check engine light Mercury Mountaineer 1999 s User Guide

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
²We highlight do-it-yourself items in the engine compartment for easy
location.
²We provide a Scheduled Maintenance Guide which makes tracking
routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your dealership can provide
necessary parts and service. Check your ªWarranty Guideº to find out
which parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and built to
provide the best performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing your vehicle.
²Do not work on a hot engine.
²When the engine is running, make sure that loose clothing, jewelry or
long hair does not get caught up in moving parts.
²Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
²Keep all lit cigarettes, open flames and other lit material away from
the battery and all fuel related parts.
If you disconnect the battery, the engine must ªrelearnº its idle
conditions before your vehicle will drive properly, as explained inBattery
in this chapter.
Working with the engine off
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Working with the engine on
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Maintenance and care
191

Brake fluid is toxic.
If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3, you will cause
permanent damage to your brakes.
Do not let the reservoir for the master cylinder run dry. This
may cause the brakes to fail.
WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Checking and adding washer fluid
Check the washer fluid whenever
you stop for fuel. The reservoir is
highlighted with a
symbol.
If the level is low, add enough fluid
to fill the reservoir. In very cold
weather, do not fill the reservoir all
the way.
Do not put engine coolant in the container for the windshield
washer fluid.
Checking and adding washer fluid for the liftgate
Washer fluid for the liftgate is supplied by the same reservoir as the
windshield.
RADIATOR
COOLANT
ONLY
WASHERFLUIDONLY
Maintenance and care
198

Running out of fuel
Avoid running out fuel because this situation may have an adverse affect
on powertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:
²You may need to crank the engine several times before the system
starts to pump fuel from the tank to the engine.
²Your ªCheck Engineº light may come on. For more information on the
ªCheck Engineº light, refer to theInstrumentationchapter.
Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with a one-eighth turn
on/off feature.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/8 of a turn until it
stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the
filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it stops.
If the ªService Engine Soon/Check Engine ª indicator comes on and stays
on when you start the engine, the fuel filler cap may not be properly
installed. Turn off the engine, remove the fuel filler cap and reinstall it
being careful to align the cap properly.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a genuine
Ford or Motorcraft part. The customer warranty may be void for
any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if a genuine Ford or
Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
Maintenance and care
216

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
²Use only unleaded fuel.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
²Have the items listed in your Scheduled Maintenance Guide performed
according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the Scheduled Maintenance
Guide are essential to the life and performance of your vehicle and to its
emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
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.
Illumination of the charging system warning light, ªCheck Engineº light
or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or
loss of oil pressure, could indicate that the emission control system is
not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Maintenance and care
221

Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, items, sells,
leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not permitted
to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent it from
working. Information about your vehicle's emission system is on the
Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your ªWarranty Guideº for complete emission warranty
information.
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostic (OBD-II) system. If your ªCheck Engine/Service
Engine Soonº light is on, refer to the description in theWarning Lights
and Chimessection of theInstrumentationchapter. Your vehicle may
not pass the I/M test with the ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº light
on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the OBD-II system is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº condition. To
ready the OBD-II system for I/M testing, a minimum of 30 minutes of city
and highway driving is necessary as described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
EXTERIOR BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of the following lamps frequently:
²Headlamps
²Foglamps
²High-mount brakelamp
²Brakelamps
Maintenance and care
222

Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................................125
and child safety seats ............127
description .......................126,129
disposal ....................................131
indicator light ..................129,131
passenger air bag ............127,130
Air conditioning
automatic temperature
control system..24,25,26,27,28,29
rear seat controls .....................30
Air suspension
description ..............................145
warning light .............................10
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................157
Armrests ....................................103
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive ..................147,148,149,
150,151,152
Axle
refill capacities ........................233
Battery
voltage gauge ............................14
Brakes ........................................143
anti-lock ............................143,144
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................144
fluid, checking and adding ....197
shift interlock ..........................146
Break-in period ..........................2,3
Cargo area shade ......................104
Cargo cover ...............................104
CD player .....................76,78,79,80
Child safety seats
attaching with tether straps ..137
in rear seat ..............................135
tether anchorage hardware ...138
Cleaning your vehicle ...............227
engine compartment ..............228
exterior .............................228,230exterior lamps .........................230
interior .....................................231
plastic parts ............................230
washing ....................................227
waxing .....................................228
wheels ......................................229
windows ..................................232
wiper blades ............................230
woodtone trim ........................232
Compass, electronic ....................90
calibration .................................92
set zone adjustment .................91
Console ...............................101,102
overhead ...............................87,88
rear ..........................................102
Controls
power seat ........................116,118
Coolant ......................................201
checking and adding ..............199
refill capacities ........................201
Defrost
rear window ..............................31
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................205
Driving under special
conditions ...........................156,159
sand ..................................156,158
snow and ice ......155,157,158,160
through water ..................156,158
Emission control system ..........221
Engine
check engine/service engine
soon light ....................................6
coolant .....................................199
idle speed control ...................206
service points ...................193,194
starting after a collision .........169
Engine block heater .................141
Engine oil
checking and adding ..............196
dipstick ....................................194
specifications ...................194,196
Index
242

Exhaust fumes ..........................142
Floor mats .................................103
Four-Wheel Drive
vehicles ..............................9,10,152
control trac .............................152
description ................153,154,155
driving off road ................155,158
electronic shift ..........................32
Fuel
choosing the right fuel ...........214
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................220
detergent in fuel .....................215
filling your vehicle with fuel....213,
216
gauge .........................................15
quality ......................................215
running out of fuel .................216
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................213
Fuses ............................170,171,172
Gas mileage (see
Fuel economy) .....217,218,219,220
Gauges .........................................11
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................12
engine oil pressure gauge ........14
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating)
calculating ...............................162
Hazard flashers .........................169
Headlamps
aiming ......................................227
autolamp system ..................97,98
bulb specifications ..................226
high beam ..............................9,20
warning chime ..........................11
Heating ........................................21
heating and air conditioning
system .............................21,22,23
Hood ..........................................192
Ignition .......................................237Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................222
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................231
Keyless entry system
autolock ............................109,110
keypad .....................................111
locking and unlocking doors ..112
programming entry
code ..................................111,112
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............11
positions of the ignition ...........80
Lamps
daytime running light ...............20
fog lamps ...................................20
headlamps .................................20
headlamps, flash to pass ..........21
instrument panel, dimming .....21
replacing bulbs ................222,223
,224,225,226
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................80
Liftgate ......................................103
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag ..........................................7
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..............8
anti-theft .....................................9
brake ............................................8
charging system ..........................9
check coolant ..............................9
cruise indicator .........................10
door ajar ....................................10
fuel reset .....................................7
overdrive off ..............................10
safety belt ...................................8
speed control ............................84
turn signal indicator ...................8
Locks
childproof ................................100
Lumbar support, seats .............116
Message center ......................15,16
Index
243