check engine LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1996 Customer Assistance Guide

A computer system controls the engine's idle speed.
When you start your vehicle, the engine's idle speed
normally runs higher than when it is warmed up. These
faster engine speeds will make your vehicle move
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.
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./! WARNINGExtended idling at high engine speeds can producevery high temperatures in the engine and exhaustsystem, creating the risk of fire or other damage.46/! WARNINGDo not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in drygrass or other dry ground cover. Theemission system heats up the enginecompartment and exhaust system, which canstart a fire.Engine Block Heater (If equipped)
Engine block heaters are strongly recommended if
you live in a region where temperatures reach -10° °F
(-23° °C) or below. 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.
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.

The left side of the trunk/! WARNINGIf you see or smell fuel, do not reset theswitch or try to start your vehicle. Haveall the passengers get out of the vehicleand call the local fire department or atowing service.48If your engine cranks but does not start after a
collision or substantial jolt:
1 . Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
2.Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.
3.if you do not see or smell fuel, push the red
reset button down. If the button is already
set, you may have a different mechanical
problem.
4.Turn the ignition key to the ON position for
a few seconds, then turn it to the OFF
position.
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.
6. Check all vehicle warning lights before
driving the vehicle.

Have the exhaust and body ventilation systems
checked whenever: your vehicle is raised for service the sound of the exhaust system changes your vehicle has been damaged in a collision
Improve your ventilation by keeping all air inlet
vents clear of snow, leaves, and other debris.
50If the engine is idling while you are stopped in an
open area for long periods of time, open the
windows at least one inch (2 . 5 cm). Also,
adjust the heating or air conditioning to bring in
outside air.
If you use the Electronic Automatic Climate
Control, set the fan speed selector dial to a
medium or high blower speed with the VENT or
PNL-FLR function buttons pressed.

This light comes on when the parking brake is
set, or if it is not set, it comes on briefly when
you turn the ignition to the START position. It
normally goes off shortly after the engine starts
and you release the parking brake. If the light
stays on after you have fully released the
parking brake, have the hydraulic brake system
serviced by your dealer or a qualified service
technician./!\WARNINGThe BRAKE light indicates that the brakesmay not be working properly. Have thebrakes checked immediately.Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
This light comes on for a few seconds when you
turn the ignition key to the START position. It
should go off shortly after the engine starts. If it
stays on longer than five (5) seconds, it indicates
that your anti-lock brake system may not be
working properly. Normal braking is not affected
unless the BRAKE system warning light also
remains on for longer than six (6) seconds. You
should have your vehicle serviced immediately by
your dealer or qualified service technician to restore
the benefits of the anti-lock feature. See Anti-lock
brakes in the Index for more information.
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Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light indicates the engine's oil pressure, not
the oil level. However, if your engine's oil level
is low, it could affect the oil pressure. The
light will come on briefly when you turn your
key to the START and ON position. The light
should stay off when the engine is running with
normal oil pressure. If the light comes on while
the engine is running, you have lost oil pressure
and continued operation will cause severe
engine damage.
54If you lose engine oil pressure:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
2. Shut off the engine immediately or severe engine
damage could result.
3. Check the engine's oil level, following the
instructions on checking and adding engine oil,
see the Engine Oil in the Index. If you do not
follow these instructions, you or others could be
injured. To assure an accurate reading, your car
should be on level ground.
4. If the level is low, add only as much oil as
necessary before you start the engine again. Do
not overfill. Do not operate the engine if the light
is on, regardless of the oil level. Contact your
nearest dealer for further service actions.
For more information about adding oil, see Adding
engine oil in the Servicing Your Vehicle chapter.

Traction ControlÒ Ò Active Light (If
equipped)
This light comes on when the Traction
ContronÒ system begins applying and releasing
the brakes and adjusting the engine
characteristics to limit a wheelspin condition.
It will be lit for a minimum of six seconds or
for the duration of the Traction ControlÒ
event.T/CACTIVECharging System Light
This light indicates that your battery is not being
charged and that you need to have the electrical
system begins applying and releasing the brakes
and system checked.55

This light comes on every time you turn the
ignition to the ON or START position (engine
offl. The light should go off when the engine
starts and the alternator begins to charge.
If the light stays on or comes on when the
engine is running, have the electrical system
checked as soon as possible.
Turn Signal Indicator Lights
When you push the turn signal lever up before
making a right turn, the right side arrow on the
instrument panel flashes.
When you push the turn signal lever down
before making a left turn, the left side arrow on
the instrument panel flashes.
Usually, the turn signals turn off automatically
after you turn your car. If the turn signal
continues to flash after you have made the turn,
push the lever back to the OFF position.
56If one or both of your turn indicators do not flash
or stay on continuously, have them serviced as
soon as possible. In the meantime, be sure to use
the accepted hand signals.
Service Engine Soon Warning Light
The Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic 11
(OBD 11) system consists of the hardware
and software necessary to monitor the
operation of the powertrain. The OBD 11
system is designed to check the function
of the vehicle's powertrain control system
during normal operation. If an emission
problem is detected, the Service Engine
Soon light (in the cluster) is turned on.

Operator Selectable FeaturesCluster Control Buttons and Message Center
Control ButtonsThese features are controlled by the message
center control buttons located to the right of the
instrument cluster.
System Check
Pressing the SYSTEM CHECK button causes
the M/C to cycle through a status of each of the
systems being monitored. For each of the
monitored systems, the M/C will indicate either
an OK message or a warning message for three
seconds. The sequence of the system check
report is as follows: Washer Fluid Level Ride Control Oil Level Engine Coolant Level Voltage Level Engine Temperature
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Doors Closed Trunk Closed Trunk Closed Exterior Lamps Distance to Empty Fuel Level TractionControl (if equipped)
System Warnings
System warnings alert you to possible
problems or malfunctions in your vehicle's
operating systems. There are up to 18 warning
messages which can be displayed by the M/C
to show the status of the monitored systems.
The M/C will display the last selected feature if
there are no more warning messages. This
allows you to use the full functionality of the
M/C after you acknowledge the warning by
pressing the RESET button and clearing the
warning message.
62WARNINGACT10NDoor AjarDriver's Door AjarCheck Engine TempCheck Charging SystemLow Fuel LevelWarning returns after 10 minutesLow Engine CoolantLow Oil LevelLow Tire Pressure(if equipped)Headlamp OutBrake Lamp OutCheck Traction Control(if equipped)Check Ride ControlTrunk AjarWarning reappears after key is turnedCheck Steering Assistfrom OFF to ONLow Washer FluidAir Leveling DisabledTail lamp OutFront Turn Lamp Out

4. Check the coolant level following the
instructions on checking and adding coolant
to your engine, see the Engine Coolant in
the Index. If you do not follow these
instructions, you or others could be injured.
If the coolant continues to overheat, have the
coolant system serviced as soon as possible.
Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge displays approximately how
much fuel you have in the fuel tank. The
ignition switch must be in the OFF position
while filling the tank with at least three gallons
(I I liters) for the fuel gauge to indicate the
new level. If the ignition is left ON or less than
3 gallons (I 1 liters) of fuel are added the fuel
gauge will not immediately indicate the new
fuel level. The gauge will gradually correct
itself to indicate the true fuel level.Overhead Console Warnings
If your Continental is equipped with the Pressure
Alert System, a warning will appear in the overhead
console when the pressure in one of your vehicle's
tires drops below acceptable levels or if the system
has malfunctioned.LOW TIREPRESSURESee Securities in the Features chapter for more
information.
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