battery OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 1997 User Guide

Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows
AIR BAG. The system checks the
air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells
you if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes
the air bag sensors, the air bag module,
the wiring and the diagnostic module.
For more
information on the air bag system, see
“Air Bag” in
the Index.
AIR
BAG
This light will come on
when you start your engine,
and
it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
engine or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may
not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away. The air
bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to
RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have
it fixed so it will be
ready
to warn you if there is a problem.
Charging System Indicator Light
The charging system light
will come on briefly when
you turn on the ignition, but
the engine is not running,
as a check
to show you it
is working.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it stays
on, or comes
on while you are driving, you may have a
problem with the charging system.
It could indicate that
you have problems with a generator drive belt, or
another electrical problem. Have
it checked right away.
Driving while this light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
ProCarManuals.com

Voltmeter Gage
fl u VOLTS
When your engine is not
running, but the ignition
is
on (in the RUN position),
this gage shows your
battery’s state of charge in
DC volts.
When the engine
is running, the gage shows the
condition
of the charging system. Readings between the
low and high warning zones indicate the normal
operating range. Readings
in the low
warning zone may occur when a
large number
of electrical accessories are operating in
the vehicle and the engine is left at
an idle for an
extended period. This condition
is normal since the
charging system
is not able to provide full power at
engine idle.
As engine speeds are increased, this
condition should correct itself as higher engine speeds
allow the charging system to create maximum power.
You can only drive for a short time with the reading in
either warning zone.
If you must drive, turn off all
unnecessary accessories.
Readings in either warning zone indicate
a possible
problem in the electrical system. Have
the vehicle
serviced
as soon as possible.
2-54
ProCarManuals.com

Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK” is designed to discourage theft of your
radio.
It works by using a secret code to disable all radio
functions whenever battery power is removed.
The THEFTLOCK feature for the radio may be used or
ignored.
If ignored, the system plays normally and the
radio
is not protected by the feature. If THEFTLOCK is
activated, your radio
will not operate if stolen.
When THEFTLOCK is activated, the radio will display
LOC to indicate a locked condition anytime battery
power is removed. If your battery loses power for any
reason, you must unlock the radio with the secret code
before
it will operate.
Activating the Theft-Deterrent Feature
The instructions which follow, explain how to enter your
secret code to activate the THEFTLOCK system.
It is
recommended that you read through all nine steps
before starting the procedure.
NOTE: If you allow more than
15 seconds to elapse
between any steps, the radio automatically reverts to
time and you must start the procedure over at Step 4.
1. Write down any three or four-digit number from
000 to 1999 and keep it in a safe place separate from
the vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY or RUN.
3. Turn the radio off.
4. Press the 1 and 4 buttons together. Hold them down
until --- shows on the display. Next you will use the
secret code number which you have written down.
5. Press MN and 000 will appear on the display.
6. Press MN again to make the last two digits agree
with your code.
7. Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree
with your code.
8. Press AM-FM after you have confirmed that the
code matches the secret code you have written down.
The display
will show REP to let you know that you
need to repeat Steps
5 through 7 to confirm your
secret code.
9. Press AM-FM and this time the display will show
SEC to let you know that your radio
is secure. The
indicator by the volunle control
will begin flashing
when the ignition is turned off.
~~ 3-13
ProCarManuals.com

Unlocking the Theft-Deterrent Feature After a
Power
Loss
Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than
15 seconds between steps:
1. LOC appears when the ignition is on.
2. Press MN and 000 will appear on the display.
3. Press MN again to make the last two digits agree
with your code.
4. Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree
with your code.
5. Press AM-FM after you have confirmed that the
code matches the secret code you have written down.
The display will
show SEC, indicating the radio is
now operable and secure.
If you enter the wrong code eight times, INOP will
appear
on the display. You will have to wait an hour
with the ignition on before you can try again. When you
try again, you will only have three chances
to enter the
correct code before INOP appears.
If you lose or forget your code, contact your retailer.
Disabling the Theft-Deterrent Feature
Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than
15 seconds between steps:
1. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY or RUN.
2. Turn the radio off.
3. Press the 1 and 4 buttons together. Hold them down
until SEC shows on the display.
4. Press MN and 000 will appear on the display.
5. Press MN again to make the last two digits agree
with your code.
6. Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree
7. Press AM-FM after you have confirmed that the
with your
code.
code matches the secret code you have written down.
The display will show
---, indicating that the radio is
no longer secured.
If the code entered is incorrect, SEC will appear
on the
display. The radio
will remain secured until the correct
code is entered.
When battery power
is removed and later applied to a
secured radio, the radio won’t turn on and LOC will
appear on the display.
3-14
ProCarManuals.com

Know 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 charged.
You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for awhile.
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.
4-41
ProCarManuals.com

Trailer Wiring Harness
The light duty trailer wiring is a six-wire harness
assembly. The optional heavy-duty trailer wiring is an
eight-wire harness assembly. The harnesses are stored
under the vehicle,
on the driver’s side corner frame
crossmember. The heavy-duty trailer wiring has
a
30-amp feed wire with an inline fuse located by the
junction block. See “Fuses and Circuit Breakers”
in the
Index. Both harnesses have no connector and should be
wired by
ilt qualified electrical technician. The technician
can use the following color code chart when connecting
the wiring harness to your trailer.
Dark Blue: Use for electric trailer brakes or
auxiliary wiring.
Red: Use for battery charging: it connects to the
starter solenoid (eight-wire harness only).
Light Green: Back-up lamps (eight-wire
harness only).
Brown: Taillamps and parking lamps.
Yellow: Left stoplamp and turn signal.
Dark Green: Right stoplamp and turn signal.
0 White (Heavy Gage): Ground wire.
White (Light Gage): Auxiliary stoplamp.
Securely attach the harness to the trailer, then tape or
strap
it to your vehicle’s frame rail. Be sure you leave it
loose enough so the wiring doesn’t bend or break, but
not
so loose that it drags on the ground. Store the
harness
in its original place. Wrap the harness together
and tie
it neatly so it won’t be damaged.
4-53
ProCarManuals.com

Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
the side of the road about
300 feet (100 m) behind your
vehicle.
Jump Starting
If your battery has 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.
1 NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to your vehicle that wouldn’t be
covered by your warranty.
Do not try to start your vehicle by pushing or
pulling it. This could damage your vehicle and
it won’t start that way.
~~
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
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
If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some or all
of these things can hurt you.
you.
1. Check the
other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
I NOTICE:
5-3
ProCarManuals.com

4. Open both hoods and locate the batteries. Find
the positive
(+) and negative (-) terminals on
each battery.
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 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.
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 an unpainted
metal engine part
or a body metal surfice. Don’t
connect positive
(+) to negative (-j or you’ll get a
short that would damage the battery and maybe other
parts too. And don‘t connect the negative
(-) to
negative
(-).
6. Connect the I-ed
positive
(+) cable to the
positive
(+) terminal
of the vehicle with the
dead battery.
5-5
ProCarManuals.com

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
(-) terminal.
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 on
the engine of the vehicle
with the dead battery.
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
a while.
11. Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery.
If it won’t start after a few tries, make sure all
connections are good.
If it still won’t start, it
probably needs service.
A CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engines are running.
5-6
ProCarManuals.com

12. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent
electrical shorting. Take care that they don’t touch
each other or any other metal. Towing Your Vehicle
Try to have a GM retailer or a professional towing
service tow your vehicle. See “Roadside Assistance”
in
the Index.
If your vehicle has been changed since it was factory-new
by adding things like
fog lamps, aero skirting, or special
tires and wheels, these instructions may not be conect.
Before you do anything, turn on the hazard
warning flashers.
When you call, tell the towing service:
That your vehicle has all-wheel drive.
The make, model and year of your vehicle.
Whether you can move the shift lever for the
transmission.
A. Heavy Metal Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead Battery
If there was an accident, what was damaged.
When the towing service arrives, let the tow operator
know that this manual contains these towing
instructions.
The operator may want to see them.
5-7
ProCarManuals.com