ignition PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1999 User Guide

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2-13 Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it's an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don't do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver's door,
you'll hear a chime 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 take the key with you, and you have an
automatic transmission, it will be locked. 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?

If possible, park in a busy, well lit area.
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
trunk or glove box. Be sure to close and lock the
storage area.

Close all windows.

Lock the glove box.

Lock all the doors except the driver's.

Then take the door key and remote keyless entry
transmitter with you.
Content Theft-Deterrent System
(Option)
If your vehicle has this option, it has a theft-deterrent
alarm system. Once armed, the system will sound the
horn and flash the parking lamps if the vehicle is
broken into.
Turning Off the Alarm
If you started the alarm by pressing the panic button on
the remote keyless entry transmitter, you must either
push that button again or turn the ignition to RUN to
stop the alarm.

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2-14
If the alarm is sounding due to the shock sensor or a
door or hatch opening, it can be turned off by either
turning the ignition with a proper key inserted or by
pressing any button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter. If you use your remote keyless entry
transmitter to silence the alarm, additional things will
happen depending upon which button you press.

Pressing the UNLOCK button will turn the alarm
off, unlock the driver's door and disarm the system.

Pressing the LOCK button will turn the alarm off,
keep the doors locked and keep the system armed.

Pressing the REAR 2X button will turn the alarm off
and keep the system armed. A second push of the
button (within five seconds) will unlock and disarm
the hatch only.

Pressing the panic button will turn the alarm off,
keep the doors locked and keep the system armed.
If the alarm is sounding because an incorrect ignition
key was used, press any button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter to turn the alarm off.
The alarm will stop by itself after two minutes.Shock Sensor
Coupe Convertible
The shock sensor is what triggers the alarm when it
detects a blow to your vehicle. It is located over the
right rear wheelhouse near the spare tire in the hatch
area. There are two levels of alarms via the shock
sensor: Two horn blasts and parking lamp flashes for
non
-threatening blows to the vehicle and a full
two
-minute alarm for harder blows to the vehicle. Its
sensitivity can be adjusted if more or less sensitivity is
desired. If sensitivity is increased too much, it may give
false alarms caused by gusts of wind or other natural
events that may shake the vehicle.

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2-15
To adjust, remove the label covering the adjustment
knob and adjust as desired. Turn the knob clockwise to
increase sensitivity and counterclockwise to decrease
sensitivity. The shock sensor is ignored by the alarm
system when the ignition is on, when the hatch is open,
when the alarm is disarmed or when it is customized to
be ignored and for five seconds after the horn sounds an
alarm or chirp. The shock sensor is ignored after
triggering three full alarms until the system is rearmed.
Arming the System
The alarm system can be armed to detect break-ins by
locking your vehicle using the remote keyless entry
transmitter or by locking the doors with the power door
lock switch.
Passive arming is also available, if you would like the
system to arm all by itself after the doors have been
closed for a short time. When the system is armed, a red
light on the top of the instrument panel will flash briefly
once every two seconds. If you return to your vehicle
and the red light is flashing two brief flashes every two
seconds, the system is armed and the shock sensor had
triggered a two
-minute alarm. If the red light is flashing
three times every two seconds, the system is armed and
there was an intrusion that sounded the alarm. Horn
chirps and parking lamp flashes can be set to your
choice. See ªFeature Customizationº in the Index.
Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Locking
If all the doors are closed, locking the vehicle with the
remote keyless entry transmitter will immediately arm
the system. The horn will chirp twice and the parking
lamps will flash, confirming that the system is armed.
If any door is open when the transmitter LOCK button
is pressed, the system goes into an armed wait mode,
waiting for the doors to close. Once they are closed, the
system will arm, the horn chirps twice and the parking
lamps will flash. If the hatch is open or ajar at the time
the system is arming, the horn will only chirp once.
Power Door Lock Switch Locking
If any door is open when the power door lock switch is
pressed, the system goes into an armed wait mode,
waiting for the doors to close. Once they are closed, the
system will arm and the parking lamps will flash. If both
doors are closed when the lock switch is pressed, the
system assumes you are inside the vehicle, so it will not
arm. Locking the doors by using the manual door locks
will not arm the system.

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2-16 Passive Arming
If the ignition was just turned off and a door was
opened, the system will arm six seconds after both doors
are closed, whether or not you lock them. In all other
cases, the system will wait 30 seconds after both doors
are closed before arming, allowing you time to get into
the vehicle and put the key in the ignition. The parking
lamps will flash when the system arms. Passive arming
is not enabled from the factory.
Disarming the System
There are two ways to disarm the system:

Press the UNLOCK button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter. If the horn chirps two or three
times when you unlock the car, the alarm sounded in
your absence. Two chirps means that the shock
sensor was set off and three chirps means that a door
or hatch was opened.

Turn the ignition to RUN.
For more information on customizing the features
mentioned here, see ªFeature Customizationº in
the Index.
PASS-Key II
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS
-Key II
(Personalized Automotive
Security System)
theft
-deterrent system.
PASS
-Key II is a passive
theft
-deterrent system.
It works when you insert
or remove the key from
the ignition.
PASS
-Key II uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key
that matches a decoder in your vehicle.
When the PASS
-Key II system senses that someone is
using the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle's starter
and fuel systems. For about three minutes, the starter
won't work and fuel won't go to the engine. If someone
tries to start your vehicle again or uses another key
during this time, the vehicle will not start. This
discourages someone from randomly trying different
keys with different resistor pellets in an attempt to make
a match.

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2-17
The ignition key must be clean and dry before it's
inserted in the ignition or the engine may not start. If the
engine does not start and the SECURITY light stays on
when you try to start the vehicle, the key may be dirty or
wet. Turn the ignition off.
Clean and dry the key. Wait about three minutes and try
again. The SECURITY light may remain on during this
time. If the starter still won't work, and the key appears
to be clean and dry, wait about three minutes and try
another ignition key. At this time, you may also want to
check the fuses (see ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in the
Index). If the starter won't work with the other key, your
vehicle needs service. If your vehicle does start, the first
ignition key may be faulty. See your dealer or a
locksmith who can service the PASS
-Key II.
If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or
missing resistor pellet, the starter won't work. The
SECURITY light will flash. But you don't have to wait
three minutes before trying another ignition key.See your dealer or a locksmith who can service the
PASS
-Key II to have a new key made.
If you're ever driving and the SECURITY light comes
on and stays on, you will be able to restart your engine if
you turn it off. Your PASS
-Key II system, however, is
not working properly and must be serviced by your
dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by the
PASS
-Key II system.
If you lose or damage a PASS
-Key II ignition key, see
your dealer or a locksmith who can service PASS
-Key II
to have a new key made. In an emergency, call the
Pontiac Roadside Assistance Center at
1
-800-ROADSIDE or 1-800-762-3743.
(In Canada call 1
-800-268-6800.)

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2-18 Feature Customization (If Equipped)
Your vehicle's locks and lighting systems can be
programmed with several different features. The
features you can program depend upon the options that
came with your vehicle. The following list tells you the
features that can be programmed. Listed next to each
feature is the option you need to have on your vehicle in
order to be able to program that particular feature.

Exit Lighting (available for all)

Delayed Illumination (available for all)

Last Door Closed Locking (if equipped with power
door locks)

Lockout Prevention (if equipped with power door locks)

Remote Keyless Entry Verification (if equipped with
Content Theft
-Deterrent System)

Theft
-Deterrent Arming Method (if equipped with
Content Theft
-Deterrent System)

Theft
-Deterrent Arming Verification (if equipped
with Content Theft
-Deterrent System)

Driver's Door Alarm Delay (if equipped with
Content Theft
-Deterrent System)

Shock Sensor Enable (if equipped with Content
Theft
-Deterrent System)Entering Programming Mode
To program features, your vehicle must be in the
programming mode. Follow these steps:
1. Put your key in the ignition.
2. Turn the ignition to RUN to disarm the Content
Theft
-Deterrent System.
3. Turn the ignition to OFF.
4. Remove the RADIO fuse. This fuse is in the main
fuse block, located on the left side of your
instrument panel. See ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº
in the Index.
5. Turn the ignition to ACC.
You should hear a chime to verify that the system is
in the programming mode. If the chime sounds once,
you will be able to program Exit Lighting, Delayed
Illumination, Last Door Closed Locking and Lockout
Prevention only. If the chime sounds twice and your
vehicle is equipped with the Content Theft
-Deterrent
System, you will also be able to program Remote
Keyless Entry Verification, Arming Method,
Arming Verification, Driver's Door Delay and
Shock Sensor Enable.

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Exit Lighting and Delayed Illumination
With Exit Lighting, your interior lamps will come on
for up to 25 seconds when the key is removed from
the ignition.
With Delayed Illumination, your interior lamps will come
on and stay on for up to 25 seconds when entering your
vehicle and up to 5 seconds when leaving your vehicle.
Your vehicle comes with both features enabled
(Mode 4). To change the factory setting, do
the following:
1. Turn the courtesy lamps on by turning the instrument
panel brightness control knob all the way up.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number of
chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is set for.
3. Turn the courtesy lamp switch off.
4. Turn the courtesy lamp switch from on to off until
you hear the number of chimes that correspond to the
mode selection you want.
Mode 1: Both Off
Mode 2: Delayed Illumination Only
Mode 3: Exit Lighting Only
Mode 4: Both OnLast Door Closed Locking and Lockout Prevention
Your vehicle comes with this feature set in Mode 2.
To change the factory setting, do the following:
1. Press the LOCK switch on the door.
2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number of
chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is set for.
3. Press the LOCK switch on the door until you hear
the number of chimes that correspond to the mode
selection you want.
These features are designed to help prevent your keys
from being locked in your vehicle.
Mode 1: Both Off (Doors will lock and unlock when
you press the power door lock switch.)
Mode 2: Lockout Prevention Only (If you leave your
keys in the ignition and leave through the driver's door,
you won't be able to lock the doors with the power door
lock switch.)
Mode 3: Last Door Closed Locking Only (If the power
door lock switch is used to lock the vehicle while any
door is open, you will hear three chimes. The doors will
not lock until after all doors are closed.)
Mode 4: Both On (This combines Mode 2 and 3.)

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Mode 2: Eight-Second Delay and Shock Sensor
Disabled (The alarm will sound eight seconds after the
driver's door is opened with your key and the shock
sensor will not be available to measure sharp blows to
your vehicle.)
Mode 3: Zero Delay and Shock Sensor Enabled (The
alarm will sound immediately after the driver's door is
opened with your key and the shock sensor will be
available to measure sharp blows to your vehicle.)
Mode 4: Eight
-Second Delay and Shock Sensor Enabled
(The alarm will sound eight seconds after the driver's door
is opened with your key and the shock sensor will be
available to measure sharp blows to your vehicle.)
Leaving Programming Mode
When programming is done, turn the ignition to OFF
and replace the RADIO fuse.
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:

Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or
less for the first 500 miles (805 km).

Don't drive at any one speed
-- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don't make full
-throttle starts.

Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren't yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking
-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.

Don't tow a trailer during break
-in.
See ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index for
more information.

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2-23
Ignition Positions
CAUTION:
Leaving 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. Don't
leave the keys in the vehicle with children.
With the ignition key in the ignition, you can turn the
switch to five positions.
ACC (A): Position in which you can operate your
electrical power accessories. Push in the ignition switch
as you turn it toward you.
LOCK (B): The only position from which you can
remove the key. This locks your steering wheel, ignition
and automatic transmission.
If you have an automatic transmission, the ignition
switch can't be turned to LOCK unless the shift lever is
in PARK (P).
OFF (C): Unlocks the steering wheel, ignition and
automatic transmission, but does not send electrical
power to any accessories. Use this position if your
vehicle must be pushed or towed. A warning tone will
sound if you open the driver's door when the ignition is
off and the key is in the ignition.
RUN (D): Position to which the switch returns after you
start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in RUN when the engine is running. But even
when the engine is not running, you can use RUN to
operate your electrical power accessories and to display
some instrument panel warning and indicator lights.

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2-24
START (E): Starts the engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition will return to RUN for
normal driving.
Even if the engine is not running, ACC and RUN allow
you to operate your electrical accessories, such as the
radio and ventilation fan.
CAUTION:
On manual transmission vehicles, turning the key
to LOCK will lock the steering column and result
in a loss of ability to steer the vehicle. This could
cause a collision. If you need to turn the engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only
to OFF. Don't press the key release button while
the vehicle is moving.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch. If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.
Key Release Button
If you have a manual
transmission, your ignition
lock has a key release
button.
You must press the key release button to put the ignition key
in the LOCK position before you can take your key out.