2003 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE check engine

PASS-Key@ 111 Operation
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS-Key@
Ill
(Personalized Automotive
Security System)
theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key@
Ill is a passive
theft deterrent system.
This means you don’t have
to do anything different
to arm or disarm the
system.
It works when you
insert
or remove the key
from the ignition.
When the PASS-Key@
Ill system senses that someone
is using the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle’s
starter and fuel systems. The starter will not work and
fuel will stop being delivered to the engine. Anyone
using a trial-and-error method
to start the vehicle will be
discouraged because of the high number of electrical
key codes.
If the engine does not start and the security message
comes on, the key may have a damaged transponder.
Turn the ignition
off and try again.
If the engine still does not start, and the key appears to
be undamaged, try another ignition key. At this time,
you may also want
to check the instrument panel PASS
KEY fuse.
If the engine still does not start with the
other key, your vehicle needs service.
If your vehicle
does start, the first key may be faulty. See your dealer or
a locksmith who can service the PASS-Key@ Ill to
have a new key made. See Fuses and Circuit Breakers
on page 5-96.
It is possible for the PASS-Key@ Ill decoder to learn
the transponder value of a new or replacement key.
Up
to 10 additional keys may be programmed for
the vehicle. This procedure is for learning additional
keys only.
If all the currently programmed keys are lost
or do not operate, you must see your dealer or a
locksmith who can service PASS-Key@
Ill to have keys
made and programmed to the system.
See your dealer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key@
Ill to get a new key blank that is cut
exactly as the ignition key that operates the system.
2-30

Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position
- that’s a
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice: Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle
is moving. If you do, you could damage
the transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key
to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine warms up.
Notice: Holding your key in START for longer
than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery
to be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If the engine doesn’t start in 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal about one-quarter of the way
down while you turn the key
to START. Do this until
the engine starts.
As soon as it does, let go of
the key.
3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for a maximum of
15 seconds. This clears
the extra gasoline from the engine. If the engine
still won’t start or starts briefly but then stops again,
repeat Step
1 or 2, depending on the temperature.
When the engine starts, release the key and
the accelerator pedal.
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 dealer. If you don’t, your engine
might not perform properly.
2-34

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.
Your vehicle also has a message center that works
along with the warning lights and gages. See
Message
Center on page
3-52.
3-39

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
United States
\[-I/
u
Canada
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
If the
gage pointer moves into the red area, your engine is
too hot!
It means that your engine coolant has overheated.
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal
drivinq conditions, vou should pull
off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
See
Engine Overheating on page 5-26.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Service Engine Soon Light in the
United States or Check Engine Light
in Canada
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
United States Canada
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 accepiabie ieveis ior ine iiie
of ihe
vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner environment.
3-47

The SERVICE ENGINE SOON or 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.
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.
Notice: Modifications made to the engine,
transaxle, exhaust, intake or fuel system of your vehicle or the replacement
of the original tires with
other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission
controls and may cause this light to come
on.
Modifications to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This may
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission Inspection/Maintenance test. 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:
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.
Light On Steady
- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service may be required.
3-48

Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel.
See
Gasoline Octane on page 5-5. 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.
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
may begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this
inspection could prevent you from getting a vehicle
registration.
Here are some things you need
to know to help your
vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection
if the SERVICE
ENGINE SOON or
CHECK ENGINE light is on or not
working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection
if the OBD
(on-board diagnostic) system determines that critical
emission control systems have not been completely
diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would be
considered not ready for inspection. This can happen
if you have recently replaced your battery or if your
battery has run down. The diagnostic system is
designed to evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This may take several days
of routine driving.
If you have done this and your vehicle
still does not pass the inspection for lack of
OBD
system readiness, see your dealer or qualified service
center to prepare the vehicle for inspection.
3-50

Charging System Indicator Message
The charging system
battery symbol will come
on in the message
center when you turn on
the ignition as a check
to show you it is working.
It will remain on as long as the engine is not running.
It should go out once the engine is running.
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 problems with a generator drive belt,
or another electrical problem. Have it checked right
away. Driving while this indicator appears in the
message center could drain your battery.
Low Oil Pressure Message
LOW
OIL
PRESSURE
LL
United States Canada
Your vehicle is equipped with a low oil pressure warning
message.
Your oil pressure message lets you know when you
may have a problem with your engine oil pressure.
When the engine is running and this message appears,
the engine oil level may be too low. There may also
be another problem causing low oil pressure.
If you must drive a short distance with the message on,
be certain to turn
off all your accessories, such as
the radio and air conditioner.
3-54

L,n’t keep driving i, .he oil pressure i, ,ow.
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 Engine Oil Level Message
I I I
LOW
ENG OIL
LEVEL
I I I
United States Canada
If this message comes on, it means your engine is
low on oil.
You need to check the oil level right away. Have your
vehicle serviced immediately.
3-55