warning light FORD CONTOUR 1999 2.G Owners Manual

Introduction
2
ICONS
Indicates a warning. Read the
following section on Warnings for
a full explanation.
Indicates that vehicle information
related to recycling and other
environmental concerns will follow.
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment.
Correct vehicle usage and the
authorized disposal of waste
cleaning and lubrication materials
are significant steps toward this
aim.
BREAKING IN YOUR VEHICLE
There are no particular breaking-in
rules for your vehicle. Simply avoid
driving too fast during the first
1 600 km (1 000 miles). Vary
speeds frequently. This is
necessary to give the moving parts
a chance to break in.
WARNINGS
How can you reduce the risk of
personal injury and prevent
possible damage to others, your
vehicle, and its equipment?
In this ownerÕs guide, answers to
such questions are contained in
comments highlighted by the
warning triangle symbol.
11CIten 3/25/99 1:19 PM Page 2

Instrumentation
6
Turn signal
Flashes when the left or right turn
signal or hazard lights are
activated.
There are two different instrument
cluster designs. The individual
warning and indicator lights are
described on the following pages.
000123
000010 20 3040506070
80
90
110
120
13 0
MPH
20 4060
55
80120 10 0
14 0
160
18 0
20010 0
EF
BRAKE
CHECK
ENGINEO/D
OFFTRACTION
CONTROL
CH
000123
000010 20 3040506070
80
90
110
120
13 0
MPH
20 4060
55
80120 10 0
14 0
160
18 0
20010 0
EF12
03
x 1000
4
5
6
7
8
O/D
OFFCHECK
ENGINE
BRAKE
TRACTION
CONTROL
CH
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Alternative design
12CInen 3/25/99 1:24 PM Page 6

Instrumentation
7
High beams
Illuminates when the headlamp
high beams are on.
Charging system
Briefly illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the engine
is off. The light also illuminates
when the battery is not charging
properly and the vehicle may
require electrical system service.
Safety belt
Illuminates when the ignition is
switched on as a reminder to fasten
the safety belts. For more
information, refer to Safety belt
indicator light and warning
chime in the Seating and safety
restraints chapter.
Alternative design
Alternative design
Alternative design
Air bag secondary warning
Flashes periodically when there is
a malfunction with the air bag
system.
For more information, refer to the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
O/D
OFFTRACTION
CONTROL
12CInen 3/25/99 1:24 PM Page 7

Instrumentation
15 Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
(if equipped)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the engine
is off. If the light stays on or
continues to flash, the ABS needs
to be serviced.
BRAKE
BRAKE
Alternative design
Brake system and ABS warning
lights
If both warning lights illuminate at
the same time while driving, stop
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to
do so. Have the braking system
checked by your dealer or qualified
service technician before
continuing your journey.
When stopping the vehicle, slowly
reduce the speed. Use the brakes
with great care. Have the system checked by your
dealer or qualified technician
before continuing your journey.
BRAKE
BRAKE
Alternative design
12CInen 3/25/99 1:24 PM Page 15

Instrumentation
17 Headlamps on warning chime
Sounds when the headlamps are
on, the ignition is off (and the key
is not in the ignition) and the
driverÕs door is open. Testing the warning and
indicator lights and chimes
Turn the ignition key to the on
position without starting the
engine. The following warning and
indicator lights will illuminate
briefly: charging system, safety belt
(does not illuminate, if the driverÕs
safety belt is fastened), traction
control, ABS, brake, low coolant,
low fuel, engine oil pressure, check
engine and air bag readiness.
If any of these lights do not
illuminate, see your dealer or
qualified service technician.
Key-in-ignition warning chime
Sounds when the key is left in the
off/lock or accessory position and
the driverÕs door is open.
Safety belt warning chime
For information on the safety belt
warning chime, refer to the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
12CInen 3/25/99 1:24 PM Page 17

Controls and features
52
STEERING COLUMN
CONTROLS
Ignition
1. Ignition off, steering wheel
locked.
On vehicles with automatic
transaxles, the ignition key can
return to this position only if the
gearshift lever is in P (Park).
2. The accessory position. Steering
unlocked, radio operational.
Ignition and all main electrical
circuits are disabled.
The ignition key should not be left
in this position for too long to avoid
discharging the battery
unnecessarily.
3. Ignition switched on, all
electrical circuits operational.
Warning and indicator lights
illuminate. This key position is for
normal driving.
4. Starter motor activated. Release
the key as soon as the engine
starts.
3
4
21
000123
000010 20 3040506070
80
90
10 0
110
120
13 0MPH20 406055
80120 10 0
14 0
160
18 0
200EF12
03x 1000
4
5
6
7
8
CHECK
ENGINE TRACTION
CONTROLO/D
OFF
IRRORS
TRACTION
NTROL
CH
13CCfen 3/25/99 1:51 PM Page 52

Seating and safety restraints
80
Safety belt indicator light and
warning chime
Illuminates in the instrument
cluster and a chime sounds to
remind the occupants to fasten
their safety belts.
Center position three-point
safety belts
If the lower end of the belt has
been unbuckled, pull the belt
steadily from the reel and insert
the small tongue into the small
buckle until a distinct ÒclickÓ is
heard.
This buckle should be left buckled
except when the seatback is folded
down and cargo that might damage
the seatbelt or get it dirty is being
hauled.
Pull the seat belt across the hips
and insert the big (sliding) tongue
into the appropriate buckle until a
distinct ÒclickÓ is heard.
Should the center rear belt need to
be unlatched from its anchorage, a
thin probe is required to be
inserted into the hole located on
the underside of the floor mounted
buckle. If the buckle and tongue
are not reconnected, then the belt
is not safe to be used.
Alternative design
14CSSen 3/25/99 1:59 PM Page 80

Seating and safety restraints
81
Conditions of operation
If the driver safety belt is not
buckled before the ignition key is
turned to on, the safety belt
indicator illuminates for
1-2 minutes and the warning chime
sounds for 4-8 seconds.
If the driver safety belt is buckled
while the indicator light is
illuminated and the reminder
chime is sounding, the safety belt
indicator light and reminder turn
off.
Safety belt extension assembly
The safety belt may be too short
even when fully extended.
Approximately 20 cm (8 inches)
may be added to the length of the
belt with a safety belt extension
(part number 611C22). Safety belt
extensions are available at no cost
from your dealer.
Only use extensions manufactured
by the same supplier as the safety
belt. Manufacturer identification is
on the label located at the end of
the webbing.
Do not use the extension to change
the fit of the shoulder belt across
the torso.
14CSSen 3/25/99 1:59 PM Page 81

Seating and safety restraints
86
If the air bag is inflated, the
air bag will not function
again and must be replaced
immediately.If the air bag is not
replaced, the unrepaired area will
increase the risk of injury in a
collision.
The SRS consists of the following:
¥ driver and passenger air bag
modules (which include the
inflators and air bags),
¥ one impact and one safing sensor,
¥ a readiness light and a secondary
warning light, and
¥ the electrical wiring and
components.
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 backup power, and the
air bag ignitors.
Several air bag system
components get hot after
inflation. Do not touch them after
inflation.
14CSSen 3/25/99 1:59 PM Page 86

Seating and safety restraints
87
Determining if the system is
operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in
the instrument cluster or a
secondary warning light to indicate
the condition of the system. Refer
to the Air 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:
¥ The readiness light will either
flash or stay lit.
¥ The readiness light will not
illuminate after ignition is turned
on.
¥ The air bag secondary warning
light will flash five times. The
pattern will repeat periodically
until the problem or the readiness
light is 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.CHECK
ENGINE
O/D
OFFTRACTION
CONTROL
14CSSen 3/25/99 1:59 PM Page 87