1994 PONTIAC GRAND-AM check engine light

LOW
COOLANT
Low Coolant Warning
Light
F this light comes on and stays on, the
ehicle should be promptly pulled off the
Dad and the coolant level checked. See
Engine Coolant” in the Index. If there
re visible signs of steam see “Engine
herheating” in the Index before opening
le hood.
V6 Engine
Low Engine
Oil Level
Warning Light
Your vehicle may be equipped with an oil
level monitoring system. When the
ignition key is turned on, the light will
briefly flash. If the light stays on, stop the
vehicle on a level surface and turn the
engine off. Check the oil level using the
engine oil dipstick. (See the Index under
“Engine Oil.”) If the light does not flash,
have the low oil level sensor system
repaired
so it will be ready to warn you if
there’s a problem.
NOTE: The oil level monitoring system
only checks oil level during the brief
period between key on and and engine
crank.. It does not monitor engine ail level
when the engine
is running. Additionally,
an oil level check is only performed if the
engine has been turned off for a
considerable period of time allowing the
oil normally in circulation to drain back
into the oil pan.
Oiil Warning Light
If you have a problem with your oil, this
light may stay on after you start your
engine, or come on when you are driving.
This indicates that oil is not going through
your engine quickly enough to
keep it
lubricated. The engine could be low on
oil, or could have some other oil problem.
Have
it fixed right away.
The oil light could also come on in three
other situations:
0 When the ignition is on but the engine
is not running, the light will come on
as a test to show you it is working, but
the light will go out when you turn the
ignition to “Start”. If it doesn’t come
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Features & Controls
Oil Warning Light (CONT.)
on with the ignition on, you may have
a problem with the fuse or bulb. Have
it fixed right away.
0 Sometimes when the engine is idling
at a stop, the light may blink
on and
off. This is normal.
0 If you make a hard stop; the light may
come
on for a moment. This is normal.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from
neglected oil problems can be costly
and is
not covered by your warranty.
?heck Oil Light
’his light should come on briefly when
‘ou turn your ignition key to
RUN. It alsi
omes
on and stays on when the oil level
n your vehicle is low. If this happens,
ark your vehicle
in a level place, check
our oil level and bring the engine oil up
its proper level. See “Engine Oil” in th
Idex.
ENQINE
SOON
Oil Pressure Gage
The oil pressure gage shows the engine
oil pressure
in psi (pounds per square
inch) when the engine is running.
Canadian vehicles indicate pressure in
kPa. Oil pressure may vary with engine
speed, outside temperature and oil
viscosity, but readings above the red
warning zone indicate the normal
operating range.
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A reading in the red zone may be caused
by a dangerously low oil level or other
problem causing low oil pressure. Have
your vehicle serviced immediately.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from
neglected oil problems can be costly
and is not covered
by your warranty.
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3harging System Light
'he charging system light will come on
riefly when you turn on
the ignition, but
le engine is not running, as a check to
low you
it is working. Then it should gc
ut. If it stays on when your engine is
Inning, or comes on while you are
riving, you may have a problem
with thc
lectrical charging system. It could
tdicate that you have a loose generator
rive belt or another electrical problem.
ave
it checked right away. Driving whih
lis light is on could drain your battery.
'you must drive a short distance with thc
ght on, be certain to turn off all your
xessories, such as the radio and air
mditioner.
Voltmeter (OPTION)
When your engine is not running, this
gage shows the condition
of your
charging system.
When your engine is not running, but the
ignition is on (in the Run position), the
gage shows your battery's state
of charge
in DC volts. Readings between the red
warning zones indicate the normal
operating range.
Readings in either red warning zone
indicate a possible problem in the
electrical system. Have your vehicle
serviced immediately.
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Features & Controls
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
‘Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Service Engine
Soon Light)
1 computer monitors operation of your
uel, ignition and emission control
,ystems. This light should come on when
he ignition is
on, but the engine is not
,unning, as a check to show you it is
working. If
it does not come on at all,
lave
it fixed right away. If it stays on, or
t comes on while you are driving, the
:omputer is indicating that you have a
aoblem.
You should take your vehicle in
or service soon.
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle
with
this light on, after a while the
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 repairs not covered by your
warranty.
CHECK
GAUGES
Check Gauges Light
(OPTION)
This light will come on briefly when you
are starting the engine. If the
light comes
on and stays
on while you are driving,
check your various gauges to see
if they
are
in the warning zones.
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At the entrance there is usually a ramp
that leads to the freeway. If you have a
clear view of the freeway as you drive
along
the entrance ramp, you should
begin to check traffic. Try to determine
where you expect
to blend with the flow.
Try to merge into the gap at close
to the
prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check your mirrors and glance
over your shoulder as often as necessary.
Try to blend smoothly with the traffic
flow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your
speed to the posted limit or to the
prevailing rate if it’s slower. Stay in the
right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your
mirrors. Then use your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance
quickly over your shoulder to make sure
there isn’t another vehicle in your “blind”
spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway,
make certain you allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway,
move to the proper lane well
in advance.
If you-miss your exit do not; under any
circumstances, stop and back
up. Drive on
to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes
quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your
speedometer, not to your sense of motion.
After driving for any distance at higher
speeds, you may tend to think you are
going slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well
rested. If
you must start when you’re not
fresh
-- such as after a day’s work --
don’t plan to make too many miles that
first part of the journey. Wear comfortable
clothing and shoes you can easily drive
in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If
you keep it serviced and maintained, it’s
ready to go. If it needs service, have it
done before starting out. .Of course, you’ll
find experienced and able service experts
in Pontiac dealerships all across North
America. They’ll be ready and willing to
help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check
before a trip:
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the
reservoir full? Are all windows clean
inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good
shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil. Other Fluids: Have
you checked all levels?
Lights:’
Are they all working? Are the
lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a
safe, trouble-free trip. Is the tread
good enough for long-distance
driving?
Are the tires all inflated to
the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the
weather outlook along your route?
Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
133...
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Engine Oil
If the CHECK OIL light on the
instrument panel comes on,
it means you
need to check your engine oil level right
away. For more information, see “Check
Oil Light”
in the Index. You should check
the engine
oil regularly; this is an added
reminder.
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil
every time you get fuel. In order to get an
accurate reading, the oil must be warm
and the vehicle must be on level ground.
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few
minutes to drain back into the oil pan.
If
you don’t, the oil dipstick might not show
the actual level.
To Check Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a
paper towel or cloth, then push
it back in
all the way. Remove it again, keeping the
tip lower, and check the level.
When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then
you’ll need to add some oil. But
you must
use the right kind. This section explains
what kind of oil
to use. For crankcase
capacity, see “Capacities and
Specifications” in the Index.
Adding Engine Oil
Just fill it enough to put the level
somewhere
in the proper operating range.
Push the dipstick all the way back
in
when you are through.
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your
engine has
so much oil that the oil
level gets above the cross-hatched
area that shows the proper operating
range, your engine could
be
damaged.
179. . .
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Service & Appearance Care
How to Check:
The proper fluid should be added if the
level is at or below the STEP mark on the
reservoir cap. See the instructions on the
reservoir cap.
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, see “Engine Overheating”
in
the Index,
The proper coolant for your Pontiac will:
Give freezing protection down to
-34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 262°F
( 128 “C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
temperature.
Let the warning lights work as they
should.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze that meets “GM Specification
1825-M,” which won’t damage 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. NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix,
your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair cost
wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Too much water
in the
mix can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core and other parts.
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Index
Adding
Brake Fluid ................. 192
Electrical Equipment
..... 107. 2 11
Engine Coolant
.......... 159. 189
Engine Oil
.................. 18 1
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid ........ 187
Power Steering Fluid
..... 190. 216
Transaxle Fluid
Automatic ........... 185. 215
Manual
.............. 187. 215
Windshield Washer Fluid
...... 191
Air Bag Readiness Light .......... 22
Air Bag (Supplemental Restraint
System - SRS) ................. 21
Air Cleaner .................... 183
Air Conditioner
................ 103
Alcohol. Driving Under the
Influence of .................. 120
Alcohol
in Gasoline ......... 17 1. 172
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning ...... 208
Antenna. Fixed
Mast ............ 118
Antifreeze
..................... 188
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
... 123
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light ................. 99
Appearance Care and Materials
.... 204
Ashtray and Lighter
.............. 86
Audio Systems
................. 106
AM/FM Stereo Radio ......... 108
AM/FM Stereo Radio
with
Cassette Player ............. 109
AM/FM Stereo Radio with
Cassette Player and Graphic
Equalizer
.................. 11 1
AM/FM Stereo Radio with
Compact Disc Player ........ 11 3
Care of Audio Systems
........ 11 7
Delco LOC II@
.............. 115
Radio Reception. For the Best
. . 117
Setting the Clock
............. 107
Automatic Door Locks ............ 48
Automatic Lap-Shoulder Belt
(see “Safety Belts”)
Automatic Transaxle
Adding Fluid ............ 185. 215
Checking Fluid
.............. 184
Shifting
..................... 59
Starting Your Engine
........... 56
Battery .................. 148. 194
Jump Starting
........... 148. 194
Rundown Protection
........... 80
Voltmeter
.................... 97
BBB Auto Line
................ 245
Blizzard. If You’re Caught In a
.... 137
Block Heater. Engine
......... 58. 182
Blowout. Tire
.................. 16 1
Brakes
....................... 123
Adjustment ................. 193
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
. 123
Brake Pedal Travel
........... 193
Fluid
...................... 191
Master Cylinder ............. 191
Parking
..................... 66
Rear Drums
................. 192
Replacement
................ 193
Warning Light
................ 98
Wear Indicators
.............. 192
Brakes. Anti-Lock .............. 123
Brake System Warning Light
....... 98
Anti-Lock Brake System
....... 99
Standard Brakes
.............. 99
Brakenramaxle Shift Interlock
..... 69
Warning Light
................ 99
Braking
....................... 123
Braking in Emergencies
.......... 125
,‘Break-in", New Vehicle
Braking Technique .............. 123
Normal Driving ............... 54
When Towing a Trailer ........ 141
Buckling Up (see “Safety Belts”)
Bulb Replacement
Fog Lights .............. 196. 217
Headlight
............... 195. 217
Taillight
................ 196. 217
Capacities & Specifications ...... 215
Carbon Monoxide
in Exhaust . . 70. 138
Cassette Tape Player (see “Audio
Center Passenger Position ......... 27
Chains. Safety
................. 143
Chains. Tire
................... 203
Systems”) C
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