key battery PONTIAC GRAND AM 1997 Owners Manual

Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Pontiac
Air bags affect how your Pontiac should be serviced.
There are parts
of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
Pontiac dealer and the Grand Am Service Manual have
information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag
system. To purchase a service manual, see “Service and
Owner Publications” in the Index.
I A I
/! CAUTION:
For up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can
still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape
or yellow connectors. They are probably part of
the
air bag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you
is qualified to do so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
Rear Seat Passengers
It’s very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up!
Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear
seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are
wearing safety belts.
Rear passengers who aren’t safety belted can be thrown
out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others
in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions
U
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The positions next to the windows have lap-shoulder
belts. Here’s how to wear one properly.
1-27

Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
If your Pontiac has this option, you can lock and unlock
your doors or unlock your trunk from about
3 feet (1 m)
up to
30 feet (9 m) away using the remote keyless entry
transmitter supplied with your vehicle.
In addition, the system illuminates the interior lamps for
a set period of time. The Keyless Entry System consists
of a receiver, which is located in the vehicle, and two
hand-held transmitters.
Your 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 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.
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.
This system has a range of about
3 feet (1 m) up to
30 feet (9 m). At times you may notice a decrease
in range. This
is normal for any keyless entry system.
If the transmitter does not work or
if you have to
stand closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to
work,
try this:
Check to determine if battery replacement or
resynchronization
is necessary. See the instructions
that follow.
Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy
or snowy weather.
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the left or right,
hold the transmitter higher and
try again.
or a qualified technician for service.
If you’re still having trouble, 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.
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 Keyless Entry System:
1. Use a small coin or flathead screwdriver to separate
the bottom half from the top half
of the transmitter. 2.
3.
4.
Remove the
battery and replace it with the new one,
Make sure the positive.
(+) side of the battery faces
down. Use one 3 volt, CR2032,
or equivalent,
type battery.
Put the two halves back together.
Make sure the
cover is on tightly,
so water won’t get in.
Check the operation of the transmitter with your
vehicle. If the transmitter does not work, try
synchronizing the transmitter with the receiver.
2-9

Starting Your 2.4 Liter Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to
START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
-. ~~
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor.
2. If it doesn’t start right away, and if the weather is
very cold (below
-20” F or -29” C), push the
accelerator pedal about one-quarter of the way down
while you turn the key to START.
Do this until the
engine starts, As soon as it does, let go
of the key.
3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. If the vehicle starts briefly
but then stops again, do the same thing, but this time
keep the pedal about one-quarter of the way down
for five or six seconds.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual
that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
2-17

Starting Your 3100 Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key
to START. When the engine starts, let
go
of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor.
2. If your engine won’t start (or starts but then stops), it
could be flooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing your accelerator pedal
all the way to the
floor and holding it there as
you hold the key in
START for up to 15 seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part
of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle, See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index,
2-18

Charging System Indicator Light
The charging system
indicator light will come on
briefly when you turn on the ignition, but the engine is
not running. The light will
go out when the engine
is stated.
If it stays on when your engine is running, or comes on
while you are driving, you may have a problem with the
electrical charging system.
It could indicate that you
have a loose generator drive belt or another electrical
problem. Have it checked right away. Driving while this
light is
on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn
off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Brake System Warning Light
Your Pontiac’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts.
If one part isn’t working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem or the brake fluid level could be low. Have your
brake system inspected right away.
BRAKE
United States Canada
This light should come on briefly when you turn the
ignition key to RUN. If it doesn’t come on then, have it
fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
2-60

Follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
NOTICE:
Do not tow your vehicle with the front wheels in
contact with the
ground, or the automatic
transaxle could be damaged.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Set the parking brake.
Open the fuse panel on the driver’s side of the
instrument panel. Remove the fuse labeled
PRNDL.
This will keep your battery from draining
while towing.
Turn the ignition key to
OFF to unlock the steering
wheel. See “Ignition Positions” in the Index.
Clamp the steering wheel
in a straight-ahead position,
with a clamping device designed for towing.
Release the parking brake.
Towing Your Vehicle from the Front
(Manual Transaxle Only)
If your vehicle has a manual transaxle, you may tow
your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground.
4-31

Follow these steps:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Set the parking brake.
Open the fuse panel on the driver's side
of the
instrument panel. Remove the fuse labeled PRNDL.
This will keep your battery from draining
while towing.
Turn the ignition key to
OFF to unlock the
steering wheel.
Shift your manual transaxle to NEUTRAL (N).
Release the parking brake.
I NOTICE:
Make sure that the towing speed does not exceed
55 mph (90 km/h), or your vehicle could be
badly damaged.
Towing your Vehicle from the Rear
cID 8
n
NOTICE:
Do not tow your vehicle from the rear. Your
vehicle could be badly damaged'and the costly
repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
4-32

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