FORD TAURUS 1996 Repair Manual

59
Starting Your Taurus
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Ignition
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Understanding the Positions of the Ignition
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quarter page art:0000017-D
The positions of the key in the ignition
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ACCESSORY allows some of your vehicle's
electrical accessories such as the radio and the
windshield wipers to operate while the engine is
not running.
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LOCK locks the steering wheel. It also locks the
gearshift for all vehicles with an automatic
transaxle.
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The automatic transaxle gearshift must be in P
(Park) to move the key to the LOCK position.
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LOCK is the only position that allows you to
remove the key. The LOCK feature helps to
protect your vehicle from theft.
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If the key is stuck in the LOCK position, move
the steering wheel left or right until the key
turns freely.
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OFF allows you to shut off the engine and all
accessories without locking the steering wheel or
the automatic transaxle gearshift lever.
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ON allows you to test your vehicle's warning
lights (except the brake system warning light) to
make sure they work before you start the
engine. The key returns to the ON position once
the engine is started and remains in this position
while the engine runs.
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START cranks the engine. Release the key once
the engine starts so that you do not damage the
starter. The key should return to ON when you
release it. The START position also allows you
to test the brake warning light.
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Removing the Key From the Ignition
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Procedures for removing the key from the
ignition will be the same for both the column-
and console-mounted gearshifts.
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1. Put the gearshift in P (Park).
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2. Set the parking brake fully.
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3. Turn the ignition to the LOCK position.
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4. Remove the key.
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If you have difficulty in turning the key, rotate
the steering wheel slightly because it may be
binding.
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If the driver's door is open while the key is still
in the ignition, a warning chime sounds.
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RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure the gearshift is securely latched
in P (Park).
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61
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RWARNING
Do not leave children, unreliable adults,
or pets alone in your vehicle. They could
accidentally injure themselves or others
through inadvertent operation of the
vehicle. Further, on hot, sunny days,
temperatures in a closed vehicle could
quickly become high enough to cause
severe and possibly fatal injuries to
people as well as animals.
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Starting Your Vehicle
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Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
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RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed
garage or other enclosed area. Never sit in
a stopped vehicle for more than a short
period of time with the engine running.
Exhaust fumes are toxic. SeeGuarding
Against Exhaust Fumesin this chapter for
more instructions.
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Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
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1. Make sure all occupants in the vehicle
buckle their safety belts. SeeSafety Restraints
in the Index for more details.
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2. Make sure your headlamps and other
accessories are turned off and the parking
brake is set.
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3. Make sure that the gearshift is in P (Park)
before you turn the key.
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Before you start your vehicle, you should test
the warning lights on the instrument panel to
make sure that they work. Refer to theWarning
Lights and Gaugeschapter.
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Starting Your Engine
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To start your engine:
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1. Follow the steps underPreparing to Start
Your Vehicleat the beginning of this section.
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2. Turn the ignition key to the ON position.
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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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4. Turn the key to the START position
(cranking) until the engine starts. Allow the
key to return to the ON position after the
engine has started.
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If you have difficulty in turning the key,
rotate the steering wheel slightly because it
may be binding.
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For a cold engine:
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q
At temperatures10ÊF (-12ÊC) andbelow:If
the engine does not start infifteen (15)
secondson the first try, turn the key to OFF,
wait approximately ten (10) seconds so you
do not flood the engine, then try again.
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q
At temperaturesabove10ÊF(-12ÊC):If the
engine does not start infive (5) secondson
the first try, turn the key to OFF, wait
approximately ten (10) seconds so you do not
flood the engine, then try again.
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For a warm engine:
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q
Do not hold the key in the START position
for more thanfive (5) secondsat a time. If
the engine does not start within five (5)
seconds on the first try, turn the key to the
OFF position. Wait a few seconds after the
starter stops, then try again.
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63
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Whenever you start your vehicle, release the key
as soon as the engine starts. Excessive cranking
could damage the starter.
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After you start the engine, let it idle for a few
seconds. Keep your foot on the brake pedal and
put the gearshift lever in gear. Release the
parking brake. Slowly release the brake pedal
and drive away in the normal manner.
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NOTE: Your vehicle is equipped with an
automatic transaxle and has an
interlock that prevents you from
shifting out of P (Park) unless your
foot is on the brake pedal.
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If the engine does not start after two attempts:
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1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
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2. Press the accelerator all the way to the floor
and hold it.
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3. Turn the ignition key to the START position.
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4. Release the ignition key when the engine
starts.
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5. Release the accelerator gradually as the
engine speeds up. Then drive away in the
normal manner.
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If the engine still does not start, the fuel pump
shut-off switch may have been triggered. For
directions on how to reset the switch seeFuel
Pump Shut-Off Switchlater in this chapter.
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A computer system controls the engine's idle
speed. When you start your vehicle, the engine's
idle speed normally runs high. These faster
engine speeds will make your vehicle coast
slightly faster than its normal idle speed. It
should, however, slow down after a short time.
If it does not, have the idle speed checked by
your dealer or a qualified technician.
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64
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If the engine idle speed does not slow down
automatically, do not allow your vehicle to idle
for more than 10 minutes. Have the vehicle
checked.
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RWARNING
Extended idling at high engine speeds can
produce very high temperatures in the
engine and exhaust system, creating the
risk of fire or other damage.
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RWARNING
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in
dry grass or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which
can start a fire.
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If you consistently start your vehicle in subzero
temperatures, use an engine block heater (if
your vehicle has this option).
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Engine Block Heater (If equipped)
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Engine block heaters are strongly recommended
if you live in a region where temperatures reach
-10ÊF (-23ÊC) orbelow. An engine block heater
warms the engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine faster, and allows
the heater-defrost system to respond quickly.
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To turn the heater on, simply plug it into a
grounded 110-volt outlet. Ford recommends that
you use a 110-volt circuit that is protected by a
ground fault circuit interrupter.
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65
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For best results, plug the heater in at least three
hours before you start your vehicle. Using the
heater for longer than three hours will not
damage the engine, so you can plug it in at
night to start your vehicle the following
morning.
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RWARNING
To prevent electrical shock, do not use
your heater with ungrounded electrical
systems or two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
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If the Engine Cranks but Does
Not Start or Does Not Start After
a Collision
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Fuel Pump Shut-off Switch
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If the engine cranks but does not start or does
not start even after a small collision, the fuel
pump shut-off switch may have been activated.
The shut-off switch is a device intended to stop
the fuel pump when your vehicle has been
involved in a substantial jolt.
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Once the shut-off switch is activated, you must
reset the switch by hand before you can start
your vehicle. If you have asedan, the switch is
on the right side of the trunk behind the trunk
liner. If you have awagon, it is behind the
service panel on the right side of the cargo area.
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half page art:0000399-EThe right side of the trunk in the sedan
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one third page art:0000516-E
Inside the right side service panel in the wagon
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RWARNING
If you see or smell fuel, do not reset the
switch or try to start your vehicle. Have
all the passengers get out of the vehicle
and call the local fire department or a
towing service.
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If your engine cranks but does not start after a
collision or substantial jolt:
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1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
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2. Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.
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3. If you do not see or smell fuel, push the red
reset button on the fuel pump shut-off
switch down.
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4. Turn the ignition key to the ON position for
a few seconds, then turn it to the OFF
position.
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5. Check under the vehicle again for leaking
fuel.If you see or smell fuel, do not start
your vehicle again.If you do not see or
smell fuel, you can try to start your vehicle
again.
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6. Check all vehicle warning lights before
driving the vehicle.
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Pushing
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Vehicles with automatic transaxles cannot be
started by pushing. Follow the directions under
If Your Vehicle Needs a Jump-Startin theRoadside
EmergenciesChapter.
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Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes
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Carbon monoxide, although colorless and
odorless, is present in exhaust fumes. Take
precautions to avoid its dangerous effects.
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RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed
garage or other enclosed area. Never sit in
a stopped vehicle for more than a short
period of time with the engine running.
Exhaust fumes are toxic. SeeGuarding
Against Exhaust Fumesin this chapter for
more instructions.
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RWARNING
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your
vehicle, have your dealer inspect your
vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
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Have the exhaust and body ventilation systems
checked whenever:
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q
your vehicle is raised for service
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q
the sound of the exhaust system changes
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q
your vehicle has been damaged in a collision
File:04fcstt.ex
Update:Mon Jan 22 15:46:50 1996
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