1996 PONTIAC FIREBIRD battery

To turn ~ff the flashers, pull
out on the collar.
When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn
signals won’t work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
the
side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start
your Pontiac. But please use the following steps to
do it safely. ’. * ..
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
0 They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
They contain enough dectricity to burn you.
If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some or all
of these things can hurt you.

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NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage
to your vehicle that wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty.
Trying to start your Pontiac by pushing or
pulling
it could damage your vehicle, even if you
have a manual transmission.
And if you have an
automatic transmission, it won’t start that way.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
NOTICE:
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don’t want.
You wouldn’t be able to start
your Pontiac, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter. Turn
off all lamps that aren’t needed as well
as radios. This will avoid sparks and help save both
batteries. In addition, it could save your radio!
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
(CE:
r
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries.
I==--
~
An electric fan can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
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5. Find the positive (+) ad negative (-) terminals on
each battery.
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have
been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight if
you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You don't
need to add water to the Delco Freedom@ battery
installed in every new GM vehicle. But if a
battery has filler caps, be sure the right amount
of fluid is there. If it is low, add water to take-
care
of that first. If you don't, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery
fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Dan't get it on you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with
water
and get medical help immediitely.
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,. .- , .. . ..
6. Check that the jumper cables don't have loose or
missing insulation.
If they do, you could get a shock.
The vehicles could be damaged, too.
Before
you connect the cables, here are some basic
things
you should know. Positive (+) will go to
positive
(+) and negative (-) will go to negative (-)
or a metal engine part. Don't connect positive.(+) to
negative
(-) or you'll get a short that would damage
the battery
and maybe other parts, too.
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away
from moving parts
once the engines are running.
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7. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the vehicle with the dead battery. Use a
remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
Don’t use the junction block on your Pontiac.
8. Don’t let the other end
touch metal. Connect
it
to the positive (+)
terminal of the good
battery. Use a remote
9. Now connect the
black negative
(-) cable
to the
good battery’s
negative
(-) terminal.
Don’t let the other end touch anythmg until the
next step. The other end
of the negative (-) cable
doesn’t
go to the dead
battery. It goes to a heavy
unpainted metal part on
the engine of&e vehicle
with the dead battery.
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13. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent
electrical shorting. Take care that they don’t touch
each other or any other metal.
10.
11.
12.
Attach the cable at least 18 inches (45 cm) away
from the dead battery, but not near engine parts that
move. The
electrical connection is just as good
there, but the chance of sparks getting back to the
battery is much less.
Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run
the engine for a while.
Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery.
If it won’t start after a few tries, it probably
needs service.
A. Heavy Metal Engine Part
B, Good Battery
C. Dead Battery
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When you open the hood of the 3800 L36 (Code K) engine you’ll see:
A. Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Oil Fill Cap
D. Automatic Transmission
Dipstick (if equipped) E. Engine Fan
E Windshield
Washer Reservoir
G. Power Steering Reservoir
H. Engine Oil Dipstick
I. Brake Fluid Reservoir
J. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
K. Air Cleaner
(if equipped)
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When you open the hood of the 5.7L LT1 (Code P) -giro you’ll see:
d
A. Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Power Steering Reservoir
C. Engine Oil Dipstick
D. Battery
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap
E Fan
G. Windshield Washer Reservoir
H. Automatic Transmission
Dipstick (if equipped)
I. Brake Fluid Reservoir
J. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
(if equipped)
K. Air Cleaner
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Battery
Every new Pontiac has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You
never have to add water to one of these. When it’s time
for a new battery, we recommend a Delco Freedom
battery. Get one that has the replacement number shown
on the original battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or
more, take off the black, negative (-) cable fiom the battery.
This will help keep your battery fiom running down. Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature” in
the Index.
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement bulb, see
“Replacement Bulbs” ‘in
the Index.
Halogen Bulbs
/I CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You’can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See 66Jump Starting”
in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Ibs ha presr
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Take special care when
handling and
disposing of halogen bulbs. 1
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