check engine PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 1995 Owner's Manual

Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached, on
a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But
if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake, and then shift to
PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking
on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don’t overfill),
engine
oil, belts, cooling system, and brake adjustment.
Each
of these is covered in this manual, and the Index will
help you find them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s a good
idea
to review these sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
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5. Find the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on
each battery.
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 negative (-)
or a metal engine part. Don’t connect (+) to (-) or
you’ll get a short that would damage the battery and
maybe other parts,
too.
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If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don’t
do anything else until it cools down.
The coolant level should be at or above the FULL
COLD mark. If it isn’t, you may have a leak in the
radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water
pump or
somewhere else in the cooling system.
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak with the engine an, check to
see if the electric engine fans are running. If the engine
is overheating, both fans should be running. If they
aren’t,
your vehicle needs service.
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Gasolines for Cleaner Air
Your use of gasoline with deposit control additives will
help prevent deposits from forming in your engine and
fuel system. That helps keep your engine in tune and
your emission control system working properly. It’s
good for your vehicle, and you’ll be doing your
part for
cleaner air.
Many gasolines are now blended with oxygenates.
General Motors recommends that you use gasolines with
these blending materials, such as MTBE and ethanol. By
doing
so, you can help clean the air, especially in those
parts
of the country that have high carbon monoxide
levels.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are now producing
reformulated gasolines. These gasolines are specially
designed to reduce vehicle emissions. General Motors
recommends that you use reformulated gasoline. By
doing
so, you can help clean the air, especially in those
parts of the country that have high ozone levels.
You should ask your service station operators if their
gasolines contain deposit control additives and
oxygenates, and if
they have been reformulated to
reduce vehicle emissions.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
U.S. or Canada, unleaded fuel may be hard to find. Do
not use leaded gasoline. If you use even one tankful,
your emission controls won’t work well or at all. With
continuous use, spark plugs can get fouled, the exhaust
system can corrode, and your engine oil can deteriorate
quickly. Your vehicle’s oxygen sensor will be damaged.
All
of that means costly repairs that wouldn’t be covered
by your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just tell us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation
North American Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
LlH 8P7
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Engine Accessory Belt
A
C
The 3800 (L36) engine uses an engine accessory belt.
This diagram shows the features connected by the belt
routing. See “Maintenance Schedule” in the Index for
when to check the belt.
A. Power Steering
B . Alternator
C. Air Conditioning
D. Crank
E. Coolant Pump
E Tensioner
3800 Supercharged (L67) Engine
(Option)
Your Bonneville may have a 3800 Supercharged engine.
The Supercharger is
a device which is designed to pump
more air into the engine than it would normally
use.
This air mixed with fuel, creates increased engine
power. Since the Supercharger is a pump and is driven
from an engine accessory drive belt, increased pressure
is available at all driving conditions.
The powertrain control module
(PCM), works with a
vacuum control to regulate the increased pressure
required during specific driving conditions. When this
increased pressure or boost is not desired, such as during
idling
and light throttle cruising, the excess air that the
Supercharger is pumping is routed through a bypass.
All
of these controls, working together provide high
performance character
and fuel efficiency in the
3800 V6 Supercharged engine.
The power steering pump uses a remote reservoir
mounted on the throttle and cruise control cable bracket.
See “Maintenance Schedule”
in the Index for when you
should check the fluid.
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Engine Accessory Belt coolant pump and air conditioning compressor. Each
belt has its own tensioner and idler pulley.
1. Front Belt C. Crank
2. Back Belt D. Supercharger
A. Alternator
E. Coolant Pump
B. Power Steering E Air Conditioning
The Supercharged
38800 engine uses two accessory drive
belts. One belt drives the generator and the power
steering pump. The second belt drives the supercharger, See
“Maintenance Schedule” in
the Index for when to
check the accessory drive belts and Supercharger oil
level. Have your dealer check the oil level in the
Supercharger.
Engine Oil
CHECK OIL
LEVEL
If the CHECK QIL LEVEL 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 Level Light” in
the Index. You should check your
engine
oil level regularly; this is an added reminder.
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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.
~ The engine oil dipstick
is directly behind the
i engine fan area.
Turn
off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
To Check Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping
the tip down, and check the level.
When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then you’ll need
to add some oil. But you must use the right kind. This
part explains what kind of oil to use.
For crankcase
capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications” in the
Index.
t
I NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range, your engine could be damaged.
Just fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the
proper operating range. Push the dipstick
all the way
back in when you’re through.
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To Check or Replace
I. Unscrew the three wing screws in the housing cover
and pull back.
If you have the 3800 Supercharged engine, unsnap
the three clips holding the air cleaner housing cover
and pull apart.
2. Unscrew the clamp on the air intake hose where the
hose attaches
near the top of the engine. Detach the
hose, then pull back the rear
of the housing cover.
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When to Check
Check oil level every 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or every
36 months.
What Kind. of Oil to Use
See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index
and use only the recommended oil.
How to Check and Add Oil
Check oil only when the engine is cold. Allow the
engine to cool
2 to 3 hours after running.
1. Remove the wiring harness shield.
2. Clean the area around the oil fill plug before
removing it.
3. Remove the oil fill plug using a 31 16 Allen wrench.
4. The oil level is correct when it just reaches the
bottom
of the threads of the inspection hole.
5. Replace the oil plug with the O-ring in place. Torque
to
10 Nom (88 lb. in.).
6. Replace wiring harness shield.
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Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid level
is when the engine oil is changed. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to detemrrine when to change your
fluid. See "Scheduled Maintenance Services" in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose
to have this done at your Pontiac dealer Service
Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading on the
dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transaxle.
Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall
on hot engine parts
or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be sure to
get an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.
~~~
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level
if you have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90" F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic - especially in hot weather.
0 While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is
180 "F to 200°F (82" C
to 93 "C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about €5 des (24 km)
when outside temperatures are above 50°F (10°C). If it's
colder
than 50°F (lO"C), you may have to drive longer.
To check the fluid level
1. Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds
in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK (P).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.
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