1996 FORD CONTOUR Owners Manual

Warning Lights and Gauges
55
[LG01600(ALL)05/95]
33-1/2 pica
art:0000012-G
The sport cluster
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:16:21 1996

56
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[LG01700(O )12/89]
Standard Cluster
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[LG01800(O )12/89]
The following warning lights and gauges are on the standard
cluster. All of the warning lights and gauges alert you to
possible problems with your vehicle. The following sections
detail what each of these indicators means.
*
[LG02400(ALL)01/95]
Indicator Lights and Chimes
%*
[LG02500(ALL)05/95]
Safety Belt Warning Light and Chime
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[LG02612(ALL)01/95]
This warning light and chime remind you to fasten your safety
belt. The following conditions will take place:
*
[LG02614(ALL)03/95]
n
If the driver's safety belt is not buckled when the ignition is
turned to the ON position, the light will turn on for 1 to 2
minutes and the chime will sound for 4 to 8 seconds.
*
[LG02616(ALL)03/95]
n
If the driver's safety belt is buckled while the light is on or
the chime is sounding, both the light and the chime will turn
off.
*
[LG02618(ALL)03/95]
n
If the driver's safety belt is buckled before the ignition is
turned to the ON position, neither the light nor the chime
will turn on.
[LG02800(ALL)01/95]
6 pica art:0000291-CFile:cdlgo.ex
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Warning Lights and Gauges
57
*
[LG02900(ALL)03/95]
Brake System Warning Light
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[LG03000(ALL)03/95]
The 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 a qualified service
technician.
[LG03400(ALL)01/95]
6 pica art:0000971-D*
[LG03500(ALL)01/95]
This light comes on when the parking brake is set, or if it is not
set, it comes on briefly when you turn the ignition to the
START position. It normally goes off shortly after the engine
starts and you release the parking brake. If the light stays on
after you have fully released the parking brake, have the
hydraulic brake system serviced by your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
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[LG03700(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes may not be
working properly. Have the brakes checked immediately.
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Update:Thu Jan 25 12:16:21 1996

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*
[LG03800(ALL)01/95]
Charging System Light
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[LG03900(ALL)03/95]
This light indicates that your battery is not being charged and
that you need to have the electrical system checked.
[LG04100(ALL)01/95]
6 pica art:0000293-C*
[LG04300(ALL)05/95]
This light comes on every time you turn the ignition to the ON
or START position (engine off). The light should go off when
the engine starts and the alternator begins to charge.
*
[LG04400(ALL)01/95]
If the light stays on or comes on when the engine is running,
have the electrical system checked as soon as possible.
%*
[LG04800(ALL)02/95]
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
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[LG04900(ALL)01/95]
This light indicates the engine's oil pressure, not the oil level.
However, if your engine's oil level is low, it could affect the oil
pressure. The light will come on briefly when you turn your
key to the START and ON position. The light should stay off
when the engine is running with normal oil pressure. If the
light comes on while the engine is running, you have lost oil
pressure and continued operation will cause severe engine
damage.
[LG05010(ALL)01/95]
6 pica art:0000294-BFile:cdlgo.ex
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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
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[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]
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%*
[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
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[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]
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Warning Lights and Gauges
61
*
[LG07650(ALL)03/95]
Check Engine Warning Light
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[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.
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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