2000 PONTIAC FIREBIRD ECU

2-17
PASS-Key
II
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS
-Key II
(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 II uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key
that matches a decoder in your vehicle.
When the PASS
-Key II 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 stays on when you
try to start the vehicle, 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 ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº 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.
See your dealer or a locksmith who can service the
PASS
-Key II to have a new key made.
If you're ever driving and the SECURITY light comes on
and stays on, you will be able to restart your engine if you
turn it off. Your PASS
-Key II system, however, is not
working properly and must be serviced by your dealer.
Your vehicle is not protected by the PASS
-Key II system.
If you lose or damage a PASS
-Key II ignition key, see
your dealer or a locksmith who can service PASS
-Key II
to have a new key made. In an emergency, call the Pontiac
Roadside Assistance Center at 1
-800-ROADSIDE or
1
-800-762-3743. (In Canada call 1-800-268-6800.)

2-55 Delayed Illumination
With delayed illumination, the courtesy lamps will come
on and stay on for 25 seconds after you enter the vehicle
and close the doors. They will also stay on for five
seconds after you exit the vehicle and close the doors.
Delayed illumination will be shortened if the ignition is
turned to RUN or if the power locks are activated. To
turn this feature on or off, see ªFeature Customizationº
in the Index.
Exit Lighting
With exit lighting, the interior lamps will come on when
you remove the key from the ignition to help you see
while exiting the vehicle. To turn this feature on or off,
see ªFeature Customizationº in the Index.
Front Map Lamps
Your inside rearview mirror includes two map lamps.
Each lamp has its own switch. Use the switch closest to
the lamp to turn it on. The lamps will also come on
when a door is opened.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature. It allows certain features on your
vehicle to continue to work up to 10 minutes after the
ignition key is turned to OFF.
Your convertible top, power windows, power mirrors
and audio system will work when the ignition key is in
RUN or ACC. Once the key is turned from RUN to
OFF, these features will continue to work for up to
10 minutes or until either door is opened.
Your power door unlock and remote hatch release
features will work when the ignition key is in RUN or
ACC or if either door is open. Once the key is turned to
OFF, these features will continue to work for up to
10 minutes. If either door is open and the ignition key is
off, these features will continue to work until both doors
have been closed for about 30 seconds or until the
theft
-deterrent system arms. At that time, both the
power door unlock and remote hatch release features
will be disabled to enhance the security of the vehicle.
The power door lock function will work at all times
except when lockout prevention is enabled. See
ªLockout Preventionº in the Index.

2-59
CAUTION:
An improperly stored cargo cover could be
thrown about the vehicle during a collision or
sudden maneuver. You or others could be
injured. If you remove the cover, always store it
outside the vehicle. When you put it back, always
be sure that it is securely reattached.
Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter
Lift up the cover to open the ashtray. To remove it, lift
up on either side of the ashtray. If you have an automatic
transmission, the ashtray is near the front of your
console. If you have a manual transmission, the ashtray
is in front of your cupholder.
NOTICE:
Don't put papers and other things that burn into
your ashtray. If you do, cigarettes or other
smoking materials could set them on fire,
causing damage.
To use the lighter, push it in all the way and let go.
When it's ready, it will pop back out by itself.
NOTICE:
Don't hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it is heating. If you do, it won't be able to
back away from the heating element when it's
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
If you plug accessories into your cigarette lighter, such
as heating devices or air compressors, these accessories
should have a rated current of less than 15 amps.
Exceeding this limit will result in a blown fuse.

2-62
2. Then pull on the release handle to unlatch the panel.
Lift the outer edge of the panel and pull it toward
you. Then carry the panel to the rear of the vehicle
for storage.
Storing the T-Top Roof Panels
CAUTION:
If the T-top panel is not stored properly, it could
be thrown about the vehicle in a crash or sudden
maneuver. People in the vehicle could be injured.
Whenever you store the T
-top panel in the
vehicle, always be sure that it is stored securely
in the correct storage slot with the T
-top
handle closed.

2-63
1. Open the cargo cover completely. Place the panel in
the correct slot (DRIVER or PASSENGER) in the
rear area of your vehicle. Make sure the handle is
open and facing you when you put it in the
storage slot.2. Push the handle to close and secure the panel in the
slot. To lock each panel in the storage area, use your
door key.

3-17
Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK
is designed to discourage theft of your
radio. It works by using a secret code to disable all radio
functions whenever battery power is removed.
The THEFTLOCK feature for the radio may be used or
ignored. If ignored, the system plays normally and the
radio is not protected by the feature. If THEFTLOCK is
activated, your radio will not operate if stolen.
When THEFTLOCK is activated, the radio will display
LOC to indicate a locked condition anytime battery
power is removed. If your battery loses power for any
reason, you must unlock the radio with the secret code
before it will operate.
Activating the Theft
-Deterrent Feature
The instructions which follow explain how to enter your
secret code to activate the THEFTLOCK system. It is
recommended that you read through all nine steps
before starting the procedure.
If you allow more than 15 seconds to elapse between
any steps, the radio automatically reverts to time and
you must start the procedure over at Step 4.1. Write down any three or four
-digit number from
000 to 1999 and keep it in a safe place separate from
the vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition to ACC or RUN.
3. Turn the radio off.
4. Press the 1 and 4 buttons together. Hold them down
until
--- shows on the display. Next you will use the
secret code number which you have written down.
5. Press MIN and 000 will appear on the display.
6. Press MIN again to make the last two digits agree
with your code.
7. Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree
with your code.
8. Press AM
-FM after you have confirmed that the
code matches the secret code you have written down.
The display will show REP to let you know that you
need to repeat Steps 5 through 7 to confirm your
secret code.
9. Press AM
-FM and this time the display will show
SEC to let you know that your radio is secure.
Note that with the ignition off, the THEFTLOCK LED
indicator will flash, indicating a secured radio.

3-18
Unlocking the Theft-Deterrent Feature After a
Power Loss
Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than
15 seconds between steps:
1. Turn the ignition on. LOC will appear on the display.
2. Press MIN and 000 will appear on the display.
3. Press MIN again to make the last two digits agree
with your code.
4. Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree
with your code.
5. Press AM
-FM after you have confirmed that the
code matches the secret code you have written down.
The display will show SEC, indicating the radio is
now operable and secure.
If you enter the wrong code eight times, INOP will
appear on the display. You will have to wait an hour
with the ignition on before you can try again. When
you try again, you will only have three more chances
(eight tries per chance) to enter the correct code before
INOP appears.
If you lose or forget your code, contact your dealer.Disabling the Theft
-Deterrent Feature
Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than
15 seconds between steps:
1. Turn the ignition to ACC or RUN.
2. Turn the radio off.
3. Press the 1 and 4 buttons together. Hold them down
until SEC shows on the display.
4. Press MIN and 000 will appear on the display.
5. Press MIN again to make the last two digits agree
with your code.
6. Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree
with your code.
7. Press AM
-FM after you have confirmed that the
code matches the secret code you have written down.
The display will show
---, indicating that the radio is
no longer secured.
If the code entered is incorrect, SEC will appear on the
display. The radio will remain secured until the correct
code is entered.
When battery power is removed and later applied to a
secured radio, the radio won't turn on and LOC will
appear on the display.
To unlock a secured radio, see ªUnlocking the
Theft
-Deterrent Feature After a Power Lossº earlier in
this section.

4-26
Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:

Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.

You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your vehicle.
Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply
of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer
clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth and a
couple of reflective warning triangles. And, if you will
be driving under severe conditions, include a small bag
of sand, a piece of old carpet or a couple of burlap bags
to help provide traction. Be sure you properly secure
these items in your vehicle.