check engine light FORD F250 2009 Owners Manual

Harley-Davidson vehicles
Warning lights and gauges can alert you to a vehicle condition that may
become serious enough to cause expensive repairs. A warning light may
illuminate when a problem exists with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the
bulbs work. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, refer to the
respective system warning light description for additional information.
Note:Some warning lights are reconfigurable telltale (RTT) indicator
lights and will illuminate in the message center display and function the
same as the warning light.
Service engine soon:TheService
engine soonindicator light
illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the on position to check
the bulb and to indicate whether the vehicle is ready for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing. Normally, the “Service engine
soon” light will stay on until the engine is cranked, then turn itself off if
no malfunctions are present. However, if after 15 seconds the “Service
engine soon” light blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not
ready for I/M testing. See theReadiness for Inspection/Maintenance
(I/M) testingin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the On Board
Diagnostics System (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer toOn
board diagnostics (OBD-II)in theMaintenance and Specifications
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chapter. If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could
damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid
heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced
immediately by your authorized dealer.
WARNING: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.
Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the on position
when the engine is not running, or in a position between on and start, or
by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned to the on
position. If the brake system warning light does not illuminate at this
time, seek service immediately from your authorized dealer. Illumination
after releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level and the
brake system should be inspected immediately by your servicing
authorized dealer.
WARNING:Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning
light on is dangerous. A significant decrease in braking
performance may occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle.
Have the vehicle checked by your authorized dealer immediately.
Driving extended distances with the parking brake engaged can cause
brake failure and the risk of personal injury.
Anti-lock brake system:If the
ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected, have the system
serviced immediately by your
authorized dealer. Normal braking is still functional unless the brake
warning light also is illuminated.
P!
BRAKE
ABS
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Airbag readiness:If this light fails
to illuminate when ignition is turned
to on, continues to flash or remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately by your authorized dealer. A chime will sound when there is
a malfunction in the indicator light.
Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A Belt-Minder

chime will also sound to remind you
to fasten your safety belt. Refer to
theSeating and Safety Restraints
chapter to activate/deactivate the Belt-Minder
chime feature.
Engine oil pressure:Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range. Refer toEngine oil
in theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
Low tire pressure warning (if
equipped):Illuminates when your
tire pressure is low. If the light
remains on at start up or while
driving, the tire pressure should be
checked. Refer toInflating Your Tiresin theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter. When the ignition is first turned to on, the light will
illuminate for three seconds to ensure the bulb is working. If the light
does not turn on, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer.
For more information on this system, refer toUnderstanding Your Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)in theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter.
Charging system:Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
If it stays on while the engine is
running, there may be a malfunction
with the charging system. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible. This indicates a problem with the electrical system or a related
component.
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Powertrain malfunction/Reduced
power/Electronic throttle
control (RTT):Displays when the
engine has defaulted to a
“limp-home” operation or when a
transmission problem has been
detected and shifting may be restricted. If the light remains on, have the
system serviced immediately by your authorized dealer.
Traction Control™ (RTT) (if
equipped):Displays when the
Traction Control™ system is active.
If the light remains on, have the
system serviced immediately by
your authorized dealer. Refer to
Traction Control™in theDrivingchapter for more information
Check fuel cap (RTT):Displays
when the fuel cap may not be
properly installed. Continued driving
with this light on may cause the
Service engine soon warning light to
come on. Refer toFuel filler capin
theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
Engine coolant temperature
(RTT):Displays when the engine
coolant temperature is high. Stop
the vehicle as soon as safely
possible, switch off the engine and
let it cool. Refer toEngine coolant
in theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
Low fuel (RTT):Displays when
the fuel level in the fuel tank is at
or near empty (refer toFuel gauge
in this chapter).
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Engine oil pressure gauge:
Indicates engine oil pressure. The
needle should stay in the normal
operating range (between “L” and
“H”). If the needle falls below the
normal range, stop the vehicle, turn
off the engine and check the engine
oil level. Add oil if needed. If the oil
level is correct, have your vehicle checked at your authorized dealer.
Fuel gauge:Indicates
approximately how much fuel is left
in the fuel tank (when the ignition
is in the on position). The fuel
gauge may vary slightly when the
vehicle is in motion or on a grade.
The FUEL icon and arrow indicates
which side of the vehicle the fuel
filler door is located.
Refer toFilling the tankin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter for more information.
Battery voltage gauge (manual
transmission only):Indicates the
battery voltage when the ignition is
in the on position. If the pointer
moves and stays outside the normal
operating range, have the vehicle’s
electrical system checked as soon as
possible.
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fuse may have blown. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
Emergencieschapter for information on checking and replacing fuses.
To have full capacity usage of your power point, the engine is required to
be running to avoid unintentional discharge of the battery. To prevent
the battery from being discharged:
•do not use the power point longer than necessary when the engine is
not running,
•do not leave battery chargers, video game adapters, computers and
other devices plugged in overnight or when the vehicle is parked for
extended periods.
Always keep the power point caps closed when not being used.
Cigar lighter (if equipped)
Do not plug optional electrical accessories into the cigarette lighter
socket.
Do not hold the lighter in with your hand while it is heating, this will
damage the lighter element and socket. The lighter will be released from
its heating position when it is ready to be used.
Note:Improper use of the lighter can cause damage not covered by your
warranty, and can result in fire or serious injury.
POWER WINDOWS (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle and
do not let children play with the power windows. They may
seriously injure themselves.
WARNING:When closing the power windows, you should verify
they are free of obstructions and ensure that children and/or
pets are not in the proximity of the window openings.
Press and pull the window switches
to open and close windows.
•Push down (to the first detent)
and hold the switch to open.
•Pull up (to the first detent) and
hold the switch to close.
A
U
T
O
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STANDARD MESSAGE CENTER (IF EQUIPPED)
With the ignition in the on position,
the message center, located on your
instrument cluster, displays text
messages that alert you to possible
problems or malfunctions in your
vehicle’s operating systems. All
warning messages will also provide
an indicator chime.
For improved message center readability, if your vehicle is equipped with
Autolamp control, the message center brightness cannot be adjusted
when parking lamps or headlamps are on in bright daytime ambient
conditions, refer toAutolamp controlin theLightschapter. In lower
ambient light conditions, the message center brightness can be adjusted
using the panel dimmer control when parking lamps or headlamps are
on, refer toPanel dimmer controlin theLightschapter.
Selectable features
Press and release the SELECT/RESET button, located in the
speedometer, to scroll and reset the following functions. Select or reset
the function by holding the SELECT/RESET button for more than
2 seconds.
Info menu
This menu displays the following items:
•Odometer/Trip Odometer (Trip A and Trip B)
•Engine hour meter (if equipped)
•Distance to Empty
•Average Fuel Economy
•Setup Menu
•System check
•Blank
Odometer/Trip odometer
Refer toGaugesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
Engine hour meter (if equipped)
Refer toGaugesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
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How to Use the Engine Block Heater
Ensure the receptacle terminals are clean and dry prior to use. To clean
them, use a dry cloth.
Depending on the type of factory installed equipment, your engine block
heater system may consume anywhere between 400 watts or 1000 watts
of power per hour. Your factory installed block heater system does not
have a thermostat; however, maximum temperature is attained after
approximately 3 hours of operation. Block heater operation longer than
3 hours will not improve system performance and will unnecessarily use
additional electricity.
Make sure system is unplugged and properly stowed before driving the
vehicle. While not in use, make sure the protective cover seals the
prongs of the engine block heater cord plug.
BRAKES
Occasional brake noise is normal. If a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding
or continuous squeal sound is present, the brake linings may be worn-out
and should be inspected by an authorized dealer. If the vehicle has
continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the
vehicle should be inspected by an authorized dealer.
Refer toBrake system warning
lightin theInstrument Cluster
chapter for information on the brake
system warning light.
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
This system helps you maintain steering control during emergency stops
by keeping the brakes from locking. The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lockup during brake application and compensates for this
tendency. Noise from the ABS pump motor and brake pedal pulsation
may be observed during ABS braking; any pulsation or mechanical noise
you may feel or hear is normal. In addition, the ABS performs a
self-check after you start the engine and begin to drive away. A brief
mechanical noise may be heard during this test. This is normal.
P!
BRAKE
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into four-wheel drive mode (if equipped), the traction control system will
be automatically disabled. Traction control operation will resume when
the vehicle is placed back into two-wheel drive mode.
WARNING:Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause
you to lose control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe
personal injury or property damage. The occurrence of a Traction
Control™ event is an indication that at least some of the tires have
exceeded their ability to grip the road; this may lead to an increased
risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and
death. If you experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.
The Traction Control™ switch,
located on the instrument panel to
the left of the climate control
system, has an indicator light that
illuminates when the system is off.
The Traction Control™ system will
automatically turn on every time the
ignition is turned off and on. The
Traction Control™ system should normally be left on.
If you should become stuck in snow or ice or on a very slippery road
surface, try switching the Traction Control™ system off. This may allow
excess wheel spin to “dig” the vehicle out and enable a successful
“rocking” maneuver.
If a system fault is detected, the traction control active light will
illuminate, the Traction Control™ button will not turn the system on or
off and your vehicle should be serviced by an authorized dealer.
STEERING
To help prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than three to five seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
•Some noise is normal during operation. If excessive, check for low
power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your dealer.
•Heavy or uneven efforts may be caused by low power steering fluid.
Check for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service
by your dealer.
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•Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the MAX mark on
the reservoir, as this may result in leaks from the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper steering alignment
If any steering components are serviced or replaced, install new
fasteners (many are coated with thread adhesive or have prevailing
torque features which may not be re-used). Never re-use a bolt or nut.
Torque fasteners to specifications inWorkshop Manual.
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
LIMITED-SLIP AXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction on slippery surfaces, particularly when
one wheel is on a poor traction surface. Under normal conditions, the
Limited-slip axle functions like a standard rear axle. The axle may
exhibit a slight noise or vibration in tight turns with low vehicle speed.
This is normal behavior and indicates the axle is working.
PREPARING TO DRIVE
WARNING:Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover
rate than other types of vehicles.
WARNING:In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt.
Utility vehicles and trucks have larger tires and increased ground
clearance, giving the vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger
car.
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