instrument cluster LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1997 Owners Manual

9
Instrument cluster
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10The following warning lights and gauges are on the
instrument cluster. All of the warning lights and
gauges alert you to possible problems with your
vehicle.Indicator Lights and ChimesSafety Belt Warning Light and ChimeThis warning light and chime remind you to fasten
your safety belt. The following conditions will take
place:q
If the safety belt is not buckled when the
ignition is turned to the ON position, the chime
will turn on for four (4) to eight (8) seconds
and the light will come on for one to two
minutes.
q
If the safety belt is buckled while the light is on
and the chime is sounding, both the light and
chime will turn off.
q
If the safety belt is buckled before the ignition
is turned to the ON position, neither the light
nor the chime will come on.
Brake System Warning LightThe warning light for the brakes can show two
things Ð that the parking brake is not fully
released, or that the brake fluid level is low in the
master cylinder reservoir. If the fluid level is low,
the brake system should be checked by your dealer
or a qualified service technician.
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15
High Beam LightThis light illuminates when the headlamps are
turned to high beam or when you flash the lights.
Chime for Headlamps OnThis chime sounds if the driver or any passenger
door is open when the parking lamps or headlamps
are on. The chime sounds until you close the door,
turn off the lamps or turn the ignition to the ON
position.Air Bag Readiness LightThe air bag system uses a readiness light and a tone
to indicate the condition of the system. The
readiness light is in the instrument cluster. When
you turn the ignition key to the ON position, this
light will light up for six (6) seconds and then turn
off. This indicates that the system is operating
normally. NOTE: Regularly scheduled maintenance
of the air bag system is not required.
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16If the light fails to illuminate, continues to flash,
remains on, or you hear a beeping sound, have the
system serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury
dealer immediately.Anti-Theft Alarm Light (If equipped)This light flashes on and off when the ignition is
turned to the OFF position and any door is opened.
As soon as you lock the doors, the light glows
steadily. Within 30 seconds of closing all the doors,
the light goes out. This indicates that the alarm
system is armed.
SeeAnti-Theft Systemin theControls and Features
chapter for more information.The Instrument ClusterIn addition to warning lights, the instrument cluster
has a message center/odometer, a speedometer,
tachometer, fuel and coolant temperature gauges.
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19
You can select different features for the M/C to
display by using the message center control buttons
located to the right of the instrument cluster. You
will hear a tone when you press one of these
buttons. However, if the M/C detects a warning
from any of the monitored systems, then the M/C
will display the appropriate warning message.Operator Selectable Features
Cluster Control Buttons and Message Center
Control Buttons
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20These features are controlled by the message center
(M/C) control buttons located to the right of the
instrument cluster.System CheckPressing 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:q
Washer Fluid Level
q
Ride Control
q
Oil Level
q
Engine Coolant Level
q
Voltage Level
q
Engine Temperature
q
Doors Closed (Driver and Right Side)
q
Trunk Closed
q
Exterior Lamps (Head, Front Turn, Brake and
Tail)
q
Distance to Empty
q
Fuel Level
q
Traction Control (if equipped)
System WarningsSystem 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.
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65
Turn SignalsMove the lever up to signal a right turn. Move it
down to signal a left turn. The corresponding
indicator light in the instrument cluster will flash.
If the turn signal stays on after you turn, move the
lever back to the center (off) position. A warning
chime will sound after approximately one-half mile
(one kilometer) of driving if you do not return the
lever to off.
For lane changes, move the lever far enough to
signal but not to latch. The lever will return to the
off position when you release it.
NOTE:The flash rate of the turn signal will speed
up considerably if the Lighting Control Module
detects a left or right turn lamp bulb (front or rear)
is burned out.
High BeamsTo turn on the high beams, turn the headlamp
control switch to the headlamp ON position (or
activate the autolamp feature) and push the turn
signal lever away from you until it latches. When
the high beams are ON, the high beam indicator
light on the instrument cluster comes on.
To turn off the high beams, pull the lever toward
you until it latches. The high beam indicator light
turns off.Flashing the LightsTo flash the headlamps, pull the lever toward you
for a moment and then release it. The headlamps
will flash whether the headlamp knob is in the on
or off position.
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127
To tell the difference between a PANIC alarm and
a triggered Anti-Theft alarm:q
only the Anti-Theft alarm will cause the alarm
indicator light (located in the center of the
instrument cluster) to flash on and off.
q
only the Anti-Theft alarm will prevent the
engine from starting.
For more information on the PANIC alarm, see
Remote Entry Systemin the Index.
Arming the SystemTo arm the system, do the following four steps in
sequence.
1. Remove the key from the ignition.
2. Open any door. The alarm indicator light will
start flashing to remind you to arm the system.3. Lock the doors by using the power door lock
switch, pressing the remote entry transmitter
LOCK control or pressing the last two buttons
(7/8, 9/0) of the keyless entry keypad.
The alarm indicator will now glow steadily.
4. Close all doors. The alarm indicator light will
then remain on steadily for approximately 30
more seconds and then go out. When the light
goes out the system is armed.
NOTE:Be sure to close all doors completely. If
not, the alarm indicator light will remain on.
Remember, your anti-theft system is armed only
after the alarm indicator light remains on steadily
for approximately 30 seconds after the last door is
closed, and then goes out.
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147
q
a readiness light and tone,
q
and the electrical wiring which connects the
components.
The diagnostic module monitors its own circuits,
the air bag electrical system, the air bag readiness
light, the air bag power, and the air bag inflators.
Determining if System Is OperationalThe Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System uses a
readiness light and a tone to indicate the condition
of the system. The readiness light is in the
instrument cluster. When you turn the ignition key
to ON, this light will illuminate for approximately
six (6) seconds and then turn off. This indicates
that the system is operating normally. NOTE:
Routine maintenance of the air bag system is not
required.A problem with the system is indicated by one or
more of the following:
q
the readiness light will either flash or stay lit,
q
the readiness light will not light immediately
after ignition is turned on,
q
a group of five beeps will be heard. The tone
pattern will repeat periodically until the problem
and light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently,
have the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System
serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer
immediately. Unless serviced, the system may not
function properly in the event of a collision.
Disposal of Air Bags and Air Bag
Equipped VehiclesFor disposal of air bags or air bag equipped vehicles,
see your local Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. Air
bags MUST BE disposed of by qualified personnel.
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237
Power Steering FluidCheck the level of the power steering fluid at least
twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).Checking and Adding Power Steering
Fluid1. Start the engine and let it run until the power
steering fluid reaches normal operating
temperature. The power steering fluid will be at
the right temperature when the engine coolant
temperature gauge in the instrument cluster is
near the center of the NORMAL operating
temperature range.2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel
back and forth several times. Make sure that
the cap assembly is installed at this time.
3. Turn the engine off and check the level on the
power steering reservoir.
4. The fluid level is viewed through the sight
window on the power steering reservoir. If the
power steering fluid is below the middle line,
add fluid in small amounts, continuously
checking the level. Do not overfill.
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