PASS-KeyžIII Operation
Your vehicle is equipped
with PASS-KeyžIII
(Personalized Automotive
Security System)
theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key
žIII is a passive
theft-deterrent system. This
means you don't have to do
anything special to arm or
disarm the system. It works
when you insert or remove
the key from the ignition.
When the PASS-Key
žIII 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 ¯owing 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.When trying to start the vehicle, if the engine does not
start and the STARTING DISABLED DUE TO THEFT
SYSTEM warning message on the Driver's Information
Center (DIC) 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 fuse. See
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-99. If the engine still does not start
with the other key, your vehicle needs service. If your
vehicle does start, the ®rst key may be faulty. See your
dealer who can service the PASS-Key
žIII to have a new
key made. In an emergency, contact Pontiac Roadside
Assistance. See
Roadside Assistance Program on
page 7-6for more information.
It is possible for the PASS-Key
žIII decoder to ªlearnº
the transponder value of a new or replacement key.
Up to 10 additional keys may be programmed for
the vehicle. The following procedure is for programming
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
žIII
to have keys made and programmed to the system.
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3. If it doesn't start within 10 seconds, hold your key in
START for about 10 seconds at a time until your
engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between
each try.
4. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be ¯ooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
¯oor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
brie¯y but then stops again, do the same thing.
This time keep the pedal down for ®ve or six
seconds to clear the extra gasoline from the engine.
After waiting about 15 seconds, repeat the normal
starting procedure.
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.
Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may be equipped with an engine coolant
heater. In very cold weather, 0ÉF (-18ÉC) 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.
At temperatures above 32ÉF (0ÉC), use of the coolant
heater is not required.
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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 brie¯y 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. 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 Driver Information Center (DIC)
that works along with the warning lights and gages.
See
Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-45for
more information.
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Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
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.
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:Modi®cations 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.
Modi®cations 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.
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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 FlashingÐ A mis®re condition has been
detected. A mis®re increases vehicle emissions
and may damage the emission control system
on your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may
be required.
·Light On SteadyÐ An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service may be required.
If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
·Reducing vehicle speed.
·Avoiding hard accelerations.
·Avoiding steep uphill grades.
·If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.If the light stops ¯ashing and remains on steady,
see ªIf the Light Is On Steadyº following.
If the light continues to ¯ash, 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 ªIf the
Light Is On Steadyº following. If the light is still ¯ashing,
follow the previous steps, and see your dealer for
service as soon as possible.
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. See
Filling Your Tank on page 5-7.
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.
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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
Gasoline Octane on page 5-4. 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, mis®ring,
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,
your dealer can check the vehicle. Your dealer has the
proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to ®x 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
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, your GM dealer can prepare the
vehicle for inspection.
3-42
Oil Pressure Light
If you have a problem with
your oil pressure, this light
may stay on after you
start the engine, or it may
come on while 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 ®xed right away.
The oil light could also come on in two 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's
working. The light will go out when you turn the
ignition to RUN. If it doesn't come on with the ignition
on, you may have a problem with the fuse or bulb.
See
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-99.
·If you make a hard stop, the light may come on for
a moment. This is normal.
{CAUTION:
Don't keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
If you do, your engine can become so hot that
it catches ®re. 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.
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CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE
This symbol appears with
the CHARGING SYSTEM
FAILURE warning
message.
This warning message indicates that there is a problem
with the generator and battery charging systems.
Have the electrical system checked by your dealer as
soon as possible.
This warning message will display when the ignition
is in RUN. A chime will sound for two seconds when this
message is displayed. Press the set/reset button to
acknowledge this warning message and to clear it from
the screen.
This message will continue to display if it has not been
acknowledged when the engine is turned off. It will
also re-display for three seconds if the message has
been acknowledged, but the condition still exists
when the engine is turned off.
The message will re-appear when the engine is turned
on and the condition still exists.
CHECK GAS CAP
This warning message appears when the gas cap is not
on, or is not fully tightened. Check the gas cap to ensure
it is on and properly tightened.
This warning message will display while the ignition is
in RUN. A chime will sound for two seconds when this
message is displayed and then the screen will clear after
three seconds. Press the set/reset button to acknowledge
this warning message and to clear it from the screen.
This message will continue to display if it has not been
acknowledged when the engine is turned off. It will
also re-display for three seconds if the message has
been acknowledged, but the condition still exists
when the engine is turned off.
The message will re-appear when the engine is turned
on and the condition still exists.
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