1996 FORD CONTOUR service

Warning Lights and Gauges
59
*
[LG05105(ALL)03/95]
If you lose engine oil pressure:
*
[LG05200(ALL)03/95]1.
Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
*
[LG05300(ALL)11/94]2.
Shut off the engine immediately. If you do not stop the
engine as soon as safely possible, severe engine damage
could result.
*
[LG05400(ALL)11/94]3.
Check the engine's oil level, following the instructions on
checking and adding engine oil in this Owner Guide. (See
Engine oilin the Index.) If you do not follow these
instructions, you or others could be injured. To ensure an
accurate reading, your vehicle should be on level ground.
[LG05500(ALL)11/94]4.
If the level is low, add only as much oil as necessary to
bring it to the full level 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.
*
[LG06200(ALL)01/95]
High Beam Light
*
[LG06300(ALL)03/95]
This light comes on when the headlamps are turned to high
beam or when you flash the lights.
[LG06350(ALL)05/94]
If the high beam light flashes in a vehicle equipped with the
Daytime Running Light (DRL) system (Canada), it indicates a
failure in the DRL circuit. Check the bulbs and fuses or have
the DRL system checked by your dealer or a qualified service
technician.
[LG06400(ALL)01/95]
6 pica art:0000295-BFile:cdlgo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:16:21 1996

60
%*
[LG07000(ALL)05/95]
Chime for Headlamps On
[LG07100(ALL)05/94]
This chime sounds if the driver's door is open when the parking
lamps or headlamps are on. The chime sounds until you close
the door or turn off the lamps.
*
[LG07200(ALL)01/95]
Air Bag Readiness Light
*
[LG07300(ALL)05/95]
The 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 to the ON
position, this light will illuminate for approximately six (6)
seconds and then turn off. This indicates that the system is
operating normally.NOTE:Maintenance of the air bag system is
not required.
[LG07400(ALL)05/95]
A problem with the system is indicated by one or more of the
following: the readiness light will either flash or stay lit, or it
will not light or a group of five beeps will be heard.
*
[LG07500(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have
the air bag system serviced at your Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately.
[LG07600(ALL)03/95]
6 pica art:0001212-AFile:cdlgo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:16:21 1996

Warning Lights and Gauges
61
*
[LG07650(ALL)03/95]
Check Engine Warning Light
*
[LG07750(ALL)05/95]
The Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic II (OBD II) system consists
of the hardware and software necessary to monitor the
operation of the powertrain. The OBD II system is designed to
check the function of the vehicle's powertrain control system
during normal operation. If an emission problem is detected, the
Check Engine Warning Light (in the cluster) is turned on.
*
[LG07800(ALL)05/95]
Modification or additions to the vehicle may cause incorrect
operation of the OBD II system. Additions such as burglar
alarms, cellular phones, and CB radios must be carefully
installed. Do not install these devices by tapping into or running
wires close to powertrain control system wires or components.
[LG07850(ALL)03/95]
6 pica art:0000640-B*
[LG07900(ALL)05/95]
This light comes on briefly when you turn the ignition to the
ON position, but should turn off when the engine starts. If the
light does not come on when you turn the ignition to the ON
position or if it comes on and stays on when you are driving,
have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible. This indicates a
possible problem with one of the engine's emission control
systems.You do not need to have your vehicle towed in.
*
[LG07950(ALL)05/95]
If the light turns on and off at one (1) second intervals while
you are driving the vehicle, it means that the engine is
misfiring. If this condition persists, damage could occur to the
engine or catalytic convertor. Have your vehicle serviced at the
first opportunity. You do not need to have your vehicle towed
in.
File:cdlgo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:16:21 1996

62
*
[LG08001(ALL)05/95]
If the light turns on and off on rare occasions while you are
driving, it means that a malfunction occurred and the condition
corrected itself.
*
[LG08050(ALL)05/95]
An example of a condition which corrects itself occurs when an
engine running out of fuel begins to misfire. In this case, the
Check Engine Warning Light may turn on and will then set a
Diagnostic Trouble Code indicating that the engine was
misfiring while the last of the fuel was being consumed. After
refueling, the Check Engine Warning Light will turn off after
the vehicle has completed three consecutive warm up cycles
without a misfire condition occurring. A warm up cycle consists
of engine start from a cold condition (engine at ambient
temperature) and running until the engine reaches normal
operating temperature.
*
[LG08100(ALL)05/95]
On the fourth engine start up, the Check Engine Warning Light
will turn off as soon as the engine begins to crank. It is not
necessary to have the engine serviced.
*
[LG08150(ALL)05/95]
Under certain conditions, the Check Engine Warning Light may
come on if the fuel cap is not properly installed. If the Check
Engine Warning Light comes on and you suspect that the fuel
cap is not properly installed, pull off the road as soon as it is
safely possible and turn off the engine. Remove and replace the
fuel cap, making sure it is properly seated.
*
[LG08201(ALL)05/95]
After completing the three consecutive warm up cycles and on
the fourth engine start up, the Check Engine Warning Light
should turn off. If the light does not go off after the fourth
engine restart, have your vehicle serviced by your dealer or a
qualified technician.
File:cdlgo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:16:21 1996

Warning Lights and Gauges
63
[LG08310(ALL)05/94]
Overdrive Off Indicator (Automatic Transaxle Only)
[LG08320(ALL)02/95]
This light tells you that the Transaxle Control Switch (TCS) on
the gearshift lever has been pushed. When the light is on, the
transaxle will not shift into overdrive. Depressing the TCS
button located below the gearshift release button on the shifter
will return the vehicle to ªoverdrive onº mode. The transaxle
will be in the ªoverdrive onº mode when the vehicle is started
even if the O/D OFF mode was selected when the vehicle was
last shut off.
[LG08330(ALL)05/95]
If the light does not come on when the TCS is depressed or if
the light flashes when you are driving, have your vehicle
serviced at the first opportunity.
[LG08340(ALL)01/95]
6 pica art:0001211-A*
[LG08368(ALL)05/95]
Turn Signal Indicator Lights
[LG08375(ALL)05/95]
The turn signal arrow will flash to indicate the direction in
which you are going to be turning.
[LG08385(ALL)05/95]
6 pica art:0050190-AFile:cdlgo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:16:21 1996

Warning Lights and Gauges
65
*
[LG09100(ALL)05/95]
If, under any circumstances, the pointer moves above the
NORMAL band, the engine coolant is overheating and
continued operation may cause engine damage.
*
[LG09150(ALL)01/95]
If your engine coolant overheats:
*
[LG09200(ALL)03/95]1.
Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
*
[LG09300(ALL)01/95]2.
Turn off the engine.
*
[LG09400(ALL)05/95]3.
Let the engine cool.
*
[LG09410(ALL)04/95]4.
Check the coolant level following the instructions on
checking and adding coolant to your engine, seeEngine
Coolantin the Index. If you do not follow these instructions,
you or others could be injured.
*
[LG09415(ALL)01/95]
If the coolant continues to overheat, have the coolant system
serviced as soon as possible.
*
[LG09800(ALL)01/95]
Speedometer
*
[LG09900(ALL)01/95]
The speedometer tells you how many miles (kilometers) per
hour your vehicle is moving.
*
[LG10000(ALL)01/95]
Odometer
*
[LG10100(ALL)01/95]
The odometer tells you the total number of miles (kilometers)
your vehicle has been driven.
%*
[LG10109(ALL)11/94]
Trip Odometer
*
[LG10116(ALL)11/94]
The trip odometer tells you how many miles (kilometers) your
vehicle has been driven since the last reset. Press the reset
button to return the trip odometer to zero.
File:cdlgo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:16:21 1996

66
[LG22025(O )03/95]
Sport Cluster
*
[LG22050(O )04/94]
The sport cluster has basically the same standard warning lights
and gauges as the standard cluster, with the following
additional features:
*
[LG22100(ALL)02/95]
Tachometer
*
[LG22200(ALL)01/95]
The tachometer displays the approximate engine revolutions per
minute (rpm), or how fast the engine is running.
*
[LG22300(ALL)01/95]
If you drive with the tachometer in the red zone, you may
damage the engine.
%*
[LG22400(ALL)02/95]
Anti-lock Brake System Warning Light (If equipped)
[LG22500(ALL)05/94]
Your vehicle may have an Anti-lock Brake System feature. If it
does, check the Anti-lock Brake System light each time you start
the engine. If it stays on longer than three (3) seconds, shut off
the engine and restart. If it stays on, that means the Anti-lock
Brake feature is not working and should be serviced
immediately to restore the benefits of the Anti-lock feature.
Normal braking is not affected unless the brake warning light is
also lit.
[LG22600(ALL)04/95]
The Anti-Lock Brake System has self-check capabilities. As
described above, the system turns on the anti-lock light each
time you start your engine. After the engine is started and the
anti-lock light turns off, the system performs another test the
first time the vehicle reaches 5 mph (8 km/h) (between 12 and
25 mph [20 and 40 km/h] for vehicles equipped with the
traction control system). The system turns on the ABS pump
motor for approximately 1/2 second. At this time, a mechanical
noise may be heard and felt. This is a normal part of the
self-check feature. If a malfunction is found during this check
the anti-lock light will come on.
File:cdlgo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:16:21 1996

Electronic Sound Systems
137
*
[AS37000(ALL)01/95]
Important Warranty and Service Information
*
[AS37050(ALL)07/90]
n
Warranty
*
[AS37100(ALL)03/95]
Your sound system is warranted for three years or 36,000 miles
(60,000 kilometers), whichever comes first. Consult your vehicle
warranty booklet for further information. Ask your dealer for a
copy of this limited warranty.
*
[AS37150(ALL)07/90]
n
Service
*
[AS37200(ALL)01/95]
At Ford Electronics, we stand behind our audio systems with a
comprehensive service and repair program. If anything should
go wrong with your Ford audio system, return to your dealer
for service. There is a nationwide network of qualified Ford
authorized repair centers to assist you.
File:cdaso.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:21:48 1996