check engine light FORD CONTOUR 1997 2.G Owners Manual

Instrumentation
13
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[IS02600(ALL)01/96]
Brake System Warning Light
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[IS02700(ALL)03/96]
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 a qualified service
technician.
[IS02800(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0000971-D*
[IS02900(ALL)12/95]
This light comes on when the parking brake is set, or if it is not
set, it comes on briefly when you turn the ignition to the
START position. It normally goes off shortly after the engine
starts and you release the parking brake. If the light stays on
after you have fully released the parking brake, have the
hydraulic brake system serviced by your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
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[IS03000(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes may not be
working properly. Have the brakes checked immediately.
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14
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Charging System Light
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[IS03200(ALL)01/96]
This light indicates that your battery is not being charged and
that you need to have the electrical system checked.
[IS03300(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0000293-C*
[IS03400(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.
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[IS03500(ALL)03/96]
If the light stays on or illuminates when the engine is running,
have the electrical system checked as soon as possible.
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[IS03600(ALL)01/96]
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
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[IS03700(ALL)12/95]
This light indicates the engine's oil pressure, not the oil level.
However, if your engine's oil level is low, it could affect the oil
pressure. The light will come on briefly when you turn your
key to the START and ON position. The light should stay off
when the engine is running with normal oil pressure. If the
light comes on while the engine is running, you have lost oil
pressure and continued operation will cause severe engine
damage.
[IS03800(ALL)12/95]
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Instrumentation
15
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[IS03850(ALL)04/96]
If you lose engine oil pressure:
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[IS03900(ALL)04/96]1.
Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
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[IS04000(ALL)03/96]2.
Shut off the engine immediately. If you do not stop the
engine as soon as safely possible, severe engine damage
could result.
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[IS04100(ALL)12/95]3.
Check the engine's oil level, following the instructions on
checking and adding engine oil in this Owner Guide. (See
Engine oilin the Index.) If you do not follow these
instructions, engine damage could result. To ensure an
accurate reading, your vehicle should be on level ground.
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[IS04200(ALL)12/95]4.
If the level is low, add only as much oil as necessary to
bring it to the full level before you start the engine again.
Do not overfill. Do not operate the engine if the light is on,
regardless of the oil level. Contact your nearest dealer for
further service actions.
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[IS04300(ALL)03/96]
High Beam Light
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[IS04400(ALL)03/96]
This light illuminates when the headlamps are turned to high
beam or when you flash the lights.
[IS04500(ALL)12/95]
If the high beam light flashes in a vehicle equipped with the
Daytime Running Light (DRL) system (Canada), it indicates a
failure in the DRL circuit. Check the bulbs and fuses or have
the DRL system checked by your dealer or a qualified service
technician.
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18
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[IS05400(ALL)03/96]
Check Engine Warning Light
[IS05501(ALL)04/96]
This light illuminates when the engine's Emission Control
System requires service. It will also illuminate when the ignition
key is in the ON position and the engine is off.
[IS05700(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0000640-B[IS06500(ALL)12/95]
Overdrive Off Indicator (Automatic Transaxle Only)
[IS06600(ALL)12/95]
This light tells you that the Transaxle Control Switch (TCS) on
the gearshift lever has been pushed. When the light is on, the
transaxle will not shift into overdrive. Depressing the TCS
button located below the gearshift release button on the shifter
will return the vehicle to ªoverdrive onº mode. The transaxle
will be in the ªoverdrive onº mode when the vehicle is started
even if the O/D OFF mode was selected when the vehicle was
last shut off.
[IS06700(ALL)12/95]
If the light does not come on when the TCS is depressed or if
the light flashes when you are driving, have your vehicle
serviced at the first opportunity.
[IS06800(ALL)02/96]
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Instrumentation
21
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Odometer
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[IS09000(ALL)01/96]
The odometer tells you the total number of miles (kilometers)
your vehicle has been driven.
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Trip Odometer
[IS09200(ALL)12/95]
The trip odometer tells you how many miles (kilometers) your
vehicle has been driven since the last reset. Press the reset
control to return the trip odometer to zero.
[IS09300(O )12/95]
Sport Cluster
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[IS09400(O )12/95]
The sport cluster has basically the same standard warning lights
and gauges as the standard cluster, with the following
additional features:
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[IS09500(ALL)03/96]
Tachometer
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[IS09600(ALL)01/96]
The tachometer displays the approximate engine revolutions per
minute (rpm), or how fast the engine is running.
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[IS09700(ALL)03/96]
If you drive with the tachometer in the red zone, you may
damage the engine.
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[IS09800(ALL)01/96]
Anti-lock Brake System Warning Light (If equipped)
[IS09900(ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle may have an Anti-lock Brake System feature. If it
does, check the Anti-lock Brake System light each time you start
the engine. If it stays on longer than three (3) seconds, shut off
the engine and restart. If it stays on, that means the Anti-lock
Brake feature is not working and should be serviced
immediately to restore the benefits of the Anti-lock feature.
Normal braking is not affected unless the brake warning light is
also lit.
[IS10000(ALL)12/95]
The Anti-Lock Brake System has self-check capabilities. As
described above, the system turns on the anti-lock light each
time you start your engine. After the engine is started and the
anti-lock light turns off, the system performs another test the
first time the vehicle reaches 5 mph (8 km/h) (between 12 and
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2225 mph [20 and 40 km/h] for vehicles equipped with the
traction control system). The system turns on the ABS pump
motor for approximately 1/2 second. At this time, a mechanical
noise may be heard and felt. This is a normal part of the
self-check feature. If a malfunction is found during this check
the anti-lock light will come on.
[IS10100(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0001210-A% [IS10200(ALL)12/95]
Low Coolant Light (If equipped)
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[IS10300(ALL)03/96]
This light indicates that the level of the engine coolant is low
inside the coolant recovery bottle and that you should add more
coolant. SeeEngine Coolantin the Index.
[IS10400(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0001214-B[IS10500(ALL)12/95]
This light comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is
turned to the START position, but should turn off when the
engine starts. If this light stays on, check the level of coolant
inside the recovery bottle. The level may be slightly above the
MIN line because the light is an ªearly warning.º
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Starting
121
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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 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.
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[TO05100(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.
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[TO05200(ALL)01/96]
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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[TO05300(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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[TO05400(ALL)01/96]
If you consistently start your vehicle in subzero temperatures,
use an engine block heater (if your vehicle has this option).
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Driving
127
[GF02000(ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle may have an Anti-lock Brake System feature. If it
does, check the Anti-lock Brake System light each time you start
the engine. If it stays on longer than three (3) seconds, shut off
the engine and restart. If it stays on, that means the Anti-lock
Brake feature is not working and should be serviced
immediately to restore the benefits of the Anti-lock feature.
Normal braking is not affected unless the brake warning light is
also lit.
[GF02100(ALL)12/95]
The Anti-lock Brake System has self-check capabilities. As
described above, the system turns on the anti-lock light each
time you start your engine. After the engine is started and the
anti-lock light turns off, the system performs another test the
first time the vehicle reaches 5 mph (8 km/h) (12 mph
[20 km/h] for vehicles equipped with the traction control
system). The system turns on the ABS pump motor for
approximately 1/2 second. At this time, a mechanical noise may
be heard and felt. This is a normal part of the self-check feature.
If a malfunction is found during this check the anti-lock light
will come on.
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[GF02200(ALL)01/96]
Ford Motor Company has not found any negative effects of
mobile radio transmitting equipment installed on vehicles with
the ABS system providing that the radio is installed according
to the radio manufacturer's instructions. However, if you have
had a mobile radio transmitter installed and the ABS light
comes on (at any time other than immediately after turning the
key to the ON position) have your mobile radio dealer inspect
the radio installation. Also, if the ABS system is activated other
than during maximum braking, have your mobile radio
installation checked.
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Driving
129
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[GF03100(ALL)01/96]
Always check the Brake Warning Light each time you start your
engine. Driving with the parking brake on will cause the brakes
to wear out quickly and will reduce the fuel economy.
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Traction Control (If equipped)
[GF03300(ALL)12/95]
The traction control system prevents the wheels from spinning
on slippery roads.
[GF03400(ALL)12/95]
Working with the anti-lock brake system, the traction control
system monitors the speed of the wheels as they roll over the
road surface. When a wheel starts to spin because of slippery
conditions, the traction control system slows the engine by
closing the throttle. At speeds below 35 mph (55 km/h) the
traction control system also applies the brake to the spinning
wheel.
[GF03500(ALL)12/95]
When the traction control system becomes active, the driver
may notice a very slight kick and then a hard resistance in the
accelerator pedal, and a mechanical noise. The traction control
system light on the instrument panel comes on or flashes on
and off during activation.
[GF03600(ALL)12/95]
The traction control system can be turned off manually by
pushing the T/C OFF button on the instrument panel to the left
of the steering wheel. The traction control system light will
remain on as a reminder that the system is turned off.
[GF03700(ALL)12/95]
Each time the vehicle is started, the traction control system will
automatically be on. When the ignition is turned to the ON
position, the traction control system light comes on for
approximately three (3) seconds.
[GF03800(ALL)12/95]
If the light does not come on when the ignition is turned to the
ON position or if it does not come on when the T/C OFF
button is pressed, have the system serviced by your dealer or a
qualified service technician as soon as possible to restore the
benefits of the traction control feature. You do not need to have
the vehicle towed in.
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177
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]
n
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]
n
When possible, we design parts that can be replaced without
tools.
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[MC00800(ALL)02/96]
n
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 Bookletto 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 theMaintenance 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, vibration, or other indication that your
vehicle may need service. If you do notice something unusual,
see that your vehicle is serviced promptly.
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[MC01200(ALL)01/96]
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids, and service
parts conforming to Ford specifications. Motorcraft parts are
designed and built to provide the best performance in your
vehicle. Using these parts for replacement is your assurance that
Ford-built quality stays in your vehicle.
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Update:Thu Sep 12 11:08:18 1996