Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position: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 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, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all.
Check these things:
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.
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 .248
If theEngineWon’tStart
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting
246
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In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
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? Ref er 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 f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(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 f uses. If the f uses
areOK,thereisprobably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualif ied mechanic to
determine the problem (see
on page ). If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied mechanic to f ind the
problem. See
on page .
169
75 257
262
235 248 262
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine
Emergency T owing Emergency T owing
If theEngineWon’tStart
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
247
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Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions. Open the hood, and check thephysical 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:
You cannot start your vehicle by
pushing or pulling it. The numbers in the illustration show
the order to connect the jumper
cable.
Turn of f all the electrical
accessories: heater, A/C, audio
system, lights, etc. Put the
transmission in neutral (M/T) or
Park (A/T), and set the parking
brake.
1. 2.
Jump Start ing
248
BOOSTER
BATTERY
4-cylinder models
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyonenearby.
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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´´
Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on your
battery. Connect the other end to
the positive ( ) terminal on the
booster battery.
3.
CONT INUED
Jump Start ing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
249
V 6 m odels
4-cylinder m odels
V 6 m odels
BOOSTER
BATTERY
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µIf the booster battery is in another
vehicle, have an assistant start
that vehicle and run it at a fast idle.
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 the 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. 7.
6.
5.
4.
Jump Start ing
250
V 6 m odels
4-cylinder models
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CONT INUED
....................................
Accessories . 162
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.......................................
Position) . 76
...............
Accessory Power Socket . 99
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 205
.............................
Airbag (SRS) . 11, 23
..........
Airbag System Components . 23
............................
Air Conditioning . 102
.........................................
Usage . 104
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires . 228
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator . 59, 180
...................................
Operation . 180
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 76
........
Audio System . 114, 122, 131, 135
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 145
..............
Automatic Transmission . 173
..........................
Capacity, Fluid . 268
.......................................
Shif ting . 173
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 173
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 173
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 176 Battery
Charging System ...........................
Indicator . 58, 253
............................
Jump Starting . 248
..............................
Maintenance . 235
............................
Specif ications . 269
..............................
Bef ore Driving . 153
..................................
Belts, Seat . 10, 20
Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 180
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 154
...........................................
Fluid . 215
.........................................
Parking . 95
.................
System Indicator . 59, 255
........................
Wear Indicators . 179
.............................
Braking System . 179
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 154
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 71
........................
Brights, Headlights . 69
Bulb Replacement
..........................
Back-up Lights . 223
................
Front Parking Lights . 221
.................................
Headlights . 218
............................
Specif ications . 269 ............
Turn Signal Lights . 221, 222
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen . 218
............................
Capacities Chart . 268
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 51
.............................
Carrying Cargo . 164
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of . iii
..........................
CD Changer . 122, 128
.......................................
CD Player . 122
..........................
CD Pocket, Center . 98
........................
Certif ication Label . 266
............................................
Chains . 234
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 241
Changing Oil
........................................
How to . 206
......................................
When to . 193
...
Charging System Indicator . 58, 253
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 168
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 78
.......................................
Child Seats . 34
...........
Lower Anchorage Points . 44
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 48
Index
AB
C
INDEX
I
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..............
Climate Control Sensors . 113
.........................
Clock, Setting the . 143
...................................
Clutch Fluid . 215
..................
CO in the Exhaust . 53, 274
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 169
..............................
Compact Spare . 240
...................
Console Compartment . 99
.................
Consumer Inf ormation . 280
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 55
Coolant
........................................
Adding . 208
....................................
Checking . 160
.........................
Proper Solution . 208
...................
Temperature Gauge . 65
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System . 274
............
Cruise Control Operation . 145
.............
Customer Service Of f ice . 280
...............
DANGER, Explanation of . iii
...................................
Dashboard . 4, 56
..........
Daytime Running Lights . 62, 70
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 282
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 72 ....................................
Dimensions . 268
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 69
Dipstick
.
Automatic Transmission . 211, 212
..................................
Engine Oil . 159
..........................
Directional Signals . 69
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 179
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil . 207
Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking . 77
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 271
Downshif ting, Manual
.............................
Transmission . 170
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 7
...........................................
Driving . 167
....................................
Economy . 161
..........
Dual Temperature Control . 111
..............................
Economy, Fuel . 161
............
Emergencies on the Road . 239
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 248
...........
Brake System Indicator . 255
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 241
.....
Charging System Indicator . 253 ..................
Checking the Fuses . 257
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 253
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 254
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 256
..................
Overheated Engine . 251
...........................
Emergency Brake . 95
......................
Emergency Flashers . 71
......................
Emergency Towing . 262
.......................
Emissions Controls . 274Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 65
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 254
.......................
Oil Lif e Indicator . 193
..............
Oil Pressure Indicator . 253
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 204
...............................
Overheating . 251
............................
Specif ications . 270
....................
Speed Limiter . 172, 175
.......................................
Starting . 169
..........
Engine Speed Limiter . 172, 175
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 274
...............................
Exhaust Fumes . 53
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by . 18
Index
D E
II
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...............................
Inf ant Restraint . 39
......................................
Inf ant Seats . 39
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 48
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 228
...................................
Inside Mirror . 90
.............................
Inspection, Tire . 230
....................
Installing a Child Seat . 43
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 48
.............................
Using LATCH . 44
............................
Instrument Panel . 57
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 71
........................................
Introduction . i
..................................................
Keys . 74 .................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 241
.......................................
Jack, Tire . 241
................................
Jump Starting . 248
.......................
Label, Certif ication . 266 .................
Lane Change, Signaling . 69
........................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 21
Lights
....................
Bulb Replacement . 218
.......................................
Indicator . 57
.........................................
Parking . 69
..................................
Turn Signal . 61
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 76
Locks
.......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 76
............................
Fuel Fill Door . 156
..................................
Glove Box . 100
....................
Lockout Prevention . 78
.................................
Power Door . 77
...........................................
Trunk . 82
........................
Low Coolant Level . 160
Lower Gear, Downshifting to
..........................................
a . 172, 175
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 58, 253
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 268
.........................................
Luggage . 164
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 154
.........................................
Odometer . 64 ...................
Neutral Gear Position . 174
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 154
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds . 171
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 266
..................................
Maintenance . 191
.............................
Minder . 193 199 Owner’s Maintenance
...................................
Checks . 198
........................................
Record . 200
..........................................
Saf ety . 192
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 254
...................
Manual Transmission . 170
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 213
...............................
Meters, Gauges . 64
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting . 90
.................................
Modif ications . 163
.........................................
Moonroof . 94
......................
Closing Manually . 256
.....................................
Operation . 94
Index
J K L M N O
IV
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