1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE check engine

During normal operation, the SECURITY light will go
off after the engine is started.
If the engine stalls and the SECURITY light flashes,
wait until the light stops flashing before trying to restart
the engine. Remember to release the key from the
START position as soon as the engine starts.
If you
are driving and the SECURITY light comes on,
you will be able to restart the engine
if you turn the
engine
off. However, your Passlock system is not
working properly and must be serviced by your retailer.
Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock at this time.
You may also want to check the fuse (see “Fuses and
Circuit Breakers” in the Index). See your retailer
for service.
If the SECURITY light comes on while the engine is
running, a problem has been detected and the system
may need service. See your retailer for service.
In
an emergency, call the Oldsmobile Roadside
Assistance Center at
1-800-442-OLDS (6537).
New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But
it will perform better in the
long run if you follow these guidelines:
Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time
you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow a trailer during break-in. See
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index for more
information.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
2-15
ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts
or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your retailer.
If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part
of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the
Index.
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
In very cold weather, 0 OF (- 18 O C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
2-1s
ProCarManuals.com

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 ON, 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
for about
20 seconds, then
it will flash for about
55 seconds.
If the driver’s belt
is already buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.
2-55
-.
ProCarManuals.com

Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows 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 modules, the wiring
and the crash sensing and diagnostic module. For more
information on the air bag system, see “Air Bag” in
the Index.
This light will come
on
when you start your engine.
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should
go out. This means
the system
is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
engine or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
The air bag readiness light should flash for
a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to
ON. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready
to warn you if there is a problem.
Charging System Light
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.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can
still work and stop you.
For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes
on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
2-56
ProCarManuals.com

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:
0 Light Flashing -- A misfire condition has been
detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Retailer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service may be required.
Light On Steady -- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Retailer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
a Reducing vehicle speed.
a Avoiding hard accelerations.
0 Avoiding steep uphill grades.
0 If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible. If
the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light
Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when
it is safe to do so,
stop the velzicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart the
engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light
Is On Steady” following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
retailer or qualified service center for service.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If
so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate
into the
atmosphere. A few driving trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If
so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries
out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
2-61
ProCarManuals.com

Are you low on fuel? Oil Warning Light
As your engine starts to run out of fuel, your engine may
not run as efficiently as designed since small amounts of
air are sucked into the
fuel line causing a misfire. The
system can detect this. Adding fuel should correct this
condition. Make sure to install the
fuel cap properly. It
will take a few driving trips
to turn the light off.
Have
you recently changed brands of fuel?
If
so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel (see
“Fuel”
in the Index). Poor fuel quality will cause your
engine not
to run as efficiently as designed. You may
notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling when you put
the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation
on acceleration
or stumbling on acceleration. (These conditions may go
away once the engine is warmed up.) This will be
detected by the system and cause the light to turn on.
If you experience one or more
of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least one
full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none
of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your retailer
or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your retailer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to
fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed. 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:
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 on with the
ignition on, you may have a problem with
the fuse or
bulb. Have it fixed right away.
Sometimes when the engine is idling at a stop, the
light may blink on and off. This is normal.
2-62
ProCarManuals.com

If you make a hard stop, the light may come on for a
moment. This
is normal.
-
Don’t keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become
so hot that it
catches fire. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have your
vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and is not covered by
your warranty.
Low Oil Level Light
LOW
OIL
~ Your engine is equipped
1 with an oil level monitoring
l system. When the ignition is
turned on, the
LOW OIL
~ level light will briefly flash.
If the light does not flash, have it fixed
so it will be
ready
to warn you if there’s a problem.
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 “Engine Oil” in the Index.) 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.
The oil level monitoring system only checks oil level
during the brief period between key on and engine
crank.
It does not monitor engine oil 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.
2-63
ProCarManuals.com

Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
Security Light
SECURITY
This light will come on
when you turn the key to
START and will stay on
until the vehicle starts.
LOW
WASHER
FLUID
If you’re driving and the security light comes on and
remains on, your Passlock” system is not working
properly. Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock and
you should see your retailer.
Cruise Light
CRUISE
The CRUISE light comes
on whenever you set your
cruise control. See “Cruise
Control” in the Index.
This light will come on
when your ignition is on to
check
the bulb and will
come on when your washer
fluid
is low.
Change Oil Light
CHANGE
OIL
The CHANGE OIL light
should come on briefly as
a bulb check when you
start the engine.
If the light
doesn’t come
on, have
it serviced.
2-64
ProCarManuals.com