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At Least Once a Year
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the
vehicle moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough
room around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the
regular brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 127.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be
ready to turn off the engine immediately if
it starts.3. On automatic transaxle vehicles, try to start
the engine in each gear. The vehicle should
start only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). If the
vehicle starts in any other position, contact
your GM Goodwrench
®dealer for service.
On manual transaxle vehicles, put the
shift lever in NEUTRAL, push the clutch pedal
down halfway, and try to start the engine.
The vehicle should start only when the clutch
pedal is pushed down all the way to the
oor. If the vehicle starts when the clutch pedal
is not pushed all the way down, contact your
GM Goodwrench
®dealer for service.
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Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the
vehicle moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough
room around the vehicle. It should be parked
on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking
Brake on page 127.
Be ready to apply the regular brake
immediately if the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to RUN,
but do not start the engine. Without applying
the regular brake, try to move the shift
lever out of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the
shift lever moves out of PARK (P), contact
your GM Goodwrench
®dealer for service.
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try
to turn the ignition to LOCK in each shift lever
position.
With an automatic transaxle, the ignition
should turn to LOCK only when the shift lever
is in PARK (P). The ignition key should
come out only in LOCK.
With a manual transaxle, the ignition key
should come out only in LOCK.
Turn the steering wheel to the left and to the right.
It should only lock when turned to the right.
Contact your GM Goodwrench
®dealer if service is
required.
401
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Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle
Park (P) Mechanism Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your
vehicle could begin to move. You or
others could be injured and property
could be damaged. Make sure there is
room in front of your vehicle in case it
begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular
brake, set the parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability:
With the engine running and transaxle in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure
from the regular brake pedal. Do this until the
vehicle is held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding
ability: With the engine running, shift to
PARK (P). Then release the parking brake
followed by the regular brake.
Contact your GM Goodwrench
®dealer if service is
required.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take
care to clean thoroughly any areas where mud and
other debris can collect.
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