1996 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO check engine light

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone
This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts
properly. It also tells you some things you should not do
with safety belts.
And it explains the air bag system.
I A I
a CAUTION: I
Don’t let anyone ride where he or she can’t wear
a safety belt properly.
If you are in a crash and
you’re not wearing
a safety belt, your injuries
can be much worse. You can hit things inside the
vehicle
or be ejected from it. You can be seriously
injured
or killed. In the same crash, you might
not be if
you are buckled up. Always fasten your
safety belt, and check that your passengers’ belts
are fastened properly too.
Your vehicle has a light that
comes on as a reminder to
buckle up. (See “Safety Belt Reminder Light’’
in
the Index.)
In most states and Canadian provinces, the law says to
wear safety belts. Here’s why:
They work.
You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have a
crash, you don’t know
if it will be a bad one.
A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so
serious that even buckled up a person wouldn’t survive.
But most crashes are in between.
In many of them,
people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk
away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt
or killed.
After more than
25 years of safety belts in vehicles,
the facts are clear.
In most crashes buckling up does
matter
... a lot!
1-6

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A C” I:
Air bags inflate with great force, faster than the
blink
of an eye. If you’re too close to an inflating
air bag, it could seriously injure you. Safety belts
help keep you in position for an air bag inflation
in
a crash. Always wear your safety belt, even
with an air bag. The driver should sit as far back
as possible while still maintaining control of
the vehicle.
An inflating air bag can seriously injure small
children. Always secure children properly in your
vehicle.
To read how, see the part of this manual
called “Children” and the caution label on the
right front passenger’s safety belt.
AIR BAG
There is an air bag readiness
light
on the instrument
panel, which shows
AIR BAG or the
air bag symbol.
~~~~~~~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The system checks the air bag’s electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you
if there is an electrical
problem. See “Air Bag Readiness Light’’ in the Index
for more information.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But
if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you
go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat
in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use
it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If
you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have
it repaired.
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But
if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need
to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even
if the belt wasn’t being used at
the time of the collision.
If an air bag inflates,
you’ll need to replace air bag
system parts. See
the part on the air bag system earlier
in this section.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you
in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt
is
torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
1-44

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine PASS-Key@ II
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS-Key I1
(Personalized Automotive
Security System)
theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key IT is
a passive
theft-deterrent system.
It works when you insert
or remove the key from
the ignition.
PASS-Key I1 uses
a resistor pellet in the ignition key
that matches
a decoder in your vehicle.
When the PASS-Key
TI system senses that sonleone is
using the wrong key,
it shuts down the vehicle’s starter and fuel systems. For about three minutes, the starter
won’t
work and fuel won’t go to the engine.
If someone tries to
start your vehicle again or uses another key during this
time, the vehicle will not stcart. This discourages someone
from randomly trying different keys with different resistor
pellets
in an attempt to make a match.
The ignition key must be clean and dry before it’s
inserted
in the ignition or the engine may not start. If the
engine does not start and the SECURITY light is on, the
key may be dirty or wet. Turn the ignition off.
Clean and dry
the key. Wait about three minutes and try
again. The SECURITY light may remain on during this
time. If the starter still won’t work, and the key appears
to be clean and dry, wait about three minutes and try
another ignition
key. At this time, you may also want to
check the fuses (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers”
in the
Index). If the starter won’t work with the other key, your
vehicle needs service. If your vehicle does start, the first
ignition key may be faulty. See your Chevrolet dealer or
a locksmith who can service the PASS-Key 11.
2-8

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is finished,
the lever will retum automatically.
A
An arrow on the instrument
panel will flash
in the
direction of the
turn or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrow
flashes fdster than
normal, a signal bulb may be burned
out and other’drivers won’t see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace
it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don’t go on at all when
you
signal a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and check the
fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index).
Headlamp HighLow Beam
To change your headlamps
from low beam to high
beam, or high to low, pull
the multifunction lever all
the way toward you. Then
release
it. When the high
beams are on, a light on
the instrument panel also
will be on.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is
a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you
will see
in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to
let you know they’re working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should
not be alarmed
when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or
is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle. When
one
of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be
a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about
it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous.
So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They’re
a big help.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt
is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay
on until the driver’s belt
is buckled.
2-42

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR BAG or
the air bag symbol.
The system checks the air bag’s electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you
if there is an electrical
problem. The system check includes the air bag sensors,
the air bag modules, the wiring and the crash sensing
and diagnostic module. For more information on
the
air bag system, see “Air Bag” in the Index.
AIR BAG
You will see this light flash
for
a few seconds when you
turn your ignition to
RUN
or START. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light doesn’t come on when you
start your vehicle, or stays on, or comes
on when you
are driving, your air bag system may
not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.
Charging System Light
VOLTS
The charging system light
will come on briefly when
you turn on the ignition,
as
a check to show you it’s
working. Then it should
go out.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you
may have
a problem with the charging system. It could
indicate that you have a loose drive belt or another
electrical problem. Have
it checked right away. Driving
while this light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive
a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
2-43

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Service Engine Soon Light)
I
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
Your Chevrolet is equipped
with
a computer which
monitors operation
of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD I1 (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended
to assure that emissions are at acceptable levels .for
the
life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. (In Canada, OBD
I1 is replaced by
Enhanced Diagnostics.) The
SERVICE ENGINE SOON
light comes on to indicate that there is a problem and
service is required. Malfunctions often
will be indicated
by
the system before any problem is apparent, which
may prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This
system is also designed to assist your service technician
in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.
0
0
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while, your emission controls may not
work as well, your fuel economy may not
be as
good and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered by your warranty.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition
is on and the engine is not
running.
If the light doesn’t come on, have it repaired.
This light
will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:
Light Flashing -- A misfire condition has been
detected.
A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service is required.
Light On Steady -- An emission control system
malfunction
has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may be required.
2-48