check engine GMC SIERRA 1997 Manual PDF

At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles,
latch plates, retractors and anchorages are
working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system
parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it
repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does
not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace blade
inserts that appear worn or damaged or that streak or
miss areas of the windshield. Also see “Wiper Blades,
Cleaning” in the Index.
Air Cleaner Filter Restriction Indicator Check
Your vehicle has an indicator on the engine that lets you
know when the air cleaner filter is dirty and needs
to be
changed. Check indicator at least twice a year or when
your oil is changed. See “Air Cleaner” in
the Index for
more information. Inspect your air cleaner filter restriction indicator more often
if the vehicle is used in
dusty areas or under off road conditions.
Manual Transmission Check
Check the transmission fluid level; add if needed. See
“Manual Transmission” in
the Index. Check the system for
leaks. A fluid loss may indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired if needed.
Automatic Transmission Check
Check the transmission fluid level; add if needed. See
“Automatic Transmission” in the Index.
A fluid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair
if needed.
Hydraulic Clutch System Check
Check the fluid level in the clutch reservoir. See
“Hydraulic Clutch Fluid” in the Index. A fluid loss in
this system could indicate a problem. Have the system
inspected and repaired
at once.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified
in Part D.
7-46
ProCarManuals.com

Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all fuel doors, body hood and body door
hinges, tailgate and tailgate handle pivot points, latches,
locks and folding seat hardware. Part
D tells you what to
use. More frequent lubrication may be required when
exposed
to a corrosive environment.
Starter Switch Check
’ A CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly.
If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
3. On automatic transmission vehicles, try to start the
engine
in each gear. The starter should work only in
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). If the starter works in
any other position, your vehicle needs service.
On manual transmission vehicles, put
the shift lever
in NEUTRAL (N), push the clutch down halfway
and try
to start the engine. The starter should work
only when the clutch
is pushed down all the way to
the floor. If the starter works when the clutch isn’t
pushed all the way down, your vehicle needs service.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake (see “Parking
around the vehicle.
Brake” in
the Index if necessary) and the
regular brake.
NOTE: Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be
ready
to turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
Brake-’Ikansmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Check
(Automatic Transmission)
I A CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If it does,
you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a
level surface.
7-47
ProCarManuals.com

2. Firmly apply the parking brake (see “Parking Brake”
in the Index if necessary). Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission
PARK (P) Mechanism Check
NOTE: Be ready to apply the regular brake
immediately
if the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the RUN position,
but don’t start the engine. Without applying
the regular
brake, try to move the shift lever
out of PARK (P)
with normal effort. If the shift lever moves out
of
PARK (P), your vehicle’s BTSI needs service.
Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to
LOCK in each shift lever position.
With an automatic transmission, the key should turn
to
LOCK only when the shift lever is in PARK (P).
With a manual transmission, the key should turn to
LOCK only when the shift lever is in REVERSE (R).
On vehicles with a key release button, try to turn the key
to
LOCK without pressing the button. The key should
turn to
LOCK only when you press the key button.
On all vehicles, the key should come out only in LOCK.
I
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin
to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front
of your vehicle in case
it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability:
With the engine running and transmission in
NEUTRAL
(N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal.
Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake
only.
0 To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift
to PARK (P). Then
release all brakes.
7-48
ProCarManuals.com

1997 GMC SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION
The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be purchased by filling c
the Service Publication Order Form in this book and mailing it in with your check, money order, \
or credit card information to Helm, Incorporated (address below.)
CURRENT
PUBLICATIONS FOR 1997 GMC
SERVICE MANUALS Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information
on engines, transmission, axle, suspension, brakes,
electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$90.00
TRANSMISSION, TRANSAXLE, TRANSFER CASE UNIT REPAIR MANUAL
This manual provides information on unit repair service procedures, adjustments and specifications for the
1997 GM transmissions, transaxles and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL
PRICE: $40.00
SERVICE BULLETINS
Service Bulletins give technical service information needed
to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions
to assist in the
diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
PLEASE COMPLETE THE ORDER FORM SHOWN ON
THE FOLLOWING PAGE AND MAIL TO:
Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207
OWNER’S INFORMATION
Owner publications are written directly for Owners and intended to provide basic operational information about t
vehicle. The owner’s manual will include the Maintenanc Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual and
Warranty Booklet. RETAIL
SELL PRICE: $1 5.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$10.00
CURRENT & PAST MODEL ORDER FORMS
Service Publications are available for current and past
model GM vehicles.
To request an order form, please
specify year and model name of the vehicle.
OR ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-782-4356
Monday-Friday 8:OO AM - 6:OO PM Eastern Time
For Credit
Card Orders Only (VISA-MasterCard-Discove
ProCarManuals.com

Section 9 Index
Accessory Power Outlet ......................... 2-6 I
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle ...... 6-3
AirBag ....................................... 1-23
Adding Equipment ............................ 1-3 1
How Does it Restrain .......................... 1-28
How
it Works ................................ 1-25
Location
.................................... 1-25
Readiness Light
......................... 1-25. 2-67
Servicing
................................... 1-30
What Makes it Inflate .......................... 1-27
What Will You See After
it Inflates ............... 1-28
When Should
it Inflate ......................... 1-27
Air Bag Off Light
.......................... 1-57, 2-68
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-10
Air Cleaner Filter Restriction Indicator Check ........ 7-46
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-4
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-78
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-57
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-65
Antenna
...................................... 3-26
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-29
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
................ 2-72. 4.7
Brakes
...................................... 4-7
Appearance Care
............................... 6-59 Appearance Care
Materials
....................... 6-68
Arbitration Program .............................. 8-9
Armrest Storage Compartment
.................... 2-57
Ashtrays
...................................... 2-59
Audio Equipment. Adding
........................ 3-24
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-7
Automatic Transmission
Check
...................................... 7-46
Fluid
....................................... 6-21
Operation
................................... 2-15
Park Mechanism Check
........................ 7-48
Starting Your Engine
.......................... 2-13
Axle.
Front .................................... 6-28
Axle. Locking Rear
............................. 2-22
Axle. Rear
.................................... 6-26
Battery ...................................... 6-39
Jump Starting ................................. 5-3
Replacement. Keyless Entry
..................... 2-8
Warnings
................................ 5.3. 5.5
BBB Auto Line ................................. 8-9
Better Business Bureau Mediation ................... 8-9
Blizzard. Driving In ............................. 4-39
9-1
ProCarManuals.com

Electrical System ............................... 6-70
Engine
.................................. 6-10. 6-12
Electrochromic
Daymight Rearview Mirror
.......... 2-48
Coolant
..................................... 6-29
Coolant Heater
............................... 2- 14
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-45
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-72
Cooling System Capacity
....................... 6-78
Exhaust
..................................... 2-32
FuseBlocks
............................ 6-71, 6-73
Identification
................................ 6-69
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-45
Overheating
................................. 5-11
Running While Parked
......................... 2-32
Specifications
................................ 6-76
StartingYour
................................ 2-13
Underhood Fuse/Relay Center
................... 6-73
Engineoil
.................................... 6-15
Adding
..................................... 6-15
Additives
................................... 6-18
Checking
................................... 6-15
Used
....................................... 6-18
Whentochange
.............................. 6-18
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-32
Pressure Gage
................................ 2-75
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-60
Fan Control. Climate Control System ............ 3.2. 3.3
Fender Marker Lamp
Bulb Replacement ............. 6-44
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-5
Filter. Air ..................................... 6-19
Finish Care
.................................... 6-64
Finish Damage
................................. 6-66
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-22
Fluid Capacities
................................ 6-78
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-51
Fog Lamps
.................................... 2-45
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-4
Four-wheel Drive
......................... 2-22. 6-27
French LanguageManual
11
Front Axle .................................... 6-28
Front Axle Locking Feature
....................... 2-23
FrontTowing
.................................. 5-10
Front Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement ..... 6-42. 6-43
Fuel
.......................................... 6-3
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-5
Gage ....................................... 2-78
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
Tank Capacity
............................... 6-78
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-71
FusibleLinks
.................................. 6-71
.. ...........................
bages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-72
Engine Oil Pressure
........................... 2-75 "
Fuel ....................................... 2-78
Speedometer
................................. 2-65
Tachometer
.................................. 2-65
Voltmeter
................................... 2-70
9-4
ProCarManuals.com

Labels Certification
................................. 4-4 1
Certificationflire ............................. 4-4 1
Service Parts Identification ..................... 6-69
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-69
Lamps
........................................ 2-43
Cargo
...................................... 2-47
Cleaning
.................................... 6-64
Dome
...................................... 2-46
Interior
..................................... 2-46
On Reminder
................................ 2-44
Latches, Seatback
................................ 1-6
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-6
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
....... 2-29
Lighter
....................................... 2-59
Lights Air Bag Off
............................ 1-57. 2-68
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2-72. 4-7
Charging System
............................. 2-69
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator
............... 2-77
Safety Belt Reminder
..................... 1 - 10, 2-67
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-73
Shift
.................................. 2-22. 2-76
Loading Information. Truck-Camper
............... 4-43
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving
.......... 4- I5
LockoutSwitch ................................ 2-34
Locks
Cylinders
................................... 7-46
Air Bag Readiness
....................... 1-25. 2-67
Brake System Warning
......................... 2-71
Check Gages
................................ 2-77
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-41 Door
........................................ 2-5
Ignition Transmission Lock Check
............... 7-48
Key Lock Cylinders Service
.................... 7-46
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-6
Rear Door Security
............................. 2-6
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7-51
Lubrication Service. Body
........................ 7-47
Lumbar Controls
................................ 1-4
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts
........... 6-77
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-54
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Long Trip/Highway Definition
................... 7-6
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-45
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-49
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-51
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
..................... 7-6
Short Trip/City Definition
....................... 7-5
Short Trip/City Intervals ........................ 7-5
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-67
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-58
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-73
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1-2
ManualMirror
................................. 2-51
Manual Transmission Check
...................................... 7-46
Fluid
....................................... 6-25
Shifting
................................ 2- 19. 2-20
Starting Your Engine
.......................... 2-13
Manualwindows
............................... 2-33
Memo Pad Holder
......................... 2-56. 2-58
9-6
ProCarManuals.com

Methanol ...................................... 6-4
Mirrors
....................................... 2-48
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-51
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview
.............. 2-48
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2-48
Manual
..................................... 2-51
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-5 1
MMT ......................................... 6-4
Model Reference
................................. vi
MountainRoads ................................ 4-35
New Vehicle Break-In
.......................... 2- IO
Nightvision ................................... 4-28
Noise Control System
........................... 6- 14
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
............. 6-77
Odometer
.................................... 2-65
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-65
Off-Road Driving
.............................. 4- 14
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4- I 1
Oil. Engine .................................... 6-15
Opener. Garage Door
............................ 2-52
Overheating Engine
............................. 5- 1 I
Owner Checks and Services ....................... 7-45
Owner Publications. Ordering
................ 8- I I. 8- 12
Paint Spotting. Chemical ........................ 6-67
Park. Shifting Into
.............................. 2-28
Park. Shifting Out of
............................ 2-30
Parking
AtNight
.................................... 2-10 Brake
...................................... 2-27
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-48
Lots
....................................... 2-10
Over Things That Burn
........................
Passenger Position .............................. 1-23
Passing
....................................... 4-12
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-49
Power Accessory Outlet
............................. 2-61
DoorLocks
................................... 2-6
Driver’sSeat
................................. 1-3
Option Fuses ................................ 6-70
Remote Control Mirror
........................ 2-51
Steering
..................................... 4-9
Steering
Fluid ................................ 6-33
Take-0
ff .................................... 4-59
Winches
.................................... 4-59
Windows ................................... 2-33
Pregnancy, Use of Safety Belts
.................... 1-22
Problems on the Road
............................ 5-1
PTO ......................................... 4-59
Publications, Service and Owner
.............. 8- 1 1, 8- 12
Radiator ..................................... 5-18
Radiator Pressure Cap
........................... 6-32
Radio Reception ................................ 3-23
Radios
........................................ 3-7
Rain, Driving
In ................................ 4-29
ReadingLamps
................................ 2-46
9-7
ProCarManuals.com

Safety Defects. Reporting ........................ 8- 10
Safety Warnings and Symbols ....................... 111
Scheduled Maintenance Services .................... 7-4
Seatback. Latches
................................ 1-6
Seatbacks. Reclining
............................. 1-4
Seats
EasyEntry
................................... 1-7
ManualFront
................................. 1-2
Power Driver’s
................................ 1-3
Power Lumbar Control
.......................... 1-4
Rear
.................................... 1.8. 1.9
Restraint Systems
.............................. I . 1
Seatcontrols ................................. 1-2
Securing a Child Restraint
. . 1.48. 1.50. 1.52. 1.54. 1-57
Securing a Child Restraint
in the
Right Front Seat Position
.................. 1.54. 1-57
Service
........................................ 6-2
Bulletins. Ordering
....................... 8- 1 1. 8. 12
EngineSoonLight
............................ 2-73
Manuals. Ordering
....................... 8- 11. 8. 12
Parts Identification Label
....................... 6-69
Publications. Ordering
.................... 8- 1 1. 8. 12
Work. Doing Your Own
......................... 6-2
Service and Appearance Care ...................... 6- 1
Service and Owner Publications .............. 8- 1 1. 8- 12
Service Publications
........................ 8- 1 1. 8. 12
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
........... 1-30
Sheet Metal Damage
............................ 6-66
Shift Lever .......................... 2.15.2.19. 2.20
Shift Light
............................... 2.22. 2.76
Shifting Into Park (P)
............................ 2-28
...
Shiftspeeds ................................... 2-21 Shifting.
Manual Transmission
............... 2- 19. 2-20
Shifting Out of Park
(P) .......................... 2-30
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
..................... 1-16
Sidemarker Lamp Bulb Replacement
............... 6-45
SignalingTurns
................................ 2-37
Skidding
...................................... 4-13
Sound Equipment. Adding
........................ 3-24
Specifications and Capacities
...................... 6-76
Specifications. Engine
........................... 6-76
Speech Impaired. Customer Assistance
............... 8-4
Speedometer
................................... 2-65
Stains. Cleaning
................................ 6-61
Starter Switch Check
............................ 7-44
Starting Your Engine
............................ 2-13
Steam
........................................ 5-12
Steering
....................................... 4-9
In Emergencies ............................... 4-10
Power
....................................... 4-9
Tips
......................................... 4-9
Variable Effort
................................ 4-9
Wheel. Tilt
.................................. 2-36
Step-BumperPad
............................... 4-61
StorageAreas
.................................. 2-52
Storage. Overhead
.............................. 2-52
Storage. Vehicle
................................ 6-39
Stuck: In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow
.................. 5-34
Sunvisors
.................................... 2-61
Sunglasses Storage
.............................. 2-54
Supplemental Inflatable Restraint
.................. 1-23
Symbols. Vehicle
.................................. v
SIR .......................................... 1-23
ProCarManuals.com

Service Station Checkpoints
ENGINE COOLANT RECOVERY TANK
P5-13
and 6-29* TIRES P6-50
P5-3
BATTERY and 6-39 IF //< j;- { /,
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK I1
P6-15*
SECONDARY
HOOD RELEASE
P6-9
WINDSHIELD
WASHER FLUID
P6-33
I
HOOD RELEASE
P6-9
FUEL DOOR
P6-5
For detailed information, refer to the page number listed, or see the Index in the back of the owner’s manual.
* For vehicles equipped with diesel engines, see the Diesel Engine Supplement.
9-12
ProCarManuals.com