cooling PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1996 User Guide

Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and if you turn the radiator
pressure cap
-- even a little -- they can come out
at high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including -the radiator pressure
cap,
is hot. Wait for the cooling system and
radiator pressure cap to cool
if you ever have to
turn the pressure ca,p.
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HOW to Add Coolant to the Radiator
i'l (V6 Engine Only)
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down
as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.
1. You can remove the rachator pressure cap when the
cooling system, including ,&e radiator pressure cap Bnd
upper radiator hose,
is no longer hot. Turn the pressure
cap slowly counterclockwise 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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How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
(V8 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.
<
I
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 counterclockwise 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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Rear Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance’ Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
“Periodic Maintenance Inspections” in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant.. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the filler plug hole.
What to Use
Standard Differential
Use Axle Lubricant (GM Part No. 12345977) or
SAE 8OW-90 GL-5 gear lubricant. -
Limited-Slip Differential
To add lubricant when the level is low, use Axle
Lubricant
(GM Part No. 12345977). To completely refill
after draining, add
2 ounces (59 ml) of Limited-Slip
Differential Lubricant Additive
(GM Part No. 1052358).
Then fill to the bottom of the filler plug hole with Axle
Lubricant (GM,Part No. 12345977).
/
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to remain in your
vehicle
for 5 years or 100,000 miles (166 000 km),
whichever occurs first.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is
low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating or if you need to add coolant to your
radiator, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Pontiac will:
0
0
0
a
a
Give freezing protection down to -34 OF (-3 7 O C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 OF ( 129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they should.
,. .:
. .( , <.
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NOTICE:
When adding coolant it is important that you use
DEX-COOL (orange-colored, silicate-free) coolant meeting
GM Specification 6277111.
If silicated coolant is added to the system,
premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant
will require change sooner -- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze that meets
GM Specification
6277M, which won’t damage aluminum parts. Use GM
Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer) (GM Part
No. 3634621) with any complete coolant change. If you
use this mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant
mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and you
or
others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mix of clean
water and DEX-COOL
TM (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze.
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NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cos’t wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty.
Too much water in the mix can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These
can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
When your engine is cold, check the dipstick on the cap
of the coolant recovery tank. The coolant level should
be at COLD, or a little higher. When your engine is
warm, the level on the dipstick should be up to HOT, or
a little higher.
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Tire Chains
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life,
brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire
or tire
chain clearance to the body and chassis.
See “Changing a Flat Tire” in the Index for
more information.
Used Replacement Wheels
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle
is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used or
how many miles
it’s been driven. It could fail
suddenly and cause an accident.
Hf you have to
replace a wheel, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
NOTICE:
If your Pontiac has P235/55R16, P245/50ZRl6 or
P275/40ZR17 size tires, don’t use tire chains.
They can damage
your vehicle.
If you have other tires, use tire chains only where
legal
and only when you must. Use only SAE Class
“S” type chains that are the proper size for your
tires. Install them on the rear tires and tighten
them as tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions.
If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them.
If’ the contact continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels with
chains on will damage your vehicle.
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Underhood Electrical Center 1
Fuse Usage
ABS IGN Anti-Lock Brake System
ACTUATORS
R HDLP DR
L HDLP DR Daytime
Running Lamp Module,
Headlamp Switch, Cooling Fan
Relay, Exhaust,
Gas Recirculation,
EVAP Canister Purge Solenoid
Headlamp Door Module
Headlamp Door Module
$$L,~: :'... : ? '&,. -
,-
Fuse
ABS VLV
ABS BAT
AIR PUMPFAN
HORN INJECTOR
EN6 SEN
IGNITION
NC-CRUISE
Usage
Brake Pressure Valve
Electronic Brake Control Module
Air Pump (V8) Relay, Pump,
Bleed Valve and
Cooling Fan
Horn Relay
Fuel Injectors
Mass Airflow, Heated Oxygen Sensor, Reverse Lockout
Solenoid, Skip Shift Solenoid,
Automatic Transmission,
Brake Switch
V6 VIN K: Electronic
Ignition Module
V8 VIN P: Ignition Coil Module,
Crankshaft Position Sensor,
Ignition Coil
Air Conditioning Compressor
Relay; Cruise Control Switches
and Module
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Relay
B . L 1 ... ..
C
D
E
F
G
H
J
r .. '
Usage
Air Conditioning Compressor
Anti-Lock Brake Systedraction
Control
System (TCS)
Cooling Fan 1
Air Pump
Cooling Fan 2
Not Used
Fog Lamps
Cooling Fan 3 .... .... ... ...._ . . € ~ : ". .. L .. ....
.. !
Replacement Bulbs
Ashtray* ................................ 194
Automatic Transmission Indicator
............. 73
Back-up ................................ 1156
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp ............. 921
Cluster
.................................. 161
Dome
.................................. 906
Do'or Courtesy ............................ 74
Fog ..................................... 880
Front Parking and Turn Signal .............. 3057
GloveBox .............................. 194
..... Headlamp .................. ......... H-6545
Heater and
A/C Control ..................... 37
Indicator Lights
......................... PC74
Interior
Door Handle ....................... 74
License
................................. 194
Reading
.............................. .21 2-2
Rea Courtesy ............................ 562
Sidemarker
.............................. 194
Tail
Only ................................ 194
TaiVStop/Turn .......................... 2057
Trunk ................................... 562
Turn Signal Indicators ..................... 161
*Manual transmission only
.
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Capacities and Specifications
Engine
Type VIN Engine Code
K ...................... V6
VTN Engine Code P ...................... V8
Fuel Delivery .................... Fuel Injection
Valve Arrangement
.................... In-Head
Piston Displacement
..........................
VINEngine Code K ............ 231 CID (3.8L)
VIN Engine Code
P ............ 350 CID (5.7L)
VIN Engine Code K .............. 1-6-5-4-3-2
VIN Engine Code P ......... 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Wheel Nut Torque ............ 100 lb-ft (140 N-m)
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Type ............ ................. hook
Length ........ ... 24 inches (610 mm)
Firing Order
Capacities (Approximate)
The following approximate capacities are given in
English and metric conversions.
Air Conditioning?
............. See the refrigerant
information label under the hood.
Automatic Transmission
Drain and Refill ............... 10 pints (4.7 L)*
Overhaul
VIN Engine Code
K ......... 17.6 pints (8.3 L)*
VIN Engine Code P ........ 21 ..6 pints (10.2 L)*
VIN Engine Code K V)
With Manual Transmission .... 12.5 quarts (11.8 L)
With' Automatic "ransmissjon . 12.3 qums (1 1.6 L)
VIN Engine Code P
With Manual Transmission ... 15.3 quarts (14.5 L)
With Automatic Transmission 15.1 quarts (14.3
L)
Cooling System
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