PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1997 Workshop Manual

Keys
Leaving young children in a vehicle with the
ignition key
is dangerous for many reasons.
A child or others could be badly injured or
even killed.
They
could operate power windows or other
controls or even
make the vehicle move. If they
turned the
ignition to ON and moved the shift
lever out of PARK (a), that would release the
parking brake. Don't leave the keys in a vehicle
with
young children.
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The ignition keys are for the
ignition only.
The door keys are for the
doors and all other locks. The
ignition keys don’t have plugs. Instead they have
bar-coded key tags. These
tags may be removed by
your dealer
or even before the vehicle is delivered to
your dealer.
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 ignition 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-ROADSIB
or 1-800-762-3743.
(In Canada, call 1-800-268-6800).
When a new Firebird is delivered, the dealer removes
the plugs from the door keys and gives them to the
first owner.
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 inside. You may even have to
damage your vehicle to get in.
So be sure you
have extra keys.

Door Locks
A CAUTION:
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.

‘4 -- I
From the inside, to lock the door, move the lock control
on the door rearward.
To unlock the door, move the lock control on the door
forward.
2-4

Power Door Locks (If Equipped)
Push the power door lock switch to lock or unlock
both doors at once.
The lock switch works at all times except during
“Lockout Prevention” (if that feature is enabled). The
unlock switch only works when the ignition switch is in
RUN or ACC or when RAP is present, (See “Retained
Accessorv Power”
in the Index.)
Last Door Closed Locking (If Equipped)
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 lock the doors immediately. Pressing the
UNLOCK switch will cancel a previously requested
Last Door Closed Locking.
This feature is shipped from the factory in the
off
position. To turn this feature on, see “Feature
Customization” in the Index.
Lockout Prevention (If Equipped)
To protect you from locking your keys in the vehicle,
this feature stops the power door locks from locking
wh’en 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.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your
door and set
the locks from the inside. Then get out and
close the door.
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Remote Keyless Entry System
I
3-Button Fob 4-Button Fob
If your vehicle bas this opti'on, you can lock; and
unlock
your doors or unlock your hatch up from about
3 feet (1 m) to about 30 feet (9 m) using the remote
keyless entry transmitter supplied with your vehicle. Your
Remote Keyless Entry System operates on a
radio frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission
(FCC) Rules and with Industry and
Science Canada.
This device complies with Part
15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the foll'owing 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.
This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry and
Science Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions: (1) this device may not cause
interference, and
(2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation
of the device.
Changes or modifications to this system by other
than an
authorized service facility could void authorization
to
use this equipment.
2-6

AlarmRanic Mode Operation
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 twice within five seconds, as long as
the ignition is turned to the
OFF position. If the ignition
is on, 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 to the
RUN position), when you unlock the doors or hatch.
The interior lamps will go
off when you lock the doors.
Operating the key chain 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.
If your vehicle is equipped with the Vehicle and Content
Theft-Deterrent System, you will have a fourth button
on your key chain 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 on. Note: This feature will not work if your
ignition is on
or if the key fob is 30 feet (9 m) or more
away from your vehicle.
Transmitter Range
The range of your Remote Keyless Entry system should
be about 3 feet (1 m) up to 30 feet (9 m). At times you
may notice a decrease in the range. This is normal for
any Remote Keyless Entry system. If the transmitter
does not work, or you have to stand closer to your
vehicle than normal for the transmitter to work:
0 You may have to replace the battery in
your transmitter. See
the instructions 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.
2-7

0
0
0
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 instructions
for synchronization.
You may have to match the transmitters to your
vehicle. See instructions.
If none of the above apply, see your dealer or
qualified technician for service.
Synchronization
Synchronization may be necessary due to the security
metho’d used
by the Remote Keyless Entry system. The
transmitter does not send the same signal twice to the
receiver.
The receiver will not respond to a signal it has
been s’ent previously.
This prevents anyone from recoding
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 eight seconds. The door locks
should cycle and parking lamps flash
to confirm
synchronization. If this does not happen, you may
need
to replace the battery in your transmitter.
Transmitter Verification (I€ Equipped)
This feature provides feedback to the holder of the remote
keyless entry transmitter that a command has been
received by the keyless entry receiver.
The parking larnps
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 unloclung unless
a confirming horn chxp is desired.
Other options may be selected for
this feature (see
“Feature Custornization” in the Index).
Matching Transmitter(s) To Your Vehicle
Each remote keyless entry 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 your dealer
has coded the
new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock your
vehicle. Each vehicle can have up
to four transmitters
matched to it.

Have each transmitter you intend to match ready for the
next steps. To match transmitters to your vehicle:
1. 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).
2. Remove the 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.
3. 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.
4. Press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on
the first transmitter for 15 seconds. The vehicle will
respond as in Step
3.
5. Repeat Step 4 for the remaining transmitters.
6. When you have finished matching all of your
7. Check that all transmitters work by pressing their buttons.
transmitters,
replace the
RADIO fuse.
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 key chain
transmitter should last about two years.
You 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.
2-9

NOTICE:
When replacing the battery, use care not to touch
any
of the circuitry. Static from your body
transferred
to these surfaces may damage
the
transmitter.
To replace the battery in the key chain transmitter:
1. Carefully pry off the cover by inserting a dime (or
2. Lift off the back cover.
3. Remove and repla’ce the battery. Use one battery,
similar object) in a slot between the covers and twist,
type CR2032, or a sirnilar type. Put the new battery
in printed side down.
tightly s0 water won’t get in.
does not work after battery replacement, it may need
to be resynchronized or matched
to your vehicle. See
“Synchronization” in the Index.
4. Replace the back cov’er. Make sure the cover is on
5. Check the transmitter operation. If the transmitter
Hatch
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.
Turn the fan 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
paad, open them all the way.
If you have air outlets on or under the
See
‘(Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
2-10

Hatch Release Remote Hatch Release (If Equipped)
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 disarm the system or
use the Remote
Lock Control transmitter
to open the hatch. Press
the switch under the Main Lamp Control to unlock
the hatch from inside your 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.)
2-11