check engine light FORD ESCORT 1996 7.G Owners Manual

109
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[ST08400(ALL)01/95]
Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
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[ST08500(ALL)08/95]
1. Make sure all occupants in the vehicle
buckle their safety belts. SeeSafety Restraints
in the Index for more details.
*
[ST08600(ALL)03/95]
2. Make sure the headlamps and other
accessories are turned off when starting.
*
[ST08700(ALL)02/92]
3.If you have an automatic transaxle, make
sure that the gearshift is in P (Park) and the
parking brake is set before you turn the key.
[ST08750(ALL)03/95]
If you have an automatic transaxle, your
vehicle has a special shift-lock safety feature.
It prevents you from moving the gearshift
lever out of the P (Park) position unless the
ignition is in the ON position and your foot
is on the brake. To move the gearshift lever,
you must also depress the thumb button.
*
[ST08800(ALL)07/93]
If you have a manual transaxle, make sure
that the parking brake is fully set, push the
clutch pedal to the floor, and put the
gearshift into Neutral before you turn the
key.(Remember, the starter will operate
only if the clutch pedal is pushed all the
way to the floor.)
[ST09000(ALL)06/95]
4. Before you start your vehicle, you should
check the warning lights on the instrument
panel to make sure that they work. Refer to
theWarning Lights and Gaugeschapter.
%*
[ST09400(ALL)02/95]
Starting Your Engine
*
[ST09500(ALL)06/95]
To start your engine:
*
[ST09600(ALL)05/95]
1. Follow the steps underPreparing to Start
Your Vehicleat the beginning of this section.
*
[ST09650(ALL)03/95]
2. Turn the ignition key to the ON position.
*
[ST09720(ALL)06/95]
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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120 [LG02549(E )06/94]Safety Belt Warning Light/Chime
(Canadian vehicles equipped with
combination lap and shoulder belts)
[LG02550(E )09/95]
This warning light and chime remind you in two
ways to fasten your safety belt. If you do not
fasten the safety belt before you turn the ignition
key to ON, the chime sounds for four (4) to
eight (8) seconds. Also, each time you turn the
ignition key to ON, the warning light comes on
for one to two minutes to remind you to fasten
your combination lap and shoulder belt.
[LG02700(ALL)03/91]
one inch art:0070005-A
The safety belt light
[LG02750(ALL)08/95]
Brake Warning Light
*
[LG02900(ALL)03/95]
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.
[LG03500(ALL)12/89]
This light comes on when you turn the ignition
key to START, but it normally goes off shortly
after the engine starts and you release the
parking brake. 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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121 [LG03550(ALL)08/95]
one inch art:0000837-A
The brake system and parking brake light
*
[LG03600(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes
may not be working properly. Have the
brakes checked immediately.
%*
[LG03800(ALL)01/95]
Charging System Light
*
[LG03900(ALL)03/95]
This light indicates that your battery is not being
charged and that you need to have the electrical
system checked.
*
[LG04300(ALL)07/95]
This light comes on 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.
*
[LG04400(ALL)01/95]
If the light stays on or comes on when the
engine is running, have the electrical system
checked as soon as possible.
[LG04500(ALL)12/89]
one inch art:0000838-A
The charging system light
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124 [LG07400(ALL)03/93]
one inch art:0070095-AAir bag readiness light
%*
[LG07900(ALL)03/95]
Check Engine Warning Light
[LG08000(ALL)08/95]
The Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic II (OBD II)
system consists of the hardware and software
necessary to monitor the operation of the
powertrain. The OBD II system is designed to
check the function of the vehicle's powertrain
control system during normal operation. If an
emission problem is detected, the Check Engine
Warning Light is turned on.
[LG08100(ALL)03/91]
one inch art:0070007-A
The check engine light
[LG08200(ALL)08/95]
Modification or additions to the vehicle may
cause incorrect operation of the OBD II system.
Additions such as burglar alarms, cellular
phones, and CB radios must be carefully
installed. Do not install these devices by tapping
into or running wires close to powertrain control
system wires or components.
[LG08300(ALL)08/95]
The light comes on briefly when you turn the
ignition key to ON, but it should turn off when
the engine starts. If the light does not come on
when you are driving, have your vehicle
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125
serviced as soon as possible. This indicates a
possible problem with one of the vehicle's
emission control systems. You do not need to
have your vehicle towed in.
[LG08400(ALL)08/95]
If the light turns on and off at one (1) second
intervals while you are driving the vehicle, it
means that the engine is misfiring. If this
condition persists, damage could occur to the
engine or catalytic convertor. Have your vehicle
serviced at the first opportunity. You do not
need to have your vehicle towed in.
[LG08500(ALL)08/95]
If the light turns on and off on rare occasions
while you are driving, it means that a
malfunction occurred and the condition corrected
itself.
[LG08600(ALL)08/95]
An example of a condition which corrects itself
occurs when an engine running out of fuel
begins to misfire. In this case, the Check Engine
Warning Light may turn on and will then set a
Diagnostic Trouble Code indicating that the
engine was misfiring while the last of the fuel
was being consumed. After refueling, the Check
Engine Warning light will turn off after the
vehicle has completed three consecutive warm
up cycles without a misfire condition occurring.
A warm up cycle consists of engine start from a
cold condition (engine at ambient temperature)
and running until the engine reaches normal
operating temperature.
[LG08700(ALL)08/95]
On the fourth engine start up, the Check Engine
Warning Light will turn off as soon as the
engine begins to crank. It is not necessary to
have the engine serviced.
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126 [LG08800(ALL)08/95]Under certain conditions, the Check Engine
Warning Light may come on if the fuel cap is
not properly installed. If the Check Engine
Warning Light comes on and you suspect that
the fuel cap is not properly installed, pull off the
road as soon as it is safely possible and turn off
the engine. Remove and replace the fuel cap,
making sure it is properly seated.
[LG08900(ALL)08/95]
After completing three (3) consecutive warm up
cycles and on the fourth engine start up, the
Check Engine Warning light should turn off. If
the light does not go off after the fourth engine
restart, have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer or a qualified technician.
[LG10324(ALL)08/95]
Check Coolant Light
[LG10326(ALL)01/92]
This light indicates that the level of the engine
coolant is low and that you should add more
coolant. This light comes on when you turn the
ignition key to START and remains on for a few
seconds after the engine starts, then normally
goes out. SeeEngine coolantin the Index.
[LG10330(ALL)10/89]
one inch art:0000860-A
The check coolant light
[LG10338(ALL)10/91]
If the CHECK COOLANT warning light stays
on, turn the ignition key to OFF and fill the
recovery bottle to the FULL HOT mark. If the
CHECK COOLANT warning light comes on and
stays on after the recovery bottle has been filled,
have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
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127 %
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[LG10355(ALL)05/95]
Turn Signal Indicator Lights
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[LG10360(ALL)05/95]
When you push the turn signal lever up before
making a right turn, the right side arrow on the
instrument panel flashes.
*
[LG10365(ALL)05/95]
When you push the turn signal lever down
before making a left turn, the left side arrow on
the instrument panel flashes.
[LG10370(ALL)08/93]
Usually, the turn signals turn off automatically
after you turn your vehicle. If the turn signal
continues to flash after you have made the turn,
pull the lever back to OFF.
%*
[LG10390(ALL)02/95]
Anti-lock Brake System Warning Light
(If equipped)
[LG10400(ALL)03/95]
Your vehicle may have an Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS) feature. If it does, check the
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) light each time
you start the engine. If it stays on longer than
six seconds, shut off the engine and restart. If it
stays on, that means the Anti-lock Brake feature
isn't working and should be serviced
immediately to restore the benefits of the
anti-lock brake feature. Normal braking is not
affected unless the brake warning light is also lit.
[LG10410(ALL)07/93]
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
7 mph (11 km/h). The system turns on the ABS
pump motor for approximately 1/2 second. At
this time, a mechanical noise may be heard. 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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128 [LG10450(ALL)02/94]
one inch art:0070205-AThe anti-lock brake system light
%*
[LG20000(ALL)02/95]
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
[LG20025(ALL)06/95]
This light indicates low oil pressure,not low oil
level. However, if your engine's oil level is low,
it could affect the oil pressure. This light comes
on every time your ignition key is turned to ON
or START. The light should turn off after a few
seconds. If the light stays on when the engine is
running, you have lost oil pressure and
continued operation will cause severe engine
damage.
[LG20050(ALL)03/93]
one inch art:0000839-A
The engine oil pressure light
*
[LG20100(ALL)03/95]
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
*
[LG20125(ALL)11/94]
2. Shut off the engine immediately. If you do
not stop the engine as soon as safely
possible, severe engine damage could result.
*
[LG20150(ALL)11/94]
3. Check the engine's oil level, following the
instructions on checking and adding engine
oil in this Owner Guide. (SeeEngine oilin
the Index.) If you do not follow these
instructions, you or others could be injured.
To ensure an accurate reading, your vehicle
should be on level ground.
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131
*
[LG20192(ALL)01/95]
If your engine coolant overheats:
*
[LG20193(ALL)03/95]
1. Pull off the road as soon as it is safely
possible.
*
[LG20194(ALL)01/95]
2. Turn off the engine.
*
[LG20195(ALL)05/95]
3. Let the engine cool.
*
[LG20196(ALL)03/95]
4. Check the coolant level following the
instructions on checking and adding coolant
to your engine. (SeeEngine coolantin the
Index.) If you do not follow these
instructions, you or others could be injured.
*
[LG20197(ALL)05/92]
5. Add as much coolant as your engine needs.
If the engine continues to overheat, have the
coolant system serviced.
[LG20200(E )12/89]The Sport Cluster
*
[LG20300(E )04/94]
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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234with your anti-lock brake system, you may not
have total control of your vehicle when braking
on roads with loose surfaces such as snow or
gravel, holes in the pavement, or alternating
patches of slippery and dry surfaces.
[DR17350(ALL)04/94]
Each time you turn the ignition key to the ON
position, the anti-lock brake system will function
through one test cycle. When this happens, the
anti-lock light (ABS) will come on for up to six
seconds. If the light stays on longer than six
seconds, shut off the engine and restart. If it
remains on, it means the anti-lock brake system
is disabled and should be serviced immediately
to restore the benefits of the anti-lock feature.
Normal braking is not affected unless the red
brake warning light is also lit.
[DR17400(ALL)02/94]
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
7 mph (11 km/h). The system turns on the ABS
pump motor for approximately 1/2 second. At
this time, a mechanical noise may be heard. 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.
*
[DR17500(ALL)08/95]
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
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