check engine FORD AEROSTAR 1997 1.G User Guide

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Steering Your Vehicle
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Your vehicle comes with power steering. Power
steering uses energy from the engine to help
steer your vehicle.
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If the amount of effort needed to steer your
vehicle changes at a constant vehicle speed, have
the power steering system checked. If the power
steering system breaks down (or if the engine is
turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually
but it takes more effort.
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Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme
right or left for more than five seconds if the
engine is running. This can damage the power
steering pump.
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NOTE: After any severe impact such as
striking large potholes, sliding into
curbs on icy roads, or a collision
involving the front end, observe the
steering wheel alignment. If the spokes
of the steering wheel seem to be in a
different position while going straight
down the road, have the front
suspension and steering checked for
possible damage.
[GF10000(ALL)03/96]Automatic Transmission
Operation (4R44E/5R55E)
[GF10050(ALL)06/96]
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transmission, it will be either a four speed
overdrive transmission (4R44E) or a five speed
overdrive transmission (5R55E). All 3.0L engines
use the 4R44E transmission, while all 4.0L
engines use the 5R55E transmission. Both
transmission types have a lockup torque
converter. Transmission operation is controlled
by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).
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Allow more room for stopping with a trailer
attached. Trailer brakes should be applied first,
whether manually or automatically controlled,
when approaching a stop.
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For a good handling truck-trailer combination,
the trailer tongue load should be approximately
10-15% of the loaded trailer weight.
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Make a thorough check of your equipment
before starting out on the road. After you have
traveled about 50 miles (80 km) stop in a
protected area and double-check your hitch and
electrical connections. Also check trailer wheel
lug nuts for tightness.
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When turning, drive slightly beyond the normal
turning point so the trailer wheels will clear
curbs or other obstructions.
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When stopped in traffic for long periods of time
in hot weather, place the gearshift selector lever
in P (PARK) to increase the engine idle speed.
This aids in engine cooling and air conditioner
efficiency. If the engine overheats, move the
function selector knob to VENT to stop the
compressor and increase the engine speed for a
short time.
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RWARNING
Do not tow a trailer when using a
temporary spare tire.
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Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. However, if you must park on a grade,
place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels as
follows:
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q
Apply the brake pedal and hold.
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q
Have another person place the wheel chocks
under the trailer wheels.
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If the Engine Cranks But Does
Not Start or Does Not Start After
a Collision
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The Fuel Pump Shut-off Switch
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If the engine cranks but does not start or if you
have had a collision, the fuel pump shut-off
switch may have been triggered. The shut-off
switch is a device that stops the fuel pump
when your vehicle has been involved in a
substantial jolt.
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For information on how to check and reset the
fuel pump shut-off switch, seeFuel pump shut-off
switchin the Index.
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Fuses
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Fuses and circuit breakers protect your vehicle's
electrical system from overloading. If electrical
parts in your vehicle are not working, the
system may have been overloaded and blown a
fuse or tripped a circuit breaker. Before you
replace or repair any electrical parts, check the
appropriate fuses or circuit breakers.
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The following charts tell you which fuses or
circuit breakers protect each electrical part of
your vehicle. If a fuse blows or a circuit breaker
opens a circuit, all the parts of your vehicle that
use that circuit will not work.
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2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
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3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of
the disabled vehicle.Make sure the vehicles
do not touch each other.Set the parking
brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the
engine cooling fan and other moving parts.
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4. Check all battery terminals and remove any
excessive corrosion before you attach the
jumper cables.
[ER24540(ALL)03/96]
5. Turn on the heater fan in both vehicles. Turn
the function selector knob to theV
position. Turn off all other switches.
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Connecting the jumper cables
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1. Connect one end of the first jumper cable to
the positive (+) terminal of the discharged
battery. (You can connect either jumper cable
to the positive (+) terminal, as long as you
use the same cable for both positive
terminals.) Most jumper cables have a red
cable and a black cable. The red cable is
generally used for the positive terminals and
the black for the negative ones.
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2. Connect the other end of the first cable to
the positive (+) terminal of the booster
battery.
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3. Connect one end of the second cable to the
negative (S) terminal of the booster battery
Ð NOT to the discharged battery.
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4. Connect the other end of that cable to a
good metallic surface on the engine or frame
of the disabled vehicle. The following
illustration shows where you can find a
metallic surface.
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229
Maintenance and Care
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Service Made Easy
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Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
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1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
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2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you:
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We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
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q
When possible, we design parts that can be
replaced without tools.
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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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This chapter tells you about the basic parts that
you need to check and service regularly.
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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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[MC01300(ALL)03/96]
Ford Motor Company recommends that you
perform the Owner Maintenance Checks listed in
theMaintenance Schedulebooklet. These services
are important for the proper operation of your
vehicle. In addition to the conditions listed in
the Owner Maintenance Checklist, be alert for
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NOTE: Ford production and aftermarket
(Motorcraft) oil filters are designed for
added engine protection and long life.
If a replacement oil filter is used that
does not meet Ford material and design
specifications, startup engine noises or
knock may be experienced. It is
recommended you use the appropriate
Motorcraft oil filter (or another brand
meeting Ford specifications) for your
engine application.
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Checking and Adding Engine Oil
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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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Checking the engine oil level:
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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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2. Set the parking brake, making sure the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
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3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
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4. Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the
engine.
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5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
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quarter page art:0095016-A
Engine oil dipstick
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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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7. Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is
fully seated.
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Adding engine oil
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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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[MC06210(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.
[MC07000(ALL)05/96]
Engine Oil and Filter Changes
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Change your engine oil and oil filter according
to these mileage and time requirements,
whichever occurs first.
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quarter page art:0095017-ABrake master cylinder reservoir
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Windshield Washer Fluid
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Check the level of the windshield washer fluid
every time you stop for fuel. The reservoir for
the windshield washer fluid is located in the
engine compartment.
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RWARNING
Do not put windshield washer fluid in the
container for the engine coolant.
[MC08540(ALL)01/96]
quarter page art:0020358-A
Windshield washer reservoir
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one third page art:0020362-CLiftgate window washer reservoir
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Engine Coolant
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Checking the Engine Coolant
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NOTE: Be sure to read and understand
Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
[MC08725(ALL)05/96]
Your vehicle's engine coolant protects the engine
from overheating in the summer and from
freezing in the winter. Check the level of the
engine coolant at least once a month, but
preferably each time you stop for fuel. Simply
look at the engine coolant recovery reservoir
located in the engine compartment. To locate
this reservoir, see the diagram of your vehicle's
engine underEngine Compartmentin the
Capacities and Specificationschapter.
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Adding Engine Coolant
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quarter page art:0020354-A
Adding engine coolant to reservoir
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RWARNING
Do not put engine coolant in the container
for the windshield washer fluid.
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When the engine is cool, add a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and water to the engine coolant
recovery reservoir Ð DO NOT ADD DIRECTLY
TO THE RADIATOR. Add straight water only in
an emergency, but you should replace it with a
50/50 mixture of coolant and distilled water as
soon as possible.
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Check the coolant level in the coolant recovery
reservoir the next few times you drive the
vehicle. If necessary, add enough of a 50/50
mixture of coolant and water to bring the liquid
level to the fill line on the reservoir.
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RWARNING
Never remove the coolant recovery cap
while the engine is running or hot.
[MC08780(ALL)01/96]
If you must remove the coolant recovery cap,
follow these steps to avoid personal injury
caused by escaping steam or engine coolant:
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