check engine light PONTIAC GRAND AM 1997 User Guide

I
A CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use
a flashlight if
you need more light.
Be sure the battery
has enough water. You don’t
need to
add water to the Delco Freedom@ battery
installed in every new
GM vehicle. But if a
battery has filler caps, be sure the right amount
of fluid is there.
If it is low, add water to take care
of that first. If you don’t, explosive gas could
be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Don’t get it on you.
If you accidentally get it in
your eyes
or on your skin, flush the place with
water and get medical help immediately.
5. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or
missing insulation.
If they do, you could get a shock.
The vehicles could be damaged, too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some basic
things you should know. Positive
(+) will go to
positive
(+) and negative (-) will go to negative (-)
or a metal engine part.
Don’t connect positive
(+) to negative (-) or you’ll
get a short that would damage the battery and maybe
other parts, too.
A CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engines are running.

Engine Oil
CHECK
OIL
If your Pontiac is equipped
with the
3100 engine, there is
a CHECK
OIL light in your .
instrument panel cluster.
If the
CHECK OIL light on the instrument panel comes
on, it means you need to check your engine oil level
right away. For more information, see “Check Oil
Light” in the Index. You should check your engine oil
level regularly; this is an added reminder.
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm
and the vehicle must be on level ground.
2.4L Engine
6-12

When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often you should check the
fluid level in your clutch
master cylinder reservoir
and for the proper fluid. See
“Owner Checks and
Services” and
“Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.
., , I . ...
How to Check
The proper fluid should be added if the level is at or
below the STEP mark on the reservoir cap. See the
instructions on the reservoir cap.
Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL
J engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for
5 years or 150,000 miles
(240
000 krn) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOLd extended life coolant.
The following explains
your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Pontiac will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 265 OF (1 29 O C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
6-24

Headlamp Wiring
The headlamp wiring is protected by a circuit breaker
located in the instrument panel fuse block. An electrical
overload will cause the headlamps to go on and off, or
in
some cases to remain off. If this happens, have your
headlamp system checked right away.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker and a fuse. If the motor overheats due to heavy
snow, etc., the wiper will stop until the motor cools.
If
the overload is caused by some electrical problem, have
it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power Options
Circuit breakers in the fuse panel protect the power
windows and other power accessories. When the current
load is too heavy, the circuit breaker opens and closes,
protecting the circuit until the problem is fixed.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses, circuit breakers
and fusible links. This greatly reduces the chance of
damage caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure to
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical size
and rating.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don’t have a
spare fuse, you can “borrow” one that has the same
amperage. Just pick a feature of your vehicle that you
can get along without
-- like the radio or cigarette
lighter
-- and use its fuse, if it is the correct amperage.
Replace
it as soon as you can.
There are two fuse blocks in your vehicle: the
instrument panel fuse block and the engine compartment
fuse block.
6-59

v Section 9 Index
Accessory Power Outlet ......................... 2-52
Adapter Kit. CD
........................... 3-13. 3-16
Adding Equipment to Your Vehicle
.................. 6-3
Adjuster. Seat
.............................. 1-2. 1-48
AirBag
....................................... 1-21
How Does it Restrain
.......................... 1-25
Howitworks
................................ 1-23
Location
.................................... 1-23
Readiness Light
......................... 1.22. 2-59
Servicing
................................... 1-27
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-25
What Will You See After it Inflates
............... 1-25
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-24
Air Cleaner
.................................... 6-18
Air Conditioning ................................ 3 -3
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-65
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-47
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-55
Antenna, Fixed
................................. 3-26
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-24
Anti-Lock
........................................
Brake System Warning Light ................ 2-61. 4-7
Brakes
...................................... 4-7
Anti-Theft. Radio
.............................. 3-21
Appearancecare
............................... 6-49
Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-57
Arbitration Program
........... ............ 8-9
Ashtrays ...................................... 2-51
Audio Controls. Steering Wheel Touch Control
....... 3-23
Audio Equipment. Adding
......... 2.17.2.18.3.24. 6.58
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-8
Auto-Down Window
....... ................. 2-34
Automatic Door Locks
............................ 2-5
Automatic Transaxle
Check
................................ . . 7-42 ~
Fluid ................................... 6-19
Operation
................... ............ 2-21
Overdrive
................................... 2-23
Park Mechanism Check
........................ 7-44
Shifting
..................................... 2-21
Starting Your Engine
.......................... 2-16
Backing Up When Towing
a Trailer ............... 4-39
Back-up Lamp Bulb Replacement
................. 6-39
Battery
....................................... 6-34
Charging System Indicator Light
................. 2-60
Jump Starting
................................. 5-3
Replacement. Keyless Entry
..................... 2-9
Saver
...................................... 2-47
Warnings
.................................... 5-3
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-9
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
.................... 4-23
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-9
Blizzard ...................................... 4-28
9-1

Brake Adjustment
.......... ........ ... 6-34
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-30
Parking
..................................... 2-2 8
Pedal Travel
................................. 6-34
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-34
System Warning Light
.................... 2-60, 6-31
Trailer
...................................... 4-38
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check
.................. 7-43
Wear
....................................... 6-33
Brakes. Anti-Lock
............................... 4-7
Braking
........................................ 4-6
Braking in Emergencies
.......................... 4- 11
Break-In. New Vehicle
.......................... 2- 13
Brightness Control
.............................. 2-45
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-35
Back-up Lamps
.............................. 6-39
CHMSL
.................................... 6-38
DomeLamp
................................. 6-40
Headlamps .................................. 6-36
Taillamps
................................. 6-39
Fluid
....................................... 6-30
BTSICheck
................................... 7-43
c aliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspection ........... 7-46
Canadian Roadside Assistance
...................... 8-8
Capacities and Specifications ...................... 6-64
Carbon Monoxide
.......... 2-10.2-32,2-33,4-29,4-38
Cassette Deck Service ........................... 7-41
Cassette Tape Player
.................. 3-10.3-13. 3-19
Cassette Tape Player Care
........................ 3-25
Cassette Tape Player Errors .................. 3-1 1. 3- 15
CD Adapter Kit ........................... 3-13. 3-16 CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature
................. 3-21
Center Console Cupholder
........................ 2-50
Center Console Storage Area
...................... 2-50
Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp Bulb Replacement
... 6-38
Center Rear Passenger Position
.................... 1-33
Certification Label
.............................. 4-33
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-38
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-49
Changing a Flat Tire
............................. 5-22
Check Engine Light
............................. 2-65
Check Oil Light
........................... 2-68. 6-12
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-48
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-56
Child Restraints
................................ 1-36
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position
........... 1-39
Securing in the Center Rear Seat Position
.......... 1-41
Securing in the Passenger Seat Position
........... 1-43
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position
.......... 1-43
TopStrap
................................... 1-38
WheretoPut
................................ 1-37
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-51
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-59
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-18
Cleaning
...................................... 6-49
Aluminum Wheels
............................ 6-55
Fabric
...................................... 6-50
Glass
....................................... 6-53
Inside of Your Pontiac
......................... 6-50
Instrument Panel
............................. 6-52
Leather
..................................... 6-52
Outside
of Your Pontiac ........................ 6-54
Special Problems
............................. 6-51
Stains
...................................... 6-51
Tires ....................................... 6-55
9-2

Easy Entry Seat ................................ 1-6
Electrical Equipment. Adding
...... 2.17. 2. 18. 3.24. 6-58
Electrical System
............................... 6-58
Engine
.................................. 6.10. 6.11
Coolant
..................................... 6-24
Coolant Heater
............................... 2- 19
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-41
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-63
Exhaust
................. 2-10.2-32,2-33.4-29. 4-38
Fuse Block
.................................. 6-62
Identification
................................ 6-58
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-41
Overheating
................................. 5 - 14
Running While Parked
......................... 2-33
Specifications
................................ 6-64
StartingYour
................................ 2-16
Engine Exhaust
............ 2-10.2-32,2-33,4-29,4-38 Engine Oil .................................... 6-12
Adding
..................................... 6-14
Additives
................................... 6- 17
Used
....................................... 6-17
What To Use
................................. 6-15
Enhanced Traction System
......................... 4-9
Enhanced Traction System Active Light
......... 2-63. 4-9
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
...... 2-62. 4-10
Ethanol
........................................ 6-4
ETS Active Light
........................... 2-63, 4-9
ETS Warning Light
........................ 2-62. 4- 10
Exhaust, Engine
............ 2-10.2-32.2-33.4-29. 4-38
Exterior Lamps
................................. 2-43
Checking
................................... 6-13
Whentochange
.............................. 6-17 Fabric
Cleaning
............................... 6-50
Fifth Gear. Manual Transaxle
..................... 2-25
Filling Your Tank
................................ 6-5
Filter. Air
..................................... 6-18
Finish Care
.................................... 6-54
Finish Damage
................................. 6-56
First Gear, Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-24
First Gear, Manual Transaxle
...................... 2-25
Flashers, Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flat Tire, Changing
............................. 5-22
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-47
Following Distance when Towing a Trailer
........... 4-39
Foreign Countries, Fuel
........................... 6-4
Fourth Gear, Manual Transaxle
.................... 2-25
French Language Manual
........................... 11 *.
Front Map Lamps ............................... 2-47
Front Towing
.................................. 5-10
Fuel
........................................ 6-3
Gage
....................................... 2-69
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-4
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-59
FogLamps
.................................... 2-45
Filling Your Tank
.... ...................... 6-5
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-63
Fuel
....................................... 2-69
Tachometer
.................................. 2-58
GarmentHook
................................. 2-53
GAWR
....................................... 4-33
Gear Positions, Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-21
Gear Positions, Manual Transaxle
.................. 2-25
9-4

Labels Certification
................................. 4-33
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-58
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-33
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-58
Lamps
........................................ 2-43
Exterior
.................................... 2-43
Fog
........................................ 2-45
Interior
..................................... 2-45
On Reminder
................................ 2-43
Latches. Seatback
................................ 1-5
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-6
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
....... 2-30
Lights Lighter
....................................... 2-51
Air Bag Readiness ....................... 1-22, 2-59
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2-61, 4-7
Brake System Warning
.................... 2-60, 6-31
Charging System Indicator ...................... 2-60
CheckEngine
................................ 2-65
Check Oil
.............................. 2-68, 6-12
Enhanced Traction System Active
............ 2-63, 4-9
ETS Active
.............................. 2-63, 4-9
ETS Warning
........................... 2-62, 4-10
Interior
..................................... 2-45
Low Coolant Warning
.................... 2-64, 6-27
Oil Pressure Warning
.......................... 2-67
PasslockWarning
............................. 2-69
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1-8, 2-59
Upshift
.................................... 2-69
Litter Bag Hook
................................ 2-52
Loading Your Vehicle ........................... 4-33
Enhanced
Traction System Warning Light
.... 2-62, 4-10 Locks
Automatic Door
....................... 2-5
Cylinders
................................... 7-42
Door
........................................ 2-4
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-42
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-5
Rear Door Security
............................. 2-6
Steering Column Lock Check
................... 7-44
Trunk
...................................... 2-10
Low Coolant Warning Light
................. 2-64, 6-27
Lubricants and Fluids
.......... .............. 7-47
Lubrication Service. Body
... .............. 7-42
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts
........... 6-65
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-49
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Introduction
.................................. 7-2
Long Tripmighway Definition
................... 7-6
Long Tripmighway Intervals
..................... 7-6
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-41
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-45
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-47
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Short Trip/City Definition
....................... 7-5
Short Trip/City Intervals ........................ 7-5
Maintenance, Underbody
......................... 6-56
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-41
Making
Turns When Towing a Trailer ............... 4-40
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-65
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1-2
Manual Lumbar Support
........................ 1-3
Manual Remote Control Mirror
. . ... . . 2-49
9-6

Manual Transaxle ........... ............... 2-16
Check
.................................... 7-42
Fluid
....................................... 6-21
Shifting
..................................... 2-25
Starting Your Engine
.......................... 2- 16
Methanol
...................................... 6-4
Mirrors
....................................... 2-48
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-48
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2-48
Manual Remote Control
........................ 2-49
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-49
Visor Vanity
................................. 2-52
MountainRoads
................................ 4-24
Multifunction Lever
....................... 2-35
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle
.................... 2-22
Neutral. Manual Transaxle
.............. ...... 2-25
New Vehicle “Break-In”
....................... 2- 13
Nightvision
................................... 4-17
Odometer
.................................... 2-57
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-57
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4- 13
Oil. Engine
.................................... 6-12
Oil Pressure Warning Light
....................... 2-67
Outlet. Accessory Power
......................... 2-52
Overdrive. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-23
Overheating Engine
............................. 5- 14
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-41
Owner Publications. Ordering
..................... 8- 12
Owner Publications. Ordering in Canada
............ 8- 11 Paint
Spotting. Chemical
... .... 6-56
Park Automatic Transaxle
...................... 2-21
Shifting Into
................................. 2-29
Shifting Out of
............................... 2-31
AtNight
............... ................ 2-12
Brake
.................................... 2-28
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-44
Lots ....................................... 2-12
Over Things That Bum
........................ 2-32
With a Trailer
................................ 4-41
Yourvehicle
................................. 2-31
Passenger Position
....... ................... 1-21
Passlock
...................................... 2-13
Passlock Warning Light
.......................... 2-69
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-45
Pontiac Cares Information
..... ... ........ 8-2
Power
DoorLocks
................................... 2-5
Option Fuses
................................ 6-59
Remote Control Mirror
........................ 2-49
Seat
......................................... 1-3
Steering
.................................... 4-11
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-28
Windows
................................... 2-34
Pregnancy. Use
of Safety Belts .................... 1-20
Problems on the Road
............................ 5-1
Publications. Service and Owner
................... 8-12
Parking
Passing
....................................... 4-13 .
9-7