ECU PONTIAC PONTIAC 1996 Owner's Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: PONTIAC, Model Year: 1996, Model line: PONTIAC, Model: PONTIAC PONTIAC 1996Pages: 370, PDF Size: 17.69 MB
Page 78 of 370

When the PASS-Key I1 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.
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 is on,
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 fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” 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 Pontiac dealer or a
locksmith who can service
the PASS-Key 11.
If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or
missing resistor pellet, the starter won’t work and the
SECURITY light will flash. But you don’t have to wait
three minutes before trying another ignition key.
See your Pontiac dealer
or a locksmith who can service
the PASS-Key
11 to have a new key made.
If you’re ever driving and
the SECURITY light comes
on, you will be able to restart your engine
if you turn
it off. Your PASS-Key 11 system, however, is not
working properly and must
be serviced by your
Pontiac dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by the
PASS-Key
I1 system.
If you lose or damage a PASS-Key
II ignition key,
see your Pontiac dealer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key I1 to have a new key made. In an emergency,
call the Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program at
1-800-ROADSIB or 1-800-762-3743.
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Page 125 of 370

Security Light Fuel Gage
SECUPITY
This light will come on
when you turn the key to
START and stay on until the
vehicle starts. It
will also
come
on and’stay on if your
key
is too duty or wet for
the PAS$-Key@II system to
read
the resistor pellet.
If the resistor pellet is damaged or missing, the light
will flash.
If you’re driving
and the light comes on and remains on,
your PASS-Key 11 system is not working prop,erly. Your
vehicle
is not protected by PASS-Key II, and you should
see
your dealer. Your
fuel gage tells you
about how much fuel
you
have left when the ignition
is on.
When the indicator
nears
EMPTY (E), you still
have a little fuel left, but
you should get more soon.
Here are
some things owners ask about. All these
situations
are normal and do not show a problem with
your fuel gage:
At the service station, the pump shuts off before the
gage reads
FULL (F‘).
It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the gage
indicated. For example, the gage may have indicated
the tank was half full, but it actually took’ a little more
or less than half ,the tank’s capacity to fill it.
The gage moves a little when you turn a corner or
speed up.
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Page 150 of 370

Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK" is designed to discourage theft of your
radio. It works
by using a secret code to disable all radio
functions whenever battery power is removed.
The THEFTLOCK feature for the radio
may be used or
ignored.
If ignored, the system plays normally and the
radio is not protected by the feature. If THEFTLOCK is
activated, your radio will not operate if stolen.
When THEFTLOCK is activated, the radio will display
LOC to indicate a locked condition anytime battery
power is removed. If your battery loses power for any
reason, you must unlock the radio with the secret code
before it will operate.
' Activating the Theft-Deterrent Feature
The instructions which follow explain how to eriter your
secret code to activate the THEFTLOCK system. It is
recommended that
you read through all nine steps
before starting the procedure.
NOTE: If you allow more than 15 seconds to elapse
between any.steps, the radio automatically reverts to
time and you must start
the procedure over at Step 4.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.,
8.
9.
Write down any 'three or 'four-digit number from
000 to 1999 and keep it in a safe place separate from
the vehicle.
Turn the ignition to the
ACC or RUN position.
Turn the radio off.
Press the
1 and 4 buttons together. Hold them down
until
--- shows on the display. Next you will use the
secret code ilumber which you have written down.
Press MIN and
000 will appear on the display.
Press MIN again to make the last two digits agree
with your code.
Press
HR to make the first one or two digits agree
with your, code.
Press AM-FM after you have confirmed that the
code matches the secret code you have written down.
The display will show REP to let you know that you
need to repeat Steps
5 through 7 to confirm your
secret code.
Press AM-FM and this time the display will
show
SEC to let you know that your radio is secure. -l., .I
- .. i,r . !' r,
.. .. .
I. -.' I.
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Page 151 of 370

Unlocking the Theft-Deterrent Feature After a
Power Loss
Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than
If seconds between steps:
1. LQC appears when the ignition is on.
2.
Press MIN and 000 will appear on the display.
3. Press MIN again to make the last two digits agree
4. Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree
5. Press AM-FM after you have confirmed that the
I with your code.
with your code.
b.
code matches the secret code you have written down.
The display will show SEC, indicating~ the radio is
now operable and secure.'
If you enter the wrong code eight times, INOP will
appear
on the display. You will have to wait an hour
with the ignition on before you
can try again. When you
try again, you will only have three chances to enter the
correct cade before
INOP appears. --
If you lose or forget your code, contact your dealer.
Disabling the Theft-Deterrent Feature
Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than
15 seconds between steps:
1. Turn the ignition tu the ACC or RUN position.
2. Turn the radio off.
3. Press the 1 ad 4 buttons together. Hold them down
until
SEC shows on the display.
4. Press MIN and 000 will appear on the display.
5. Press MIN again to make the last two digits agree
with your code.
(5. Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree
with
your code.
7. Press AM-FM after you have confirmed that the
code matches the secret code you have written down.
The display will show ---, indicating that the radio is
no longer secured..
If the code entered is incorrect,
SEC will appear on the
display. The radio will remain secured until the correct
code is entered.
When battery power is given to a secured radio, the
radio won't turn
on and LOC will appear on the display. -. .
3-20
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Page 179 of 370

Winter Drivi: -
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your Pontiac in good shape for winter.
YOU may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your trunk. Include
an ice
scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply
of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer
clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth and a
couple
of reflective warning triangles. And, if you will
be driving under severe conditions, include a small bag
of sand, a piece of old carpet or a couple of burlap bags
to help provide traction. Be sure you properly secure
these items in your vehicle.
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Page 185 of 370

the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly, or
if there is a crash, they’ll keep going.
Towing a Trailer
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or
in a crash.
0 Put things in the trunk of your vehicle. In a
trunk, put them as far forward as you can.
Try to spread the weight evenly.
inside the vehicle
so that some of them are
above the tops
of the seats.
0 Don’t leave an unsecured chilb restraint in
your vehicle.
0 When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure
it whenever you can.
0 Never’stack heavier things, like suitcases,
CAUTION:
If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose control when you pull
a
trailer. For example, if the trailer is too heavy, the
brakes may not work well
-- or even at all. You
and your passengers could be seriously injured.
Pull
a trailer only if you have followed all the
steps
in this section. Ask your Pontiac dealer for
advice and information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.
NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered
by
your warranty. To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and see your Pontiac
dealer for important information about towing
a
trailer with your vehicle.
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Page 189 of 370

Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your
trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to the road
if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer
or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendition for attaching safety
chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always
leave just enough slack’s0 you can
turn with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Does your trailer have its own brakes? Be me to
read and follow the instructions for the trailer brakes
so you’ll be able to install, adjust and maintain
them properly.
0
0 If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, do not try to tap
into your vehicle’s brake system.
If you do, both
brake systems won’t work well,
or at all.
Even if your vehicle doesn’t have anti-lock brakes,
don’t tap into
your vehicle’s brake system if the
trailer’s brake system will use more than
0.02 cubic
inch
(0.3 cc) of fluid from your vehicle’s master
cylinder.
If it does, both braking systems won’t work
well.
You could even lose your brakes.
0 Will the trailer brake parts take 3,000 psi (20 650 Pa)
of pressure?
If not, the trailer brake system must not be
used with
your vehicle.
0 If everything checks out this far, then make the brake
fluid tap at the upper rear master cylinder port. But
don’t use copper tubing for this.
If you do, it will
bend and break
off. Use steel brake tubing.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the
trailer. And always keep
in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is ~lolw
a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive
as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch
and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps,
tires and mirror adjustment. I% the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the traiEer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working.
This lets you check your
electrical connection at the Same time.
During your
hip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load
is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
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Page 200 of 370

Towing Your Vehicle
Try to have a Pontiac dealer or a professional towing
service tow your Grand
Prix. See “Roadside Assistance”
in the- Index.
If your vehicle has been changed or modified since it
was factory-new by adding aftermarket items like
fog
lamps, aero skirting, or special tires and wheels, these
instructions and illustrations may not be correct.
Before you do anything, turn on the hazard
warning flashers.
When you call, tell the towing service:
That your vehicle cannot be towed from the front
That your vehicle has front-wheel drive.
The make, model and year of your vehicle.
Whether you can still move the shift lever.
0 If there was an accident, what was damaged.
When the towing service arrives, let the tow operator
know that this manual contains detailed towing,
instructions and illustrations. The operator may want to
see t.
with sling type equipment.
I I
I
To help avoid injury to you or others:
Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.
Never tow with damaged parts not
fully secured.
Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted by the tow truck.
Always secure the vehicle on each side with
separate safety chains when towing
it.
Never use J-hooks. Use T-hooks instead.
being towed.
‘I
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Page 201 of 370

/r\, CAUTION:
A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn’t
adequately secured. This can cause
a collision,
serio’us personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should be tightly secured with chains or
steel cables before it
is trapported.
Don’t
use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.)
that can be cut by sharp
edges underneath the towed vehicle. Always use
T-hooks inserted in the T-hook slots. Never use
J-hooks. They will damage drivetrain and
suspension components.
~~
When your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition
turned
to the OFF position. The steering wheel should
be clamped in a straight-ahead position, with a
clamping device designed
for towing service. Do not
use the vehicle’s steering column lock for ths The
transaxle should be
in NEUTRAL (N) and the
parking brake released.
Don’t have your vehicle towed on the drive wheels,
unless you must. If the vehicle must be towed on the
drive wheels, be
sure to follow the speed and distance
restrictions later in this section or
your transaxle will be
damaged.
If these limitations must be exceeded, then the
drive wheels have to be supported on a dolly.
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Page 203 of 370

Attach T-hook chains
on both sides, in the
slotted holes in the bottom
of
the cradle, behind the
front wheels.
These slots are to be used when loading and securing to
car carrier equipment. '
'1
Attach a s&pamte
safety chain around
the outboard end of
each lower control arm.
5-10
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