light FORD EXPLORER 1998 2.G Owners Manual

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Check engine
Your vehicle is equipped with a
computer that monitors the engine's
emission control system. This
system is commonly known as the
On Board Diagnostics System (OBD
II). This OBD II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your
vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD II system also assists the
service technician in properly servicing your vehicle.
TheCheck Engineindicator light illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the ON position to check the bulb. If it comes on after the
engine is started, one of the engine's emission control systems may be
malfunctioning. The light may illuminate without a driveability concern
being noted. The vehicle will usually be drivable and will not require
towing.
C
012345
6
RPMx1000
ABS!BRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE
FUEL
RESET
EFH
H
H
PRN D 2 1THEFT
SPEED
CONT
4WD
HIGH
4WD
LOW
O/D
OFFL
L
10MPH 205060
70
304080
90
km/h
0 0 0
10 100
1
20
1
0 0 0 0 0 0406080100
120
140
160
180
20
DOOR
AJAR
CHECK
GAGE
CHECK
ENGINE
Instrumentation
6

What you should do if the check engine light illuminates
Light turns on solid:
This means that the OBD II system has detected a malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause yourCheck Enginelight to
illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been properly installed and securely
tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or properly installing and securely tightening
the gas cap. After three driving cycles without these or any other
temporary malfunctions present, theCheck Enginelight should turn off.
(A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.
If theCheck Enginelight remains on, have your vehicle serviced at the
first available opportunity.
Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic converter.
You should drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and
deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Fuel reset
Illuminates when the ignition key is
turned to the ON position and the
fuel pump shut-off switch has been
triggered. For more information,
refer toFuel pump shut-off switch
in theRoadside emergencies
chapter.
FUEL
RESET
Instrumentation
7

Air bag readiness
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to flash
or remains on, have the system
serviced immediately.
Safety belt
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON to remind you
to fasten your safety belts. For more
information, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON and the engine
is off. Also illuminates when the
parking brake is engaged.
Illumination after releasing the
parking brake indicates low brake
fluid level.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the engine
is off. If the light remains on,
continues to flash or fails to
illuminate, have the system serviced
immediately.
!
BRAKE
ABS
Instrumentation
8

Turn signal
Illuminates when the left or right
turn signal or the hazard lights are
turned on. If one or both of the
indicators stay on continuously,
check for a burned-out turn signal
bulb. Refer toExterior bulbsin the
Maintenance and carechapter.
High beams
Illuminates when the high beam
headlamps are turned on.
Anti-theft system (if equipped)
Refer toAnti-theft systemin the
Controls and featureschapter.
Charging system
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON and the engine
is off. The light also illuminates
when the battery is not charging
properly, requiring electrical system
service.
THEFT
Instrumentation
9

O/D off (if equipped)
Illuminates when the transmission
control switch has been pushed.
When the light is on, the
transmission does not shift into
overdrive. If the light does not come
on when the transmission control
switch is depressed or if the light
flashes when you are driving, have
your vehicle serviced.
Speed control (if equipped)
This light comes on when either the
SET/ACCEL or RESUME controls
are pressed. It turns off when the
speed control OFF control is
pressed, the brake is applied or the
ignition is turned to the OFF
position.
Safety belt warning chime
Chimes to remind you to fasten your safety belts.
For information on the safety belt warning chime, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning chime
For information on the SRS warning chime, refer to theSeating and
safety restraintschapter.
Key-in-ignition warning chime
Sounds when the key is left in the ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACC
position and the driver's door is opened.
Headlamps on warning chime
Sounds when the headlamps or parking lamps are on, the ignition is off
(and the key is not in the ignition) and the driver's door is opened.
O/D
OFF
SPEED
CONT
Instrumentation
11

Engine oil pressure gauge
This shows the engine oil pressure
in the system. Sufficient pressure
exists as long as the needle remains
in the normal range (the area
between the ``H'' and ``L'').
If the gauge indicates low pressure,
stop the vehicle as soon as safely
possible and switch off the engine
immediately. Check the oil level.
Add oil if needed (refer to
Checking and adding engine oilin
theMaintenance and care
chapter). If the oil level is correct,
have your vehicle checked at your dealership or by a qualified
technician.
Fuel gauge
Displays approximately how much
fuel is in the fuel tank (when the
key is in the ON position). The fuel
gauge may vary slightly when the
vehicle is in motion. The ignition
should be in the OFF position while
the vehicle is being refueled. When
the gauge first indicates empty,
there is a small amount of reserve
fuel in the tank. When refueling the
vehicle from empty indication, the
amount of fuel that can be added
will be less than the advertised
capacity due to the reserve fuel.
The FUEL DOOR icon and arrow indicates which side of the vehicle the
fuel filler door is located.
H
L
EF
Instrumentation
15

HEADLAMP CONTROL
Rotate the headlamp control
clockwise to the first position to
turn on the parking lamps only.
Rotate to the second position to also
turn on the headlamps.
Foglamp control (if equipped)
Turn on the low-beam headlamps
and press the foglamp control to
activate the foglamps. The foglamp
control button will illuminate when
the foglamps are on.
Press the foglamp control a second
time to deactivate the foglamps.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the highbeam headlamps on with a reduced output. To activate:
²the engine must be running
²the headlamp control is in the OFF or Parking lamps position.
The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system will not illuminate the
tail lamps and parking lamps. Turn on your headlamps at dusk.
Failure to do so may result in a collision.
OFF
Controls and features
21

High beams
Push forward to activate.
Flash to pass
Pull toward you to activate and
release to deactivate.
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel during headlight
and parklamp operation.
²Rotate up to brighten.
²Rotate down to dim.
Use to control the dome lamps.
²Rotate all the way up to turn on.
²Rotate all the way down to
override.
DIM
Controls and features
22

Since the air conditioner removes considerable moisture from the air
during operation, it is normal if clear water drips on the ground under
the air conditioner drain while the system is working and even after you
have stopped the vehicle.
Under normal conditions, your vehicle's climate control system should be
left in any position other than MAX A/C or OFF when the vehicle is
parked. This allows the vehicle to ``breathe'' through the outside air inlet
duct.
²MAX A/C-Uses recirculated air to cool the vehicle. MAX A/C is noisier
than A/C but more economical and will cool the inside of the vehicle
faster. Airflow will be from the instrument panel registers. This mode
can also be used to prevent undesirable odors from entering the
vehicle.
²A/C-Uses outside air to cool the vehicle. It is quieter than MAX A/C
but not as economical. Airflow will be from the instrument panel
registers.
²
(Vent)-Distributes outside air through the instrument panel
registers. However, the air will not be cooled below the outside
temperature because the air conditioning does not operate in this
mode.
²OFF-Outside air is shut out and the fan will not operate. For short
periods of time only, use this mode to prevent undesirable odors from
entering the vehicle.
²
(Panel and floor)-Distributes outside air through the instrument
panel registers and the floor ducts. Heating and air conditioning
capabilities are provided in this mode. For added customer comfort,
when the temperature control knob is anywhere in between the full
hot and full cold positions, the air distributed through the floor ducts
will be slightly warmer than the air sent to the instrument panel
registers.
²
(Floor)-Allows for maximum heating by distributing outside air
through the floor ducts. However, the air will not be cooled below the
outside temperature because the air conditioning does not operate in
this mode.
²
(Floor and defrost)-Distributes outside air through the
windshield defroster ducts and the floor ducts. Heating and air
conditioning capabilities are provided in this mode. For added
customer comfort, when the temperature control knob is anywhere in
between the full hot and full cold positions, the air distributed through
Controls and features
24

the floor ducts will be slightly warmer than the air sent to the
instrument panel registers. If the temperature is about 10ÉC (50ÉF) or
higher, the air conditioner will automatically dehumidify the air to
prevent fogging.
²
-Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster ducts.
It can be used to clear ice or fog from the windshield. If the
temperature is about 10ÉC (50ÉF) or higher, the air conditioner will
automatically dehumidify the air to prevent fogging.
Operating tips
²In humid weather, selectbefore driving. This will prevent your
windshield from fogging. After a few minutes, select any desired
position.
²To prevent humidity buildup inside the vehicle, don't drive with the
climate control system in the OFF position.
²Don't put objects under the front seat that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
²Remove any snow, ice or leaves
from the air intake area (at the
bottom of the windshield under
the hood).
²If your vehicle has been parked with the windows closed during hot
weather, the air conditioner will do a much faster job of cooling if you
drive for two or three minutes with the windows open. This will force
most of the hot, stale air out of the vehicle. Then operate your air
conditioner as you would normally.
²When placing objects on top of your instrument panel, be careful to
not place them over the defroster outlets. These objects can block
airflow and reduce your ability to see through your windshield. Also,
avoid placing small objects on top of your instrument panel. These
objects can fall down into the defroster outlets and block airflow and
possibly damage your climate control system.
Controls and features
25