1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE check engine light

PASS-Key@ I1
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS-Key
11
(Personalized Automotive
Security System)
theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key
II is a passive
theft-deterrent system.
It works when you insert
or remove the key from
the ignition.
PASS-Key
11 uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key
that matches a decoder in your vehicle.
When the PASS-Key
11 system senses that someone 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 start. 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. 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
fuse (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 dealer
or a
locksmith who can service
the PASS-Key II.
If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or
missing resistor pellet, the starter won’t work. The
SECURITY light will flash. But you don’t have to wait
three minutes before trying another ignition
key.

Tachometer
x 1000
n
’ The tachometer shows your
engine speed
in revolutions
per minute
(rpm). Do not
run your engine at speeds in
the red area.
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.
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.
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.
Your vehicle may
also have a driver information system
that works along with the warning lights and gages. See “Driver Information System’’
in the Index.
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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.
The safety belt light
will
also come on and stay on
for about
70 seconds. If the
driver’s belt is already
buckled, neither the chime nor the light will come
on.
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows
AIR BAG. 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.
BAG 4
AIR a*
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 RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be
ready to
warn you if there is a problem.
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Battery Light (If Equipped)
This light will come on
briefly when you start the
vehicle, as a check to
show
should go out. VOLT F+I you it is working; then it
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the electrical charging system.
It could indicate that you have a generator problem or
another electrical system 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 climate control system.
Some clusters with gages do not have a battery warning
light. They have
a CHECK GAGES warning to indicate
a problem.
Voltmeter
I You have a voltmeter
unless you have the
supercharged engine.
When the engine is running, the gage shows the
condition
of the charging system. Readings outside the
red
warning zone indicate the normal operating range.
Readings
in the red warning zone indicate a possible
problem in the electrical system.
On vehicles with the
optional DIC,
the CHECK GAGES light will also come
on, and
a warning chime will sound. Have your vehicle
serviced immediately.
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The traction control system warning light may come on
for the following reasons:
If you turn the system off by pressing the button
located on the center console, the warning light will come on and stay on.
To turn the system back on,
press the button again.
The warning light should go
off. (See “Traction Control System” in the Index
for more information.)
Low Coolant Warning Light (If Equipped)
LOW
COOLANT
’ If you have this light and it
comes on, your system may
be low on coolant and the
engine may overheat.
If there’s a brake system problem that is specifically
related to traction control, the traction control system will turn
off and the warning light will come on. If
your brakes begin to overheat, the traction control
system will
turn off and the warning light will come
on until your brakes cool down.
engine-related problem, the system will
turn off and
the warning light will come on.
0 If the traction control system is affected by an
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for
an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service. Check to see if
the level is low at the recovery tank, and
add coolant
if necessary. If the level is not low, have
your low coolant warning system serviced. See “Engine
Coolant” in the Index.
The
LOW COOLANT warning light will also come on
when you
turn on the ignition, but your engine is not
running, as a check to show you it is working. If it
doesn’t come on then, have it fixed right away.
After the bulb check, the light will
go out for 20
seconds. If the light comes back on after 20 seconds, the
system may be low on coolant. See “Engine Coolant”
in the Index.
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Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
280
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves
into
the red area, your
engine is too hot! On
vehicles
with the optional
DIC, the CHECK GAGES
light will go on and a
warning chime will sound.
It means that your engine coolant has overheated.
If you
have been operating your vehicle under normal driving
conditions, you should pull
off the road, stop your
vehicle and
turn off the engine as soon as possible.
In the section “Problems
on the Road,” this manual
explains what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light)
CHECK 0
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (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. The
CHECK ENGINE 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. This may prevent more
serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
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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. If the
Light Is Flashing
The
following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed.
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.
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. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service may be required.
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer
or qualified service center diagnosis and
service
may be required.
0 Light On Steady -- An emission control system 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 vehicle. 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
dealer or qualified service center for service.
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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.
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 dealer or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your dealer
has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to
fix any mechanical or electrical
problems
that may have developed.
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