2004 PONTIAC GTO Owners Manual

Notice:If you leave your radio or other accessories
on during the jump starting procedure, they could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Always turn off your radio and
other accessories when jump starting your vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter. Turn off the radio and all lamps that aren’t
needed. This will avoid sparks and help save
both batteries. And it could save your radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find the
positive (+) and negative (−) terminal locations on
each vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for more information on location.
{CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the
engine is not running and can injure you. Keep
hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing
this, and some have been blinded. Use a
ashlight if you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You do
not need to add water to the battery installed
in your new vehicle. But if a battery has ller
caps, be sure the right amount of uid is there.
If it is low, add water to take care of that rst.
If you don’t, explosive gas could be present.
Battery uid contains acid that can burn you.
Do not get it on you. If you accidentally get it
in your eyes or on your skin, ush the place
with water and get medical help immediately.
5-43

{CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure
you badly. Keep your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or
missing insulation. If they do, you could get a
shock. The vehicles could be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some
basic things you should know. Positive (+) will go to
positive (+) or to a remote positive (+) terminal if
the vehicle has one. Negative (−) will go to a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part or to a remote
negative (−) terminal if the vehicle with the dead
battery has one.
Don’t connect positive (+) to negative (−) or you’ll
get a short that would damage the battery and
maybe other parts, too. And don’t connect
the negative (−) cable to the negative (−) terminal
on the dead battery because this can cause sparks.6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the dead battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
7. Don’t let the other end touch metal. Connect it to the
positive (+) terminal of the good battery. Use a
remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
8. Now connect the black
negative (−) cable to
the negative (−)
terminal of the good
battery. Use a remote
negative (−) terminal
if the vehicle has one.
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Don’t let the other end touch anything until the next
step. The other end of the negative (−) cable
does not go to the dead battery. It goes to a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part or to a remote
negative (−) terminal on the vehicle with the dead
battery.9. Connect the other end of the negative (−) cable at
least 18 inches (45 cm) away from the dead battery,
but not near engine parts that move. The electrical
connection is just as good there, and the chance
of sparks getting back to the battery is much less.
10. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run
the engine for a while.
11. Try to start the vehicle that has the dead battery. If
it won’t start after a few tries, it probably needs
service.
Replace any battery covers.
Notice:If the jumper cables are removed in the
wrong order, electrical shorting may occur and
damage the vehicle. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Remove the jumper
cables in the correct order, making sure that the
cables do not touch each other or other metal.
5-45

A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead BatteryTo disconnect the jumper cables from both vehicles, do
the following:
1. Disconnect the black negative (−) cable from the
vehicle that had the dead battery.
2. Disconnect the black negative (−) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the other
vehicle.
Jumper Cable Removal
5-46

Bulb Replacement
For the type of bulbs, seeReplacement Bulbs on
page 5-50. For any bulb changing procedure not listed
in this section, contact your dealer.
Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside
and can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb.
You or others could be injured. Be sure to read
and follow the instructions on the bulb
package.
Headlamps
To gain access if replacing a front bulb on the
passenger’s side of the vehicle, do the following:
1. Undo the battery clamp.
2. Remove the battery retaining plate and slide the
battery out of the way toward the rear of the
vehicle.
3. If your vehicle is equipped with a larger battery, the
battery terminals must be disconnected and the
battery completely removed from the vehicle.
After replacing the bulb, remember to replace and
connect the battery.
To gain access if replacing a front bulb on the driver’s
side of the vehicle, do the following:
1. Remove the four screws in the radiator cover.
2. Remove the radiator cover.
A hole is provided in the air intake duct through
which the bulbs can be accessed.
5-47

After replacing the bulbs, remember to reinstall the
radiator cover and the four screws.
1. Open the hood. Access the bulbs by following the
previous instructions.
2. Turn the dust caps
counterclockwise and
remove from the rear of
the headlamp
assembly to gain
access to the bulb.
3. Remove the wiring harness connector by squeezing
the two tabs on the connector and pulling the
connector down.4. Remove the old bulb
by twisting the bulb
counterclockwise.
5. Carefully without touching it, install the new bulb by
reversing Steps 1 through 4.
6. Check the light operation.
5-48

Front Turn Signal and Parking
Lamps
1. Open the hood. To access the bulbs, see
Headlamps on page 5-47.
2. Disconnect the wiring harness connector from the
headlamp assembly.
3. Turn the bulb holder counterclockwise and remove.
4. Lightly press the bulb and twist counterclockwise
out of the holder.
5. Insert the new bulb and install the bulb holder.
The bulb should be colored orange.
6. Connect the wiring harness connector.
7. SeeHeadlamps on page 5-47to replace bulb
assembly.
8. Check light operation.
Rear Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-Up Lamps
1. Open the trunk.
2. Remove the two screws that attach the taillamp
assembly to the vehicle.
3. Pull the assembly sideways out from the panel so
that the locating pegs on the side of the lamp
assembly snap free from the clips.
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4. While holding the assembly, turn the appropriate
bulb holder counterclockwise to release it from the
housing.
5. Remove the bulb from the holder by pushing it in
and turning it counterclockwise. The turn signal
bulb must have amber colored glass.
6. Install the new bulb into the bulb holder by pushing
it into the holder and turning it clockwise.
7. Insert the new bulb into the bulb holder and install
the bulb holder into the lamp housing, ensuring that
the holder locks securely into place.
8. Ensure that the lamp assembly clips are seated
correctly. Fit the housing to the body, ensuring
that the locating pegs snap into the clips and install
and tighten the attaching nuts to the correct
torque.
9. Check the light operation.Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamp Bulb Number
Back-up Lamp 1156
Front Sidemarker Lamp 168
Front Turn Signal and
Parking Lamp1157NA
Headlamps
High-Beam
Low-BeamH9
H11
Rear Turn Signal 1156NA
Stop/Taillamp 1157
For any bulb not listed here contact your dealer.
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected at least
twice a year for wear or cracking. SeeOwner Checks
and Services on page 6-9for more information.
To replace the wiper blade assembly:
1. Lift the wiper up from the windshield and set into
the vertically-locked position.
2. Press the tab that holds the wiper blade to the arm.
3. Slide the blade down and off the arm.
4. Slide in the new blade and snap into place.
5-50