elements.
If you don't have the GM Automatic Ether
Injection System, don't use starting fluid or
you could damage your engine. If you have the
GM system, use only GM approved starting fluid
that has been tested to establish compatibility
with the air inlet heater system.
NOTICE:
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 ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.
Restarting the Diesel Engine While Moving
(Automatic Transmission)
If you have to restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, you'll first have to shift the automatic transmission
to NEUTRAL (N). This safety feature prevents starting
the engine when the transmission is in a drive gear.
Stopping the Diesel Engine
If you have a Caterpillar diesel engine, see your
Caterpillar
Operation & Maintenance Manual.
1. Set the parking brake and shift to NEUTRAL (N) or
PARK (P).
2. Turn the ignition switch key to OFF.
If your vehicle has a two
-speed axle, see ªRear Axle,
Tw o
-Speed Electric Shift Controlº or ªRear Axle,
Tw o
-Speed Airshift Controlº in the Index.
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2-11 Cold Weather Starting (Caterpillar

Diesel)
Because the diesel engine uses compression ignition, it
is harder to start in cold weather than a gasoline engine.
The air intake heater and use of the proper engine oil,
optional engine coolant heaters and optional ether
injection systems help cold weather starting. See the
Caterpillar

Operation & Maintenance Manual for
more information.
Diesel Engine Warm-Up
Several factors affect how quickly your diesel engine
warms up. These can include outside temperature,
engine load, idle time and your vehicle's option content.
Your vehicle may be equipped with some features that
can help the engine reach operating temperature sooner.
Some of these features are discussed below.
Also, remember that an automatic transmission adds
heat to the cooling system through the heat exchanger in
the radiator. Because of this, vehicles equipped with
automatic transmissions are often able to retain engine
coolant heat better than manual transmission vehicles.
See your Caterpillar

Operation & Maintenance manual
for additional diesel engine warm
-up information.
Engine Automatic Shutdown (If Equipped)
Your CHECK GAGES light will come on if the system
senses high engine temperature or low engine oil
pressure. If high engine temperature is detected, you
will also hear a tone alarm at two beats per second. The
alarm and the light will remain on until the condition is
fixed. If the engine temperature condition worsens, the
tone alarm will go to five beats per second. When a low
oil pressure condition is detected, the five beat per
second alarm will come on immediately.
If the system senses low engine coolant, the five beat
per second alarm and the LOW COOLANT warning
light will come on.
The five beats per second tone alarm means that your
engine will shut down in 25 seconds. Pull off the road
and shut off the engine. Don't start it until the reason for
the problem is known, and the problem is fixed. If the
engine shuts down when you are still in traffic, you can
restart the engine and get another 25 seconds of
operation. Do this only if you have to, since there is a
problem that can harm the engine if it isn't fixed.
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2-13
The manual fast idle feature is activated by pressing the
switch on the instrument panel. When the switch is
pressed again, or any of the previous conditions are not
met, manual fast idle will be deactivated.
Manual fast idle can be used to set any desired idle
speed. To set a new temporary engine idle speed:
1. Make sure all of the previously described conditions
are met.
2. Press the accelerator pedal to the desired engine speed.
3. Momentarily press the manual FAST IDLE switch.
The temporary idle speed will be set. This new rpm
level will be remembered by the system until either the
ignition is turned to OFF or a new idle speed is set.
Radiator Shutters -- Caterpillar

(If Equipped)
Radiator shutters aid engine warm-up by blocking the
airflow through the radiator and charge the air cooler to
conserve heat in cold conditions.
The radiator shutters on your vehicle (if equipped)
operate automatically. When the ignition switch is in
RUN or START and the engine temperature is below
195F (90C), the shutters will close, blocking the flow
of air through the radiator and charge the air cooler.When the engine temperature reaches 195F (90C), the
shutters will open to the normal operating position.
Engine Checks Before Operating
When you've started your engine, let it run for 20 to
30 seconds before you put a load on the engine.
But don't leave the vehicle while the engine is running.
During this warm
-up period, check your warning lights
and gages:

If oil pressure doesn't begin to rise within 15 seconds
of starting, stop the engine and find the cause.

If the engine coolant temperature gage needle goes
into the hot area on the gage, stop the engine and
find the cause of the overheating.

If you have air brakes, the dual
-needle air pressure
gage should read at least 105 psi (720 kPa) for both
service systems before you try to move the vehicle.
When air pressure is below 60 psi (420 kPa), the
LOW AIR light will come on and you will hear a
tone alarm. If the pressure doesn't build up or drops
during warm
-up, stop the engine and find the cause
before you try to move the vehicle. Recommended
air pressure before actually driving away is
120 psi (830 kPa).
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