Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
2001 Pontiac Firebird Formula, AutomaticFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Diagnostic Procedures
- Perform Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) system check. See INSPECTION/MAINTENANCE SYSTEM CHECK . After performing Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) system check, go to next step.
- Ensure vehicle meets requirements listed in CONDITIONS FOR RUNNING . Turn all accessories off. Start engine and allow to idle. Road test vehicle. Accelerate at part throttle to 55 MPH. Maintain this speed for 5 minutes. Decelerate to zero MPH. Idling engine for 2 minutes with brake pedal depressed, automatic transmission in Drive or manual transmission in Neutral with clutch pedal depressed. Using scan tool, observe the I/M system status display. If Catalyst System Status updates to YES, go to step 5. If Catalyst System Status does not update to YES, go to next step.
- Using scan tool, monitor DTCs. If any DTCs are set, go to DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE DEFINITIONS . If no DTCs are set, go to next step.
- Using scan tool, monitor NOT RAN SINCE CODE CLEARED display. Determine which DTCs required for YES status have not run. See INSPECTION/MAINTENANCE SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES table under INSPECTION/MAINTENANCE (I/M) SYSTEM CHECK. Enter DTC number in SPECIFIC DTC menu of scan tool. Operate vehicle within conditions for running DTC located in FREEZE FRAME and/or FAILURE RECORDS for DTC. Repeat procedure until scan tool indicates diagnostic test has run. Repeat step for any additional required DTCs that have not run. Using scan tool, observe I/M system status display. If Catalyst System Status display updates to YES, go to next step. If Catalyst System Status display does not update to YES, go to DIAGNOSTIC AIDS .
- Using scan tool, observe emission related DTC portion of I/M system status display. If scan tool indicates any emission related DTCs are set, go to DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE DEFINITIONS . If scan tool does not indicate any emission related DTCs are set, system is okay at this time.
Factory Service Tools
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.