This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .170
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .171
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start .176
................................
Jump Starting .178
..............
If the Engine Overheats .179
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .182
..........
Charging System Indicator .182
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .183
...............
Brake System Indicator .184
.......
Closing the Convertible Top .185
..............................................
Fuses .186
..........
Checking and Replacing .187
..............................
Fuse Locations .189
......................
Emergency Towing .191
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck .191
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
169
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Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you press
the ENGINE START button.You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. When you press the ENGINE
START button, 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.
Check these things:
Check the transmission interlock.
The clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the f loor or the
starter will not operate.
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 . Press the ENGINE START button,
then release it. If the headlights do
not dim, check the condition of the
f uses. If the f uses are OK, there is
probably something wrong with
the electrical circuit f or the
ignition switch or starter motor.
You will need a qualif ied mechanic
to determine the problem. (See
on page .)
178 191
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting Emergency T owing
If theEngineWon’tStart
176
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If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of the
battery and terminal connections
(see page ). You can then try
jump starting the vehicle from a
booster battery (see page ).In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you press the
ENGINE START button, but the
engine does not run.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see 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 ).
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to on page .
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working. If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied mechanic to f ind the
problem. See
on page .
166
178
122 186
191
61
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine Emergency T owing
If theEngineWon’tStart
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
177
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Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions. Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or f rozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
To jump start your vehicle:
The numbers in the illustration show
you the order to connect the jumper
cables.Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on your
battery. Connect the other end to
the positive ( ) terminal on the
booster battery.
Turn of f all the electrical
accessories: heater, A/C, audio
system, lights, etc. Put the
transmission in neutral, and set
the parking brake.
3.
1.
2.
Jump Starting
178
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
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µThe reading on your vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange under most conditions.
If it reaches the red mark, you
should determine the reason (hot
day, driving up a steep hill, etc.).
If your vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge reading reaching the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
Once your vehicle is running,
disconnect the negative cable f rom
your vehicle, then f rom the
booster battery. Disconnect the
positive cable f rom your vehicle,
then from the booster battery.
Keep the ends of the jumper
cables away from each other and
any metal on the vehicle until
everything is disconnected.
Otherwise, you may cause an
electrical short. Start your vehicle. If the starter
motor still operates slowly, check
that the jumper cables have good
metal-to-metal contact.
Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative ( ) terminal on
the booster battery. Connect the
other end to the grounding strap
as shown. Do not connect this
jumper cable to any other part of
the engine.
If the booster battery is in another
vehicle, have an assistant start
that vehicle and run it at a fast idle. 6.
7.
5. 4.
CONT INUED
Jump Starting, If the Engine Overheats
If the Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
179
Driving with the temperature gauge
reading at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.
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CONT INUED
....................................
Accessories .113
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.......................................
Position) .62
...............
Accessory Power Socket .78
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .144
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9,20
................
Air Conditioning System .82
............................................
Usage .84
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .162
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .108
AM/FM Stereo Radio
.....................................
Reception .89
......................................
Antif reeze .146
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator .42,127
...................................
Operation .126
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock .61
..........................
Anti-thef t System .102
......................................
Audio Panel .79
..................................
Audio System .86
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .18
.............
Automatic Speed Control .103 ........
Back-up Light Replacement .156
Battery
Charging System ...........................
Indicator .46,182
............................
Jump Starting .178
..............................
Maintenance .166
............................
Specif ications .197
..............................
Bef ore Driving .107
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,16
.............................
Beverage Holder .78
..................................
Booster Seats .37
............................................
Brakes .125
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .126
.............
Break-in, New Linings .108
...........................................
Fluid .151
.........................................
Parking .75
..........................
System Design .126
.................
System Indicator .46,184
........................
Wear Indicators .126
.............................
Braking System .125
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle .108
..
Brightness Control, Instruments .58
........................
Brights, Headlights .57.........................
Bulb Replacement .152
..........................
Back-up Lights .156
.................................
Headlights .152
...........
Side Turn Signal Lights .155
............................
Specif ications .197
............
Turn Signal Lights .154,156
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .152
............................
Capacities Chart .196
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .40
....................
Cargo, How to Carry .115
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of .ii
...........................................
CD Care .98
.....................................
CD Changer .98
.....
CD Changer Error Messages .100
........................
CD Error Messages .99
.........................................
CD Player .96
........................
Certif ication Label .194
.................................
Chains, Tires .165
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .171
Index
B
A
C
INDEX
I
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ÎÎÎ
Changing Oil
........................................
How to .144
......................................
When to .139
...
Charging System Indicator .46,182
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving .121
.....................................
Child Saf ety .28
..............................
Booster Seats .37
...................................
Child Seats .33
.....
Important Saf ety Reminders .31
..........................
Larger Children .36
.......................
Risk with Airbags .29
.............................
Small Children .32
.......................................
Child Seats .33
.......................
Cleaning Seat Belts .157
.................................................
Clock .54
...................................
Clutch Fluid .151
........................
CO in the Exhaust .201
............
Cold Weather, Starting in .122
......................
Compact Spare Tire .170
...............
Consumer Inf ormation .206
.............
Controls, Instruments and .43
..............................
Convertible Top .70
...............
Convertible Top Cover .72
..
Lowering the Convertible Top .70
................................
Maintenance .74
.....
Raising the Convertible Top .73 Coolant
........................................
Adding .146
....................................
Checking .112
.........................
Proper Solution .146
...................
Temperature Gauge .52
Crankcase Emission Control ........................................
System .201
................
Cruise Control Indicator .47
............
Cruise Control Operation .103
......................................
Cup Holder .78
.............
Customer Service Of f ice .206
..............................
Economy, Fuel .112
..................................
Emergencies .169
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .178
...........
Brake System Indicator .184
................
DANGER, Explanation of .ii
...................................
Dashboard .3,44
..............
Dashboard Lower Pocket .79
................
Daytime Running Lights .57
Daytime Running Lights
.......................................
Indicator .48
.................................
Dead Battery .178
.........
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .208
................
Def ogger, Rear Window .59
................
Def rosting the Windows .85
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .150
....................................
Dimensions .196 ...............
Dimming the Headlights .57
Dipstick
..................................
Engine Oil .111
..........................
Directional Signals .57
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .126
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .146
...................
Do Not Tow a Trailer .129
Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking .63
.......................
Monitor Indicator .47
......................
Power Door Locks .63
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .198
Downshif ting, Manual
.............................
Transmission .123
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .5
...........................................
Driving .119
....................................
Economy .112
........................
Driving Guidelines .120
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .158
Index
D
E
II
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CONT INUED
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .112
..........................................
Gasohol .108
.........................................
Gasoline .108
...........................................
Gauge .52
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .49
................
Octane Requirement .108
........................
Tank, Ref ueling .109
.............................................
Gauges .51
...
Engine Coolant Temperature .52
...............................................
Fuel .52
.....................................
Fan, Interior .83
...........................................
Features .81
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .109
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen .158
...............................................
Oil .144
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .58
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .171
Fluids
..........................................
Brake .151
.........................................
Clutch .151
..............
Manual Transmission .149
..................
Windshield Washer .148
..........................
Four-way Flashers .58 .................................................
Fuel .108
......................
Fill Door and Cap .109
...........................................
Gauge .52
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .49
................
Octane Requirement .108
...............................
Oxygenated .108
........................
Tank, Ref ueling .109
...............................
Fuel Economy .112
..............
Fuel Station Procedures .109
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .186
................
Changing a Flat Tire .171
.....
Charging System Indicator .182
..................
Checking the Fuses .186
...
Closing the Convertible Top .185
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers .57
............................
Jump Starting .178
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .182
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .183
..................
Overheated Engine .179
.......................................
Towing .191
...........................
Emergency Brake .76
......................
Emergency Flashers .58
......................
Emergency Towing .191
............
Emergency Trunk Opener .64
.......................
Emissions Controls .201
.............
Emissions Testing, State .204
Engine
............
Adding Engine Coolant .146
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .52
.........................
If It Won’t Start .176
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .47,183
.......................
Oil Lif e Indicator .133
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .46,182
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .143
...............................
Overheating .179 ............................
Specif ications .196
............................
Speed Limiter .124
...............................
Start Button .122
.......................................
Starting .122
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .108
...
Evaporative Emission Controls .201
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .40
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by .14
Index
F
G
INDEX
III
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