service FORD EXPLORER 1997 2.G User Guide
Page 92 of 236
The diagnostic module monitors its
own internal circuits and the
supplemental air bag electrical
system readiness (including the
impact sensors), the system wiring,
the air bag system readiness light,
the air bag back up power and the
air bag ignitors.
Determining if the system is
operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in
the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the
system. Refer to theAir bag
readinesssection in the
Instrumentationchapter. Routine
maintenance of the air bag is not
required.
A difficulty with the system is
indicated by one or more of the
following:
²The readiness light will either
flash or stay lit.
²The readiness light will not
illuminate immediately after
ignition is turned on.
²A group of five beeps will be
heard. The tone pattern will
repeat periodically until the
problem and light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even
intermittently, have the SRS
serviced at your dealership or by a
qualified technician immediately.
Unless serviced, the system may
not function properly in the event
of a collision.
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Seating and safety restraints
93
Page 111 of 236
Improve vehicle ventilation by
keeping all air inlet vents clear of
snow, leaves and other debris.
Guarding against exhaust
fumes
Although odorless and colorless,
carbon monoxide is present in
exhaust fumes. Take precautions
to avoid its dangerous effects.
If you ever smell exhaust
fumes of any kind inside
your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect and fix your vehicle
immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes. These
fumes are harmful and could kill
you.
Have the exhaust and body
ventilation systems checked
whenever:
²the vehicle is raised for service
²the sound of the exhaust system
changes
²the vehicle has been damaged in
a collision
Preparing to start the vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system. This system
meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment
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Starting
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Make sure the following lights
illuminate briefly. If a light fails to
illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced.
²If the driver's safety belt is
fastened, the
light does not
illuminate.
STARTING
Special conditions when
starting
Starting the engine
1. Turn the key to 5 (Start)
without pressing the accelerator
and release as soon as the engine
starts. The key will return to 4
(On).
2. If the engine does not start
within five seconds, wait ten
seconds and try again.
3. If the engine does not start in
two attempts OR the temperature
is below Ð12ÉC (10ÉF), depress
0ABS
- +
P RND21RPM x 1000
12345
6- +
H
H
L LH
C
F
E
!BRAKE
CHECK
GAGE
0
20
1030405060
70
80
90
110
120000000
oooo
10020406080100
120
140
160
180
MPH km/hDOOR
AJARCHECK
GAUGE
O/D
OFF4WD
LOW 4WD SPEED
CONT
3
2
1
5
4
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Starting
115
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BRAKES
Your brakes are self-adjusting.
Refer to the ªService Guideº for
maintenance scheduling.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
(if equipped)
The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lock up during
brake applications and
compensating for this tendency.
The front wheels are prevented
from locking even when the brakes
are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts
the advantage of an ABS equipped
vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during
hard braking.
Using ABS
²In an emergency, apply full force
on the brake. The ABS will be
activated immediately, thus
allowing you to retain full
steering control of your vehicle
and, providing there is sufficient
space, will enable you to avoid
obstacles and bring the vehicle
to a quiet stop.
²We recommend that you
familiarize yourself with this
braking technique. However,
avoid taking any unnecessary
risks.com_brakes.01
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Driving
117
Page 120 of 236
Ride control switch (All wheel
drive vehicles with Automatic
Ride Control only)
The Ride Control switch provides
direct control of the Automatic
Ride Control system. The switch
doesnotcontrol or change the
performance of the All Wheel
Drive system.
The switch should be placed in the
Normal position for all on road and
most dirt, gravel or snow covered
roads. For severe off-road
conditions where additional body
ground clearance is desired and
vehicle speeds are below 30 mph,
the Off-road position should be
selected.
Service switch
The Automatic Ride Control
service switch is mounted in the
jack storage area. The switch
should be turned off to deactivate
the system during jacking, hoisting,
towing or transport of the vehicle
to avoid unexpected vehicle
movement.
TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Driving an automatic
transmission (if equipped)
Brake-shift interlock
Vehicles equipped with an
automatic transmission are
equipped with a brake-shift
interlock feature that prevents the
gearshift lever from being moved
from the P (Park) position unless
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Driving
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Allow more stopping distance and
drive slower than usual. Consider
using one of the lower gears.
Control trac system indicator
lights
4WD and 4WD LOW indicator
lights are located in the instrument
cluster. If either light flashes, see
your dealer or qualified service
technician.
The indicator lights will also
illuminate under the following
conditions:
²4WD AUTO modeÐ Neither
light will illuminate.
²4WD HIGH modeÐ Only the
4WD high light illuminates.
²4WD LOW modeÐ The 4WD
LOW light illuminates.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD)
SYSTEM (5.0L ENGINES ONLY)
Your vehicle is equipped with an
all wheel drive (AWD) transfer
case. Power is constantly supplied
to all four wheels through the
transfer case. The AWD system is
full time and has no external
controls.
Like all utility type vehicles, your
AWD vehicle has special design
and equipment features that make
it capable of performing in a
variety of off-road applications.
Specific design characteristics give
these vehicles higher centers of
gravity than ordinary passenger
cars.
4WD
4WD
LOW
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Driving
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TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing with your vehicle
may require the use of a trailer
tow option package.
Trailer towing puts additional loads
on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires,
and suspension. For your safety
and to maximize vehicle
performance, be sure to use the
proper equipment while towing.
Follow these guidelines to ensure
safe towing procedure:
²Stay within your vehicle's load
limits.
²Thoroughly prepare your vehicle
for towing. Refer toPreparing
to towin this chapter.
²Use extra caution when driving
while trailer towing. Refer to
Driving while towingin this
chapter.
²Service your vehicle more
frequently if you tow a trailer.
Refer to the severe duty
schedule in the ªService Guideº.
²Do not tow a trailer until your
vehicle has been driven at least
800 km (500 miles).
²Refer to the instructions
included with towing accessories
for the proper installation and
adjustment specifications.
²Speed control may shut off if
you are towing on long, steep
grades.
Driving
138
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Your vehicle can not be flat towed
with all wheels on the ground.
Servicing while towing
If you tow a trailer for long
distances, your vehicle requires
more frequent service than a
vehicle not used for towing. Refer
to the ªService Guideº for more
information on maintenance
intervals.
Using a step bumper
The rear bumper is equipped with
an integral hitch and requires only
a ball with a ô inch shank
diameter. The bumper has a Class
II capability (1590 kg / 3500 lb
trailer weight and 159 kg / 350 lb
tongue weight).
Use a frame mounted weight
distributing hitch for trailers over
1590 kg (3500 lb).
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during
boat launching or retrieval,
²Do not allow the static water
level to rise above the bottom
edge of the rear bumper and
²Do not allow waves to break
higher than 15 cm (six inches)
above the bottom edge of the
rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow
water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting
driveability, emissions and
reliability.uno_servicing_while_towing
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Driving
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Always replace a fuse with
one that has the specified
amperage rating. Using a fuse
with a higher amperage rating
can cause severe wire damage
and could start a fire.
Even after a fuse is replaced, it
will continue to blow if the cause
of the overload is not identified
and corrected. If the fuse
continues to blow, have the
vehicle's electrical system checked
by a qualified service technician.
To reset a circuit breaker, press
the reset button.
Fuses
Standard fuse amperage ratings
and colors
Fuse rating Color
7.5 amp Brown
10 amp Red
15 amp Blue
20 amp Yellow
30 amp Light green
30 amp fuse link Pink
40 amp Green
60 amp fuse link Yellow
80 amp fuse link Black
100 amp fuse link Blue
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Roadside emergencies
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Page 154 of 236
Maxi fuses
10 - Not used
11 20 HEGO system
Relay number Circuits connected
1 Wiper run relay
2 Horn relay
3 Wiper HI/LO relay
4 WOT A/C relay
5 PCM power relay
6 Fuel pump relay
Diode number Circuits connected
1 ABS diode
2 PCM diode
Relays
Relays are located in the power
distribution box.
Relays receive signals from
components or systems and
transfer these signals to activate or
deactivate other components or
systems.
Ford recommends that relays be
replaced by a qualified service
technician.
6
5
3
2
14 21
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Roadside emergencies
155