check engine light Oldsmobile Achieva 1998 s User Guide

A
L CAUTI-N:
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 battery has enough water. You don’t
need to add water to the
AC Delco Freedom’
battery 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.
6. 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 things you should
know. Positive
(+) will go to positive (+) and
negative
(-) will go to a 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.
1 CAUT’*Y:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engine is running.
5-5

Engine Oil
CHECK
OIL
If your vehicle is equipped
with the
3 100 engine, you
have a CHECK
OIL light
on the instrument panel.
If the CHECK OIL light on the instrument panel comes
on, it means you need to check your engine oil level
right away. For more information, see “Check
Oil
Light” in the Index. You should check your engine oil
level regularly; this is an added reminder.
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be
warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
2.4L Engine
The dipstick handle for the 2.4L engine is located
behind the engine.
6-12

How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck hnnel, add enough fluid at the
dipstick hole to bring
it to the proper level.
3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check.”
4. When the correct fluid level is obtained, push
the dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL engine coolant.
This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or
150,000 miles
(240 000 km) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL’ extended life coolant.
B
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than The following explains your cooling system and how
one pint
(0.5 L). Don’t oveflZZ. to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in
I 3 the Index.
NOTICE: A 50/50 mixture of water and DEX-COOL@
coolant will:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON@-III, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transaxle.
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
Protect against rust and corrosion. Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON-III
a Give boiling protection up to 265 “F (129 “C).
a Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Help keep the proper engine temperature. z
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
6-21

Headlamp Wiring Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The
headlamp wiring is protected by a circuit breaker
in the fuse block. 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 wiring checked
right away.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper motor is protected by an internal
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 and not snow, etc., be sure to get 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
or goes away. 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.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don’t have
a spare fuse,
you can “borrow” one that has the same
amperage. Just pick a feature of your vehicle that
you
can get along without -- like the radio or cigarette
lighter
-- and use its fuse, if it is the correct amperage.
Replace it as soon as you can.
There are two fuse blocks in your vehicle: the
instrument panel fuse block and the engine
compartment fuse block.

Section 9 Index
Accessory Power Outlet ......................... 2-45
AirBag
....................................... 1-21
Adding Equipment
............................ 6-52
How Does it Restrain
.......................... 1-25
How it Works
................................ 1-23
Location
.................................... 1-23
Readiness Light
......................... 1.23. 2.5 1
Servicing ................................... 1-27
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-25
What Will You See After it Inflates
............... 1-25
When Should it Inflate ......................... 1-24
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-17
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-3
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
..................... 6-58
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-42
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-49
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-2 1
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
................ 2.51. 4.7
Brakes
...................................... 4-7
Anti.Theft. Radio
.............................. 3- 16
Appearancecare
............................... 6- 44
Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-5 1
Arbitration Program .............................. 8-7
Armrest. Storage
............................... 2-43 Ashtrays
...................................... 2-44
Audio Equipment. Adding
........................ 3-19
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-6
Auto-Down Window
............................ 2-29
Automatic Transaxle Check
....................... 7-31
Automatic Transaxle Park Mechanism Check
......... 7-33
Automatic Door Locks
............................ 2-5
Automatic Light Control
......................... 2-39
Automatic Overdrive
............................ 2-21
Automatic Transaxle
............................ 2-18
Shifting
..................................... 2-18
Starting Your Engine
.......................... 2-14
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
........................ 6-18
Automatic Transaxle Operation
.................... 2-18
Backing
up with a Trailer ....................... 4-37
Battery
....................................... 6-31
Charging System Indicator Light
................. 2-51
Jumpstarting
................................. 5-3
Replacement, Remote Lock Control
............... 2-8
Saver
...................................... 2-41
Warnings
.................................... 5-3
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-7
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-7
Blizzard
...................................... 4-27
9-1

Center Console Cupholder ........................ 2-43
Brake
Adjustment
.................................. 6-30
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-27
Replacing System
Parts ........................ 6-3 1
System Warning Light
.................... 2-52, 6-28
Trailer
...................................... 4-36
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check
.................. 7-32
Brake System Warning Light
................. 2-52, 6-31
Brake System Warning Light,
ABS ............ 2-53, 6-28
Brakes, Anti-Lock
............................... 4-7
Braking in Emergencies
.......................... 4- 10
Break-In, New Vehicle
.......................... 2-13
Brightness Control
.............................. 2-39
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-32
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-57
Canadian Roadside Assistance
.................... 8-6
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-58
Carbon Monoxide
............... 2-10,2-27,4-28, 4-36
Care of Your Compact Disc Player
................. 3-20
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-3 1
Cassette Tape Player
........................ 3-7, 3-11
Cassette Tape Player Care
........................ 3- 19
Cassette Tape Player Errors ................... 3-9, 3-13
CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature ................. 3- 16
Fluid
....................................... 6-27
Parking
..................................... 2-23
PedalTravel
................................. 6-30
Wear
....................................... 6-29
Braking
........................................ 4-6
BTSICheck
................................... 7-32 Center Console Storage
Area
...................... 2-43
Center Rear Passenger Position
.................... 1-34
Certification Label
.............................. 4-31
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-36
Changing
a Flat Tire ............................. 5-25
Check Engine Light
............................. 2-55
Check Gages Light
.............................. 2-60
Check Oil Light
................................ 2-58
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-53
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-50
Child Restraints
................................ 1-39
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position
........... 1-44
Securing in the Center Rear Seat Position
.......... 1-46
Securing in the Passenger Seat Position
........... 1-48
Securing
in the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-48
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-44
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-53
Chains.
Tire
................................... 6-43
TopStrap
................................... 1-44
WheretoPut
................................ l-43
Cleaner, Air ................................... 6-17
Cleaning AluminumWheels
............................ 6-49
Fabric
...................................... 6-45
Glass
....................................... 6-47
Inside
of Your Oldsmobile ...................... 6-45
Instrument Panel
............................. 6-46
Outside
of Your Oldsmobile .................... 6-48
Special Problems
............................. 6-45
Leather ..................................... 6-46
Stains
...................................... 6-45
9-2

Engine .................................. 6.10. 6.11
Coolant
..................................... 6-21
Coolant Heater
............................... 2- 17
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-30
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-54
Exhaust
..................................... 2-27
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-56
Identification
................................ 6-52
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-30
Overheating
................................. 5-15
Running While Parked
......................... 2-27
Specifications
................................ 6-58
Starting Your
...................... 2.14.2.15. 2.16
Engine Coolant
................................. 5 . 15
Engineoil
.................................... 6-12
Adding
..................................... 6-13
Additives
................................... 6-16
Pressure Warning Light
........................ 2-57
Used
....................................... 6-17
Whentochange
.............................. 6-16
Enhanced Traction System
......................... 4-9
Enhanced Traction System Active Light
......... 2-54, 4-9
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
....... 2-53, 4-9
Exhaust, Engine
................................ 2-27
Checking
................................... 6-13
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-45
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
.................... 6-8
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-5
Filter. Air
..................................... 6-17
Finish Care
.................................... 6-48 Finish Damage
................................. 6-50
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-22
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-3
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-25
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-36
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-5
Four-Way Manual Seat
........................... 1-3
Fuel
.......................................... 6-3
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-5
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-5
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-53
FrontTowing
.................................. 5-11
Gage
....................................... 2-60
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-54
Fuel
....................................... 2-60
Speedometer
................................. 2-49
Tachometer
.................................. 2-50
GarmentHook
................................. 2-45
GAWR
....................................... 4-31
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-18
GloveBox
.................................... 2-43
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-31
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-31
GVWR
....................................... 4-31
Halogen Bulbs
................................ 6-32
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints
................................. 1-5
9-4

Headlamps .................................... 2-37
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-32
High/Low Beam Changer
...................... 2-31
OnReminder
................................ 2-38
Wiring
..................................... 6-53
Heating
........................................ 3-3
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-23
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-36
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-8
Release
...................................... 6-9
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-19
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-4
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-3 1
Ho~ ......................................... 2-29
If a Tire Goes Flat
.............................. 5-24
Ignition Positions
............................... 2- 13
Transaxle Lock Check
......................... 7-33
Illuminated EntryExit System
..................... 2-40
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-37
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-42
Inspections Brakesystem
................................ 7-35
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-34
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Boot
.................. 7-34
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Seal
................... 7-34
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-34
Steering
.................................... 7-34
Caliper/Knuckle Maintenance
................... 7-34 Suspension
.................................. 7-34
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-34
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-46
Brightness Control
............................ 2-39
Cleaning
.................................... 6-46
Cluster
..................................... 2-48
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-54
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-39
Jack. Tire
.................................... 5-26
Jumpstarting
................................... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service ..................... 7-31
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
Labels Certification
................................. 4-31
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-52
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-31
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-52
Lamps
........................................ 2-37
Exterior
.................................... 2-37
Interior
..................................... 2-39
OnReminder
................................ 2-38
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-6
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
....... 2-25
Lighter
....................................... 2-44
Lights Air Bag Readiness
............................ 1-23
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2.53, 4.7
9-5

Lights (Continued) Brake System Warning
.................... 2.52. 6.3 1
Brake System Warning. ABS ............... 2-53. 6-28
Charging System Indicator
...................... 2-5 1
CheckEngine ................................ 2-55
Check Gages
................................ 2-60
CheckOil
................................... 2-58
Cruise
...................................... 2-59
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
............... 2-57
Enhanced Traction System Active Light
....... 2-54. 4-9
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
..... 2-53. 4-9
ETS Warning
............................ 2-53. 4-9
Interior
..................................... 2-39
Low Coolant Warning
......................... 2-55
LowWasher
................................. 2-59
Passlock Warning
............................. 2-59
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1-7. 2-51
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-3 1
Lock-Out Switch ............................... 2-29
Locks
......................................... 2-4
Automatic Door
............................... 2-5
Cylinders
................................... 7-31
Door
........................................ 2-4
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.................. 7-33
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-3 1
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-5
Rear Door Security
............................. 2-5
Trunk
...................................... 2-10
Low Coolant Warning Light
...................... 2-55
Low Washer Light
.............................. 2-59
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7-36
Lubrication Service. Body
........................ 7-3 1
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts ........... 6-59
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-37
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Introduction
.................................. 7-2
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
..................... 7-6
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-30
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-34
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-36
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Short TripKity Definition
....................... 7-5
Maintenance, Underbody
......................... 6-50
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-40
Long
TripMighway Definition
................... 7-6
Organization
.................................. 7-3
Short TripKity Intervals
........................ 7-5
Making Turns with a Trailer
...................... 4-38
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-55
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1-2
Manual Lumbar Support
.......................... 1-3
Methanol
...................................... 6-4
Mirrors
....................................... 2-42
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-42
Inside DayNight Rearview
..................... 2-42
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-42
Visor Vanity
................................. 2-45
Mountain Roads
................................ 4-23
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-30
Neutral, Automatic Transaxle
.................... 2-20
New Vehicle “Break-In”
......................... 2-13
Nightvision
................................... 4-16
9-6

Odometer .................................... 2-49
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4- 12
Oil. Engine
.................................... 6-12
Overdrive. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-20
Overheating Engine
............................. 5-15
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-30
Owner Publications. Ordering
..................... 8-10
Paint Spotting. Chemical
........................ 6-50
Park Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 2- 18
Shifting Into
................................. 2-24
Shifting Out
of ............................... 2-26
AtNight
.................................... 2-12
Brake
...................................... 2-23
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-33
Lots
....................................... 2-12
Over Things That
Burn ........................ 2-26
With a Trailer
................................ 4-39
Passenger Position
.............................. 1-21
Passing
....................................... 4-13
Passing with a Trailer
............................ 4-37
Passlock
...................................... 2-12
Passlock Warning Light
.......................... 2-59
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-34
Power
Accessory Outlet
............................. 2-45
DoorLocks
................................... 2-5
Option Fuses
................................ 6-53
Remote Control Mirror ........................ 2-42
Parking
Seat
......................................... 1-4
Steering
.................................... 4-10
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-25
Windows
................................... 2-28
Pregnancy. Use of Safety Belts
.................... 1-20
Problems on the Road ............................ 5-1
Publications. Service and Owner ................... 8-10
Radio Reception
.............................. 3-18
Radios
........................................ 3-6
Rain. Driving In
................................ 4-17
Reading Lamps
................................ 2-40
Rear Door Security Locks
........................... 2-5
Outside Seat Position
.......................... 1-28
Seatpassengers
.............................. 1-28
Towing
..................................... 5-13
Window Defogger
............................. 3-5
Rear Seat Cupholder
............................ 2-43
Rear Window Defogger Antenna
................... 3-21
Rearview Mirror
................................ 2-42
Inside Daymight
............................. 2-42
Reclining Front Seatbacks
......................... 1-4
Recommended Lubricants and Fluids
............... 7-36
Recreational Vehicle Towing
...................... 4-29
Refrigerants. Air Conditioning
.................... 6-58
Remote
Fuel Door Release
............................. 6-6
Lock Control
................................. 2-6
Trunk Release Lockout
........................ 2-11
Safety Belt Comfort Guides
..................... 1-32
9-7