1988 PONTIAC FIERO engine oil

SYSTEM CHECK TABLE
FASTEN BELTS Indicator
lights for
6 to 8 seconds
See
Symptom Table
Oil Pressure Gage indicates
See
Syqtom Table
Coolant Temperature Gage
Voltmeter indicates Battery
Oil Pressure Gage indicates
See Symptom Table
engine oil pressure
L
Go to System Diagnosis for a list of symp-
toms.
SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS
Do the tests listed for your symptom in the
Symptom Table below, or when directed
by
the System Check.
r For Instrument Cluster removal and replace-
ment procedures, see Section
8C of the Ser-
vice
Manual.
Tests follow the Symptom Table.
SYMPTOM TABLE
I SYMPTOM 1 IFORDlAGMOSlS I
Fuel Gage indicates
EMPTY when there
is fuel in the tank
Fuel Gage indicates
FULL or beyond at
all times Do
Test
C: (Also see
Test
B terrnind PO)
Do Test D: (Nso see
Test
B terIllinal PO)
Fuel Gage is
inaccurate
Coolant
Temperature Gage
indicates NOT with
engine coolant cool
and Ignition Switch
in RUN Do
Test E: (Also see
Do Test F (Also see
Test B terminal
2)
coolant
Temperature Gage
indicates COLD at
all times Do
Test
6: (Also see
Test
B terminal 2)
Coolant Do Test N: (Also see
Temperature Gage
Test
B terminal 2)
is inaccurate
(Continued on next page)

INSTRUMENT PANEL: GAGES CLUSTER
I Oil Pressure Gage
(Continued from previous page)
indicates low
pressure
and oil
pressure is good
Coolant
Temperature Gage
does not indicate
HOT with Ignition
Switch in START or
BULB TEST, but
does operate
accurately
Do Test I: (Also see
Test A
terminal B)
Check DK GRN (35)
wire and Ignition
Switch for opens
Repairlreplace as
necessary
Oil Pressure Gage
indicates high
pressure at
all times
and oil pressure is
good Do
Test
J: (Also see
Test A terminal
8)
Oil Pressure Gage is
inaccurate Do
Test K: (also see
Test A terminal
8)
Do Test L
Tachometer does not
operate
Speedometer1
Odometer is
inaccurate Do
Test M
Do Test N: (with
5-33431-873 harness
connector available)
One or both
Odometers do not
operate properly,
but Speedometer
operates accurately
I
Check the
Instrument Cluster
Printed Circuit for
cracks or flaws
Replace the
Speedometer1
Odometer Assembly
(Continued in next column) (Continued from previous
column)
Hi Beam Indicator
does not operate
properly See
Exterior lights
Section 8A-110
(Also see Test
B
terminal 8)
I operate properly
I
(Also see Test A
I
Seatbelt Indicator
and alarm do not
BRAKE Warning Indicator does not
work properly
I
See Warnings and
Alarms (see Index)
SERVICE
ENGINE SOON
Indicator does not
does not work See
Brake Warning
System, Section
8A-41 (Also, see
Test A terminal
1)
See Section 6E of
1 Service Manual
Do Test O
r
(Also, see Test B
terminals 7 and
9)

(Continued from previous page)
If the Speedometer reads correctly, refer to
Vehicle Speed Sensor, Section
8A-33 for fur-
ther diagnosis.
If the Speedometer reads incorrectly, check
LT GRN (537) wire and the Instrument Clus-
ter Printed Circuit for opens. Replace the
Speedometer Assembly if the wire and
Printed Circuit are good (see Section
8C).
O: UPSHIFT INDICATOR WIRE TEST
Disconnect ECM connector C207. Put the Igni-
tion Switch in RUN and measure the voltage at
terminal
H (see section 8A-21 or 22).
If battery voltage is present, see section
6E
for ECM diagnosis.
If battery voltage is not present, check the
TANIBLK (422) wire for an open or short to
Ground.
CIRCUIT OPERATION
The operation of an indicator is explained in
the operation of the circuit it is apart of. See the
circuit referred to for a complete description of
that indicator and the other components that
work with it. Only the gages and indicators that
do not appear in other schematics are described
in this section.
Tachometer
The Tachometer displays engine speed in
rpm. Voltage pulses are taken from the Ignition
System and sent to the Tachometer. Solid State
circuits process these pulses into a signal that
drives the pointer of the meter. The Tachometer
responds to the frequency of the voltage pulses.
These pulses increase with engine speed.
Fuel Gage
The pointer of the Fuel Gage is moved by the
magnetic field of two coils. The coils are at right
angles to each other. Battery voltage is applied
to the E coil and the circuit divides at the
opposite end of this coil. One path continues to
ground through the F coil. Another goes to
ground through the variable resistor of the Fuel
Gage Sender Unit.
When the tank is low, the resistance of the
Fuel Gage Sender is low. A large flow of current
passes through the E coil and the Fuel Gage
Sender resistor. This moves the pointer
towards E on the scale. When the tank is
full,
the sender resistance is high. More current
flows through the F coil, moving the pointer
toward F on the scale.
With two coils operating the pointer, the Fuel
Gage is not affected by changes in the voltage
of the system.
011 Pressure Gage
The engine oil pressure is displayed by the Oil
Pressure Gage. The pointer of the gage is
moved by two coils, and its operation is similar
to that of the Fuel Gage. The
Oil Pressure Sender is connected to the
junction of the two coils.
It has low resistance
when the oil pressure is low, and 90 ohms
resistance when the oil pressure is high. This
changing resistance changes the current flow
through the coils. The magnetic fields of the
coils move the pointer to indicate high or low
coolant temperature.
Voltmeter
The Voltmeter measures the electrical sys-
tem voltage with the Ignition Switch in RUN,
BULB TEST, or START. With the engine
stopped, the Voltmeter indicates battery condi-
tion. With the engine
running, the Voltmeter
indicates Charging System operation.
Coolant Temperature Gage
The Coolant Temperature Gage is also oper-
ated by two coils. Battery voltage is applied to
both coils. One is grounded directly
and the
other is grounded through the Coolant Tem-
perature Sender. This has 54 ohms resistance at
260
OF, 130 "C (hot coolant) and its resistance
becomes greater at lower temperatures. It is
appr~ximately 1284 ohms at 100 OF (40 '6). This
causes the current through the sender and one
coil to vary as the coolant temperature charges
and this moves the pointer.

INSTRUMENT PANEL: DIGITAL CLUSTER a
TROUBLESHOOTING HINTS COMPONENT LOCATION u Page-Figure
0 For a list of symptoms and their diagnosis. go
to System Diagnosis
.
0 For Instrument Cluster removal and replace-
ment procedures see Section
86 of the Ser-
vice Manual
.
* Try the following checks before doing the
System Check
.
1 . Check the CLSTR Fuse .
2 . Check the CTSY Fuse .
3 . Check the TAIL Fuse .
Coolant Temperature Sender (VIN E) Lower LH side of engine ....................
Coolant Temperature Sender (VIN F)
(VIN 8)
........................ Lower LH side of engine ....................
Fuel Tank Unit .................. Top center of fuel tank ......................
Fuse Block ...................... Behind LH side of IIP. below light switch .......
Ignition Coil (VIN E) ............. Top center rear of engine ....................
Ignition Coil (VIN F)(VIN 8) ....... RH rear side of engine ......................
Ignition Switch .................. Behind IIP. on top side of steering column ......
Oil Pressure Sender (VIN E) ....... Top rear of engine. near distributor ............
Oil Pressure Sender (VIN F) (VIN 8) . Top rear of engine. near distributor ............
Oil Pressure Sender (VIN S) ........ Lower LH side of engine ....................
................ .. 4 . Check the GAGES Fuse . el00 (42 cavities) LH
front of dash. left of brake master cylinder 201- 0-A
C114
(1 cavity) (VIN E) ............ Taped to engine harness. above rear of engine
5 . If more than one indicator is out. check the C114 (1 cavity) (VIN F) (VIN 8) ..... Taped to engine harness. above rear of engine ... 201- 7-B
battery voltage inputs . . C207 (15 cavities) ................ Behind RH side of IIP near ECM ............. 201-13-A
................. .................... * Go to System Check for a guide to C313 (3 cavities) Below
center of back seat 201- 9-C operation . 6118 (VIN F) (VIN 8) ............. Rear of RH cylinder head .................... 201- 5-A
0 Go to System Diagnosis for diagnostic tests . 6200 .......................... Behind IIP. left of steering column ............ 201-10-A
6304
.......................... Under rear seat. on support bracket
SYSTEM CHECK S143 (VIN F) (VIN 8) ............. Engine harness. RH front of dash ............. 201- 6-A
0 Use the System Check able as a guide to S201 ........................... IIP harness. behind instrument cluster ......... 201-10-A
normal operation . Refer to the diagnosis S203 ........................... I/P harness. behind instrument cluster ......... 201-10-A
........................... ......... given if other results occur . S204 IIP harness. behind instrument cluster 201-10-A
........................... ......... Tests follow in System Diagnosis . S205 IIP harness. behind instrument cluster 201-10-A
S217 ........................... IIP harness. behind center of IIP .............. 201-10-A
S225 ........................... IIP harness. behind instrument cluster ......... 201-10-A
(Continued on next page)

INSTRUMENT PANEL: DIGITAL CLUSTER n 23 rn E
ClRCUlT OPERATION
The Instrument Cluster uses a microprocessor
to develop data for fuel supply, coolant tem-
perature, oil pressure, voltage, engine rpm, and
vehicle speed. The Digital Cluster also contains
an Odometer, Warning Indicators, and an Audi-
ble Alarm. The Audible Alarm signals low oil
pressure, high temperature, low or high voltage,
and low fuel.
With the Ignition Switch in RUN, voltage is
applied through the GAGES Fuse to the Battery
Power inputs of the Instrument Cluster. With the
Light Switch in PARK or HEAD, voltage is ap-
plied at all times to the Lights On Dim Input.
The car's speed is displayed in mph or
krnh by
selecting either English or Metric with the
En-
glishNetric selector switch.
Gages and Audible Alarm
With the Ignition Switch in RUN, voltage is
applied through the GAGES Fuse to the Battery
Power Input terminal. With the Light Switch in
PARK or HEAD, voltage is applied at all times
to the Lights On Dim Input.
Fuel Display
The Fuel Display Sender provides a signal to
the cluster that is related to fuel level. With a
full tank the resistance is 90 ohms, and with an
empty tank the resistance is less than
1 ohm.
The microprocessor converts this signal and
activates a 12 segment bar graph which dis-
plays the fuel level. When the bar graph fuel
gage display changes from two segments to
one, the Audible Alarm beeps briefly.
Oil Pressure Display
The Oil Pressure Sender, with a resistance of
0 to 90 ohms, sends a signal to the cluster that is
related
to oil pressure. At zero pressure (0 PSI),
resistance is 0 ohms, and at maximum pressure
(80 PSI), resistance is approximately 90 ohms.
The microprocessor converts the signal and
activates a 12 segment bar graph which dis-
plays the oil pressure. When the bar graph
changes from two segments to one segment
(approximately
4 PSI), the Audible Alarm
beeps briefly.
kmperature Display
The Coolant Temperature Sender sends a sig-
nal to the Instrument Cluster that is related to
coolant temperature. Coolant Temperature
Sender resistance drops from 1,365 ohms at
100°F
(38"C), to 55 ohms at 260°F (127°C). The
temperature display is a bar graph display with
12 segments. When the bar graph changes to all
segments activated (hot coolant temperature),
the Audible Alarm beeps.
Volts Display
The microprocessor in the gages module re-
ceives a signal from the Battery Power Input ter-
minal. This signal activates the 12 segment bar
graph volts display. The volts gage ranges from 8
volts
(1 segment lit) to 18 volts (all segments lit).
Under idling and normal driving conditions, 7 or
8 segments are lit. When the volts gage displays
less than
4 segments or more than 12 segments,
the Audible Alarm beeps.
Tachometer
The Thchometer displays engine speed in rpm.
Voltage pulses are taken from the
Ignition Sys-
tem and sent to the Tachometer. Solid state cir-
cuits process these pulses into a signal that con-
trols the Tachometer display. The Tachometer
responds to the frequency of the voltage pulses,
the number of pulses in a second. This increases
with engine speed. The
'Pdchometer Filter in the
circuit rounds off the pulses and removes voltage
spikes.
Speedometer
The digital Speedometer is operated by an
electronic circuit. The Vehicle Speed Sensor, lo-
cated in the Transmission, generates an AC volt-
age whose frequency is proportional to the speed
of the vehicle. This goes to the Vehicle Speed
Sensor Buffer and then to the Speedometer cir-
cuit board in the Instrument Cluster. The solid
state circuit processes this signal into a control
signal for the Speedometer display.
Odometer
The digital Odometer display is operated by an
electronic circuit. The Vehicle Speed Sensor, lo-
cated in the Transmission, generates an
AC volt-
age whose frequency is proportional to miles
(kilometers) traveled. This goes to the Buffer
and then to the Odometer circuit board in the
Instrument Cluster. The solid state circuit
processes this signal into a control signal for
the Odometer display. Distance Data is stored
in
NV RAM Chip.

RADIO I
(Continued from previous page) from back of Radio
If noise persists with replacement antenna, the
problem must be repaired at the source of noise
(generator, ignition system, accessory, etc.). See
Delco Manual for noise "Sniffing" procedures.
Ignition Noise
Trv the following. fixes in the piven order: 8. Install a braided ground strap on the hood. Replace
defective antenna with a good antenna.
If noise disappears repair or replace the defective
antenna. Check antenna ground, Coaxial Cable
Braid, and ground at connectors.
unplugged
- -
1. Check
for loose or defective spark plug wire.
2. Check for defective spark plug.
3. Move all wiring away from Ignition System
and spark plug wires. Antenna
noise
4. Reroute spark plug wires laying against
anything that could possibly transmit noise
to the Radio (car
g or sensor leads that
travel into the passenger compartment).
5. Inspect Ignition system for the following
and replace if necessary:
r Distributor cap carbon ball eroded away,
cracked or loose cap.
A rotor with burned black spot on wiper or
pits in wiper surface.
r A defective coil.
r An oily film on some of the lead terminals or
inside the cap.
Defective
WE1 module; can cause ignition
noise on
FM only.
6. Replace distributor cap and rotor.
9. Check Heater Core ground; clean or install a
braided ground strap if necessary.
10. Check air conditioner accumulator ground;
clean or install a braided ground strap if
necessarv.
TO STEERING
BRAIDED
GROUN GO LUMN
Figure 1 - Gut the BLACK (ground) wire from
the black plug
at the back of the Radio and run
7. Check the ground from engine to firewall, a braided ground strap from the ease of the
install a braided ground strap if necessary. Radio to good, unpainted body ground.
(TRY GROUNDED AND UNGROUNDED)
POWER LlNE TO RADIO
(IGNITION OR MEMORY)
Figure 2 - install a 1224205 filter package.

COMPONENT LOCATION VIEWS
ELECTRONIC SPARK
S175 FUEL
PUMP
TIMING (EST) RELAY
DISTRIBUTOR
I TEMPERATURE SWITCH
6143 SENDER Figure
B - RH
Front Corner Of VIM E Engine
Compartment
/ OIL PRESSURE
Figure C
- LH Rear Of VIN E Engine

COMPONENT LOCATION VIEWS I?
MANIFOLD AIR
TEMPERATURE
h
(MAT) SENSOR
EXHAUST GAS
RECIRCULATION
(EGR) SOLENOID
IGNITION
COIL
THROTTLE POSITION
-- -
SENSOR
FUEL
INJECTORS
SWITCH COMPRESSOR
TCN
CONNECTOR
FUSIBLE (DIODE INSIDE)
LINK ti 12Hll.l
Figure A - RN Side Of VIN E Engine Compartment
STARTER
FeOlyr DETONATION
SOLENOID SENSOR
a
Figure B - RH Front Of VlN E Engine Figure
C - Lower RH Side Of VIN E Engine Figure
D - Top LN Front
Of VIN E Engine
Figure E -Top Rear Of
VIN F Engine
(VIN 8 Similar)