check engine LINCOLN MARK VIII 1998 Owners Manual

Engine oil pressure
Illuminates when the oil pressure
falls below the normal range. Stop
the vehicle as soon as safely
possible and switch off the engine
immediately. Check the oil level and
add oil if needed. Refer toEngine
oilin theMaintenance and Care
chapter.
This lamp also illuminates when the ignition is turned to ON and the
engine is off.
Charging system
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
and the engine is off. The light also
illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly, requiring
electrical system service.
Traction ControlYactive
This light momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned to ON. It
also illuminates when the Traction
Controlysystem begins applying
and releasing the brakes and
adjusting the engine characteristics
to limit a wheelspin condition. It will
be lit for a maximum of four
seconds or for the duration of the Traction Controlyevent.
For more information, refer to theDrivingchapter.
Instrumentation
7

Message center warning lights
The following warning lights are displayed directly above the message
center controls.
Safety belt
Illuminates when the ignition is
turned on to remind you to fasten
your safety belts. For more
information, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
Check engine
Your vehicle is equipped with a
computer that monitor's the engine's
emission control system. This
system is commonly known as 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
VEHICLE
SETTINGDRIVER
SETTINGTRIP
ODO RANGE
RESET
N
S W
E
FUELECONOMY
DATE
TIMESYSTEM
CHECK
CHECK
ENGINEO/D
OFFANTI
THEFTT/C
OFF
CHECK
ENGINE
Instrumentation
9

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. Have
your vehicle serviced at your first opportunity.
Temporary malfunctions may also cause yourcheck enginelight to
illuminate. Examples follow:
²The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)
²Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
²The fuel cap may not have been securely tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or properly tightening the gas cap. After three
drive cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions present,
thecheck enginelight should turn off.Novehicle service is required.
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
Briefly illuminates when the ignition
is turned on. If the light fails to
illuminate, continues to flash or
remains on, have the system
serviced immediately.
Instrumentation
10

3. Press the RESET control to enter
the calibration mode. The display
will show CIRCLE SLOWLY TO CAL.
4. Slowly drive the vehicle at less
than 5 km/h (3 mph) in a circle,
taking at least 20 seconds to
complete one circle, until the
display shows a direction (north,
south, etc.).
5. The compass is now calibrated.
If the message center display shows CHECK COMPASS SYSTEM during
any of the compass adjustment
procedures, contact your dealer.
System check
Pressing this control causes the
message center to cycle through a
status of each of the systems being
monitored.
The sequence of the system check
report is as follows:
²engine oil life status
²engine oil life left
²engine oil level
²voltage level
²engine coolant temperature
²engine coolant level
²washer fluid level
²doors closed (driver and passenger side)
²trunk closed
²exterior lamps (head, front turn, brake and tail)
²air ride system
²traction control
²fuel level
²kilometers to empty (miles to empty)
RESET
N
S W
E DATE
TIMESYSTEM
CHECK
RESET
N
S W
E DATE
TIMESYSTEM
CHECK
Instrumentation
24

Driver's door ajar Warning cannot be reset
Right door ajar
Check engine temp Warning returns after 10 minutes
Low oil level
Check charging system
Low fuel level
Low engine coolant
Engine temp data err
Check transmission
Transmission overheat
Check brake lamps Warning returns after the ignition
key is turned from OFF to ON or
system check sequence is
completed Check headlamps
Check taillamps
Check front turn lamps
Low washer fluid
Trunk ajar
Check traction control
Air ride switch off
Check air ride system
Oil change required
Change oil soon
Gear display data err
DRIVER'S DOOR AJAR. Displayed when the driver's door is not
completely closed and the ignition switch is either ON or in ACC mode.
RIGHT DOOR AJAR. Displayed when the passenger side door is not
completely closed and the ignition switch either ON or in ACC mode.
CHECK ENGINE TEMP. Displayed when the engine coolant is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the
engine and let it cool. Check the coolant and coolant level. Refer to
Engine coolantin theMaintenance and carechapter. If the warning
stays on or continues to come on, contact your dealer as soon as safely
possible.
Instrumentation
27

LOW OIL LEVEL. Displayed when the engine oil level is low. If this
warning message is displayed, check the level of the engine oil.
If you are parked on a steep incline, the LOW OIL LEVEL message may
come on when you start your vehicle, even though the oil is at the
correct level. The oil level is monitored while the engine is off so that the
oil can drain into the oil pan to be measured. Some aftermarket devices
such as remote starters, if improperly installed, can cause the engine to
start without alerting the oil monitoring system. This may also cause the
warning to appear when the vehicle is started, even though the oil level
is correct. Refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance and carechapter for
information about adding engine oil.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM. Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical accessories
when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of the
electrical loads as soon as possible. If the warning stays on or comes on
when the engine is operating at normal speeds, have the electrical
system checked as soon as safely possible.
LOW FUEL LEVEL. Displayed when you have approximately 80 km (50
miles) or less left before you run out of fuel.
LOW ENGINE COOLANT. Displayed when the engine coolant level is
low. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine and
let it cool. Check the coolant and level. Refer toEngine coolantin the
Maintenance and carechapter.
ENGINE TEMP DATA ERR. Displayed when the engine coolant
temperature information is missing or invalid. Check the instrument
cluster temperature gauge. If the gauge indicates overheating, stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine and let it cool.
Check the coolant and level. Refer toEngine coolantin the
Maintenance and carechapter. Contact your dealer for service as soon
as safely possible to correct the engine temperature data error.
CHECK TRANSMISSION. Indicates the transmission is not operating
properly. If this warning stays on, contact your dealer as soon as safely
possible.
Instrumentation
28

TRANSMISSION OVERHEAT. Indicates the transmission is
overheating. This warning may appear when towing heavy loads or when
driving in a low gear at a high speed for an extended period of time.
Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine and let it
cool. Check the transmission fluid and level. Refer toTransmission
fluidin theMaintenance and carechapter. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, contact your dealer for transmission service as
soon as safely possible.
CHECK BRAKE LAMPS. Displayed when the brake lamps are
activated and at least one is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as
safely possible and have the burned out lamp replaced. The center
high-mount brakelamp is not monitored.
CHECK HEADLAMPS. Displayed when the headlamps are activated
and at least one is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as safely
possible and have the burned out lamp replaced. Refer toReplacing
headlamp bulbsin theMaintenance and carechapter. The high beam
lamps are not monitored.
CHECK TAIL LAMPS. Displayed when the tail lamps are activated and
at least one is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as safely possible
and have the burned out lamp replaced.
CHECK FRT TURN LAMPS. Displayed when the turn signals are
activated and at least one is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as
safely possible and have the burned out lamp replaced.
LOW WASHER FLUID. Indicates there is less than one quarter of
washer fluid left in the reservoir. Check the washer fluid level. Refer to
Windshield washer fluidin theMaintenance and carechapter.
TRUNK AJAR. Displayed when the trunk is not completely closed and
the ignition switch is in ON or ACC.
CHECK TRACTION CONTROL. Displayed when the Traction
Controlysystem is not operating properly. If this message is displayed
on the message centerandthe green T/C OFF light isnotilluminated,
the Traction Controlysystem will be partially operable. If this warning
stays on, contact your dealer for service as soon as possible. For further
information, refer toTraction controlyin theDrivingchapter.
AIR RIDE SWITCH OFF. Displayed when the air suspension switch is
in the OFF position.
Instrumentation
29

CHECK AIR RIDE SYSTEM. Displayed when the air suspension
system is not operating properly. If this message is displayed while
driving, pull off the road as soon as safely possible. The message may
also be displayed if the vehicle is loaded beyond the recommended
maximum payload. This is a normal condition if the vehicle is overloaded.
To correct this condition:
1. Remove or redistribute the payload per the recommended maximum
requirements.
2. Turn the ignition switch from ON to OFF to ON again.
If the message reappears:
1. Turn the air suspension switch (located in the trunk) OFF.
2. Contact your dealer for service as soon as safely possible.
For more information, refer toAir suspensionin theDrivingchapter.
CHANGE OIL SOON/OIL CHANGE REQUIRED. Displayed when the
engine oil life remaining is 5 percent or less. When oil life left is between
5% and 0%, the CHANGE OIL SOON message will be displayed. When oil
life left reaches 0%, the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message will be
displayed.
An oil change is required whenever indicated by the message center.
USE ONLY RECOMMENDED ENGINE OILS.
To reset the oil monitoring system to 100% (or your personalized oil
reset percentage) after each oil change:
1. Press the VEHICLE SETTINGS
control until the OIL CHANGE
RESET display appears.
VEHICLE
SETTINGDRIVER
SETTINGTRIP
ODO RANGE
FUELECONOMY
Instrumentation
30

PREPARING TO START YOUR VEHICLE
Engine starting is controlled by the ignition system. This system meets
all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard requirements
regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, avoid pressing the accelerator
before or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have
difficulty starting the engine. For more information on starting the
vehicle, refer toStarting the enginein this chapter.
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.
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.
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in other enclosed
areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open the garage door
before you start the engine. SeeGuarding against exhaust fumesin
this chapter for more instructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
A computer system controls the engine's idle revolutions per minute
(RPM). When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the
engine. If the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have
the vehicle checked. Do not allow the vehicle to idle for more than ten
minutes.
Starting
88

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.
P
5
0 123
4
6
7
RPMx1000
H
C20406080
100
120
1404080120
200160
MPHkm/hFUEL
FILL DOOR
F
E
BRAKE888888.80
R
N
D
2
1
ABSCRUISE
ONPREMIUM FUEL
RECOMMENDED
VEHICLE
SETTINGDRIVER
SETTINGTRIP
ODO RANGE
RESET
N
S W
E
FUELECONOMY
DATE
TIMESYSTEM
CHECK
CHECK
ENGINEO/D
OFFANTI
THEFTT/C
OFF
Starting
90