brake PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1996 Workshop Manual

Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon as possible! See “Cleaning the
Outside
of Your Pontiac” in the Index.
When
you plat the cap back on, turn it to the right until
you hear at least three clicks. Make sure you fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap
has been left of or improperly installed. This would
allow fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. See
“Malfunction Indicator
Lamp” in the Index.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for you, If you get
the
wrong type, it may not fit and your fuel tank
and emissions system might
be damaged.
.j
Checking Things Und-- the Hoop
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away
from any
underhood electric fan.
Things that burn can get on hot engine
parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil,
coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things
that will burn onto a hot engine.
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When you open the hood of the 3800 L36 (Code K) engine you’ll see:
A. Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Oil Fill Cap
D. Automatic Transmission
Dipstick (if equipped) E. Engine Fan
E Windshield
Washer Reservoir
G. Power Steering Reservoir
H. Engine Oil Dipstick
I. Brake Fluid Reservoir
J. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
K. Air Cleaner
(if equipped)
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When you open the hood of the 5.7L LT1 (Code P) -giro you’ll see:
d
A. Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Power Steering Reservoir
C. Engine Oil Dipstick
D. Battery
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap
E Fan
G. Windshield Washer Reservoir
H. Automatic Transmission
Dipstick (if equipped)
I. Brake Fluid Reservoir
J. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
(if equipped)
K. Air Cleaner
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Checking Transmission Fluid Hot
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it's colder than 50°F (lO"C), drive the
vehicle in DRIVE
(D) until the engine temperature gage
moves and then remains steady for 10 minutes. Then
follow the hot check procedures.
Checking Transmission Fluid Cold
A cold check is made after the vehicle has been sitting
for eight hours
or more with the engine off and is used
only
as a reference. Let the engine run at idle for five
minutes if outside temperatures
are 50°F (10" C) or
more. If it's colder than
50°F (lO"C), you may have to
idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low
during a cold check, you must perform a hot check
before adding fluid. This will give you a more accurate
reading of the fluid level.
Checking the Fluid Hot or Cold ,
0 Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
0 With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
running.
in
PARK (P).
0 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).
0 Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
Then, without shutting
off the engine, follow
these steps:
3800 L36 Engine Transmission Dipstick
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Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake
fluid goes down
to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings
are put in, the fluid
level goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is
leaking out
of the brake system. If it is, you should have your brake system fixed, since a leak means that
sooner
or later your brakes won’t work well, or won’t work
at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off” your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak.
If you add fluid
when your linings
are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on the
engine. The fluid will burn if the engine fs hot
enough. You or others could be burned, and your
vehicle could be damaged. Add brake fluid only when work
is done on the brake hydraulic system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
check your brake fluid. See “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections’’
in the Index.
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Checking Brake Fluid What to Add
With the Tong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even workat all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the
proper brake fluid.
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap.
Just look at the brake fluid reservoir. The fluid level should
be above the plastic seam in the reservoir. If it isn’t, have
your brake system checked to see Z there is a leak
A€kr wmk is done on the brake hydraulic system, make
sme the level is above the plastic seam, near the base of
the filler neck. When
you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 1052535). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only, and always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap before removing it.
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NOTICE:
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just
a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong
kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not
to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care”
in the Index.
I
Brake Wear
Unless you have the four-wheel disc brake option, your
Pontiac has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come and go or
be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except when
you are pushing on the brake pedal fiy).
The brake wear warning sound means that sooner
or later your brakes won’t work well. That could
lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied
or lightly applied.
This does not
mean something is wrong with your brakes.
Free movement
of brake calipers and properly torqued
wheel nuts are necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake calipers
for movement, brake pads for wear, and evenly torque
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to
GM specifications.
If you have rear drum brakes, they don’t have wear
indicators, but if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing
noise, have the rear brake linings inspected. Also, the
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rear brake drums should be removed and inspected each
time the tires are removed for rotation or changing.
When you have the front brakes replaced, have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always
be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase
in pe’dal
travel.
This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your disc
brakes adjust for
wear. If you rarely make a moderate or
heavier stop, then your brakes might not adjust correctly.
If you drive in that way, then -- very carefully -- make
a few moderate brake stops about every 1,000 miles
(1 600 km), so your brakes will adjust properly.
If YOU brake pedal goes down farther than narmd, you
rear drum brakes may need adjustment. Adjust them by
backing up and firmly applying the brakes a few times.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex.
Its many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Vehicles we design and test have top-quality
GM brake
parts
in them, as your Pontiac does when it is new.
When
you replace parts of your braking system -- for
example, when your brake
linings wear down and you
have to have new ones
put in - be sure you get new
genuine
GM replacement parts. If you don’t, your
brakes my no longer work properly. For example, if
someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle, the balance between your front and rear brakes
can change - for the wme. The braking performance
you’ve come to expect can change in many other ways if
someone puts
in the wrong replacement brake parts.
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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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Main Fuse Block Fuse
PCM BATT
FUSE USAGE CHART
10 2D 30 40 STOPlHAZARD TURN B-U PCM BATT RADIO ACCY
TAIL LTS HVAC PWR
ACCY
COURTESY
GAGES AIR BAG CIGARIACCY DEFOGISEATS
IGN PCM IGN WIPERIWASH BATT WINDOWS
160 Q 17- . IP DIMMER ACCY RADIO
SEE OWNER'S MANUAL
FOR MORE INFORMATION PRINTED IN U.S.A 10281550
I
Fuse Usage
STOP/HAZARD Hazard Flasher,
Brake Switch Assembly
Switch, Transmission Range
Switch, Back-up Lamp Switch,
Turn Flasher, Daytime Running
Lamps
(DRL) Module
TURN'
B-U Performance/Traction
Control RADIO ACCY
TAIL,
LTS
HVAC
PWR ACCY
COURTESY
GAGES
AIR BAG
Usage
Powertrain Control Module '(PCM),
Fuel Pump Relay
Radio, Power Antenna,
Bose Relay, Remote Compact
Disc Changer
Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL) Module, Headlamp Switch
HVAC Selector Switch,
Rear Defogger TimerRelay,
Rear Defogger Switch, Rear
Defogger Switch/Timer
Park Lamp Relay,
Hatch Release Relay,
Power Mirror Switch,
Radio,
Shock Sensor, Instrument Cluster
Body Control Module (BCM)
Body Control Module (BCM),
Brake Switch Assembly (BTSI),
Instrument Cluster, Daytime
Running Lamps
(DIU) Module,
Auxiliary Accessory Wire
Air
Bag System,
Dual Pole Arming Sensor
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