1993 PONTIAC GRAND-PRIX coolant temperature

How to Use this Manual
Vehicle Symbols (CQNT.)
These symbols are on some of your
controls:
Windshield
WiperlWasher
Windshield Defroster
Rear Window Defogger
Ventilating Fan
Power Window
These symbols are used on warning and
indicator lights:
Engine Coolant - Fd
Temperature .HccF
Battery Charging
System
Fuel
Engine Oil Pressure
Brake
Anti-Lock Brakes
Here are some other symbols you may
see:
Fuse
Trunk Release
Lighter
Horn
Speaker
Hood Release
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8..
Features & Controls
Low Fuel Warning Light
If your fuel is low, a light will come on.
98
The warning will not go off until you
add fuel. It will also come on for a few
seconds when
you first turn on the
ignition as a check to show you it is
working. If it doesn’t come on then,
have it fixed.
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
This light tells you that your engine
coolant has overheated or your radiator
cooling fan is not working. If you have
been operating your vehicle under
normal driving conditions, you should
pull off the road, stop your vehicle and
turn the engine off
as soon as possible.
HOT
COOLANT CAN BURN YOU
BADLY!
In Problems on the Road, this manual
shows what to do.
See the Index under
Engine Overheating.
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Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
You have a gage that shows the engine
coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer
moves into the red area, your engine
is
too hot! That
reading means the same thing as
the warning light.
It means that your
engine coolant
has overheated. If you
have
been operating your vehicle under
normal driving conditions, you should
pull
off the road, stop your vehicle and
turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
HOT COOLANT CAN BURN YOU
BADLY!
In Problems on the Road, this manual
shows what to
do. See the Index under
Engine Overheating.
Low Coolant Warning Light
If this light comes on, your system is
low on coolant and the engine may
overheat. See the
Index under Engine
Coolant and have your vehicle serviced
as soon as you can.
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Features & Controls
Malfunction Incfkator Lamp
(Semite Engine Soon Light)
A computer monitors operation of your
fuel, ignition and emission control
systems. This light should
come on
when the ignition is on, but the engine
is not running, as a check to show you
it is,
working. If it does not come on at
all, have it fixed right away. If it stays
on, or it comes on while you are driving,
the computer is indicating that yo8u
have a problem. You should take your
vehicle in for service soon.
If you keep driving your vehicle
with
this light on, after a while th
emission controls won't work as
well, your fuel economy won't be
as good and your engine may not
run as smoothly. This could lead to
costly repai+p@,cqered
by your warranty :',~: ~;'='-- ~ -'--:< .:-
Check Gauges Light (OPTION)
The CHECK GAUGES light will come
on
if your oil pressure gage or engine
coolant temperature gage
is pointing to
the red area.
If these gages do not indicate a
problem, the CHECK GAUGES light
means there is
a problem with your
vehicle's charging system.
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Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature
gage or the warning light about
a hot
engine
on your Pontiac's instrument
panel.
You may also find a low coolant
warning light
on your Pontiac's
instrument panel.
r
If Steam is Coming from Your Engine:
L Steam from an overheated
- b engine can burn you badly,
even if you just open the hood. Stay
away from the engine if you see or
hear steam coming from it. Just
turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down.
Wait until there is no sign of steam
DP eoolant before opening the hood.
If you keep driving when your
engine is overheated, the liquids in
it can catch fire. YOU or others
could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if it overheats, and get out of
the vehicle until the engine is COOL
1
If No Steam is Coming from Your
Engine:
If you get the overheat warning but see
or hear no steam, the problem may not
be too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
-
!
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Service & Appearance Cam
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid (CONTJ
How to Check
The proper fluid should be added if the
level does not reach the bottom
of the
diaphragm when it’s in place in the
reservoir. See the instructions on the
reservoir cap.
230
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling
system and
how to add coolant when it
is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating or
if you need to add
coolant to your radiator, see the Index
under Engine Overheuling.
The proper coolant for your Pontia’c
will:
Give freezing protection do;wn to
Give boiling protection up to 262°F
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
Let the warning lights work as they
What to Use:
Use a mixture of one-half dean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze that meets
“GM Specification
1825-M,” which won’t darnage
-34°F (-3 7 “C) .
(12S°C).
temperature.
should.
aluminum parts. You can also use a
recycled coolant conforming to
GM
Specification 1825-M with a complete
coolant flush and refill. If you use this
mixture, you don’t need to add
anything else.
Adding only plain water
to
your cooling system can be
dangerous. Plain water, or some
other liquid like alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mix will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant
mix. With plain water or the wrong
mix, your engine could get
too hot
but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch
fire and you or others could be
burned. Use a
50/50 mix of clean
water and
a Droner antifreeze.
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Service & Appearance Care
Turning the radisiitor pressure
1 b cap when the en& and
radiator am hat can daw steam
and scalding liquids to blow out
and burn you badly. With the
almost never have to add coolant at
the radiator. Never turn the
radiator pressure mp-evtm a
I.lttle-whm the engine and
coolant recoverg tadq lyou will
Add coolant mix at the recovery tank,
but be careful not to spill it.
Radiator Pressure Cap
Dm
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi
(105 kPa) pressure-type cap and
must be tightly installed to prevent
coolant loss and possible engine
damage
from overheating. Be sure
the arrows on the cap line up
with
the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
I I'
11 CAUTION
You can be burned if you
I spill coolant on hot engine I
,~rts. Coolant contains ethylene
glycol, and it will burn if the engine
parts are hot enough.
Don't spill
coolant on a hot engine.
I I When you replace your radiator pressure
I
cap, an AC@ cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is
controlled by a thermostat in the engine
coolant system. The thermostat stops
the
flow of coolant through the radiator
until the coolant reaches a preset
temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, an
AC@ thermostat is recommended.
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ITEM
NO. SERVICE
ITEM NO. SERVICE
5
6
Engine
Accessory Drive Belt Inspection
(California
3.1L Code T, engine*)-Inspect the
belt for cracks, fraying, wear and proper tension.
Replace as needed,
Camshaft Timing Belt Inspection
(3.4L Code X
engine only)*-Inspect for cracks, wear or oiliness.
Check tensioner for proper operation. See the
service manual. (To purchase a service manual,
see the
Index under Publications.) Replace parts
as needed.
7 Cooling System Service*-Drain, flush and refill
the system with new or approved recycled coolant
conforming to
GM Specification 1825111. Keep
coolant at the proper mixture as specified. See the
Index under Coolant. This provides proper freeze
protection, corrosion inhibitor level, and engine
operating temperature.
Inspect hoses and replace if they are cracked,
swollen or deteriorated. Tighten screw-type hose
. clamps. Clean the outside of the radiator and air
conditioning condenser. Wash the pressure cap
and neck.
To help ensure proper operation, we recommend a
pressure test of both the cooling system and the
pressure cap.
8 Transaxle Service-For manual transaxles, fluid
doesn’t require changing.
For automatic transaxles, change both the fluid
and filter every
15,000 miles (25 000 lun) if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
9
10
When doing frequent trailer towing. (With some
models,
you shouldn’t ever tow a trailer. See the
Index under Towing a Trailer.)
Uses such as found in taxi, police car or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any
of these
conditions, change both the fluid and filter every
100,000 miles (160 000 km).
Spark Plug Replacement *-Replace spark plugs
with the proper type. See the
Index under
Replacement Parts.
Spark Plug Wire Inspection*+Inspect for
burns, cracks
or other damage. Check the boot fit
at the coils and at the spark plugs. Replace wires
as needed.
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