1997 Pontiac Trans Sport Owner's Manual - Page 130

Starting Your Engine Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL(N). Your engine won't start in any other position that's a -safety feature.To restart when you're already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. NOTICE: Holding your keyn START for longer than i 15 seconds at a timewill cause your battery to be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can damage your starter motor. ~ NOTICE: Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your Pontiac is moving. If you do, you could damage the transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped. 1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let go of the key. The idle speed willgo down as your engine gets warm. 2. If it doesn't start right away, hold your key in START. If it doesn't start in three seconds (or starts but then stops), push the accelerator pedal about one-quarter of the way down for 12more seconds, or until it starts. 3 . If your engine still won't start (or starts but then stops), it could beflooded with too much gasoline, Try this: Wait 15 seconds to let the starter motor cool down. Then push youraccelerator pedal all the way to the floor. Hold it there. Then hold thekey in START. This clears the extra gasoline from the engine. When the engine starts, let go of the key and the accelerator pedal. If the engine still doesn't start, wait another 15 seconds and repeat this step.