1981 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO check engine

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Pressing the control will send waier' or 'other cleaning agent onto the
wlildshield until control is released and will also cause the wiper lever to move
thus starting the wiper mOtOL The wiper will continue to operate until manually
turned off at the wiper
control lever.
Fill the washer jar only 3/4 full during the winter to allow for expanson iI the
temperature
should fall low enough to freeze the solution.
• Check the washer fluid level regularly. Do it ofIen when the weattier . is bad.
• Use a fluid such as GM Optikleen to help prevent freezing damage, and for
better cleaning . Be sure to put the fluid in the proper reservoiL
• Do not use radiator antifreeze in the windshield washer; it could cause
paint damage.
• In cQld weather, warm the windshield with the defrosters before using the wesher--to help prevent Icing that may block the driver's vision.
Delay Wiper System
If equipped with this optional feature the wipers may be operated in anyone of
four positions;
DELAY , LO, HIGH or MIST . The Delay position provides
intermittent wiper operation during periods of light rain, mist or fog when
continuous Wiping.
is unnecessary . The 'Mist feallJe provides momentary low
speed wiper operation when needed .
The
Delay feature is actuated by sliding the wiper control knob to the first pOsition to the right of "OFF" .. The amount of delay between wipes is controlled by rotating the control knob .
.• , Maximum delay (slowest wiper speed) is obtained by rotating the control " .. ",. 'l •
The delay interval decreases (increased wiper speed) as the control knob is rotated clockwise. Full clockwise rotation will allow the wipers to operate as if in Low speed.
• The delay feature may be actuated and adjusted for delay cycling at any
time. However , the delay feature will be canceled, ij the control knob is
placed in Low or High speed positions,
MIST OFF DELAY LOW HIGH
Low speed is obtained by sliding the control knob to the second position to the right.
High speed is obtained by sliding the control knob to the extreme right position.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The Mist feature, intended to remove incidental windshield spray such as from."
passing vehicles is activated by moving the control knob to the extreme left ,­
and holding it in this posnion. The wipers will continue to operate until tile
control knob is released and allowed to return to the OFF position . .
The washer system is operated by depressing the control knob for one or two
seconds in any position.
In the OFF position the wipers will oper,ate 3 to 5
times and then stop .
Ught Switch
The three-position light switch controls the headlights, taillights, parking ~ghts, sidemarker lights, instrument lights. and dome lights as shown. Instrument light
intensity can
be varied by turning knob clockwise or counterclockwise. Full
counterclockwise position turns on interior light An optional head lamp warning
chime sounds when the ignition key is. placed in either the OFF, ACC or LOCK
positions. , ....
. ,-"",,.
NOTICE: When the parking lamps or t)Hd1ampS .... to be operated with the key in the OFF position, the reminder-chime can be shUt-Of' by turning the light switch knob until the instrument elu.1er Ifghts are not on. '
The headlarnp circuit is protected by a circuit breaker in the light switch. An
overload on the breaker will,cau$e the lamps to "flicker" on and off. If this
condnion develops , have your ·headlamp wiring checked immediately. The
headlight beam changer is located in the Turn Signal Lever; for operation see
Section 2 under heading "Turo Signal and Headlight Beam Lever."
Headlight High ,Beam Indicator Ught
The he!).dlights of your vehicle have high and ... loW beams to provide you with
proper nighttime visibility for most driving condnions. The "low" beams are
used during most city driving . The
"high" beams are especially useful when
driving on dark roads sinCe they provide long range illumination . The headlight
beam indicator light (located on the speedometer face) will be
ON whenever
the high beams or "brights " are in use. The turn signal l headlight beams and is described in "Steering Column Controls ."
Headlamp "ON" Warning Chime
The optional headlarrl> reminder chime provides' an audible warning thai the
main
light switch is in one 0/ the "on" posnions, either parking lights or
headlights. .
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ~
SLiOING ROOF .. PANEL OPEN
ELECTRIC POWER CONTROLSWITCI:I
~ ~RIVEGEAR I~(CCESS PLUG
ROTATE TO CLOSE
REMOVABLE GLASS ROOF PANELS
CAUTION: To help avoid personal i~ Mdtor equi~ ctamage..
/
• Do not unkK:k the roof pane' latehe. or try to remove the penefs whi.., the car I, moving. Otherwise. the panels may become 8 hazard by falling into the car Or flying off.
• A.fter removiOg -me roof panels. place them in the protectiv.' bag provided and stow them in'the trunk. This will help keep the parwNS from being thrown about and injuring people . in the car in an accident. an.d will help prOtect the panels.
•
After putting roof panels back in place. always check th8tthey __ h.av .. ,~n-fil1Tlly latched by pushing up on the underside of MCh pan ...
The op)ipnal .gl¥s. p~nelscan be removed and stored in their protective
storage bags (in'the trtJrik)·asfoilOws:.. .'
1 . Unlatch the glass panel by pulling down the release handle at the outer
edge of the
p~nel.
2. Raise th;' outer edge of the glasS slightly and pull toward you to release it
from the center
molding.
3. Store eaCh glass panel in its separate storage bag.
4 . To install the panels, reverse this procedure .
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine SECTION 3
IN CASE OF ,EM,ERGENCY
See also "Engine ,ExhausIGas Caution (Carbon Monoxide)" at the beginning
of
"Starting and Operating ." Section 2 of this manual.
FOUR.WAYHAZARD WARNING FLASHER
• Use the hazard warning flasher to warn other drivers any time your vehicle
becomes a traffic hazard , day or night
• 'Avoid stopping 00 the roadway if. possible .
•
Turn on ·the haz,ard warning flasherb{ pushing In the button (inSide the COllar) located on the cOlumn just'behind the steering whee ,l. The 'flasher wUl work with1he ignition either off or on,
",'
• The turn SIgnalS ao not wOl1< wnen me hazard flasher is on,
• 'On·$ome·,V:!>tJiC~S;,j\tj:l~i9[~~",~}S pushed down,the fights will not
flash; they will stay on utitiltne 'Brake iS,'released , ,
•
To turn off the flasher . pull the buttOflcoliar out.
EMERGENCY STARTING
NOtICE:. Do not-~.h oi tow this -Y~le_to stlW1 it. Under some cond~: "this-may· d.~a,ge the catalytic e,onverter or'other:~rt~ofthe vehicle.
Before attempting to' start. the vehicle with the jump starting 'procedUre which
tollows, check the condition of the vehicle battery cables to battery connections
to
8$sure that, theye,e free of corro~i(>n an,d tight, n they are not. correct the, condition . tJrn off the radio and ,'ot1\ and attempt to start the engine ,
II your vehicle has a discharged , battery. it can
be started ,bY' using energy from anotheL battery-,a,,'prQCedure 'called "jump starting ,'" ,
NOTICE; II yiK'-haVe yoUr 'vehiclt"'jU4 .flirted by. "";kie _Uon or 'wrecker. be sur. iheequlpm8ntu~ ,is 12-yott and' ~":' neg.tlve ground. DO NOT · ALLOW THE USE OF 2A-VOL t 'CHAR'GINO .EOlHPMENT,,_ uSingsucti equipment cn cau .. serioUl damage to the e~ar system Of efre%nic~rta in your V'8hide._
Jump Starting
CAUTION: Better •• produce expJOlive gnea , corroaive acid and "vela of electrical current high enough 10 cause burns. To IeUen the chance of person.1 injury or property -damage, the Instruction, below must be fOllowed ex.ctly.
"

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine • Always wear eye protection or shiekI your eyet when ,workmg .....,. My battery. Do not lean over a, battery. Remove .11 met.1 jewelry.
• Never expose .-battery to open fIanea eM' e~ sparb. -AlIa. do no( smoke near a battery.
• 00 not .llow battery acid to c:ontact eyes._IIdn. f~or painted autfaces. FLUSH ANY CONTACTED ARE"WlTH W"TER '_OtATELY AND THOIlOUGHLY. GET MEDICAL HELP IF EYES ARE AFFECTED.
• Be sure ' the Jumper cabie. or clampt to be used for jump starting do not have lOose or missing insulation. Do not prPCeed if $Uitable c.bae. .... not avanable. "
• Thi" vehicle has • 12-volt. batt.ry and a _ negative ground electrical .ystem. Make sure that -the other vehkte abo ha. a 12-vott battery .nd that tt .. the negative (~k II";"''') terminal which i. grounded (anached to the engine btoc:k). Hs owner's manual may give you that information. 00 NOT TRY TO JUMP START IF YOU ARE UNSURE OF THE OTHER VEHICLES VOl.TAGE ORGROOND (OR F THE OTHER VEHICLE'S VOLTAGE AND/OR Gr:tOUND ARE DIFFERENT FROM YOUR VEHICLE).
e. • eithel t'latIetY has flUer c:ap', check the flukt -leveL (Do _ no( cheek wlUl an open ta.M.> If lOw, flll'tO-ttle proper leVel with cia.,. drinking water. Replace aU c:aps before jump atarting.
e Do not allow metal tools to contact both the positive (red "+ ") battMy tennil\al (or any metal connected to thl. tenninal) and .ny other metal on either vehicle at the -same -tIme. ",.ke c:ertillin when .ftaching th6 Jumper c.~ elamps to the positive terminals Of the batteriet: _that neither clamp contacts. MY other metal •
• ' Alway. make the final ~o-"nectlon to' ground, (a adlid, .tatlon.ty, metallic object) on the engine at '~ast4SO 'millimeter. (18 Inches) from the battery.
Procedure ~~~i~._ 1. posill oW\he ·,verncJe with the good (cnarged) .!>allery so that the jumper cables will reach. Do not let th'1vehiclestouch ..
2. Turn off all elec .ltic motors, lights and accessories in both vehicles, except
the hazard flasher or any light~ need!ld for the work area. Turn ott the
ignition ,. apply the perkingbiilke' fi'rmly, and· shift the automatic
tr.ansmission to
"P"(Park) in both vehicles.
3. Jum~r Cable Connj!ction Instructions (See Illustration).
• Connecflhe
first jurnpercable to the positive " +" (red) terminal on
one battery, and. then to the positive" +" (red) terminal on the other
battery .
Never conlledt " +" (redl,to "-" (black), or "-" to " + ".
• Next, COnnect one endot theseC(jnd cable to the grounded negative "-"(black) terminal of the good (charged) battery.
• Lastly. c<;>nnect the other end· of the second jumP'l' cable to ground at least 450 millimeters (18 inches) from the discharged battery, to a solid, stationery, metallic object on the engine. Do not route the cable,
or
attach the clamp on or near pulleys, fans, or other parts that will
move when the engine is started , Be careful to noUouch hot engine
parts
as they can cause burns. The MOUNTING BRACKETS for the Delcotron (generator), or the ainlOnditioner compressor, generally
make a good point for this final ground attachment, ~ hot· or moving
parts c"" be avoided.
3-2

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine "the "TEMP" light comes on (or, if you have a 900lant temperature gage, the
gage needle goes into the warning zone) and your air conditioner is on, turn it
off.
If the "TEMP" light (or gage) comes on while you are stopped in traffic,
shift the transmission to
"N" (Neutral).
If the "TEMP" light doesn't go off (or the gage needle doesn't start to drop)
within a minute or two:
• Pull over to a safe Place ""d stop the vehicle. Set the parking brake and
shift to "P" (Park) 9r, with a manual transmission, shift to Neutral first, then
set the parking brake.
• DON'T TURN OFF THE ENGINE. INCREASE THE ENGINE SPEED until it
sounds like it's going about twice as fast as normal idle speed. Bring the
idle speed back to normal
after two or three minutes.
tfthe "TEMP" light still doesn't 90 off, (or the gage needle doesn't start to
drop),
NOW TURN OFF THE ENGINE and proceed as follows.
•
lift the engine hood. Look at the coolant level in the "see through" coolant
recovery tank. The coolant level. should be at or above the "Full Cold"
mark on the tank. If it looks like the coolant is boiling, wait until it stops
before proceeding. You should not need to remove the radiator cap to
check the coolant
level and. it can be dangerous if the coolant is still hot. See the following Caution.
CAUTION: To help avoid being burned:
"'-'''''''''i',",,;0-Fc:io'ffi)tcremoy'J~_ c;<)olant recovery tank cap if the coolant is boiling, and
• do not remove -the radiatorc:ap WhilethIit8ngine'-aUid:radiltor a,.Slili hot.
Scalding fluid and steamean be released under pressure it either cap is taken off too soon,
-;<
• If coolant level is low:
•
looklorleaks at the radiator hoses and connections, heater hoses and
connections,
r"diator,and water pump. See that the. fan belts are not
broken or off the pulleys an.d that the fan turns when the engine is started,
•
Add coolant to the recovery tahk.
If
the cQolant level in the recovery tank is althe correct lellel arid the "TEMP"
light (gage) still co"",s.dn,. air may be tr~ in the cooling system, This may
stop coolant from returning to the radiator. In this case, you may have to add
coolant directly to the radiator.
See "Coolant Replacement" under engine
cooling system
in "Service and Maintenance," Section 5 of this manual. Follow
steps 1 and 10. for the correct way to remove the radiator cap and add .coolant
to the radiator.
After the
"TEMP" light is out (or the gage needle is out of the warning zone),
resume driving at a reduced speed. Return to normal driving after about ten
minutes if the light does not come back
on (or the gage needle does not go
back into the warning zone).
3-4

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Compact Spare
The-compact spare tire is designed to.save-space in your trunk, and its lighter
weight makes it easier to install if a flat tire occurs. The lighter weight also
helps
improve fuel economy.
If you have a flat tire, follow the japking .instructions in this manual, while keeping these points in mind:
• Check the tire inflation pressure as soon as practical after installing the
spare (we suggest you use a pOcket-type high-pressure inflation gage) and
adjust to 415
kPa (60 psi). The tire pressure should be checked at least
monthly and kept at 415 kPa (60 psi) while the tire is stored.
c"""'.M~llijIW.9u~ use at speeds over 50 mph (80 km/h) is not recommended.
NOTICE: -Bec~us~ this tire is, smaller than the standard tire,-vehicle ground clearance is reduced. Avoid driving over obstacles, -and do 'not take your car through an automatic car wash -while _ the spare is installed. The car may catch on the equipment, possibly resulting in property damage.
• You can expect tread ,life up to 3,660 rhiles(4800 kilometers), depending onJqact~ondi~ions and your driving ~~bits. To conserve tire tread life, returri the -spare to _ the storage area as soon as the standard tire _ can be
repaired or replaced.
•
Because the compact spare was specifically designed for your car, it should not be used on any.other vehicle.
• The
compact spare tire and wheel are cfesigned for use with each other.
The comp,,:ct spare tire should not be mounted on any other type of wheel,
and the compact spare wheel should not have any other type of tire mounted on it. Also, do not try to use wheel covers or trim rings on the
compact spare wheel since they will not fit. If such use is attempted,
damage to these items or other vehicle components may occur.
• Do not use tire chains with your compact spare tire. Because of the smaller
tire size, a tire ChaiR will not fit properly. This could cause damage to the car and result in loss of the chain.
3-8

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine SECTION 5
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
CAUTION: As with any mletdne, take car. when making any check, doing any maintenance, or making any repair, to avoid being Injured. Note that some of the materials in this vehicle may be hazardous if used, serviced , or handled improperly. Improper or incomplete servl'c. could alao lead to the vehicle ItMn not working properly which may resuH in personal Injury, or damage to the vehicle or its equipment. n you holy. any question about carrying out some service, hoIv. the service done by a skilled technician.
REPLACEMENT FASTENERS
During vehicle maintenance , any fasteners used to replace older ones must
h ,ave the same measurements and strength as those removed, whether metric or customary. (The numbers on the heads of metric bolts and on the surface s
of metric nuts show their strength . Customary
bolts use radial lines to show
thi s,
while most customa ry nuts do not have strength markings.) Fasteners
taken from the vehicle should be saved for re-use in the same spot when
possible . Where a fastener cannot be used again, take care to choo se a
repla cement that matches the old one. For information and help , see your dealer. .
CAUTION: This vehicle has some parts dimensioned in the metric system as well .. in the customary system. Some fasteners are metric and are very close in dimensnion to well· known customary fasteners in the inch system. Mismatched or incorrect fasteners
can result tnda~tp ~ vehic" or possibly personal Injury.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AND WARRANTY
FOLDERS
For owner convenience, a separate folder has been provided with your vehicle which contains a complete maintenance schedule. It also briefly describes the
safety I emission control, lubrication and general service your vehicle requires.
The Maintenance Schedule folder is supplemented by this section of the
Owner 's
Manual.
Two Warranty Folders are also furnished with your Vehicle. These provide
detailed information on the :
• t981 Chevrolet New Vehicle Lim ited Warranty
• 1981 Chevrolet Perforation From Corrosion Limited Warranty
• 1981 Emissions Control Systems Warranties, including:
•
Emission Components Defect Warranty
• Emission Pertormance Warranty
• 1981 Chevrolet Powertrain Lirnited Warranty -Power Protection Plus
Read all four publications for a full understanding of your vehicle 's
maintenance needs.
You can get a replacement Maintenance Schedule from your dealer or send
the
VIN (or serial numbe r) of your vehicle to Consumer Relations, Chevrolet
Cent ral Office, Chevrolet Motor Division, Warren, Michigan 48090.
5-1