1984 CHEVROLET CAVALIER engine overheat

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NonCE: Use only trailer hitches which permit normal operation of the Energy
Absorbing Bumper system, If so equipped. For example, a rigid fore and aft connection between the bumper and any other part of-the vehicle may increase damage in the event of a collision.
TRAILER TOWING TIPS
Getting Started
Before entering traffic with a trailer that has electric brakes, start the vehicle and trailer moving and apply the trailer brakes by hand to be sure the trailer
brakes are working and the trailer electrical system is connected.
Engine Cooling
If your engine overheats, follow the steps under "Engine Cooling System
Overheating" in "In Case of Emergency," Section 3 of this manual.
Long Uphill Grades
When going up long grades, you can reduce the chance 01 engine overheating
by turning off the air conditioner, if so equipped.
Down Steep Or Long Grades
Before going down a steep or long grade, reduce speed and shift the transaxle
into a lower gear to help control your vehicle's speed. Try not to hold the brake pedal down too long or too often. This could cause the brakes to overheat and
reduce brake effectiveness.
Transaxle
See the method for checking the transaxle fluid level in "Service and
Maintenance,"
Section 5 of this manual.
Parkin!!
You should not park vehicles with trailers on a grade (hill). However, if you
must park on a grade, these steps must be followed:
1. Apply the regular brakes.
2. Have someone place wheel chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular brakes until the
chocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transaxle to "P"(Park),
If the vehicle is parked on a grade, don't shift the transaxle to "P"(Park) until the trailer wheels are chocked and the parking brake is set. If you do, the
weight of the
vehicle and trailer may put so much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle that it may be hard to shift out of "P"(Park).
When starting, after being parked
on a grade:
1. Apply the regular brakes and hold.
2. Start the engine in "P"(Park).
3. Shift into gear and release the parking brake.
4. Release the regular brakes and drive until the chocks are free.
5. Apply the regular brakes and have someone remove the chocks.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine CAunOM: tf you need to tum oft the ... whikt the vehicte ls moving, turn the key only to "Oft." DO NOT depreSS the key release lever while turning the Ignition off._This
wln ·lock the steering column and result in loss arability to steer the vehlete.
If you have trouble turning the key to unlock the ignition, first be sure the key is
pushed in all the way . Then , try to turn the steering wheel as hard as you can .
in the direclioo the
wheels are tUrned . At the same ti me , turn the ignition kay
w~h as much eftort as you can apply with your hand. Do not try to use a tool of
any kind to
apply more force on the lock knob , as tnis could break the knob.
NOTICE: Do not park, idle, or operate your vehk:le over combustible materials, such
as grass or leaves . They couki touch the hot exhaust ay8tem and ignite.
Parking
CAUTION: Before the driver leaves this vehicle, to reduce the risk of personal injury ... resun of vehicle movement:
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2. Shift the automatic transtixle to Park or the manual tranSlale to "Reverse."
3. Tum the kef to "Lock. " On vehietn wrth manual transaxle$, __ ~ the key reiease tever and tum the key to·'Loclic. " .
4. Remove the key (the chime ia designed to remind you).
To reduce the chance of persona' injury and/or vehicle damage due' to engine overheating , never lellVe the engine Idling without an alert driver present. If the engine ahoukl overheat, as indicated by the Erlgine Coolant Temperature light Of gage,
Immediate action 1a required to correct the concIUon. Continued operation 01' the engine . enn FOA -A SHORT TtME may resutt In a fire.
TURN SIGNAL AND MULTI-FUNCTION LEVER
The turn signal lever on the left side of the steering column also controls headlight low-beam and high-beam, the windshield wiper/washer, and the
optional Cruise
Control. (See Cruise Control operatiOn in this section .)
• TUI'fI Si!Jnal -MOve the lever up .to the second stop to signal a right turn.
Move
~ down to the second stop to signal a left turn. When the turn is
completed, the signal will cancel and the lever will return to horizontal.
TURN SIGNAL
• MOVE UPWARD R.H . TURN
• MOVE DOWNWARD L.H. TURN
LANE CHANGE
• MOVE UPWARD TO 1S T STOP·CHANGE
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT LANE
• MOVE DOWNWARD TO 1ST STOP ·CHANGE FROM RIGHT TO LEFT LAN E
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine PARKING BRAKE
The parking brake lever is located between the seats .
• To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down while pulling the
parking brake
lever all the way up.
• To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down while pushing the
button in the tip of the brake
lever and lower the lever. The brake system
warning light is designed to remind you H the parking brake control is not fully released when the ignition is on. Never drive the vehicle with the
parking brake set as this will reduce rear brake effectiveness due to
overheating, shorten brake life, and may cause permanent damege, If
the parking brake does not hold the vehicle securely or does not fully release , see your dealer .
Torque Lock
The perking brake should be set first whenever leaving the driver's seat. If the vehicle is parked on a grade and the transaxle selector lever is placed in "P"
(Park) before the parking brake is set, the weight 01 the vehicle may exert so
much force on the parking pawl in the transaxle that it may be difficult to pull
selector lever out of "P" (Park). This condition Is called "torque lock." To
prevent this, the parking brake should be applied BEFORE moving the selector lever to "P" (Park).
When preparing to move the
Vehicle , the selector lever should be moved out of the "P" (Park) position BEFORE releasing the parking brake. It is good driving
practice to
set the parking brake first. then release the transaxle from "P" (Park), even on level surfaces .
n "torque lock" does oocur, it may be necessary to have another vehicle
nudge this vehicle uphill to take some of the pressure off the transaxle while
the driver pulls on the transaxle selector lever.
CLUTCH PEDAL
On models equipped with a manual transaxle a clutch pedal is used to engage
or disengage the clutch, thereby connecting or disconnecting the engine from
the transaxle and dliveline to the front wheels . When the pedal is fully
extended the clutch is engaged, driving the transaxle and the front wheels .
See "Clutch Adjustment in Section 5 of this manual.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine • Amount of fuel required for fill-up may not exactly correspond to gage.
• Needle may not move away from FULL until some time after fill-up.
• Needle may move during turns; stops and accelerations.
When the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, the needle will not
necessarily return
all the way to the EMPTY mark.
Oil Pressure Light
When the ignition is turned to "Run," the "Oil" warning light appears until the
engine is started. Thereafter, the light should be off unless there is insufficient
oil pressure or engine idle speed is below normal. If the light should come on
at any time while driving (other than momentarily at idle speed or after a
sudden stop), stop immediately and investigate the cause of
low oil pressure.
This could possibly be caused by low oil level in the crankcase. Engine
operation with low oil pressure will 9ause damage to the engine.
Engine Coolant Temperature Light
This light is located in the instrument cluster and is designed to come on to warn the driver that the engine coolant has overheated and immediate
action is required to correct the condition. As a check that the bulb and its
circuit are working, the light will come on during engine starting; if it does not,
have it repaired
promptly. If the light comes on at any other time, see "Engine
Cooling System Overheating" in "In Case of Emergency," Section 3 of this manual.
CAUTION: It the Engine Coolant Temperature Light shows an overheat condition or you have other reason to suspect the engine may be overheating, continued operation of the engine EVEN FOR A SHORT TIME may result in a fire and the risk of personal injury and/or severe vehicle damage. Take immediate action as outlined under "Engine Cooling System Overheating" in "In Case of Emergency," Section 3.
Generator Indicator Light
The VOLT light is designed to come on when the ignition key is in the "RUN" 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 running,
have your authorized
dealer locate and correct the trouble as soon as possible.
Shift Indicator Light
The Shift Indicator Light is covered in the "Manual Transaxle" information in
this section.
"Check Engine" Light
Most gasoline engine vehicles sold in the Unijed States (and some vehicles
sold
in Canada) have the Computer Command Control system.
Vehicles with the Computer Command Control system include a "CHECK
ENGINE" light
on the instrument panel designed to indicate the need for
system service. It will come on during engine starting to let you know the bulb
is working. (The light will stay on a short time after the engine starts.)
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This optional gage is located in the instrument cluster. If the gage shows that
an overheat condition exists-as indicated by pointer moving beyond the
center of the band immediate action by the driver is required. If an overheat
condition is shown, see "Engine
Cooling System Overheating" in "In Case of
Emergency,"
Section 3 of this manual. The coolant temperature indication will VaIY with air temperature and operating conditions. The ignition must be in
"Run" for accurate readings. Prolonged driving or idling in very hot weather
may cause the pointer to move beyond the center of the gage. Make a practice
of scanning this and other gages
while driving, especially in hot weather and!
or when the
vehicle is under load.
CAUTION: II the Engine Coolant Temperature Gage shows an overheat condition or you have other reason to suspect the engine may be overheating, continued operation of the engine EVEN FOR A SHORT TIME may result in a fire and the risk of personal injury and/or severe vehicle damage. Take immediate action as outlined under "Engine Cooling System Overheating" in "In Case of Emergency," Section 3.
Oil Pressure Gage
The oil pressure gage indicates the pressure at which oil is being delivered to
the vaIiOUS paIls of the engine requiring lubrication. Pressures registered by
the gage may
vBIY according to outside air temperatures or weight of oil being
used. Oil pressure of a cold engine being operated at a given speed will be
somewhat higher than when the engine is at normal operating temperature at
the
SaIne speed. Prolonged high speed operation on a hot day at the given
speed will
resuH in somewhatlower oil pressure readings. Readings of 205 to
275 kPa
(30 to 40 psi) may be considered normal during moderate road
speeds of 35 to 40 mph (55 to 60 km!h) with the engine at proper operating
temperature. Gage readings which are consistently high
or low under these conditions may indicate lubrication system and/ or engine malfunction.
Light Switch
The three· position light switch controls the headlights, taillights, paIking lights,
sidemaIker lights,
instrument lights and dome lights.
Instrument light intensity can be varied by turning knob clockwise or
counterclockwise. Full counterclockwise position turns on interior light.
The headlight circuit is protected by a circuit breaker in the
light switch. An overload on the breaker will cause the lights to "flicker" on and off. If this
condition
develops, have your headlight wiring checked immediately. The
headlight beaIn changer is located in the Turn Signal Lever; for operation see
Section 2 under heading "Turn Signal and Muiji-Function Lever."·
Headlight High Beam Indicator Light
The headlights of your vehicle have. high and low beams to provide you with
proper nighttime visibility for most driving conditions. The
"low" beams are
used during most city driving. The
"high" beams are especially useful when
driving on daIk 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 lever controls the
headlight beaIns and is described in "Steering Column Controls."
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM OVERHEATING
If you see or hear escaping steam or have other reason to suspect there is a
serious overheat condition, stop and park the vehicle as soon as it is safe
to do so and turn off the engine immediately and get out of the vehicle.
The cooling system may overheat if the coolant level is too low, if there is a
sudden
loss of coolant (such as a worn hose splitting), or if other problems occur. It may also temporarily overheat during severe operating conditions
such as:
• climbing a long hill on a hot day,
• stopping after high-speed driving,
• idling for long periods in trallic, or
• towing a trailer.
I! the Engine Coolant Temperature light comes on (or if you have an Engine
Coolant Temperature gage and it shows an overheat condition), or you have
any reason to suspect the engine may be overheating:
• tfyour air conditioner is on, turn it off.
• If you are stopped in traffic, shift the transaxle to "N" (Neutral).
If the warning light does not go off (or engine coolant temperature does not
start to drop) within a minute
Or two:
• Pull over, stop and park the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
• Let the engine run at normal idle speed for two or three minutes.
I! the warning light does not go off (or engine coolant temperature does not
start to drop),
turn off the engine and get out of the car, then proceed as
follows:
CAUTION: To help avokt being burned:
• DO NOT OPEN ntE HOOD if you see or hear steam or coolant escaping from the engine compartment. Wait until no steam or coolant can be seen or heard before opening the hood.
• DO NOT REMOVE THE RADIATOR CAP or coolant RECOVERY TANK CAP IF THE COOLANT IN THE RECOVERY TANK IS BOIUNG. Also do not remove the radiator
cap while the engine and radiator are still hot Scalding fluid and steam can be blown out under pressure if eHher cap is taken off too soon.
I! no steam or coolant can be seen or heard, raise the engine hood. If the
coolant is boiling, wait until it stops before proceeding. Look at the
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine coolant level in the see-through recovery tank. The coolant level should be at
or above the
"FULL HOT" mark on the recovery tank.
CAUTION: Keep hand., toots and clothing -away from the engine COOling fa", to help prevent personIl intUry. lhiIlan is electric and can come on whether Or not the engine Is rUnning. 111. tan can start automatically In .respon .. to a heat sensor when the ignition Is in "Run."
Make sure the water pu"",, belts are not broken, or off the pulleys , and that the fan runs when the engine is running and there is an indication on the instrument panel of an overheat condition.
If the coolant level in the recovery tank is low, look for leaks at the radiator
hoses and connections, heater hoses and connections, radiator I and water pump. If you find major leaks, or spot other problems that may have caused
the engine to overheat,
do not run the engine untilthese problems have been
corrected. If you do not find a leak or other problem, caretully add coolant to
the recovery tank. (Coolant is a mixture of ethylene glycol antifreeze and water; see "Engine Cooling System" in "'Service and Maintenance," Section 5, for the proper antifreeze and mixture.) .
CAUTION: Under: some:' conditione, the ethylen~ glycol In engine coolant Is . combustible. -To help avoid being burned, DO NOT spill antifreeze or coolant on the exhauat system or hot engine parts..
If the coolant level in the recovery tank is at the correct level but there is still
an indication on the instrument panel of an overheat condition:
•
You may add coolant directly to the radiator. YOU MUST LET ENGINE COOL FIRST. See "Coolant Replacement" under "Engine Cooling
System"
in Section 5, "Service and Maintenance" in this manual. Follow steps t through 3 for the correct way to remove the radiator
cap
and add coolant.
Once the Engine Coolant Temperature light has gone out (or the Engine Coolant Temperature gage no longer signals an overheat condition), you can
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 pointer does not again
show
ao overheat condition).
tf no cause for the overheat condition was found, see a qualified service technician.
JACKING
CAUTION
To help avoid personal injury:
• FollOW all jacking and stowage instructions .
• Use jack only for lifting this vehicle during wheel change.
• Never get beneath the vehicle, start or run engine while vehicle is
supported by jack.
• Always securely restow spare tire (or flat tire) and all jacking equipment.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Check the fluid level only when the engine is off, the vehicle is level and the transaxle is cool enough so that you can rest your fingers on the transaxle
case. To check, remove the dipstick on the driver's side of the case, above the
axle shaft, Be sure that the fluid level is at the "Full Cold" mark; oil may
appear on the bottom of the dipstick even when the fluid is several pints low.
I! needed, add enough lubricant to bring the fluid level up to the "Full Cold" mark on the dipstick. Be sure to fully seat the dipstick when reinstalling.
CLUTCH ADJUSTMENT
The clutch linkage in your vehicle should be adjusted every 5,000 miles (8 000
km) or less. To adjust the clutch linkage pull the clutch pedal up until it stops
and then depress the
pedal slowly.
NOTICE: To avoid clutch linkage damage do not continue to pull up on the pedal after
it stops.
Electric Fan
CAUTION: Keep hands, tools, and clothing away fr,om th~engine cooUng lanto help prevent personal injury. this fan is electric and can corne on whether or not the engine is
running. The fan can start automatically in response to a heat sensor when the ignition
key is in the "Run" position.
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
CAUTION: H your cooling system overheats, see "Engine Cooling System Overheating" in "In Case of Emergency," Section 3. CONTINUED OPERATION OFTHE ENGINE EVEN FOR A SHORT TIME MAY RESULT IN A FIRE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF
PERSONAL INJURY ANDIOR SEVERE VEHICLE DAMAGE.
Your vehicle has a coolant recovery.system. Coolant in the system expands with heat and overflows into the recovery tank. When the system cools down,
coolant is drawn back into the radiator.
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