warning light FORD AEROSTAR 1996 1.G Owners Manual

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Table of ContentsIntroductory Information............................... 1
Safety Restraints............................................ 11
Starting Your Aerostar................................. 61
Warning Lights and Gauges....................... 73
Instrument Panel Controls.......................... 89
Steering Column Controls........................ 109
Features.......................................................... 121
Electronic Sound Systems......................... 149
Driving Your Aerostar............................... 185
Roadside Emergencies................................ 225
Customer Assistance................................... 245
Reporting Safety Defects...................... 252
Accessories.................................................... 257
Servicing Your Aerostar.............................. 265
Quick Index.................................................. 351
Index............................................................... 359
Service Station Information...................... 380
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11
Safety Restraints
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Important Safety Belt Information
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The use of safety belts helps to restrain you and
your passengers in case of a collision. In most
states and in Canada the law requires their use.
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Safety belts provide best restraint when:
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q
the seatback is upright
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the occupant is sitting upright (not slouched)
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the lap belt is snug and low on the hips
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the shoulder belt is snug against the chest
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the knees are straight forward
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To help you remember to fasten your safety belt,
a warning light may come on and a chime may
sound. SeeSafety Belt Warning Light and Chimein
theWarning Lights and Gaugeschapter.
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See the following sections in this chapter for
directions on how to properly use these safety
belts. Also seeSafety Restraints for Childrenin this
chapter for special instructions about using
safety belts for children.
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RWARNING
Make sure that you and your passengers
wear safety belts. Always drive and ride
with your seatback upright and the lap
belt snug and low across the hips.
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RWARNING
If a passenger is not properly seated and
restrained, an inflating air bag could cause
serious injury.
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RWARNING
Do not place objects or mount equipment
on or near the air bag cover on the
steering wheel or in front seat areas that
may come in contact with a deploying air
bag. Failure to follow this instruction may
increase the risk of personal injury in the
event of a collision.
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For further information about the proper
mounting of equipment in the front seat of this
vehicle, please refer to Ford's brochure entitled
Some Important Information About Air Bag
Supplemental Restraint Systemwhich can be
obtained by calling Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356.
Ask for brochure FPS-8602.
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For additional important safety information on
the proper use of seat belts, child seats, and
infant seats, please read the other sections of this
chapter of the Owner Guide, especially sections
entitledSafety Belts for ChildrenandSafety Seats
for Children.
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How the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint
System Operates
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The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System
consists of the driver air bag, impact sensor, a
system diagnostic module, a readiness light and
tone, and the electrical wiring which connects
the components.
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To ensure that the air bag system will operate as
intended in a crash, the system is equipped with
a diagnostic module, which controls a readiness
lamp and a warning tone. The diagnostic
module monitors its own circuits, the air bag
electrical system, the air bag readiness light, the
air bag power, and the air bag inflators.
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The air bag system uses a readiness light on the
instrument cluster and a tone to indicate the
condition of the system. When you turn the
ignition key to the ON position, this light will
illuminate for approximately six (6) seconds and
then turn off. This indicates that the system is
operating normally. NOTE: Maintenance of the
air bag system is not required.
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A problem with the system is indicated by one
or more of the following:
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the readiness light will either flash or stay lit,
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q
or it will not light immediately after ignition
is turned on,
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q
or a group of five beeps will be heard. The
tone pattern will repeat periodically until the
problem and light are repaired.
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If any of these things happen, have the air bag
system serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury
dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the air bag
Supplemental Restraint System may not function
properly in the event of a collision.
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RWARNING
Do not attempt to service, repair, or
modify the Air Bag Supplemental
Restraint System or its fuses. See your
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
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ON allows you to test your vehicle's warning
lights (except the brake system warning light) to
make sure they work before you start the
engine. The key returns to the ON position once
the engine is started and remains in this position
while the engine runs.
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START cranks the engine. Release the key once
the engine starts so that you do not damage the
starter. The key should return to ON when you
release it. The START position also allows you
to test the brake warning light.
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Removing the Key From the Ignition
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1. Put the gearshift in P (Park).
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2. Set the parking brake fully before removing
your foot from the service brake. (This will
avoid ªbindingº or ªloadingº the park gear
if you park on a grade.)
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3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
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4. Remove the key.
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64
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Starting Your Vehicle
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Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
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RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed
garage or other enclosed area. Never sit in
a stopped vehicle for more than a short
period of time with the engine running.
Exhaust fumes are toxic. SeeGuarding
Against Exhaust Fumesin this chapter for
more instructions.
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Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
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1. Make sure all occupants in the vehicle
buckle their safety belts. SeeSafety Restraints
in the Index for more details.
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2. Make sure the headlamps and other
accessories are turned off when starting.
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3. Make sure that the gearshift is in P (Park)
and the parking brake is set before you turn
the key.
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Before you start your vehicle, you should test
the warning lights on the instrument panel to
make sure that they work. Refer to theWarning
Lights and Gaugeschapter.
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Starting Your Engine
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To start your engine:
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1. Follow the steps underPreparing to Start
Your Vehicleat the beginning of this section.
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2. Turn the ignition key to the ON position.
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3. DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal when
starting your engine. DO NOT use the
accelerator while the vehicle is parked.
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If the engine still does not start after two
attempts:
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1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
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2. Press the accelerator all the way to the floor
and hold it.
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3. Turn the ignition key to the START position.
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4. Release the ignition key when the engine
starts.
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5. Release the accelerator gradually as the
engine speeds up. Then drive away in the
normal manner.
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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.
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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 move
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.
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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.
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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.
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If your engine cranks but does not start after a
collision or substantial jolt:
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1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
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2. Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.
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3. If you do not see or smell fuel, push the red
reset button down. If the button is already
set, you may have a different mechanical
problem.
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4. Turn the ignition key to the ON position for
a few seconds, then turn it to the OFF
position.
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5. Check under the vehicle again for leaking
fuel.If you see or smell fuel, do not start
your vehicle again.If you do not see or
smell fuel, you can try to start your vehicle
again.
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6. Check all vehicle warning lights before
driving the vehicle.
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quarter page art:0020107-A
Reset button for fuel pump shut-off switch
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73
Warning Lights and
Gauges
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The instrument panel (dashboard) on your
vehicle is divided into several different sections.
The illustrations on the following pages show
the major parts of the instrument panel that are
described in this chapter. Some items shown
may not be on all vehicles.
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In your vehicle, the warning lights and gauges
are grouped together on the instrument panel.
We call this grouping a cluster. Your vehicle has
a mechanical cluster.
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The Mechanical Cluster
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The following warning lights and gauges are on
the mechanical cluster. All of the warning lights
and gauges alert you to possible problems with
your vehicle. Some of the lights listed are
optional. The following sections detail what each
of these indicators means.
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Brake System Warning Light
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The warning light for the brakes can show two
things Ð that the parking brake is not fully
released, or that the brake fluid level is low in
the master cylinder reservoir. If the fluid level is
low, the brake system should be checked by
your dealer or a qualified service technician.
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This light comes on when you turn the ignition
key to START to verify that the indicator bulb is
working. If the light stays on or comes on after
you have released the parking brake fully, have
the hydraulic brake system serviced.
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RWARNING
The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes
may not be working properly. Have the
brakes checked immediately.
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one inch art:0095034-A
Brake warning light symbol
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