air condition PONTIAC PONTIAC 1997 Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: PONTIAC, Model Year: 1997, Model line: PONTIAC, Model: PONTIAC PONTIAC 1997Pages: 419, PDF Size: 19.67 MB
Page 140 of 419

Charging System Light
/+I
The charging system light
will come on briefly when
you turn on the ignition,
as
a check to show you
it’s working. Then it will
go out.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the charging system. It could
indicate that
you have a loose 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 worhng, 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. Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on
briefly when
you turn the
BRAKE I
ignition key to RUN. If it
doesn’t
come on then, have
(0 (7)
:;:;gu if there’s
it fixed so it will be ready
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice thatthe pedal is
harder to gush. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, or if the
ProCarManuals.com
Page 145 of 419

NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while, your emission controls may not
work as well, your fuel economy may not be as
good and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered by your warranty.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition
is on and the engine is not
running.
If the light doesn’t come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:
0 Light Flashing -- A misfire condition has been
detected.
A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer
or qualified service center diagnosis
and service is required.
Light On Steady -- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service
may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed.
Avoiding hard accelerations.
Avoiding steep uphill grades.
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as
soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light
Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do
so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine.
If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light
Is On Steady” following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.
2-71
ProCarManuals.com
Page 146 of 419

If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did
you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If
so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or improperly installed.
A loose or
missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. A few driving trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the light off.
Did
you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If
so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out.
A few driving trips should turn the light off.
Are you low on fuel?
As your engine starts to run out of fuel, your engine may
not run as efficiently as designed since small amounts of
air are sucked into the fuel line causing a misfire. The
system can detect this. Adding fuel should correct this
condition. Make sure to install the fuel cap properly. It
will take a few driving trips to turn the light off. Have you recently changed brands
of fuel?
If
so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel (see
“Fuel” in the Index). Poor fuel quality will cause your
engine not
to run as efficiently as designed. You may
notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling when
you put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation
on acceleration or stumbling
on acceleration. (These
conditions
may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the light
to turn on.
If you experience one or more
of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use.
It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light
off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your dealer or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your dealer has the proper
test equipment and
diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.
2-72
ProCarManuals.com
Page 161 of 419

Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section, you'll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your Pontiac. Be
sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
3-2
3-2
3-4
3-4
3-8
3-8
3-8
3-9
3- 10
Comfort Controls
Air Conditioning, Air Conditioning with
Electronic Controls Air Conditioning, Air Conditioning with
Automatic and Auxiliary Temperature Control
Heating, Air Conditioning with
Electronic Controls
Heating, Air Conditioning with Automatic
and Auxiliary Temperature Controls
Ventilation System and Tips
Tips for Defogging and Defrosting
Rear Window Defogger Setting the Clock 3- 10
3-15
3-24
3-26
3-29
3-30 3-30
3-30
3-3 1
3-32
3-32
3-32 Radios
CD Adapter Kit
Trunk Mounted CD Changer
Theft-Deterrent Feature
Steering Wheel Controls
Understanding Radio Reception Adding Sound Equipment to Your
Tips About Your Audio System
Care
of Your Cassette Tape Player
Care of Your Compact Discs
Fixed Mast Antenna
Backglass Antenna
.. :le
ProCarManuals.com
Page 162 of 419

Comfort Controls
Air Conditioning with Electronic Controls
Temperature Knob
The center knob changes the temperature of.the air
coming through the system. Turn this
knob toward
red (clockwise) for warmer air. Turn it toward blue
(counterclockwise) for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The right knob has several settings to control the
direction
of airflow:
MAX: This setting recirculates much of the air inside
your vehicle and sends it through the instrument
panel outlets. The air conditioning compressor will
run automatically in this setting: unless the outside
"
With this system, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle. The system works best
if
you keep your windows closed while using it. rJ UPPER: This setting brings in outside air and
temperature
is below
38 OF (3.3 O C). (Even when the
compressor is running, you can control the temperature.)
+e
Fan Knob
airects it through the instrument panel outlets.
-+a
The left knob selects the amount of air you want. To turn *'- BI-LEVEL: This setting brings in outside air and
the fan off, turn
fie knob to OFF. The fan must be on tQ directs it two Ways. Half Of the air is directed through
run the air conditioning compressor, the instrument panel outlets. Most of the remaining air is
directed through the floor ducts and a little
to the defrost
and
side window vents.
3-2
ProCarManuals.com
Page 163 of 419

0
t' FLOOR: This setting sends most of the air
through the ducts near the floor. The remaining airflow
comes out of the defroster and side window vents.
4' DEFOG: This setting allows half of the air to go
to the
floor ducts and half to the defroster and side
window vents.
w.
DEFROST This setting directs most of the
air through the defroster vent. Some of the air goes
to the floor ducts and the side window vent. The air
conditioning compressor will run automatically in
this setting unless the outside temperature is below
38°F (3.3"C).
Air Conditioning COI - --- -1r Button
Press the A/C button to operate the air conditioning
compressor. The indicator light above the button will
glow when the button is pressed. ,You don't have to press
the button
to run the compressor in MAX or DEFROST
because
it will already be running in these modes.
Air Conditioning
On very hot days, open the windows long enough to let
hot, inside air escape. This reduces the time for the
vehicle
to cool down.
For quick cool-down on very hot days, use
MAX with
the temperature knob all the way in the blue area.
If this
setting is used
for long periods of time, the air in your
vehicle may become too dry.
For normal cooling on hot days, use UPPER with the
temperature knob in the blue area and the
A/C button
pushed in. The system will bring in outside
air and cool it.
On cool, but sunny days, the sun may warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
You can use BI-LEVEL with the temperature knob in
the middle and the A/C button pushed in. The system
will bring in outside air and direct it to your upper body,
while sending slightly warmed air to your lower body.
You may notice this temperature difference more at
some times than others.
3-3
ProCarManuals.com
Page 164 of 419

Heating
On cold days use FLOOR with the temperature knob all
the
way in the red area. The system will bring in outside
air, heat it and send
it to the floor ducts.
If your vehicle has an engine coolant heater, you can use
it to help your system provide warm air faster when it’s
cold outside
0°F (- 18 “C) or lower. An engine coolant
heater
warns the coolant your engine and heating
system use
to provide heat. See “Engine Coolant
Heater” in the Index.
Ventilation
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use UPPER, with the AK button off,
to direct outside air through your vehicle. Your vehicle
also has the flow-through ventilation system described
later in this section.
Defogging and Defrosting
Your system has two settings for clearing the front and
side windows.
To defrost the windows quickly, use
DEFROST with the temperature knob all the way in the
red area. To warm passengers while keeping the
windows clean, use
DEFOG.
Air Conditioning with Automatic and
Auxiliary Temperature Control
(If Equipped)
With this system, you set a “desired cabin” temperature.
You can then either let the system automatically
control
airflow direction and amount (to maintain the desired
cabin temperature)
or you can manually adjust it. The
system works best
if you keep your windows closed
while using it.
3-4
ProCarManuals.com
Page 165 of 419

Automatic Control Dual Zone Button Light
For the most efficient operation, you should set the
system temperature and press AUTO. The system will
select the best fan speed and airflow settings to keep you
comfortable. The air conditioning compressor will run if
the outside temperature is above
38 OF (3.3 O C). You may
notice a delay of three to four minutes before the fan
comes on.
Driver's Temperature Knob
The left knob sets the temperature for the entire system
when the light on DUAL button isn't lit.
If the light is
lit, the knob sets the temperature for the driver. Turn the
knob toward red (clockwise) to raise the desired cabin
temperature. Turn it toward blue (counterclockwise) to
lower the temperature. The display will show your
selection for a few seconds, then the outside temperature
will show or be displayed.
Passenger's Temperature Knob
The right knob sets the desired cabin temperature for the
passenger and will automatically force the system into a
dual zone operation, lighting the dual zone button light.
Turn the right knob toward red (clockwise) to raise the
temperature. Turn it toward blue (counterclockwise) to
lower the temperature. The
dual zone button light indicates whether the system
is in single zone
or dual zone operation. When there is
no desire for dual zone operation, push the lit dual zone
button to return to single zone operation. The dual zone
button light will
go off.
The system will operate to achieve your comfort set
point as quick as possible. If you set the temperature for
60°F (16°C)
or 90°F (32"C), the fan will go to it's
highest speed, unless you manually select a lower speed.
The system will maintain full cold or full hot operation
at these settings.
Cold Weather Example: (When you start the vehicle in
cold weather, below freezing or after being parked
overnight). If your Driver Set Temperature is 73°F
(23 "C) and you are in Full Automatic mode, the system
will automatically move the temperature doors to full
hot. The blower will start out at a low speed and the
blower speed will increase
as the engine warms up. The
air will be delivered to the floor. As the interior of the
vehicle warms up to your desired comfort point, the
blower will decrease and
the temperature door will
move to a cooler position to maintain your desired
comfort. As the cabin warms
up or the sun load
increases, the system could switch to air delivered
to the windshield and the floor. (Defog mode)
3-5
ProCarManuals.com
Page 166 of 419

Hot Weather Example: (When you start the vehicle in
Hot weather,
80°F (27 O C) or after being parked during
the day in full sun). If your Driver Set Temperature
is73"F
(23°C) and you are in Full Automatic mode. The
system will automatically move the temperature doors
to
full Cold. The blower will be at low speed momentarily
and then
go to high blower. The air intake will be
recirculated for maximum cooling performance. As the
interior
of the vehicle cools down to your desired
comfort point, the blower will decrease and the
temperature door will move to a warmer position to
maintain your desired comfort. As the cabin cools down
or the sun load decreases the system could switch
to air
delivered to
A/C vents and the floor. (Bi-level mode)
Manual Control
Fan Buttons
The fan buttons select the amount of air you want when
the system is not in
AUTO. The display will show the
fan speed
by illuminating a maximum of seven fan bars.
Mode Button
The center panel has several settings to control the
direction
of airflow when the system is not in AUTO.
The indicator light
on the button will glow when the
button is pressed. To access the various modes available,
continue to press the MODE button until the desired
mode appears on the display.
RECIRC: This setting recirculates much of the air
inside your vehicle and sends it through the instrument
panel outlets. The air conditioning compressor will run
automatically in this setting unless the outside
temperature is below 3
8 OF (3.3 " C).
4*
/J UPPER: This setting brings in the outside air and
directs it through the instrument panel outlets.
3-6
ProCarManuals.com
Page 167 of 419

+*
+' BI-LEV: This setting brings in the outside air and
directs it two ways. Half of the air
is directed through
the instrument panel outlets. Most of the remaining air is
directed through the floor ducts and a little to the defrost
and side window vents.
+' LOWER: This setting sends most of the air
through the ducts near the floor. The remaining airflow
comes out
of the defroster and side window vents.
+' DEFOG: This setting allows half of the air to go to the
floor ducts and half to the defroster and side window vents.
0
w.
DEF: This setting directs most of the air through
the defrost vent. Some of the air goes
to the floor ducts
and the side window vents The air conditioning
compressor will run automatically in this setting unless
the outside temperature is below
38°F (3.3"C).
Air Conditioning
On very hot days, open the windows long enough to let
hot, inside air escape. This reduces the time
for the
vehicle to cool down.
For quick cool-down on very hot days, use RECLRC.
If this setting is used for long periods of time, the air in
your vehicle may become too dry.
For normal cooling on hot days, use UPPER with the
A/C button pushed in. The system will bring in outside
air and cool it.
On cool, but sunny days, the sun may warm your upper
body, but your lower
body may not be warm enough.
You can use BI-LEV with the A/C button pushed in.
The system will bring in outside air and direct it to your
upper body, while sending slightly warmed air to your
lower body. You may notice this temperature difference
more at some times than others.
ProCarManuals.com