engine PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1995 Workshop Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: PONTIAC, Model Year: 1995, Model line: FIREBIRD, Model: PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1995Pages: 386, PDF Size: 19.66 MB
Page 194 of 386

7. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the vehicle with the dead battery. Use a
remote positive
(+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
8. Don’t let the other end touch metal. Connect it to the
positive
(+) terminal of the good battery. Use a
remote positive
(+) terrnind if the vehicle has one.
But don’t use the junction block on your Pontiac.
9. 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.
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5-5
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Page 195 of 386

10.
11.
12.
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.
Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run the engine for a while.
Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery.
If it won’t start after a few tries, it probably needs
service.
13. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent
electrical shorting. Take care that they don’t touch
each other or any other metal.
A. Heavy Metal Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead Battery
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Page 205 of 386

Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
Pontiac’s instrument panel. You may also find
a low
coolant warning light on your Pontiac instrument panel.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with
no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
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Page 206 of 386

~ ~. ~~~ .
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you
get the overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1.
2.
3.
If you have an air conditioner, turn it off.
Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
If you're in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving
-- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (03)
or DRIVE (D) for automatic transmissions.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about ten minutes.
If the warning doesn't come-back on, you
can drive
normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there's still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for
two or three minutes while you're parked, to see if
the warning stops. But then, if you still have the
warning,
turn oflthe engine and get everyone out of the
vehide
until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get 'service
help right away.
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Page 207 of 386

Cooling System
V8 Engine
I.
When you decide it’s safe to lift the hood, here’s what
you’ll see:
1. Coolant recovery tank
2. Radiator pressure cap
3. Electric engine fan
V6 Engines
When you decide it’s safe to lift the hood, here’s what
you’ll see:
1. Coolant recovery tank
2. Radiator pressure cap
3. Electric engine fan
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Page 209 of 386

r
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, 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.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at
FWLL COLD, add a 50/50 mixture of clean
water (preferably distilled) and a proper antifreeze at the
coolant recovery tank. (See “Engine Coolant”
in the
Index for more information about the proper coolant
mix.)
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Page 210 of 386

NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts. Use the recommended coolant.
I I
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene gly
and it will burn if the engine narts arp hnt
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at
WLL COLD, start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there’s one more
thing you can
try. You can add the proper coolant mix
directly to the radiator, but be sure the cooling system is 1
cool before you do it.
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Page 212 of 386

How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
(V6 Engines)
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.
1. You can remove the radiator pressure cap when the
cooling system, including the radiator pressure cap
and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot. Turn the
pressure cap slowly to the left until it first stops.
(Don’t press down while turning the pressure cap.)
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means
there is still some pressure left.
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Page 214 of 386

5. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but
leave the radiator pressure cap off.
6.
7.
Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine fan(
s) .
By this time the coolant level inside the radiator
filler neck may be lower.
If the level is lower, add
more
of the proper mix through the filler neck until
the level reaches the base of the filler neck.
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Page 215 of 386

How to Add Coolant to the Radiator - LTl
(Code P) Engine Only
NOTICE:
The LTl Engine (Code P) has a specific radiator
fill procedure. Failure to follow this procedure
could cause your engine to overheat and be
severely damaged.
8. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure
if coolant begins to flow out of the
filler neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure the
arrows on the pressure cap line up like this.
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