1996 FORD RANGER check engine

257
Servicing Your Ranger
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Service Made Easy
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Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
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[SV00500(ALL)01/95]1.
When we can, we design parts that do not need to be
serviced.
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[SV00600(ALL)01/95]2.
We want to make servicing your vehicle as easy as possible.
To help you:
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We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in the engine
compartment so that you can find them easily.
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When possible, we design parts Ð such as the headlamp
bulbs Ð that can be replaced without tools.
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We give you a Maintenance Schedule that makes tracking
routine service for your vehicle easy. The maintenance
schedule is located in theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet.
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This chapter tells you about the basic parts that you need to
check and service regularly.
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If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your dealership can
provide the parts and service required. Check yourWarranty
Information Bookletto find out which parts and services are
covered. Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this Owner
Guide.
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Ford Motor Company recommends that the Owner Maintenance
Checks listed in theMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet be
performed for the proper operation of your vehicle. In addition
to the conditions listed in theOwner Maintenance Checklist,be
alert for any unusual noise, vibration, or other indication that
your vehicle may need service. If you do notice something
unusual, see that your vehicle is serviced promptly.
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Checking and Adding Engine Oil
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Since the proper amount of engine oil is important for safe
engine operation, check the oil using the dipstick each time you
put fuel in your vehicle. Remember the engine must be off, the
oil must be warm and the vehicle must be parked on level
ground.
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Checking the engine oil level:
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Turn the engine off after it has warmed up and allow a few
minutes for the engine oil to drain back into the oil pan.
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Set the parking brake, making sure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park) or 1 (manual transmission).
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Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
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[SV14200(ALL)03/95]4.
Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in yellow) and
carefully pull it out of the engine.
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Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into position, making
sure it is fully seated.
[SV14400(ALL)10/94]
7-1/2 pica art:0021256-B
Engine oil dipstick
[SV14500(ALL)10/94]6.
Carefully, pull the dipstick out again. If the oil level is below
the ªADDº line, add engine oil as necessary. If the oil level
is beyond the letter ªFº in Full, engine damage or high oil
consumption may occur and some oil must be removed from
the engine.
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[SV14600(ALL)01/95]7.
Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is fully seated.
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Servicing Your Ranger
277
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It may be necessary to add some oil between oil changes. Make
sure you use a CERTIFIED engine oil of the preferred viscosity.
Your vehicle's warranty coverage may not apply if engine
damage is caused by the use of improper engine oil.
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Add engine oil through the oil filler cap highlighted in yellow.
To add oil, remove the filler cap and use a funnel to pour oil
into the opening. Be careful not to overfill the engine. Recheck
the oil level after you finish adding oil.
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Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
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Change the engine oil and oil filter per the following, whichever
occurs first:
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half page art:0090154-A*
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Refer to the Maintenance Schedule and Record Booklet for
additional information.
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278
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NOTE: SeeRefill Capacities, Motorcraft Parts and Lubrication
Specificationsin this chapter for the appropriate oil
filter and engine oil refill quantity.
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NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a
responsible manner. Follow your community's
standards for disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out about recycling
automotive fluids.
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RWARNING
Continuous contact with USED motor oil has caused
cancer in laboratory mice.
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Protect your skin by washing with soap and water.
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Engine Coolant
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Checking the engine coolant
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NOTE: Be sure to read and understandPrecautions When
Servicing Your Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
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Your vehicle's engine coolant protects the engine from
overheating in the summer and from freezing in the winter.
Check the level of the engine coolant at least once a month, but
preferably each time you stop for fuel. Simply look at the
engine coolant recovery reservoir located in the engine
compartment. To locate this reservoir, see the diagram of your
vehicle's engine underEngine typesin this chapter.
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If the engine coolant has not been checked for a long period of
time the engine coolant reservoir may eventually empty. If the
engine coolant reservoir empties, check the engine coolant level
in the radiator. Read the following warnings before removing
the radiator cap. If it is necessary to fill the radiator, refer to the
Engine Coolant Refill Procedurein this chapter for instructions.
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RWARNING
Be careful not to add engine coolant to the windshield
washer fluid reservoir. If sprayed on the windshield,
engine coolant could make it difficult to see through the
windshield.
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When the engine is cool, add a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and water to the engine coolant recovery reservoir Ð DO NOT
ADD DIRECTLY TO THE RADIATOR. Add straight water only
in an emergency, but you should replace it with a 50/50
mixture of coolant and distilled water as soon as possible.
[SV20125(ALL)09/95]
Check the coolant level in the coolant recovery reservoir the
next few times you drive the vehicle. If necessary, add enough
of a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water to bring the liquid
level to the fill line on the reservoir.
[SV20150(ALL)09/95]
RWARNING
Never remove the coolant recovery cap while the engine
is running or hot.
[SV20175(ALL)09/95]
If you must remove the coolant recovery cap, follow these steps
to avoid personal injury caused by escaping steam or engine
coolant:
[SV20200(ALL)09/95]1.
Before you remove the cap, turn the engine off and let it
cool.
[SV20225(ALL)09/95]2.
When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the cap
and turn it slowly, counterclockwise to the first stop.
[SV20250(ALL)09/95]3.
Step back while the pressure releases.
[SV20275(ALL)09/95]4.
When you are sure that all the pressure has been released,
use the cloth to press the cap down, turn it counterclockwise,
and remove it.
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Use Ford Premium Engine Coolant E2FZ-19549-AA (in Canada,
Motorcraft CXC-8-B) or an equivalent premium engine coolant
that meets Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A. Ford Premium
Engine Coolant is an optimized formula that will protect all
metals and rubber elastomers used in Ford cooling systems for 4
years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km).
[SV20300(ALL)09/95]
Do not use alcohol or methanol antifreeze or any engine
coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze. Do not use
supplemental coolant additives in your vehicle. These additives
may harm your engine cooling system. The use of an improper
coolant may void the warranty of your vehicle's engine cooling
system.
[SV20325(ALL)09/95]
Recycled engine coolant
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Ford Motor Company recommends that Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealers use recycled engine coolant produced
by Ford-approved processes. Not all coolant recycling processes
produce coolant which meets Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A,
and use of such coolant may harm engine and cooling system
components.
[SV20375(ALL)09/95]
Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a responsible
manner. Follow your community's regulations and standards for
recycling and disposing of automotive fluids.
[SV20400(ALL)09/95]
Coolant refill capacity
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To find out how much fluid your vehicle's cooling system can
hold, seeRefill capacities for fluidsin the Index.
[SV20450(ALL)09/95]
Have your dealer check the engine cooling system for leaks if
you have to add more than a quart (liter) of engine coolant per
month.
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Severe winter climate
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If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than-34ÊF [-36ÊC]),
it may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration above
50%. Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle is such that the coolant
will not freeze at the temperature level in which you drive
during winter months. Never increase the engine coolant
concentration above 60%. Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine
coolant and water in your vehicle year-round in non-extreme
climates.
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Checking Hoses
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Inspect all engine and heater system hoses for deterioration,
leaks and loose clamps before adding or replacing engine
coolant. Make whatever repairs or replacements that are
necessary using Motorcraft parts or their equivalents.
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Engine Coolant Drain and Flush
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To drain your vehicle's engine coolant:
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Turn off the engine and let it cool. Fully depressurize the
engine cooling system by covering the radiator cap with a
thick cloth and turning it slowly counterclockwise to the first
stop. Step back while the pressure releases.
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Remove the cap.
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Attach a small hose to the drain tube at the bottom of the
radiator.
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Let the engine coolant drain into a suitable container.
Disconnect the lower radiator hose at the radiator connector
and drain any remaining engine coolant into a container.
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Proper procedures for flushing the cooling system can be found
in theService Manual.
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Servicing Your Ranger
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Engine coolant refill procedure
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After you have drained the engine cooling system:
[SV21700(ALL)10/89]1.
When cold, fill the radiator to a level 1 to 1 1/2 inches
(38 mm) below the filler neck seat.
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Replace the radiator cap to its fully installed position, then
back off to the first stop. This will prevent high pressure
from building up in the cooling system during this part of
the fill procedure.
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Start and idle the engine until the thermostat opens and the
radiator upper hose becomes warm.
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Shut off the engine and allow the engine to cool. Cover the
radiator cap with a thick cloth and cautiously remove it. Step
back while the pressure releases.
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Finally, check the radiator and add more engine coolant if
needed, following the procedures noted above. Reinstall the
radiator cap securely, when finished.
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If more engine coolant is necessary, fill the overflow
reservoir to the appropriate level marked on the bottle.
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Windshield Washer Fluid and Wipers
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Washer Fluid
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Check the level of the windshield washer fluid every time you
stop for fuel. The reservoir for washer fluid is located on the
passenger's side of the engine compartment. Visual inspection
can determine if the washer fluid is adequate. Do not operate
the washer when the reservoir is empty.
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RWARNING
Do not put windshield washer fluid in the container for
the engine coolant.
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