PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1996 Workshop Manual
Manufacturer: PONTIAC, Model Year: 1996, Model line: FIREBIRD, Model: PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1996Pages: 386, PDF Size: 19.18 MB
Page 51 of 386

The ignition keys are for the
ignition
only.
The door keys are for ,the
doors 'and
all other locks.
When a new 'Firebird is
delivered, the dealer
removes the plugs from the
'door ke.ys
and gives them to
the first owner. Each plug has
a code on it that
tells your dealer or a
qualified locksmith how to make extra door ,keys. Keep
the plugs in a safe place.
,If you lose your door keys,
you'll be able to have new ones made using these plugs.
If you need a new key, contact your Pontiac dealer who
can obtain the correct key code. Remember to carry the
pre-cut emergency key which Pontiac sends after
delivery.
In an emergency, call Pontiac Roadside
Assistance
at 1-800-ROADSDE or 1-800-762-3743.
NOTICE:
Your Pontiac has a number of new features that
can help prevent theft. But you can have a lot
of trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever
lock your keys imide. You may even have to
damage your vehicle to get h. So be sure you
have extra keys.
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Page 52 of 386

Door Locks
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers
-- especially children -- can easily
open the doors and fall out. When a door
is
locked, the inside handle won’t open it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow
down or stop your vehicle.
This may not be so obvious: You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in
a
crash if the doors aren’t locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you will be far
better
off whenever you drive your vehicle.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From’the outside, Use your door key. If your vehicle has
the Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent System and it
is armed, unlocking and opening a door
this way will set
off the alarm. See “Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent
System”
in the Index.
From the inside, to lock the door, move the lock
control on the door backward.
To unlock the door, move the lock control on the
door forward.
.’ ,
..
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Power Door Locks. (Option)
Push the power door lock
switch to lock or unlock
both doors at once.
Note: Operating the power door locks may affect the
Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent System
(if you
have this option). See “Vehicle and Content
Theft-Deterrent System” in the Index.
The lock switch works at all times. The unlock switch
only works when the ignition switch is in
RUN or ACC
or when RAP
is present. (See “Retained Accessory
Power” in the Index.)
East Door Closed Locking (Option)
If you have power door locks, you can program a last
door closed locking feature for your vehicle.
This
feature allows for a delayed. locking of the doors. This lets
you and your passengers exit
the vehicle after
you’ve pressed the power door lock switch. All
of the
doors will lock once everyone has gotten out of the
vehicle and closed their doors.
When
the power door lock switch is pressed, a chime
will
sound three times,.indicating that last door closed
locking has been activated. Pressing the LOCK switch
again will lo’ck
the doors immediately. Pressing the
UNLOCK switch will cancel a previously requested last
door closed loclung.
This feature
is shipped from the factory in the off
position. To turn this feature on, see “Feature
Custorrlization” in the Index.
Lockout Prevention (Option)
To protect you from locking your keys in the vehicle,
this feature stops the power door locks from locking
when the keys are in the ignition and a
door is open. If
the power lock switch is pressed when
a door is open, a
chime will sound five times as a reminder to take
the
keys out of the ignition before locking the door. This
feature is shipped from the factory in the on position. If
you would like to turn this feature off, see “Feature
Customization”
in the Index.
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Page 54 of 386

Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your
door and set the locks from inside. Then get out and
close the door.
Remote Lock Control (Option)
3-Button Transmitter 4-Button Transmitter
If your Pontiac has this option, you can lock and
unlock your doors or unlock your hatch up to about
30 feet (9 m) using the key chain transmitter supplied
with your car. Your
Remote
Lock Control operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules.
This device complies with Part
15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Should interference to this system occur, try this:
Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See the instructions on battery
replacement.
vehicle. This product has a maximum range.
be blocking the signal.
Cheek the distance. You may be too far from your
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may
See your Pontiac dealer or a qualified technician
Changes or modifications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this.equipment.
for
service.
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Page 55 of 386

peration
The driver’s door will unlock automatically when
UNLOCK is pressed. If UNLOCK is pressed again
within five seconds, the passenger door will also unlock.
All doors will lock when LOCK
is pressed.
The hatch will unlock when the button with the trunk
symbol is pressed, as long as the ignition is turned to the
OFF position. If the ignition is in the RUN position, the
trunk symbol button will only work if
the transmission
is in PARK (P) for an automatic transmission, or if the
parking brake is set on a manual transmission.
The system will turn on the interior lamps for about
40 seconds (or until the ignition switch is turned t’o the
RUN position), when you unlock the doors or hatch.
The interior lamps will
go off when you lock the doors.
Operating the Remote Lock Control transmitter may
interact with the Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent
System (if
you have this option). See “Vehicle and
Content Theft-Deterrent System”
in the Index.
Alarm/Panic Mode
If your vehicle is equipped with the Vehicle and Content
Theft-Deterrent System, you will have a fourth button on
your Remote
Lock Control transmitter. This button is the
panic button. If you
are involved in a panic situation,
press this button and your vehicle’s horn will sound and the parking lamps will flash. This will draw needed attention
to you
and your vehicle. To turn this feature off,
either push the panic button again or turn the ignition to
the RUN position. Note: This feature will not work if
your ignition is in the
RUN position or if the remote
transmitter is
30 feet or more away from your vehicle.
Transmitter Range
The range of your Remote Lock Control system should
be about
30 feet (9 m). At times you may notice a
decrease
in the range. This is normal for any Remote
Lock Control system. If the transmitter does not work,
or you have to stand closer to your vehicle than normal
for the transmitter to work:
0
0
0
0
0
0
You may have to replace the battery in your transmitter.
See
the instructions8 for battery replacement.
You may be too far from your vehicle. Check your
distance. You may have to stand closer
to your
vehicle in rain or snow.
Check the location. Other
vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal. Take
a few steps to the right or left.
You may have
to synchronize your transmitter to the
receiver in your vehicle. See the instructions for
synchronization.
You may have to match the transmitters to your
vehicle. See instructions for matching transmitters.
If none of the above apply, see your dealer or
qualified technician for service.
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Synchronization
Synchronization may be necessary due to the security
method used by Remote Lock Control system. The transmitter does not send the same signal twice to the
receiver. The receiver will not respond to a signal it has
been sent previously.
This prevents anyone from recording
and playing back the signal fiom the transmitter.
To resynchronize the transmitter with the receiver:
While standing close to your vehicle, simultaneously
press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on the
transmitter for
8 seconds. The door locks should cycle
and parking lamps flash
to confirm synchronization. If
this does happen, you may need to replace the battery in
your transmitter or match the transmitter
to your vehicle.
Transmitter Verification (Option)
This feature provides feedback to the holder of the Remote
Lock Control transmitter that a command has been received
by
the Remote Lock Control receiver. The parking lamps
will flash on every lock and unlock command and
the horn
will sound only
if the LOCK button is pushed twice within
five seconds.
This allows for silent operation of locking and
unlocking, unless
a confirming horn chrrp is desired. Other
optkns may be sekcted for this feature (see “Feature
Gustomization”
in the Index).
Matching Transmitter(s) To Your Vehicle
Each Remote Lock Control transmitter is coded to
prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle.
If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be
purchased through your dealer. Remember
to bring any
remaining transmitters with
you when you go to your
dealer, When the dealer matches the replacement
transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters
must also be matched. Once the new transmitter
is coded,
the lost transmitter will not unlock your vehicle. Each
vehicle can have up
to four transmitters matched to it.
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Have each transmitter you intend to match ready for the
next steps.
To match transmitters to your vehicle:
a
e
a
e
0
e
Turn the ignition switch to the RUN position then to
the OFF position. This will disarm the Vehicle and
Content Theft-Deterrent System (if your vehicle has
this option).
Remove
RADIO fuse. This fuse is located in the
main fuse block, located on the left side of your
instrument panel. See
“Fuses and Circuit Breakers”
in the Index.
Turn the ignition switch from the
OFF to the RUN
position three times quickly (within five seconds.)
The
vehicle will respond by locking the doors,
unlocking the driver’s
doors and releasing the hatch.
Your transmitter is now ready to match your vehicle.
Press
and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on
the first transmitter for 15 seconds. The vehicle will
respond
as in Step 3.
Repeat Step 4 for the remining transmitters.
When you have finished matching all
of your
transmitters, replace the
RADIO fuse.
Check that all transmitters work
by pressing
their buttons.
If the transmitters don’t work, or if you’d rather not
match the transmitters yourself, See your Pontiac dealer.
Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your Remote Lock
Control transmitter should last about
two years.
kou can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won’t
work at
the normal range in any location. If you have to
get
close to your vehicle before the transmitter works,
it’s probably time to change the battery.
Use one battery, type CR2032, or a similar type.
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To replace the battery in the Remote Lock
Control transmitter:
1. Carefully pry off the cover by inserting a dime (or
2. Lift off the back cover.
3. Remove and replace the battery. Use one battery,
similar object) in a slot between the covers and twist.
type CR2032, or a similar type. Put new battery in
printed side down.
4. Replace the back cover. Make sure the cover is on
tightly
so water won’t get in.
5. Check the trans,mitter operation. If the transmitter
does not work after battery replacement, it may need
to be resynchronized or matched to your vehicle. See
“Synchronization” in the Index.
It can be dangerous to drive with the hatch open
because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come into
your vehicle. You can’t see or smell
CO. It can
cause unconsciousness
and even death.
If you must drive with the hatch open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections
must pass through the seal between the body and
the hatch:
Make sure all windows are shut.
Wrn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on
VENT. That will force outside air into
your vehicle. See “Comfort Controls” in
the Index.
instrument panel, open them all
the way.
If you have air outlets on or under the
See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
,ye*: ; -2
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Page 59 of 386

Hatch Release
Your door key opens the hatch.
If your vehicle has the Vehicle and Content
Theft-Deterrent System, and the system
is armed,
opening the hatch this way will trigger the alarm. First
&sarin the system or use the Remote Lock Control
transmitter to
open the hatch.
Remote Hatch Release (Option)
\
Press the switch under the lamp controls to unlock the
hatch
from inside y’our vehicle. If you have an automatic
transmission, your shift lever must be in
PARK (P)
or NEUTRAL (N) to use the switch. If you have a
manual transmission and the ignition switch is in
RUN, you must set the parking brake before you can
use the switch.
The switch only works when the ignition switch
is in
RUN or ACC, or when RAP is present. (See “Retained
Accessory Power” in the Index.)
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NOTICE:
If you put things in the hatchback area, be sure
they won’t break the glass when you close it.
Never slam the hatch down.
You could break the
glass
or damage the defogger grid (if equipped).
On vehicles with the Vehicle and Content
Theft-Deterrent System: If the system has sounded an
alarm, the hatch switch will not work until the system is
disarmed. See “Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent
System” in the Index.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your Pontiac has a number
of theft-deterrent
features, we
know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal. However, there
are ways you can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy tmget for joy riders or professional thieves -- so
don’t do it. When you
park your Pontiac and open the driver’s door,
you’ll hear a tone reminding
you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you.
Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and so will your
ignition. If you have an automatic transmission, taking
your key
out also locks your transmission. And
remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight,
Put them in a storage area,
or take them with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it’s best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your ignition key? What
if
you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
0 Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
0 Lock the glove box.
Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
0 Then take the door key with you.
glove box.
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