1996 FORD CONTOUR warning light

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

Warning Lights and Gauges
67
[LG22700(ALL)01/95]
6 pica art:0001210-A% [LG22800(ALL)03/95]
Low Coolant Light (If equipped)
[LG22900(ALL)02/95]
This light indicates that the level of the engine coolant is low
inside the coolant recovery bottle and that you should add more
coolant. SeeEngine Coolantin the Index.
[LG23000(ALL)01/95]
6 pica art:0001214-B[LG23100(ALL)03/95]
This light comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is
turned to the START position, but should turn off when the
engine starts. If this light stays on, check the level of coolant
inside the recovery bottle. The level may be slightly above the
MIN line because the light is an ªearly warning.º
File:cdlgo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:16:21 1996

Instrument Panel Controls
79
*
[IP25605(ALL)01/95]
Daytime Running Light System
*
[IP25610(ALL)03/95]
(Canadian vehicles only)
*
[IP25615(ALL)03/95]
The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system is designed to turn
the high beam headlamps on, with a reduced light output and
without illuminating the high beam indicator lamp in the
instrument panel. The DRL system operates when all of the
following conditions are met:
*
[IP25620(ALL)03/95]
n
The vehicle is ªrunning.º
*
[IP25630(ALL)03/95]
n
The headlamp system is in the OFF position.
*
[IP25632(ALL)05/95]
The high beam indicator light on the instrument cluster will not
be on.
[IP25633(ALL)05/94]
A flashing high beam light in the instrument cluster indicates a
failure in the DRL system circuit, like a burnt bulb or fuse.
*
[IP25638(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system will not
illuminate the tail lamps and parking lamps. Turn on
your headlamps at dusk. Failure to do so may result in a
collision.
%*
[IP25700(O )05/95]
Cleaning the Exterior Lamps
*
[IP25800(ALL)05/95]
Do not use dry paper towel, chemical solvents or abrasive
cleaners to clean the lamps, as these may cause scratches or
crack the lamps.
File:cdipo.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:18:07 1996

Driving Your Contour
151 hazardous driving situations, especially when driving on
hazardous road surfaces. Even with your anti-lock brake system,
you may not have total control of your vehicle when braking on
roads with loose surfaces such as snow or gravel, holes in the
pavement, or alternating patches of slippery and dry surfaces.
*
[DR17500(ALL)05/95]
If the brake pedal is applied while the vehicle is driven over
uneven road surfaces, the ABS may cycle and the driver may
sense a pulsation in the brake pedal, accompanied by a slight
up and down movement of the pedal height and a clicking
sound. This may also happen when driving on an inclined
surface such as a driveway while making a sharp turn. This is a
normal condition.
[DR17600(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.
[DR17650(ALL)05/95]
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) (12 mph
[20 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.
*
[DR17700(ALL)12/93]
Ford Motor Company has not found any negative effects of
mobile radio transmitting equipment installed on vehicles with
the ABS system providing that the radio is installed according
File:cddro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996

152to the radio manufacturer's instructions. However, if you have
had a mobile radio transmitter installed and the check ABS light
comes on (at any time other than immediately after turning the
key to the ON position) have your mobile radio dealer inspect
the radio installation. Also, if the ABS system is activated other
than during maximum braking, have your mobile radio
installation checked.
*
[DR17800(ALL)03/95]
Parking Brake
*
[DR17900(ALL)01/95]
The parking brake should be used whenever you park your
vehicle.
*
[DR18100(ALL)11/93]
The parking brake lever is located between the front seats. To
set the parking brake, put your foot on the brake pedal while
pulling the parking brake handle fully and firmly upward.
*
[DR18300(ALL)12/89]
To release the parking brake, put your foot on the brake pedal,
pull the handle upward and push the button. Then lower the
handle to the released position while holding the button in.
*
[DR18400(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that
the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic
transaxle) or in 1 (First) (manual transaxle).
*
[DR18500(ALL)11/91]
RWARNING
To prevent personal injury, do not release the parking
brake while outside the vehicle.
*
[DR18700(ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
If the parking brake is fully released, but the Brake
System light remains on, have the brakes checked
immediately. They may not be working properly.
File:cddro.ex
Update:Thu Jan 25 12:23:16 1996