check engine light FORD THUNDERBIRD 1997 10.G User Guide

195
Maintenance and Care
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[MC00200( ALL)01/96]
Service Made Easy
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[MC00300( ALL)01/96]
Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
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[MC00400( ALL)01/96]
1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
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[MC00500( ALL)01/96]
2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you:
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[MC00600( ALL)01/96]
q
We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
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[MC00700( ALL)03/96]
q
When possible, we design parts that can be
replaced without tools.
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[MC00800( ALL)02/96]
q
We give you a Maintenance Schedule that
makes tracking routine service for your
vehicle easy. The maintenance schedule is
located in theMaintenance Schedulebooklet.
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[MC00900( ALL)01/96]
This chapter tells you about the basic parts that
you need to check and service regularly.
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[MC01000( ALL)01/96]
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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[MC01100( ALL)02/96]
Ford Motor Company recommends that the
Owner Maintenance Checks listed in the
Maintenance Schedulebooklet be performed for
the proper operation of your vehicle. In addition
to the conditions listed in theOwner Maintenance
Checklist, be alert for any unusual noise,
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202 %
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[MC06500( ALL)01/96]
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
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[MC06600( ALL)01/96]
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.
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[MC06700( ALL)01/96]
Checking the engine oil level:
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[MC06800( ALL)01/96]
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.
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[MC06900( BCGV)01/96]
2. Set the parking brake, making sure the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
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[MC07100( ALL)01/96]
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
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[MC07200( ALL)01/96]
4. Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the
engine.
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[MC07300( ALL)01/96]
5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
[MC07400( BC )03/96]
one inch art:0011218-A
Engine oil dipstick Ð 4.6 liter engines
[MC07600(MBC )12/95]
one inch art:0000970-A
Engine oil dipstick Ð 3.8 liter engines
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203
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[MC07700( BCGV)03/96]
6. Carefully pull the dipstick out again. If the
oil level is below the ªADD 1 QTº line, add
engine oil as necessary. If the oil level is
beyond the letter ªFº in Full, engine damage
or high oil consumption may occur and
some oil must be removed from the engine.
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[MC07800( ALL)01/96]
7. Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is
fully seated.
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[MC07900( ALL)01/96]
It may be necessary to add some oil between oil
changes. Make sure you use a CERTIFIED
engine oil of the preferred viscosity. Your
vehicle's warranty coverage may not apply if
engine damage is caused by the use of improper
engine oil.
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[MC08000( ALL)01/96]
Add engine oil through the oil filler cap
highlighted in yellow. To add oil, remove the
filler cap and use a funnel to pour oil into the
opening. Be careful not to overfill the engine.
Recheck the oil level after you finish adding oil.
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[MC08100( ALL)01/96]
Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
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[MC08200( ALL)01/96]
Change the engine oil and oil filterper the
following, whichever occurs first.
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[MC08300( ALL)01/96]
one third page art:0060618-C
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214
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[MC18300( ALL)01/96]
Power Steering Fluid
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[MC18400( ALL)01/96]
Check the level of the power steering fluid at
least twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).
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[MC18500( ALL)01/96]
Checking and Adding Power Steering
Fluid
[MC18600( BC )03/96]
3.8L SFI engine
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[MC18700( ALL)04/96]
1. Start the engine and let it run until the
power steering fluid reaches normal
operating temperature. The power steering
fluid will be at the right temperature when
the engine coolant temperature gauge in the
instrument cluster is near the center of the
NORMAL operating temperature range.
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[MC18800( ALL)01/96]
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering
wheel back and forth several times. Make
sure that the cap assembly is installed at this
time.
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[MC18900( ALL)01/96]
3. Turn the engine off.
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[MC19000(MBC )01/96]
4. Check the fluid level on the dipstick (which
is highlighted in yellow in your vehicle). The
fluid level should be between the arrows in
the FULL HOT range, which is marked on
the side of the dipstick, opposite the side
marked FULL COLD. Do not add fluid if the
level is within the FULL HOT range.
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[MC19200(MBC )01/96]
5. If the power steering fluid is low, add fluid
in small amounts, continuously checking the
level, until you reach the FULL HOT range.
Do not overfill.
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[MC19400(MBC )03/96]
6. When you are finished, put the dipstick back
in and make sure that it fits snugly.
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233
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[MC35700( ALL)12/95]
Self-Service Pointers
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[MC35800( ALL)12/95]
If you choose to do your own fueling, you
should also perform a few simple maintenance
routines. This extra effort will save you
additional money and contribute to the driving
efficiency of your vehicle.
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[MC35900( ALL)12/95]
The following procedures require only a tire
gauge, a rag, an oil can spout and windshield
washer fluid.
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[MC36000( ALL)12/95]
q
Check the engine oil at every refueling stop
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[MC36100( ALL)12/95]
q
Clean the windshield, outside mirrors and
headlights
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[MC36200( ALL)12/95]
q
Check windshield washer fluid
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[MC36300( ALL)12/95]
q
Check tires for excessive wear or worn edges
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[MC36400( ALL)12/95]
q
Check the tire pressure at least monthly
%
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[MC36500( ALL)01/96]
Emission Control System
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[MC36600( ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with a catalytic
converter which enables your vehicle to comply
with applicable exhaust emission requirements.
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[MC36700( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Exhaust leaks may result in the entry of
harmful and potentially lethal fumes into
the passenger compartment. Under
extreme conditions excessive exhaust
temperatures could damage the fuel
system, the interior floor covering, or
other vehicle components, possibly
causing a fire.
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235
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[MC37600( ALL)01/96]
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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[MC37700( ALL)01/96]
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke, loss
of oil pressure, the charge warning light, the
check engine light, or the temperature warning
light. These sometimes indicate that the emission
system is not working properly.
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[MC37800( ALL)01/96]
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your
vehicle or engine. Changes that cause more
unburned fuel to reach the exhaust system can
increase the temperature of the engine or
exhaust system.
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[MC37900( ALL)01/96]
By law, anyone who manufactures, repairs,
services, sells, leases, trades vehicles, or
supervises a fleet of vehicles is not permitted to
intentionally remove an emission control device
or prevent it from working. In some of the
United States and in Canada, vehicle owners
may be liable if their emission control device is
removed or is prevented from working.
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[MC38000( ALL)08/95]
Never use a metal exhaust collector when you
service your vehicle. If the metal collector
contacts any of your vehicle's plastic trim or
bumper parts they could melt or deform.
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[MC38100( ALL)01/96]
Do not drive your vehicle if it does not operate
properly. See your dealer if the engine runs on
for more than five seconds after you shut it off
or if it misfires, surges, stalls, or backfires.
%*
[MC38200( ALL)01/96]
Information about your vehicle's emission
control system is on the Vehicle Emission
Control Information decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement
and gives some tune-up specifications.
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236 %
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[MC38300( ALL)03/96]
How to Prepare Your Vehicle for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Testing
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[MC38400( ALL)04/96]
In some localities it may become a legal
requirement to pass an
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the
On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) II system. If the
vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has
just been serviced, the OBD II system is reset to
a not ready for I/M testing condition. To
prepare for I/M testing, the law specifies that
additional city and highway driving is necessary
to complete the check of the OBD II system.
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[MC38601( ALL)05/96]
The driving modes required to reach the ready
condition consist of a minimum of 30 minutes of
city and highway driving as described below:
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[MC38701( ALL)05/96]
q
At least twenty minutes driving in stop and
go, city type traffic with at least four idle
periods.
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[MC38801( ALL)05/96]
q
At least ten minutes of driving on an
expressway or highway.
[MC38901( ALL)04/96]
Before completing the above driving modes, the
engine must be warmed up and at operating
temperature. Once started, the vehicle must not
be turned off during these driving modes.
%
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[MC41200( ALL)03/96]
Lights and Bulb Replacement
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[MC41300( ALL)01/96]
It is a good idea to check the operation of the
following lights frequently:
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[MC41400( ALL)01/96]
q
headlamps
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[MC41500( ALL)01/96]
q
tail lamps
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[MC41600( ALL)01/96]
q
brakelamps
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[MC41700( ALL)01/96]
q
hazard flasher
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[MC41800( ALL)01/96]
q
high-mount brakelamp
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251 %
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[CS04500( ALL)01/96]
Engine
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[CS04600( ALL)01/96]
q
Start engine every 15 days. Run at fast idle
until it reaches normal operating temperature.
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[CS04700( ALL)01/96]
q
With your foot on the brake, shift through all
the gears while the engine is running.
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[CS04800( ALL)01/96]
Fuel system
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[CS04900( ALL)01/96]
q
Fill fuel tank with high-quality unleaded fuel
until the first automatic shutoff of the fuel
pump nozzle.
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[CS05000( ALL)01/96]
NOTE: During extended periods of vehicle
storage (60 days or more), fuel may
deteriorate due to oxidation. This can
damage rubber and other polymers in
the fuel system and may also clog
small orifices.
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[CS05100( ALL)01/96]
Ford Gas Stabilizer should be added whenever
actual or expected storage periods exceed 60
days. Follow the instructions on the label. The
vehicle should then be operated at idle speed to
circulate the additive throughout the fuel system.
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[CS05200( ALL)01/96]
Cooling system
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[CS05300( ALL)01/96]
q
Protect against freezing temperatures.
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[CS05400( ALL)01/96]
Battery
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[CS05500( ALL)01/96]
q
Check and recharge as necessary.
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[CS05600( ALL)01/96]
q
Keep connections clean and covered with a
light coat of grease.
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[CS05700( ALL)12/95]
q
If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days
without recharging the battery, it may be
advisable to disconnect the battery cables to
ensure battery charge is maintained for quick
starting.
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290 Index
Car seats for children
(see Child safety seats)........ 120
Cassette tape player (see Electronic
sound system)........ 36,40,45,51
Catalytic converter............ 233
CD player (see Electronic
sound system)........... 25,31
Chains, tires.............. 226
Changing a tire............. 175
Charging system warning light....... 14
Child safety restraints.......... 118
child safety belts........... 136
child safety seats........... 120
Child safety seats............ 120
and air bags............. 120
automatic locking mode
(retractor)...........107, 120
in front seat............. 120
in rear outboard seat......... 129
in rear seat............120, 135
tether anchorage hardware....... 136
Chime
key in ignition............. 73
safety belt............... 12
Circuit breakers
checking and replacing........ 173
see also fuses............. 165
Cleaning your vehicle.......... 243
chrome and aluminum parts...... 243
engine compartment.......... 245
exterior............... 243
exterior lamps............ 244
fabric................ 245
headlamps.............. 244
instrument panel......... 59,245
instrument panel lens......... 245
interior................ 245
interior lamps............. 244
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Index 293
Emergencies, roadside (continued)
fuel................. 230
jump-starting............. 185
towing................ 192
Emergency brake (parking brake)..... 146
Emission control system......... 233
catalytic converter.......... 233
emissions warranty......... 4,233
Engine
does not start............ 141
fuel injected engine, starting...... 139
fuel pump shut-off switch....... 174
preparing to start........... 139
refill capacities............ 248
service points............ 195
starting............... 140
starting after a collision........ 174
storing your vehicle.......... 250
Engine block heater........... 142
Engine coolant............. 207
checking and adding......... 207
checking hoses............ 208
disposal............... 196
drain and flush............ 211
low coolant warning light........ 13
preparing for storage......... 251
proper solution........196, 209, 211
recovery reservoir........198, 207
refill capacities............ 248
specifications............. 249
temperature gauge........... 21
Engine coolant temperature gauge..... 21
description............... 21
mechanical............... 21
Engine fan............... 196
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Update:Thu May 30 11:06:50 1996