check engine FORD ASPIRE 1997 1.G Owners Manual

Page 13 of 254

10 [IS02600(ALL)04/96]This light illuminates 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
illuminates after you have fully released the
parking brake, have the hydraulic brake system
checked.
[IS02605(ALL)02/96]
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.
*
[IS02650(ALL)03/96]
This light will also illuminate if the parking
brake does not release fully. If it does stay on
afterthe 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.
[IS02675(ALL)04/96]
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.
*
[IS02700(ALL)03/96]
WARNING
The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes
may not be working properly. Have the
brakes checked immediately.
File:03icisf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:51:24 1997

Page 14 of 254

11 %
*
[IS03200(ALL)01/96]
Charging System Light
*
[IS03300(ALL)04/96]
This light indicates that your battery is not being
charged and that you need to have the electrical
system checked.
[IS03400(ALL)01/96]
one inch art:0030172-C
Charging system light
*
[IS03500(ALL)03/96]
This light illuminates 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.
*
[IS03550(ALL)03/96]
If the light stays on or illuminates when the
engine is running, have the electrical system
checked as soon as possible.
%*
[IS03615(ALL)01/96]
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
[IS03715(ALL)04/96]
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
illuminates every time the ignition key is turned
to ON or START, but it normally turns off when
the engine starts.
[IS03800(ALL)01/96]
one inch art:0030173-C
Engine oil pressure light
File:03icisf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:51:24 1997

Page 15 of 254

12 [IS03900(ALL)04/96]If the light stays on or illuminates while the
engine is running:
*
[IS04000(ALL)03/96]
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
[IS04100(ALL)01/96]
2.Shut off the engine immediately.Continued
operation could cause severe engine damage.
[IS04200(ALL)01/96]
3. Check the engine oil level. Make sure the car
is on level ground.
[IS04300(ALL)01/96]
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.
[IS04350(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
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.
%*
[IS04500(ALL)03/96]
High Beam Light
*
[IS04600(ALL)03/96]
This light illuminates when the headlamps are
turned to high beam or when you flash the
lights. If your vehicle is equipped with daytime
running lights and you have your headlamps on
your high beam telltale will not illuminate when
you flash the lights.
*
[IS04700(ALL)01/96]
one inch art:0030174-A
High beam light
File:03icisf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:51:24 1997

Page 16 of 254

13 %
*
[IS05300(ALL)03/96]
Check Engine Warning Light
*
[IS05400(ALL)04/96]
This light illuminates when the electronic engine
control system is not working properly. This is
the computer system that controls the operating
conditions of the engine.
*
[IS05450(ALL)01/96]
one inch art:0030175-B
Check engine warning light
*
[IS05600(ALL)04/96]
This light illuminates briefly when you turn the
ignition to the ON position, but should turn off
when the engine starts. If the light does not
illuminate when you turn the ignition to the ON
position or if it illuminates 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.
*
[IS05800(ALL)04/96]
If the light flashes briefly while you are driving,
it means that the condition is no longer present.
File:03icisf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:51:24 1997

Page 18 of 254

15 %
*
[IS05975(ALL)01/96]
Anti-lock Brake System Warning Light
(If equipped)
[IS06000(ALL)04/96]
When the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position, the anti-lock brake system warning
light illuminates. 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.
[IS06025(ALL)01/96]
one inch art:0032123-B
Anti-lock brake system light
*
[IS06050(ALL)03/96]
WARNING
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.
*
[IS06060(ALL)03/96]
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.
File:03icisf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:51:24 1997

Page 19 of 254

16
*
[IS06075(ALL)01/96]
NOTE: If your vehicle must be jump-started
because of a low battery, the Anti-Lock
Brake System warning light could
remain on. This is due to low battery
voltage and does not indicate a
malfunction in the system. Under these
circumstances, you should drive your
vehicle only after the battery has had
time to charge and the light has gone
out.
[IS06090(ALL)02/96]
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.
%*
[IS06100(ALL)01/96]
Ignition Key Chime
*
[IS06105(ALL)01/96]
If the driver or passenger door is open while the
key is still in the ignition, a warning chime
sounds.
[IS06115(ALL)02/96]
Headlamps On Chime
[IS06120(ALL)01/96]
This chime will sound when a door is opened
while the headlamps or parking lamps are on.
*
[IS06200(ALL)04/96]
Gauges
%*
[IS06300(ALL)03/96]
Fuel Gauge
*
[IS06325(ALL)01/96]
The fuel gauge displays approximately how
much fuel you have in the fuel tank.
*
[IS06350(ALL)01/96]
The ignition must be turned off while putting
fuel in the tank in order to get a correct fuel
gauge reading after the ignition is turned on.
*
[IS06375(ALL)01/96]
The fuel gauge indicator may vary slightly while
the vehicle is in motion. This is the result of fuel
movement within the tank. You can get a more
accurate reading with the vehicle on smooth,
level ground.
File:03icisf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:51:24 1997

Page 20 of 254

17 %
*
[IS06400(ALL)03/96]
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
*
[IS06500(ALL)02/96]
This gauge indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant, not the coolant level. If the
coolant is not at its proper level or mixture, the
gauge indication will not be accurate.
[IS06600(ALL)04/96]
The pointer normally moves from C (cold) into
the normal band as your vehicle warms up.
Under most driving conditions, the pointer
should stay in the normal band. If you are
driving in heavy traffic or on an extended grade
in hot weather, the pointer may reach to the top
of the normal band.
*
[IS06700(ALL)04/96]
If, under any circumstances, the pointer moves
above the normal band, the engine is
overheating and continued operation may cause
engine damage.
*
[IS06800(ALL)03/96]
If your engine overheats:
*
[IS06900(ALL)03/96]
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
*
[IS07000(ALL)01/96]
2. Turn off the engine.
*
[IS07100(ALL)01/96]
3. Let the engine cool.
*
[IS07200(ALL)01/96]
4. Check the coolant level following the
instructions on checking and adding coolant
to your engine. (SeeEngine coolantin the
Index.) If you do not follow these
instructions, you or others could be injured.
*
[IS07300(ALL)04/96]
5. Refer toAdding Engine Coolantin the
Maintenance and Carechapter. Add as much
coolant as your engine needs. If the engine
continues to overheat, have the cooling
system serviced.
File:03icisf.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:51:24 1997

Page 98 of 254

96 %
*
[TO06860(ALL)01/96]
If the engine does not start after two attempts:
*
[TO06865(ALL)01/96]
1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
*
[TO06870(ALL)01/96]
2. Press the accelerator all the way to the floor
and hold it.
*
[TO06875(ALL)01/96]
3. Turn the ignition key to the START position.
*
[TO06880(ALL)01/96]
4. Release the ignition key when the engine
starts.
*
[TO06885(ALL)03/96]
5. Release the accelerator gradually as the
engine speeds up.
*
[TO06890(ALL)03/96]
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 Switchin the index.
%*
[TO08350(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[TO08365(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[TO08375(ALL)01/96]
WARNING
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.
File:08ictof.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:54:32 1997

Page 102 of 254

100
*
[TO09450(ALL)03/96]
3. Push and hold the thumb button.
*
[TO09460(ALL)01/96]
4. Move the gearshift lever.
*
[TO09470(ALL)03/96]
If you need to shift out of P (Park) by using the
alternate procedure described above, it is
possible that a fuse has blown and that your
brakelamps may also not be functional. Please
refer to the chapter titledRoadside Emergenciesin
this Owner Guide for instructions on checking
and replacing fuses.
*
[TO09480(ALL)03/96]
WARNING
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE UNTIL
YOU VERIFY THAT THE BRAKELAMPS
ARE WORKING.
%
*
[TO09500(ALL)01/96]
If the Engine Cranks but Does
Not Start or Does Not Start After
a Collision
[TO09520(ALL)02/96]
If the engine cranks but does not start or does
not start even after a small collision, the fuel
pump shut-off switch may have been activated.
The shut-off switch is a device intended to stop
the fuel pump when your vehicle has been
involved in a major jolt.
*
[TO09530(ALL)03/96]
Once the shut-off switch is activated, you must
reset the switch by hand before you can start
your vehicle.
[TO09540(ALL)01/96]
The reset switch on your vehicle is located in a
small compartment on the left side of the
luggage compartment.
File:08ictof.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:54:32 1997

Page 103 of 254

101 [TO09550(ALL)01/96]
half page art:0032161-C
The location of the fuel pump shut-off switch (U.S. vehicle
shown Ð Canadian vehicles similar)
*
[TO09600(ALL)03/96]
WARNING
If you see or smell fuel, do not reset the
switch or try to start your vehicle. Have
all the passengers get out of the vehicle
and call the local fire department or a
towing service.
[TO09650(ALL)02/96]
If your engine cranks but does not start after a
collision or major jolt:
*
[TO09700(ALL)03/96]
1. Turn the key in the ignition to the LOCK
position.
*
[TO09750(ALL)03/96]
2. Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.
[TO09800(ALL)01/96]
3. If you do not see or smell fuel, remove the
door covering the fuel pump shut-off switch
compartment by pressing the tab toward the
rear seat. Push down the red reset button on
the fuel pump shut-off switch.
File:08ictof.ex
Update:Tue Mar 4 08:54:32 1997

Page:   1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 40 next >