check engine light FORD F250 1998 Owners Manual

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Standard instrument cluster
Optional instrument cluster
Low fuel
Illuminates when the fuel level is
low. The lamp will also illuminate
when the ignition key is turned to
ON and the engine is off.
Check engine
Your vehicle is equipped with a
computer that monitors the
engine's emission control system.
This system is commonly known as
DOOR
AJAR
BRAKE
FUEL
RESETCHECK
SUSP
LOW
RANGE
4 X 4
!+ -
LOW
FUEL
ABS CHECK
ENGINE
UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
EF
H
C
L
H
8 18
0
000000000
MPH
20km/h 406080
100
120
140
160
0
PRN 21
1020304050
60
70
80
90
100
D
LOW
FUEL
DOOR
AJAR
BRAKE
FUEL
RESET CHECK
ENGINELOW
RANGE
4 X 4
!ABS+ -
THEFTLEF
H0
0000
RPM1000X
00000
MPH
20km/h 406080
100
120
140
160
0
0 123
5
6 4
PRN 21
1020304050
60
70
80
90
100
8C 18
H
D
CHECK
SUSPFUEL DOOR
LOW
FUEL
CHECK
ENGINE
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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.
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
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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.
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.
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Safety belt
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON to remind
you to fasten your safety belts. For
more information, refer to the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
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.
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 or
flash faster, check for a burned-out
turn signal bulb. Refer toExterior
bulbsin theMaintenance and
carechapter.
!
BRAKE
ABS
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High beams
Illuminates when the high beam
headlamps are turned on.
Anti-theft system (if equipped)
Refer toPerimeter alarm system
in theControls and features
chapter.
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.
Oil pressure/Engine coolant
This light will come on when the
key is in the ON position and the:
²engine coolant temperature is
very high
²engine oil pressure is low
The light serves as a notice that a
system needs your attention and to
check the engine coolant
temperature gauge and the engine
oil pressure gauge.
Refer toEngine coolant
temperature gaugeandEngine
THEFT
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oil pressure gaugein this chapter
for more information.
Four wheel drive low (if
equipped)
Illuminates when four-wheel drive
low is selected.
Four wheel drive indicator (if
equipped)
Illuminates when 4x4 range is
selected.
Check air suspension (if
equipped)
Illuminates briefly when the
ignition is turned to the ON
position and the engine is OFF.
The light also illuminates when the
air suspension system requires
servicing.
For information, refer toAir
suspension systemin theDriving
chapter.
Door ajar
Illuminates when the ignition
switch is in the ON or START
position and any door is open.
LOW
RANGE
4x4
CHECK
SUSP
DOOR
AJAR
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GAUGES
Standard instrument cluster
gauges
Optional instrument cluster
gauges
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.
DOOR
AJAR
BRAKE
FUEL
RESETCHECK
SUSP
LOW
RANGE
4 X 4
!+ -
LOW
FUEL
ABS CHECK
ENGINE
UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
EF
H
C
L
H
8 18
0
000000000
MPH
20km/h 406080
100
120
140
160
0
PRN 21
1020304050
60
70
80
90
100
D
FUEL
RESET CHECK
ENGINELOW
RANGE
4 X 4
ABSBRAKE!+ -
THEFT
LOW
FUEL
DOOR
AJARLEF
H0
0000
RPM1000X
00000
MPH
20km/h 406080
100
120
140
160
0
0 123
5
6 4
PRN 21
1020304050
60
70
80
90
100
8C 18
H
D
CHECK
SUSPFUEL DOOR
EF
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3. Turn the key to 4 (ON) without
turning the key to 5 (START).
Make sure the corresponding lights
illuminate briefly. If a light fails to
illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced.
²If the driver's safety belt is
fastened, the light (
) will not
illuminate.
3
2
1
5
4
LOW
FUEL
DOOR
AJAR
BRAKE
FUEL
RESET CHECK
ENGINELOW
RANGE
4 X 4
!ABS+ -
THEFTLEF
H0
0000
RPM1000X
00000
MPH
20km/h 406080
100
120
140
160
0
0 123
5
6 4
PRN 21
1020304050
60
70
80
90
100
8C 18
H
D
CHECK
SUSPFUEL DOOR
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HAZARD LIGHTS CONTROL
Use only in an emergency to warn
traffic of vehicle breakdown,
approaching danger, etc. The
hazard flashers can be operated
when the ignition is off.
²The hazard lights control is
located on top of the steering
column.
²Depress hazard lights control to
activate all hazard flashers
simultaneously.
²Depress control again to turn
the flashers off.
FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH
If the engine cranks but does not
start after a collision, the fuel
pump shut-off switch may have
been activated. The shut-off switch
is a device intended to stop the
electric fuel pump when your
vehicle has been involved in a
substantial jolt.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the
OFF position.
2. Check the fuel system for leaks.
3. If no fuel leak is apparent, reset
the fuel pump shut-off switch by
pushing in the button on the
switch.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the
ON position. Pause for a few
seconds and return the key to the
OFF position.
Roadside emergencies
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SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
²We highlight do-it-yourself items
in the engine compartment for
easy location.
²We provide a ªService Guideº
which makes tracking routine
service easy.
If your vehicle requires
professional service, your
dealership can provide necessary
parts and service. Check your
ªWarranty Guideº to find out which
parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels,
lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications.
Motorcraft parts are designed and
built to provide the best
performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN
SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
Be especially careful when
inspecting or servicing your
vehicle.
²Do not work on a hot engine.
The cooling fan is
automatic and may come
on at any time. Always
disconnect the negative terminal
of the battery before working
near the fan.
²When the engine is running, pay
attention loose clothing, jewelry
or long hair do not get caught
up in moving parts.
Maintenance and care
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