check engine light FORD ASPIRE 1996 1.G Owners Manual

48 [ST05850(ALL)07/95]To test the brake warning light, release the
parking brake and turn the ignition key to the
START position. The brake warning light should
illuminate until the key is released. See the
Warning Lights and Gaugeschapter for additional
information.
[ST05900(ALL)07/95]
After starting the engine, check all the warning
lights to make sure that they are off. If any one
of them is still lit, it indicates a situation that
needs your attention. When you release the
parking brake, the brake warning light should
go off.
*
[ST06000(ALL)02/95]
Starting Your Engine
*
[ST06100(ALL)06/95]
To start your engine:
*
[ST06300(ALL)03/95]
1. Follow the steps underPreparing to Start
Your Vehicleand underTesting the Warning
Lightsat the beginning of this section.
*
[ST06320(ALL)03/95]
2. Keep your foot on the brake pedal and turn
the ignition key to the ON position.
*
[ST06330(ALL)06/95]
3. DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal when
starting your engine. DO NOT use the
accelerator while the vehicle is parked.
*
[ST06340(ALL)02/95]
4. Turn the key to the START position
(cranking) until the engine starts. Allow the
key to return to the ON position after the
engine has started.
*
[ST06400(ALL)02/95]
If you have difficulty in turning the key,
rotate the steering wheel slightly because it
may be binding.
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50
*
[ST06875(ALL)04/95]
3. Turn the ignition key to the START position.
*
[ST06880(ALL)04/95]
4. Release the ignition key when the engine
starts.
*
[ST06885(ALL)04/95]
5. Release the accelerator gradually as the
engine speeds up. Then drive away in the
normal manner.
*
[ST06890(ALL)04/95]
If the engine still does not start, the fuel pump
shut-off switch may have been triggered. For
directions on how to reset the switch seeFuel
Pump Shut-Off Switchlater in this chapter.
*
[ST08350(ALL)10/95]
A computer system controls the engine's idle
speed. When you start your vehicle, the engine's
idle speed normally runs high. These faster
engine speeds will make your vehicle coast
slightly faster than its normal idle speed. It
should, however, slow down after a short time.
If it does not, have the idle speed checked.
*
[ST08365(ALL)07/95]
If the engine idle speed does not slow down
automatically, do not allow your vehicle to idle
for more than 10 minutes. Have the vehicle
checked.
*
[ST08375(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Extended idling at high engine speeds can
produce very high temperatures in the
engine and exhaust system, creating the
risk of fire or other damage.
*
[ST08500(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in
dry grass or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which
can start a fire.
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59
*
[LG02400(ALL)06/95]
Brake System Warning Light
[LG02550(ALL)09/93]
one inch art:0032206-B
Brake system and parking brake light
[LG02600(ALL)12/93]
This light comes on for a few seconds when you
turn the ignition key to START or ON. It
normally goes off shortly after the engine starts
and after you release the parking brake.
However, it may stay on for up to 60 seconds. If
the light doesn't illuminate after the engine is
started, stays on for longer than 60 seconds, or
comes on after you have fully released the
parking brake, have the hydraulic brake system
checked.
*
[LG02650(ALL)02/94]
This light will also come on if the parking brake
does not release fully. If it does stay onafterthe
parking brake is fully released, it means there
may be a brake problem. Pull off the road and
stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push, the pedal may go closer to the
floor, or it may take longer to stop the vehicle.
Try the brakes again after you have stopped.
[LG02675(ALL)02/95]
Your vehicle has a divided brake system. If one
part isn't working, the other part can still work
and stop the vehicle. For good braking, you
need both systems working well. If the warning
light goes on, there could be a problem. Have
the brake system inspected right away.
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60
*
[LG02700(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes
may not be working properly. Have the
brakes checked immediately.
*
[LG03200(ALL)01/95]
Charging System Light
*
[LG03300(ALL)03/95]
This light, shown as a battery symbol on your
cluster, indicates that your battery is not being
charged and that you need to have the electrical
system checked.
[LG03400(ALL)05/93]
one inch art:0030172-C
Charging system light
*
[LG03500(ALL)07/95]
This light comes on every time you turn the
ignition to the ON or START position (engine
off). The light should go off when the engine
starts and the alternator begins to charge.
*
[LG03550(ALL)01/95]
If the light stays on or comes on when the
engine is running, have the electrical system
checked as soon as possible.
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61
*
[LG03615(ALL)02/95]
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
[LG03715(ALL)07/93]
This light indicates low oil pressure, not low oil
level. However, if the engine's oil level is low, it
could affect the oil pressure. This light comes on
every time the ignition key is turned to ON or
START, but it normally turns off when the
engine starts.
[LG03800(ALL)05/93]
one inch art:0030173-C
Engine oil pressure light
[LG03900(ALL)02/95]
If the light stays on or turns on while the engine
is running:
*
[LG04000(ALL)03/95]
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
[LG04100(ALL)03/94]
2.Shut off the engine immediately.Continued
operation could cause severe engine damage.
[LG04200(ALL)02/95]
3. Check the engine oil level. Make sure the car
is on level ground.
[LG04300(ALL)07/93]
4. Add oil to the full mark on the dipstick
before you drive your car again. Do not
overfill. Do not operate the engine when the
oil light is on. For more information about
adding oil, seeEngine oil recommendationsin
the Index.
[LG04350(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not rely on the oil light to tell you
when the oil is low. Have the oil checked
often. It is possible for damage to occur if
an engine is operated with a low oil level.
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62
*
[LG04500(ALL)01/95]
High Beam Light
*
[LG04600(ALL)03/95]
This light comes on when the headlamps are
turned to high beam or when you flash the
lights.
*
[LG04700(ALL)01/92]
one inch art:0030174-A
High beam light
*
[LG05300(ALL)03/95]
Check Engine Warning Light
*
[LG05400(ALL)05/95]
This light comes on when the electronic engine
control system is not working properly. This is
the computer system that controls the operating
conditions of the engine.
*
[LG05450(ALL)09/93]
one inch art:0030175-B
Check engine warning light
*
[LG05600(ALL)05/95]
This light comes on briefly when you turn the
ignition to the ON position, but should turn off
when the engine starts. If the light does not
come on when you turn the ignition to the ON
position or if it comes on and stays on when
you are driving, have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible. This indicates a possible
problem with one of the engine's emission
control systems.You do not need to have your
vehicle towed in.
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64 %
*
[LG05975(ALL)02/95]
Anti-lock Brake System Warning Light
(If equipped)
[LG06000(ALL)07/95]
When the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position, the anti-lock brake system warning
light comes on. When the engine is started, the
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) control unit
determines if all components of the system are
operating correctly. The warning light could
remain on up to 60 seconds.
[LG06025(ALL)09/93]
one inch art:0032123-B
Anti-lock brake system light
*
[LG06050(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
If the anti-lock brake system warning
light remains on or comes on while
driving, have the braking system checked
by a qualified service technician as soon
as possible.
*
[LG06060(ALL)07/95]
NOTE: If a fault occurs in the anti-lock
system, and the brake warning light is
not lit, the anti-lock system is disabled
but normal brake function remains
operational.
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130 [DR11050(ALL)11/91]
one third page art:0030316-AParking brake (handbrake)
*
[DR11100(ALL)11/91]
RWARNING
To prevent personal injury, do not release
the parking brake while outside the
vehicle.
*
[DR11200(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or
in 1 (First) (manual transaxle).
*
[DR11400(ALL)03/95]
Always check the Brake Warning Light each
time you start your engine. Driving with the
parking brake on will cause the brakes to wear
out quickly and will reduce the fuel economy.
*
[DR11500(ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
If the parking brake is fully released, but
the Brake System light remains on, have
the brakes checked immediately. They
may not be working properly.
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173
Servicing Your Aspire
*
[SV00300(ALL)03/95]
Service Made Easy
*
[SV00400(ALL)01/95]
Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
*
[SV00500(ALL)01/95]
1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
*
[SV00600(ALL)01/95]
2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you:
*
[SV00700(ALL)01/95]
q
We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
*
[SV00800(ALL)01/95]
q
When possible, we design parts Ð such as
the headlamp bulbs Ð that can be replaced
without tools.
*
[SV00900(ALL)05/94]
q
We give you a Maintenance Schedule that
makes tracking routine service for your
vehicle easy. The maintenance schedule is
located in theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet.
*
[SV00925(ALL)01/95]
This chapter tells you about the basic parts that
you need to check and service regularly.
[SV00930(ALL)02/95]
If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your
dealership can provide the parts and service
required. Check yourWarranty Information Booklet
to find out which parts and services are covered.
Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this
Owner Guide.
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188
*
[SV13775(ALL)01/95]
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
*
[SV13800(ALL)03/95]
Since the proper amount of engine oil is
important for safe engine operation, check the oil
using the dipstick each time you put fuel in
your vehicle. Remember the engine must be off,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
parked on level ground.
*
[SV13900(ALL)04/95]
Checking the engine oil level:
*
[SV14000(ALL)02/95]
1. Turn the engine off after it has warmed up
and allow a few minutes for the engine oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
[SV14050(ALL)04/95]
2. Set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park)
or 1 (First).
*
[SV14100(ALL)02/95]
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
[SV14200(ALL)03/95]
4. Locate the dipstick (highlighted in yellow)
and carefully pull it out of the engine.
[SV14300(ALL)05/93]
5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
[SV14400(ALL)07/93]
quarter page art:0032227-B
Engine oil dipstick
[SV14500(ALL)02/95]
6. Carefully pull the dipstick out again. If the
oil level is at or below the ªLº line, add
engine oil as necessary. If the oil level is
beyond the letter ªFº, engine damage or
high oil consumption may occur and some
oil must be removed from the engine.
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