Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position: When
you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound or series of clicks, or
nothing at all.
Store the wheel cover or center
cap in the trunk. Make sure it does
not get scratched or damaged. You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.
You
hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See on page .
Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the f loor or the
starter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, it must be
in Park or neutral.
Check these things:
21.
245
CONT INUED
If the Engine Won’t StartNothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting
Changing a Flat Tire, If the Engine Won’t Start
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
243
Loose items can fly around the
interior in a crash and could
seriously injure the occupants.
Store the wheel, jack, and tools
securely before driving.
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In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even faster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position, but the engine does not run.Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer to on page .
Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ). Do you have fuel? Check the fuel
gauge; the low fuel indicator m
ay
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses
(see page ).
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery connections (see page ). You can then try jump
starting the vehicle from a booster
battery (see page ). Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the fuses. If the fuses
areOK,thereisprobably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified mechanic to
determine the problem (see on page ). Ifyoufindnothingwrong,youwill
need
a qualified mechanic to find the
problem. See
on page .
255
234 245 169
75 257
255
If theEngineWon’tStart
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine
Emergency T owing Emergency T owing
244
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Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the first stop. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.
Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum (climate control to
FULL AUTO at 90°F/32°C). Add
coolant to the radiator up to the
base of the filler neck. If you do
not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and
refilled with the proper mixture as
soon as you can. Put
the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
If you do not f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.
7. 6.
8.
9. 10.
11.
255
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
249
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
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Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
outwithin10seconds,turnoffthe
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
befo re you can continue driving
(see on page
).
This indicator should never come on
when the engine is running. If it
starts flashing or stays on, the oil
pressu re has dropped very low or
lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action. If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
Let
the vehicle sit for a minute.
Op en the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers. Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
1.
2.
3. 4.
159 255
204 Emergency T owing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
250
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.
——
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If the indicator remains on or the
fu el cap was not loose or missing,
have the vehicle checked by the
dealer as soon as possible. If
your vehicle’s battery has been
disconnected or gone dead, these
conditions to set the codes again.
If
you have recently refueled your
vehicle, the cause of this indicator
coming on could be a loose or
missing fuel fill cap. Check the cap
or replace it. Tightening the cap will
not make the indicator turn off
days of norm al driving. Your
vehicle has certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that are part of the on-board
diagnostics for the emissions
systems. In some states, part of the
emissions testing is to make sure
these codes are set. If they are not
set, the test cannot be completed. To
check if they are set, turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, without starting the engine.
The malfunction indicator lamp will
come on for 20 seconds. If it then
goes off, the readiness codes are set.
If it blinks five times, the readiness
codes are not set. If possible, do not
take your vehicle for a state
emissions test until the readiness
codes are set. Ref er to for more
info rmation (see page ).275
Readiness Codes
State
Emissions T esting
Malf unction Indicator L amp
252
If you keep driving with the
Malf unction Indicator Lamp on, you
can damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls and engine. Those repairs may
not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties. This indicator may also
come on with the ‘‘D’’ indicator.
——yy
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immediately; it can take several
codes are erased. It can take several
days of driving under various
The interior fuse box is on the
driver’s lower left side. To remove
the fuse box lid, pull it toward you
and take it out of its hinges. The
under-hood fuse box is located
near the back of the engine compart-
ment on the driver’s side. To open it,
pushthetabsasshown. If
something electrical in your
vehicle stops working, the first thing
youshouldcheckforisablownfuse.
Determine from the chart on pages
and , or the diagram on the
f use box lid, which f use or f uses
control that component. Check those
f uses f irst, but check all the f uses
bef ore deciding that a blown f use is
not the cause. Replace any blown
f uses and check if the device works.
Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Make sure the
headlights and all other
accessories are of f .
Remove the cover f rom the f use
box.
1.
2. 261
260
CONT INUED
Fuses
Checking and Replacing Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
257
INTERIOR UNDER-HOOD
TAB
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µµ
µ
(
%
)
$
%
.
"
#
)
This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
This manual complements the service manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts.
Authorized Manuals
Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
282
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
and also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should
be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the address shown
below for a quotation.
P.O. BOX 07280·DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207·1-800-782-4356
Customer Name Attention
Apartment Number
State & Zip Code
City
Daytime Telephone Number
Check or money order enclosed payable to Helm Inc U.S. funds only.
Do not send cash
Master
Card VISA
Check here if your billing address is different
from the shipping address shown above.
Account Number Expiration: Mo. Yr.
CUSTOMER SIGNATURE DATE
Street Address No P.O. Box Number
()
These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.
——y
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CONT INUED
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator . 58, 251
............................
Jump Starting .245
..............................
Maintenance .234
............................
Specif ications .267
..............................
Bef ore Driving .153
........................................
Belts, Seat .10
Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .180
.............
Break-in, New Linings .154
...........................................
Fluid .215
.........................................
Parking .99
.........................
System Indicator .59
........................
Wear Indicators .179
.............................
Braking System .179
........................
Break-in, New Car .154
..
Brightness Control, Instruments .72
........................
Brights, Headlights .70
Bulb Replacement
..........................
Back-up Lights .223
..............................
Brake Lights .223
................
Front Parking Lights .221
.................................
Headlights .218 ............................
Specif ications .267
............
Turn Signal Lights . 221, 222
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .218
....................................
Accessories .162
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.......................................
Position) .76
...............
Accessory Power Socket .99
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .205
...................................
Airbag (SRS) .11
..........
Airbag System Components .23
............................
Air Conditioning .105
.........................................
Usage .107
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .228
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator . 59, 180
...................................
Operation . 180
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock .78
........
Audio System . 114, 122, 131, 135
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 145
..............
Automatic Transmission . 173
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .266
.......................................
Shif ting .173
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 173
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 173
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 176 ............................
Capacities Chart .266
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 52
.............................
Carrying Cargo .164
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
...................................
CD Changer .128
.......................................
CD Player .122
..........................
CD Pocket, Center .99
........................
Certif ication Label .264
............................................
Chains .232
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .239
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .206
......................................
When to .193
...
Charging System Indicator . 58,251
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 168
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 78
Index
AB
C
INDEX
I
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