1973 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO ignition

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The instruments, gauges and
indicator lights conveniently
grouped in the instrument cluster
Fuel Gauge
This electrically operated gauge
registers correctly when the igni­
tion switch
is in the "on" position.
When the ignition switch
is turned
"off", the needle will not neces­
sarily return to the empty mark
but may stop at any point on dial. are
designed to tell you at a
glance many important things
about the performance of your
car. The foIlowing information
Oil Pressure Indicator Light
This light will be on when the
ignition switch
is turned on and
s hould
go out after the engine is
started. OccasionaIly the light may
be seen to flicker momentarily,
but this will do no harm. How­
ever , if the light remains on during
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will enable you to more quickly
understand and properly interpret
these instruments .
normal driving speeds the engine
should be stopped until the cause
of the trouble ca n be located and
corrected. Driving the
car with
low oil pressure can cause serious
engine damage.

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This light provides a quick
check on the generating system
of your car. The red light will
go on when the ignition key
is
in the "on" position, but before
the engine
is started. After the
engine starts, the light should go
out and remain out.
If the light
remains on when engine
is run­
ning , have your Authorized Chev­
rolet Dealer locate and correct
the trouble
as soon as possible.
Engine Temperature
Indicator Light
This indicator light is provided
in the
instrument cluster to
quickly warn of an overheated
engine. With the ignition switch
in the
START position, the red
TEMP indicator will light to let
you know that it
is operating
properly. When the engine
is started, the red
light will go out immediately.
It will light up at no other time
unless for some reason the engine
reaches a dangerously high oper­
ating temperature.
If the red light
should come on, the engine must
be stopped until the cause of the
overheating
is corrected. Glance
at instrument cluster frequently
as
you drive to see if this light is on.
Brake System Warning Light
The service brake system is
designed so that half of the brake
system will provide some braking
action in the event of a hydraulic
leak in the other half of the
sys­
tem. If the warning light located
below the fuel gauge glows con­
tinuously when the ignition
is on
and after the brakes have been
firmly applied, it may indicate that
there
is a malfunction in one half
of the brake hydraulic system.
27
• As a check on bulb condition
the light should glow with the
parking brake applied and the
ignition on. (Light
is also a
reminder to release parking
brake) .
• Have system repaired if light
does not come on during check.
• This warning light is not a sub­
stitute for the visual check of
brake fluid level required
as
part of normal maintenance.
If the light glows red:
• The parking brake control is not
fully released or,
• The service brake system is
partially inoperative
What to do:
1. Check that the parking brake
is released. If it is ...
2. Pull off the road and stop,
carefully- remembering that:

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1
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O'v RPM !lOa -"-50
Optional Instrument and
Gauges
Tachometer
The optional Tachometer indi­
cates the speed of the engine in
revolutions per minute. The yellow
area on the face of the tachometer
indicates the highest recommended
engine rpm. Engine operation
causing tachometer indications in
Engine Temperature Gauge
This optional gauge indicates
coolant temperature which will
vary with air temperature and op­
erating conditions. The ignition
switch must be on for accurate
readings. Hard driving
or pro­
longed idling in very hot weather
29
or above the red area can lead to
serious engine damage. Function
of the oil pressure light if
so
equipped is described on page 26.
When the ignition switch key
is
turned to the OFF position, the
pointer may not necessarily return
'
to the 0 RPM position. For the
tachometer
to register 0 RPM the
key must be in the
ON position
and engine not running.
will cause the pointer to move
beyond the center of the band.
Should pointer move to the line at
the
"H" end of the band, stop
engine
or reduce speed to permit
engine to cool. With Air Injection
Reactor System, the needle will
frequently move beyond the center
of the band.

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CONTROLS
using washer -to help prevent
icing that may seriously obscure
vision.
Air Vents
The air vents under the instru­
ment panel admit air from the vent
grille just ahead of the windshield.
A push-pull control opens and
closes the vents.
The amount of air entering the
car through this system
is depend­
ent upon vehicle speed.
The vent lever controls under the
instrument panel control the
air
flow through the instrument
panel center outlets (upper) and
outlets under the instrument panel.
NOTE: See engine exhaust gas
caution at the beginning of this
section.
Ventilation System
Your Monte Carlo incorporates
a ventilation system that pro­
vides improved ventilation com-
32
fort, made possible by the addition
of air vent provisions in the rear
body lock pillar. Another feature
of the system
is continuous low­
speed operation of the heater and
air conditioner blower, resulting
in
an uninterrupted supply of outside
air
flow into the car whenever the
ignition switch
is on.
Wth the side windows closed,
outside air will
flow into the front
grilles, through the car and out the
rear air exhaust valves.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Heater
The windshield defrosting and
defogging system assists in provid­
ing good visibility through desig­
nated areas of the windshield under
most inclement weather conditions.
For immediate operation of the ve­
hicle , the windshield should be
scraped clear.
Lower Lever
Push the lower lever (Tempera­
ture)
as required to give the desired
degree of heat. Full right position
provides maximum heat. Move the defroster
lever (upper) to the right
when windshield defrost
is needed.
When this lever
is in the OFF posi­
tion , air
is directed up under the in­
strument panel through a venting
door. Full right position diverts the
entire air
flow to the defroster out­
lets. Vary lever
as required.
Fan
The fan lever has three (3) po­
sitions from
LO at the bottom to
HI at the top.
NOTE: Fan will automatically op-
34
erate (after engine coolant temper- /,
ature has reached 85°
F.) whenever
ignition switch
is in the ON posi­
tion. There
is no OFF position.
Operate system for
30 seconds
before switching to
"DEF." This
will remove humid air from the
system and minimize rapid fogging
of the glass which
can occur if
humid air
is blown onto a cool
windshield.
Heater Operating Tips
• Clear snow and ice from hood
and air inlet in front of wind­
shield to improve heater and de­
froster efficiency and reduce the
probability of fogging on inside
of windshield.
• Clear windshield, rear window,
outside mirrors and all side win­
dows
of ice and snow before
driving vehicle.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine and repeat procedures outlined
for AM band setting.
NOTE: Bands cannot be changed
if push button
is unlocked.
Antenna
The radio antenna is incorpo­
rated in the windshield glass.
If
necessary, adjustments for maxi ­
mum antenna effectiveness can be
made
by your authorized Chevro­
let dealer.
To Tune Your AM-FM
Stereo Radio
• Tune radio to an FM Stereo sta­
tion (one which makes the indi­
cator light come
on).
• Turn the lever behind the sta­
tion selector knob until volume
from front and rear speakers
sounds equal.
• Regulate volume and tone con­
trols
as required.
Stereo Tape System
The optional Stereo Tape Player
provides prerecorded stereo pro­
grams for your enjoyment.
39
To play, turn ignition switch to
"ON" or "ACC" position and in­
sert cartridge through tape door
with label side up and open end
in
first. Tape will play through all
four programs in succession , then
replay in same sequence. Balanc­
ing the speakers
is not required as
this adjustment has been made at
the factory. Should it become nec­
essary to make this adjustment,
see your Chevrolet dealer.
1. Rotate Fader control unit vol­
ume until volume from front
and rear speakers sound equal.
2. Regulate volume control and
tone controls
as desired.
3. To change program track, push
in volume control knob and
release; player will index to
next track.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The chart on the previous page, and the information on the pages which follow, contains information designed to aid the average driver to discover, and possibly correct, conditions resulting in minor
mechanical difficulties in his cor. The chart, designed to point out
possible solutions to several of the most common automotive mal­functions and point out a logical checking sequence, will lead step by step to the most likely causes and corrective procedures. If, after making the checks and adjustments suggested,' the source of the
trouble has not been found and corrected, it is strongly recom­mended that an Authorized Chevrolet Dealer inspect the vehicle and make whatever repairs or adjustments are necessary.
FUEL SYSTEM AND ENGINE
If the ignition switch will cause the engine to "turn over" or "crank" but the cor will not start,
check Steps A through D below. NOTE: If continual "f1ooding" of the carburetor is evidenced by a carburetor wet with fuel or black exhaust smoke, perform the operation suggested in par­agraph 0 only. (A) The first and most obvious, and one of the most frequently Checlcing Fuel Flow
68
overlooked, items to check when you have difficulty in starting your car is the amount of fuel in the tank. Make it a habit to check the FUEL GAUGE regularly and most especially at a time' when the engine will not start. (B) If the fuel tank is not empty, you may check further to see whether the fuel is reaching the carburetor_ Disconnect the fuel line at the carburetor and remove the center (ground the secondary coil
terminal or disconnect the primary wire from the coil to the dis­tributor at the coil) wire from the coil tower. Place a jar or cup under the open line and briefly "crank" the engine by means of the starter. If fuel spurts from the fitting, you may assume that the FUEL LINES are clear and the FUEL PUMP is operating properly. If no fuel leaves the line, either the
fuel lines or fuel pump are at fault. See your Authorized Chev­rolet Dealer. (C) Before reconnecting the fuel
line to the carburetor, remove the FUEL FILTER from the carburetor inlet and check its condition. If it appears to be clean, replace it and reconnect the fuel line. Re­place the filter if it appears to be plugged. (0) If the fuel seems to be reaching the carburetor properly, the problem may be: an EMPTY Fuel Filter
CARBURETOR BOWL caused by a "stuck shut" carburetor; a flOODED CARBURETOR caused by a "stuck open" condition and evidenced by gasoline seeping down and around outside of the carburetor; or a stuck CHOKE valve. Remove the air cleaner from
the carburetor. Check that the choke valve moves freely and is not
stuck. (Don't mistake normal spring tension for a stuck valve.) Tap the side of the carburetor sharply several times with a light tool such

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine as a screwdriver handle or pliers. Replace the oir cleaner and attempt to start the engine in the normal manner. (E) If the car will start but stalls when hot or has a rough idle, you can suspect a faulty IDLE ADJUSTMENT, a malfunctioning AUTOMATIC CHOKE or an extremely dirty and blocked AIR CLEANER ELEMENT. Replace paper element air cleaner if necessary. Idle adjustment or automatic choke service (other than that outlined in paragraph 0 above) should be performed by your Chevrolet
Dealer. If the above Fuel System checks and the checks suggested under
the Electrical System following do not correct the malfunction, it is recommended that you turn to your Authorized Chevrolet Dealer
for further checks, adjustments or repairs. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM If when the ignition key is turned to "Start", the engine will not turn' over, yOu have good reason to suspect electrical trouble. NOTE: Never'remove Delcotron bat lead without first disconnecting battery ground cable. IF) When there is no response at all to attempts to start the car,
check the obvious-your AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER must be in Neutral or Park position (manual transmission
must have clutch depressed all the way to floor) before the engine
can be starfed. Turning the IGNITION SWITCH rapidly back and forth several times will sometimes correct a poor internal switch
contact.
(GI The BATTERY may be discharged. If so, lights will be dim and the horn will have a poor tone if it will blow at all.
Usually a garage recharge will be necessary to return the battery to operation. Occasionally, however, a long drive will recharge the battery. . , •
NOTE: If the baHery is determined to be dead, and for no apparent reason, have your :Aflthori~ed Chevrolet Dealer check the baHery, the GENERATOR and the VOLTAGE REGULATOR.
GENERATOR trouble shqiJld already have been indicated by
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the generator indicator light on the instrument panel.
POOR BATTERY CONNECTIONS may be suspected if the car has operated properly a short time before and now not even the horn will operate. Check both ends of both battery cables. If the con­nections are corroded, a car may sometimes be restored to opera­tion by removing all cable ends, scraping all contacting surfaces
clean with a pen knife, and reassembling. If the cables are broken,
they must be replaced. The power supply should now be restored unless-the battery is dead.
(HI If, however, the lights and horn work properly but the starter will still not turn over, check the STARTER connections. A "click" from the starter solenoid indicates that the wiring to the starter is properly installed. If the wiring seems to be clean and tightly in­stalled, the trouble is probably in the starter itself and should be referred to your Authorized Chevrolet Dealer.
When the engine will "turn over" but will not start, the following
items may be checked along with the Fuel Systems Checks listed previously.
(II With a clean dry cloth wipe the ce-amic portions of the spark plugs dry. In particularly damp or rainy weather dampness may be the cause of not starting, espe­
cially when the engine is cold.
(JI Check the cables at the top
of the distributor and coil as well as each spark plug cable for
tightness.
(KI If the car will still not start,
check for spark at the spark plugs in the following manner: Pull one of the spark plug
wires off its spark plug. Insert a
short piece of bare wire (such as Distributor and Coli Cables