1996 FORD ESCORT light

106 [ST03615(ALL)08/95]The automatic transaxle console-mounted
gearshift will lock only when you turn the key
to LOCK. When the gearshift is in any gear
position but P (Park), the ignition key cannot be
turned to LOCK or be removed from the
steering column.
[ST03620(ALL)02/95]
If you have a manual transaxle, you must push
the key in while turning to the LOCK position
in order to remove the key.
*
[ST03625(ALL)01/95]
LOCK is the only position that allows you to
remove the key. The LOCK feature helps to
protect your vehicle from theft.
[ST03635(ALL)09/95]
OFF (if equipped) allows you to shut off the
engine and all accessories without locking the
steering wheel.
*
[ST03650(ALL)07/95]
ACC (accessory) allows some of your vehicle's
electrical accessories such as the radio and the
windshield wipers to operate while the engine is
not running.
[ST03850(ALL)02/95]
ON allows you to test your vehicle's warning
lights (except the brake system warning light) to
make sure they work before you start the
engine. (The brake system warning light will
remain lit if the parking brake is set or if there
is a problem with the brake system.) The key
returns to the ON position once the engine is
started and remains in this position while the
engine runs.
[ST03900(ALL)02/95]
START cranks the engine. Release the key once
the engine starts so that you do not damage the
starter. The key should return to ON when you
release it. The START position also allows you
to test the brake system warning light.
File:04ctste.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:42:54 1995

109
*
[ST08400(ALL)01/95]
Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
*
[ST08500(ALL)08/95]
1. Make sure all occupants in the vehicle
buckle their safety belts. SeeSafety Restraints
in the Index for more details.
*
[ST08600(ALL)03/95]
2. Make sure the headlamps and other
accessories are turned off when starting.
*
[ST08700(ALL)02/92]
3.If you have an automatic transaxle, make
sure that the gearshift is in P (Park) and the
parking brake is set before you turn the key.
[ST08750(ALL)03/95]
If you have an automatic transaxle, your
vehicle has a special shift-lock safety feature.
It prevents you from moving the gearshift
lever out of the P (Park) position unless the
ignition is in the ON position and your foot
is on the brake. To move the gearshift lever,
you must also depress the thumb button.
*
[ST08800(ALL)07/93]
If you have a manual transaxle, make sure
that the parking brake is fully set, push the
clutch pedal to the floor, and put the
gearshift into Neutral before you turn the
key.(Remember, the starter will operate
only if the clutch pedal is pushed all the
way to the floor.)
[ST09000(ALL)06/95]
4. Before you start your vehicle, you should
check the warning lights on the instrument
panel to make sure that they work. Refer to
theWarning Lights and Gaugeschapter.
%*
[ST09400(ALL)02/95]
Starting Your Engine
*
[ST09500(ALL)06/95]
To start your engine:
*
[ST09600(ALL)05/95]
1. Follow the steps underPreparing to Start
Your Vehicleat the beginning of this section.
*
[ST09650(ALL)03/95]
2. Turn the ignition key to the ON position.
*
[ST09720(ALL)06/95]
3. DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal when
starting your engine. DO NOT use the
accelerator while the vehicle is parked.
File:04ctste.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:42:54 1995

110
*
[ST09740(ALL)02/95]
4. Turn the key to the START position
(cranking) until the engine starts. Allow the
key to return to the ON position after the
engine has started.
*
[ST09750(ALL)02/95]
If you have difficulty in turning the key,
rotate the steering wheel slightly because it
may be binding.
%*
[ST09752(ALL)04/95]
For a cold engine:
*
[ST09754(ALL)06/95]
q
At temperatures10ÊF (-12ÊC) andbelow:If
the engine does not start infifteen (15)
secondson the first try, turn the key to OFF,
wait approximately ten (10) seconds so you
do not flood the engine, then try again.
*
[ST09756(ALL)04/95]
q
At temperaturesabove10ÊF(-12ÊC):If the
engine does not start infive (5) secondson
the first try, turn the key to OFF, wait
approximately ten (10) seconds so you do not
flood the engine, then try again.
%*
[ST09768(ALL)05/95]
For a warm engine:
*
[ST09770(ALL)04/95]
q
Do not hold the key in the START position
for more thanfive (5) secondsat a time. If
the engine does not start within five (5)
seconds on the first try, turn the key to the
OFF position. Wait a few seconds after the
starter stops, then try again.
*
[ST09780(ALL)08/95]
Whenever you start your vehicle, release the key
as soon as the engine starts. Excessive cranking
could damage the starter.
*
[ST09790(ALL)09/95]
After starting, allow the engine to idle for a few
seconds before driving away.
File:04ctste.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:42:54 1995

117
Warning Lights and
Gauges
*
[LG00500(E )02/95]
Your vehicle has one of the following clusters:
*
[LG00600(E )05/91]
q
Standard Cluster
*
[LG00700(E )12/89]
q
Sport Cluster
*
[LG01100(E )05/94]
If you are not sure which cluster your vehicle
has, check the diagrams on the following pages.
*
[LG01700(E )12/89]
Standard Cluster
*
[LG01800(E )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.
File:05ctlge.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:44:43 1995

119
*
[LG01875(ALL)01/95]
Indicator Lights and Chimes
[LG02500(ALL)04/94]
Safety Belt Warning Light/Chime (U.S.
vehicles equipped with motorized passive
restraint)
*
[LG02510(ALL)08/95]
The safety belt warning light/chime reminds you
to fasten your safety belt. One of the following
will take place:
[LG02520(ALL)03/95]
q
If the lap belt is not buckled when the key is
turned to the ON position, the light will
come on for one to two minutes and the
chime will sound for four to eight seconds.
[LG02530(ALL)03/95]
q
If the lap belt is buckled while the light is on
and the chime is sounding, both the light and
chime will turn off.
[LG02540(ALL)03/95]
q
If the lap belt is buckled before the key is
turned to the ON position, neither the light
nor chime will activate.
[LG02545(ALL)05/94]
If the warning light remains illuminated for
more than one minute, check to be sure that
both shoulder belts are latched to the emergency
release buckle. If the warning light remains
illuminated with both front seat shoulder belts
latched to the emergency release buckles, refer to
the section titledWhat to Do If Your Shoulder Belt
Does Not Engage Properlybefore driving the
vehicle.
File:05ctlge.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:44:43 1995

120 [LG02549(E )06/94]Safety Belt Warning Light/Chime
(Canadian vehicles equipped with
combination lap and shoulder belts)
[LG02550(E )09/95]
This warning light and chime remind you in two
ways to fasten your safety belt. If you do not
fasten the safety belt before you turn the ignition
key to ON, the chime sounds for four (4) to
eight (8) seconds. Also, each time you turn the
ignition key to ON, the warning light comes on
for one to two minutes to remind you to fasten
your combination lap and shoulder belt.
[LG02700(ALL)03/91]
one inch art:0070005-A
The safety belt light
[LG02750(ALL)08/95]
Brake Warning Light
*
[LG02900(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
your dealer or a qualified service technician.
[LG03500(ALL)12/89]
This light comes on when you turn the ignition
key to START, but it normally goes off shortly
after the engine starts and you release the
parking brake. If the light stays on or comes on
after you have released the parking brake fully,
have the hydraulic brake system serviced.
File:05ctlge.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:44:43 1995

121 [LG03550(ALL)08/95]
one inch art:0000837-A
The brake system and parking brake light
*
[LG03600(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes
may not be working properly. Have the
brakes checked immediately.
%*
[LG03800(ALL)01/95]
Charging System Light
*
[LG03900(ALL)03/95]
This light indicates that your battery is not being
charged and that you need to have the electrical
system checked.
*
[LG04300(ALL)07/95]
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.
[LG04500(ALL)12/89]
one inch art:0000838-A
The charging system light
File:05ctlge.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:44:43 1995

122 [LG05700(ALL)08/95]Upshift Indicator Light (If equipped)
[LG05725(ALL)03/91]
This light comes on to indicate when you should
shift your manual transaxle to the next higher
gear. This light will help you get better fuel
economy by lighting when you should shift.
(If you have a 1.8L engine you will not have an
upshift indicator light.)
[LG05750(ALL)08/95]
one inch art:0000886-A
The upshift indicator light
%*
[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.
[LG06400(ALL)03/91]
one inch art:0070006-A
The high beam light
File:05ctlge.ex
Update:Tue Sep 19 14:44:43 1995