PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 1999 Repair Manual

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Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Keys
2
-4 Door Locks
2
-8 Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2
-12 Multifunction Alarm Locks and
Lighting Choices
2
-22 Trunk
2
-23 Theft
2
-24 Content Theft-Deterrent (If Equipped)
2
-26 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-26 Ignition Positions
2
-28 Starting Your Engine
2
-30 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-32 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-36 Parking Brake
2
-37 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-40 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-43 Parking Over Things That Burn2
-43 Engine Exhaust
2
-44 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-45 Power Windows
2
-46 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-51 Exterior Lamps
2
-54 Interior Lamps
2
-57 Mirrors
2
-59 Storage Compartments
2
-64 OnStar
System (Option)
2
-65 Sunroof (If Equipped)
2
-66 The Instrument Panel -- Your Information
System
2
-70 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-82 Head-Up Display (Option)
2
-86 Driver Information Center (DIC)
(If Equipped)

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Keys
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 a vehicle with children.

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The master key can be used
for the ignition, as well
as all door locks and
storage compartments.
The valet key can be used
for the ignition and the two
side doors only. It will not
open the trunk, glove box or
fold
-down rear seat trunk
access panel (if equipped).When a new vehicle is delivered, it will come with a bar
coded tag attached to the key ring.
This tag has a code on it that tells your dealer or a
qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep the
code in a safe place. If you lose your keys, you'll be able
to have new ones made easily using this code.
If you need a new ignition key, contact your dealer who
can obtain the correct key code. Remember to carry the
pre
-cut emergency key which Pontiac sends after delivery.
(This service is not available in Canada.) In an emergency,
call Pontiac Roadside Assistance at 1
-800-ROADSIDE
(1-800-762-3743). (In Canada call 1-800-268-6800.)
NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of 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.

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Door Locks
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.To unlock either front door from outside the vehicle
with your key, insert it fully into the door key cylinder
and turn it counterclockwise.
You can lock either front door from outside the vehicle
with your key by inserting it fully into the door key
cylinder and turning it clockwise.
To unlock either front or rear door from inside the
vehicle, push the lock lever back.
To lock either front or rear door from inside the vehicle,
push the lock lever forward.

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2-5 Power Door Locks
To unlock all doors from inside the vehicle, press the
front of the power door lock switch on either front door.
If your vehicle is equipped with a Content
Theft
-Deterrent system, the power door lock switch will
not unlock the doors until the system is disarmed. See
ªContent Theft
-Deterrentº in the Index for more details.
You can lock all doors from inside the vehicle by
pressing the rear of the power lock switch on either front
door. If your vehicle is equipped with a Content
Theft
-Deterrent system, the power lock switch may
cause the system to arm (see ªContent Theft
-Deterrentº
in the Index for more details).
To unlock any door from outside the vehicle with your
key, insert it fully into the key cylinder and turn it
counterclockwise. This will unlock only the door you
are operating.

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2-6 Last Door Closed Locking
The Last Door Closed Locking feature makes it more
convenient for you to use your power door locks to lock
all the doors when leaving your vehicle. When any door
is open, the first time you attempt to lock the doors
using the power door lock switch or remote keyless
entry transmitter (if equipped) this will result in three
chimes to signal that the Last Door Closed Locking
feature is being used. All doors can be opened for any
reason for five seconds from the time the last door has
been closed. Five seconds after the last door is closed,
all doors will lock. You can lock the doors immediately
by using the power door lock switch or the remote
keyless entry transmitter (if equipped).
The Last Door Closed Locking feature will not occur and
doors will not be locked as a result of this feature when
the ignition is in RUN or ACCESSORY. The Last Door
Closed Locking feature is enabled from the factory.
To turn the Last Door Closed Locking feature on or off,
see ªLocks and Lighting Choicesº in the Index.
Automatic Door Locks
All of the doors will lock automatically when you move
your shift lever out of PARK (P). All doors will unlock
automatically when the ignition is turned off while the
shift lever is in PARK (P). If you prefer to have your
doors unlocked automatically at any time, see ªLocks
and Lighting Choicesº in the Index.
If someone needs to get in or out of the vehicle after the
doors have been automatically locked, place the shift
lever into PARK (P). Unlock all doors by using the
power door lock switch or unlock just the door you want
by using the inside lever. If you have programmed your
Automatic Door Locks (see ªLocks and Lighting
Choicesº in the Index) to unlock the doors when the
shift lever is shifted into PARK (P), then the doors will
be automatically unlocked for you. The doors will
automatically lock when you move your shift lever out
of PARK (P) with the ignition on.
If you don't want the doors to unlock automatically
when you turn the ignition off, see ªLocks and Lighting
Choicesº in the Index.

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2-7 Rear Door Security Locks (4-Door Models)
Your vehicle is equipped with rear door security locks that
help prevent passengers from opening the rear doors of
your vehicle from the inside. To use one of these locks:
1. Open one of the rear doors.
2. On the inside of the rear
door will be a lock.
Insert your master key
into this lock and turn it
counterclockwise. This
will engage the
safety lock.
3. Close the door.
4. Do the same thing to the other rear door lock.The rear doors of your vehicle cannot be opened from
inside the vehicle when this feature is in use. If you want
to open a rear door when the security lock is on, unlock
the door from the inside and then open the door from
the outside.
Lockout Prevention
The Lockout Deterrent feature makes it difficult for you
to lock your keys in your vehicle. If the driver's door is
open while the keys are in the ignition, you will not be
able to use your power door lock switch.
This feature cannot guarantee that you'll never be
locked out of your vehicle. If you don't leave the keys in
the ignition, or if you use the manual door lock, you
could still lock your keys inside your vehicle. Always
remember to take your keys with you.
To turn this feature on or off, see ªLocks and Lighting
Choicesº in the Index.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your
door and set the locks from inside. Then get out and
close the door.

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Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped, 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.
3-Button Key Fob 4-Button Key FobYour keyless entry system operates on a radio frequency
subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Rules and with Industry 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 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.

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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 remote 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.

If you're still having trouble, see your dealer or a
qualified technician for service.
Operation
Remote Driver's Door and All Door Unlock
When you press UNLOCK on the remote keyless entry
transmitter, only the driver's door will unlock. If you
press UNLOCK again within five seconds, all the doors
will unlock. If you would like all doors to unlock the
first time you press UNLOCK, see ªLocks and Lighting
Choicesº in the Index. If your vehicle is equipped withthe Content Theft
-Deterrent system, the UNLOCK
button on the remote keyless entry transmitter will
disarm the system. See ªContent Theft
-Deterrentº in the
Index for more details.
Remote All Door Lock
To lock all doors, press LOCK on the remote keyless
entry transmitter (see ªPower Door Locksº in the Index
for more details on power door lock features). If your
vehicle is equipped with the Content Theft
-Deterrent
system, the LOCK button may arm the system. See
ªContent Theft
-Deterrentº in the Index for more details.
Remote Lock/Unlock Confirmation (If 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. To signal
that a command has been received, the headlamps will
flash and the horn will sound briefly. To program the
various modes available, see ªLocks and Lighting
Choicesº in the Index.
Remote Alarm (If Equipped)
When you press the horn button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter, the headlamps will flash and the horn
will sound. This will allow you to attract attention,
if needed.

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Remote Trunk Release
Press the trunk symbol on your remote keyless entry
transmitter to open your trunk. The transaxle must be in
PARK (P) for this feature to operate.
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 only four transmitters
matched to it.
Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless
entry 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.