1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM check engine

Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever position.
With an automatic transaxle, the key should turn to
LOCK only when the shift lever is in PARK
(P).
With a manual transaxle, the key should turn
to LOCK only when the shift lever is in
REVERSE (R).
On vehicles with a key release button, try to turn the key
to LOCK without pressing the button. The key should
turn to LOCK only when you press the key button.
On all vehicles, the key should come out only in LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK (P)
Mechanism Ck :k
A CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there
is room in front of your vehicle in case
it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once
should the vehicle begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set
the parking brake.
To check the parking brake's holding ability: With
the engine running and transaxle in NEUTRAL
(N),
slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake
pedal.
Do this until the vehicle is held by the parking
brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism's holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK (P). Then
release all brakes.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other
debris
can collect.
7-44

1997 PONTIAC SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION
The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be purchased by filling out
the Service Publication Order Form in this book and mailing it\
in with your check, money order, or credit card information to Helm, Incorporated (address below.)
CURRENT PUBLICATIONS FOR
1997 PONTIAC
SERVICE MANUALS
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information
on engines, transmission, axle, suspension, brakes,
electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$90.00
TRANSMISSION, TRANSAXLE, TRANSFER CASE
UNIT REPAIR MANUAL
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments and specifications for the
I
1997 GM transmissions, transaxles and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$40.00
SERVICE BULLETINS
Service Bulletins give technical service information needed
to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to assist in the
diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
PlEASE..CQMPLETE THE ORDER FORM SHOWN ON
THE FQLLOIWINO PAGE AND MAIL TO:
Helm, Incorporated * F.U. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207
OWNER’S INFORMATION
Owner publications are written directly for Owners and
intended to provide basic operational information about the
vehicle. The owner’s manual will include the Maintenance
Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$1 5.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$1 0.00
CURRENT & PAST MODEL ORDER FORMS
Service Publications are available for current and past
model GM vehicles.
To request an order form, please
specify year and model name of the vehicle.
OR ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-782-4356
Monday-Friday 8:OO AM - 6:OO PM Eastern ‘Time
For Credit Card Orders Only (VISA-Mastercard-Discover)

v Section 9 Index
Accessory Power Outlet ......................... 2-52
Adapter Kit. CD
........................... 3-13. 3-16
Adding Equipment to Your Vehicle
.................. 6-3
Adjuster. Seat
.............................. 1-2. 1-48
AirBag
....................................... 1-21
How Does it Restrain
.......................... 1-25
Howitworks
................................ 1-23
Location
.................................... 1-23
Readiness Light
......................... 1.22. 2-59
Servicing
................................... 1-27
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-25
What Will You See After it Inflates
............... 1-25
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-24
Air Cleaner
.................................... 6-18
Air Conditioning ................................ 3 -3
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-65
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-47
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-55
Antenna, Fixed
................................. 3-26
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-24
Anti-Lock
........................................
Brake System Warning Light ................ 2-61. 4-7
Brakes
...................................... 4-7
Anti-Theft. Radio
.............................. 3-21
Appearancecare
............................... 6-49
Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-57
Arbitration Program
........... ............ 8-9
Ashtrays ...................................... 2-51
Audio Controls. Steering Wheel Touch Control
....... 3-23
Audio Equipment. Adding
......... 2.17.2.18.3.24. 6.58
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-8
Auto-Down Window
....... ................. 2-34
Automatic Door Locks
............................ 2-5
Automatic Transaxle
Check
................................ . . 7-42 ~
Fluid ................................... 6-19
Operation
................... ............ 2-21
Overdrive
................................... 2-23
Park Mechanism Check
........................ 7-44
Shifting
..................................... 2-21
Starting Your Engine
.......................... 2-16
Backing Up When Towing
a Trailer ............... 4-39
Back-up Lamp Bulb Replacement
................. 6-39
Battery
....................................... 6-34
Charging System Indicator Light
................. 2-60
Jump Starting
................................. 5-3
Replacement. Keyless Entry
..................... 2-9
Saver
...................................... 2-47
Warnings
.................................... 5-3
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-9
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
.................... 4-23
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-9
Blizzard ...................................... 4-28
9-1

Brake Adjustment
.......... ........ ... 6-34
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-30
Parking
..................................... 2-2 8
Pedal Travel
................................. 6-34
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-34
System Warning Light
.................... 2-60, 6-31
Trailer
...................................... 4-38
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check
.................. 7-43
Wear
....................................... 6-33
Brakes. Anti-Lock
............................... 4-7
Braking
........................................ 4-6
Braking in Emergencies
.......................... 4- 11
Break-In. New Vehicle
.......................... 2- 13
Brightness Control
.............................. 2-45
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-35
Back-up Lamps
.............................. 6-39
CHMSL
.................................... 6-38
DomeLamp
................................. 6-40
Headlamps .................................. 6-36
Taillamps
................................. 6-39
Fluid
....................................... 6-30
BTSICheck
................................... 7-43
c aliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspection ........... 7-46
Canadian Roadside Assistance
...................... 8-8
Capacities and Specifications ...................... 6-64
Carbon Monoxide
.......... 2-10.2-32,2-33,4-29,4-38
Cassette Deck Service ........................... 7-41
Cassette Tape Player
.................. 3-10.3-13. 3-19
Cassette Tape Player Care
........................ 3-25
Cassette Tape Player Errors .................. 3-1 1. 3- 15
CD Adapter Kit ........................... 3-13. 3-16 CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature
................. 3-21
Center Console Cupholder
........................ 2-50
Center Console Storage Area
...................... 2-50
Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp Bulb Replacement
... 6-38
Center Rear Passenger Position
.................... 1-33
Certification Label
.............................. 4-33
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-38
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-49
Changing a Flat Tire
............................. 5-22
Check Engine Light
............................. 2-65
Check Oil Light
........................... 2-68. 6-12
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-48
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-56
Child Restraints
................................ 1-36
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position
........... 1-39
Securing in the Center Rear Seat Position
.......... 1-41
Securing in the Passenger Seat Position
........... 1-43
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position
.......... 1-43
TopStrap
................................... 1-38
WheretoPut
................................ 1-37
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-51
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-59
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-18
Cleaning
...................................... 6-49
Aluminum Wheels
............................ 6-55
Fabric
...................................... 6-50
Glass
....................................... 6-53
Inside of Your Pontiac
......................... 6-50
Instrument Panel
............................. 6-52
Leather
..................................... 6-52
Outside
of Your Pontiac ........................ 6-54
Special Problems
............................. 6-51
Stains
...................................... 6-51
Tires ....................................... 6-55
9-2

Vinyl ....................................... 6-52
Wheels
...................................... 6-55
Windshield and Wiper Blades
................... 6-53
Climate Control System
........................... 3-2
Clock, Setting the
................................ 3-8
Clutch Fluid, Hydraulic
.......................... 6-23
Clutch, Hydraulic
............................... 6-23
Comfort Controls
................................ 3-2
Compact Disc Adapter Kit
................... 3-13, 3-16
Compact Disc Care
............................. 3-26
Compact Disc Player
............................ 3 - 17
Compact Spare Tire
............................. 5-33
Control of a Vehicle
.............................. 4-6
Convenience Net
............................... 2-5 1
Convex Outside Mirror .......................... 2-48
Coolant
....................................... 6-24
Adding
................................ 5-18, 6-27
Checking
................................... 6-26
SurgeTank
.................................. 5-16
Climate Control System
with Air Conditioning
......... 3-3
Heater, Engine
........... ............... 2-19
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
....................... 6-28
Cooling System
................................ 5-16
Courtesy Transportation ........................... 8-8
Cruise Control
................................. 2-39
Cupholder
..................................... 2- 50
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users
......... 8-5
Customer Assistance Information
................... 8-3
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
.................... 8-3
Damage, Finish
............................... 6-56
Damage, Sheet Metal
............................ 6-55
Daytime Running Lamps
......................... 2-44 Dead Battery
................................... 5-3
Defects. Reporting Safety
........................ 8-10
Defensive Driving ............................... 4-2
Defogger. Rear Window
.......................... 3-6
Defrosting
..................................... 3-6
Dimensions. Vehicle
............................ 6-65
Dolby@ B Noise Reduction
.................. 3- 12. 3- 16
Dome Lamp Bulb Replacement
.................... 6-40
DoorLocks
..................................... 2-4
Driver Position
................................. 1-13
Driving Backing Up When Towing
a Trailer .............. 4-39
City
........................................ 4-21
Defogging ..................................... 3-6
Defensive
.................................... 4-2 .
Drunken ..................................... 4-3
Following Distance when Towing a Trailer
......... 4-39
Freeway
.................................... 4-22
InaBlizzard
................................. 4-28
In Foreign Countries
............... ........ 6-4
IntheRain
.................................. 4-18
Making Turns When Towing a Trailer
............. 4-40
Night
...................................... 4-16
OnCurves
.................................. 4-11
On Grades While Towing a Trailer ............... 4-40
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 4-24
On Snow and Ice
............................. 4-27
Passing When Towing a Trailer
.................. 4-39
Throughwater
............................... 4-20
WetRoads
.................................. 4-17
Winter
...................................... 4-26
With a Trailer
................................ 4-39
Drunken Driving
............................ 4-3
9-3

Easy Entry Seat ................................ 1-6
Electrical Equipment. Adding
...... 2.17. 2. 18. 3.24. 6-58
Electrical System
............................... 6-58
Engine
.................................. 6.10. 6.11
Coolant
..................................... 6-24
Coolant Heater
............................... 2- 19
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-41
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-63
Exhaust
................. 2-10.2-32,2-33.4-29. 4-38
Fuse Block
.................................. 6-62
Identification
................................ 6-58
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-41
Overheating
................................. 5 - 14
Running While Parked
......................... 2-33
Specifications
................................ 6-64
StartingYour
................................ 2-16
Engine Exhaust
............ 2-10.2-32,2-33,4-29,4-38 Engine Oil .................................... 6-12
Adding
..................................... 6-14
Additives
................................... 6- 17
Used
....................................... 6-17
What To Use
................................. 6-15
Enhanced Traction System
......................... 4-9
Enhanced Traction System Active Light
......... 2-63. 4-9
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
...... 2-62. 4-10
Ethanol
........................................ 6-4
ETS Active Light
........................... 2-63, 4-9
ETS Warning Light
........................ 2-62. 4- 10
Exhaust, Engine
............ 2-10.2-32.2-33.4-29. 4-38
Exterior Lamps
................................. 2-43
Checking
................................... 6-13
Whentochange
.............................. 6-17 Fabric
Cleaning
............................... 6-50
Fifth Gear. Manual Transaxle
..................... 2-25
Filling Your Tank
................................ 6-5
Filter. Air
..................................... 6-18
Finish Care
.................................... 6-54
Finish Damage
................................. 6-56
First Gear, Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-24
First Gear, Manual Transaxle
...................... 2-25
Flashers, Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flat Tire, Changing
............................. 5-22
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-47
Following Distance when Towing a Trailer
........... 4-39
Foreign Countries, Fuel
........................... 6-4
Fourth Gear, Manual Transaxle
.................... 2-25
French Language Manual
........................... 11 *.
Front Map Lamps ............................... 2-47
Front Towing
.................................. 5-10
Fuel
........................................ 6-3
Gage
....................................... 2-69
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-4
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-59
FogLamps
.................................... 2-45
Filling Your Tank
.... ...................... 6-5
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-63
Fuel
....................................... 2-69
Tachometer
.................................. 2-58
GarmentHook
................................. 2-53
GAWR
....................................... 4-33
Gear Positions, Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-21
Gear Positions, Manual Transaxle
.................. 2-25
9-4

Labels Certification
................................. 4-33
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-58
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-33
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-58
Lamps
........................................ 2-43
Exterior
.................................... 2-43
Fog
........................................ 2-45
Interior
..................................... 2-45
On Reminder
................................ 2-43
Latches. Seatback
................................ 1-5
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-6
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
....... 2-30
Lights Lighter
....................................... 2-51
Air Bag Readiness ....................... 1-22, 2-59
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2-61, 4-7
Brake System Warning
.................... 2-60, 6-31
Charging System Indicator ...................... 2-60
CheckEngine
................................ 2-65
Check Oil
.............................. 2-68, 6-12
Enhanced Traction System Active
............ 2-63, 4-9
ETS Active
.............................. 2-63, 4-9
ETS Warning
........................... 2-62, 4-10
Interior
..................................... 2-45
Low Coolant Warning
.................... 2-64, 6-27
Oil Pressure Warning
.......................... 2-67
PasslockWarning
............................. 2-69
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1-8, 2-59
Upshift
.................................... 2-69
Litter Bag Hook
................................ 2-52
Loading Your Vehicle ........................... 4-33
Enhanced
Traction System Warning Light
.... 2-62, 4-10 Locks
Automatic Door
....................... 2-5
Cylinders
................................... 7-42
Door
........................................ 2-4
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-42
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-5
Rear Door Security
............................. 2-6
Steering Column Lock Check
................... 7-44
Trunk
...................................... 2-10
Low Coolant Warning Light
................. 2-64, 6-27
Lubricants and Fluids
.......... .............. 7-47
Lubrication Service. Body
... .............. 7-42
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts
........... 6-65
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-49
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Introduction
.................................. 7-2
Long Tripmighway Definition
................... 7-6
Long Tripmighway Intervals
..................... 7-6
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-41
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-45
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-47
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Short Trip/City Definition
....................... 7-5
Short Trip/City Intervals ........................ 7-5
Maintenance, Underbody
......................... 6-56
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-41
Making
Turns When Towing a Trailer ............... 4-40
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-65
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1-2
Manual Lumbar Support
........................ 1-3
Manual Remote Control Mirror
. . ... . . 2-49
9-6

Manual Transaxle ........... ............... 2-16
Check
.................................... 7-42
Fluid
....................................... 6-21
Shifting
..................................... 2-25
Starting Your Engine
.......................... 2- 16
Methanol
...................................... 6-4
Mirrors
....................................... 2-48
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-48
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2-48
Manual Remote Control
........................ 2-49
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-49
Visor Vanity
................................. 2-52
MountainRoads
................................ 4-24
Multifunction Lever
....................... 2-35
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle
.................... 2-22
Neutral. Manual Transaxle
.............. ...... 2-25
New Vehicle “Break-In”
....................... 2- 13
Nightvision
................................... 4-17
Odometer
.................................... 2-57
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-57
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4- 13
Oil. Engine
.................................... 6-12
Oil Pressure Warning Light
....................... 2-67
Outlet. Accessory Power
......................... 2-52
Overdrive. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-23
Overheating Engine
............................. 5- 14
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-41
Owner Publications. Ordering
..................... 8- 12
Owner Publications. Ordering in Canada
............ 8- 11 Paint
Spotting. Chemical
... .... 6-56
Park Automatic Transaxle
...................... 2-21
Shifting Into
................................. 2-29
Shifting Out of
............................... 2-31
AtNight
............... ................ 2-12
Brake
.................................... 2-28
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-44
Lots ....................................... 2-12
Over Things That Bum
........................ 2-32
With a Trailer
................................ 4-41
Yourvehicle
................................. 2-31
Passenger Position
....... ................... 1-21
Passlock
...................................... 2-13
Passlock Warning Light
.......................... 2-69
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-45
Pontiac Cares Information
..... ... ........ 8-2
Power
DoorLocks
................................... 2-5
Option Fuses
................................ 6-59
Remote Control Mirror
........................ 2-49
Seat
......................................... 1-3
Steering
.................................... 4-11
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-28
Windows
................................... 2-34
Pregnancy. Use
of Safety Belts .................... 1-20
Problems on the Road
............................ 5-1
Publications. Service and Owner
................... 8-12
Parking
Passing
....................................... 4-13 .
9-7