1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD warning light

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[PI00425( ALL)05/95]
Table of ContentsIntroductory Information ...............................1
Safety Restraints ..............................................7
Starting Your Thunderbird .........................45
Warning Lights and Gauges .......................55
Instrument Panel Controls ..........................73
Steering Column Controls ..........................91
Features ..........................................................101
Electronic Sound Systems .........................131
Driving Your Thunderbird .......................165
Roadside Emergencies ................................185
Customer Assistance ...................................203
Reporting Safety Defects ......................211
Accessories ....................................................215
Servicing Your Thunderbird ......................223
Quick Index ..................................................297
Index ...............................................................307
Service Station Information ......................324
File:rcpib.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:53:48 1996

7
Safety Restraints
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Important Safety Belt Information
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The use of safety belts helps to restrain you and
your passengers in case of a collision. In most
states and in Canada the law requires their use.
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Safety belts provide best restraint when:
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q
the seatback is upright
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the occupant is sitting upright (not slouched)
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the lap belt is snug and low on the hips
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the shoulder belt is snug against the chest
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the knees are straight forward
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To help you remember to fasten your safety belt,
a warning light may come on and a chime may
sound. SeeSafety Belt Warning Light and Chimein
theWarning Lights and Gaugeschapter.
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See the following sections in this chapter for
directions on how to properly use these safety
belts. Also seeSafety Restraints for Childrenin this
chapter for special instructions about using
safety belts for children.
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RWARNING
Make sure that you and your passengers
wear safety belts. Always drive and ride
with your seatback upright and the lap
belt snug and low across the hips.
File:rcsrb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:53:31 1996

24 [SR21130( ALL)10/94]
half page art:0011064-AInflated right front passenger side air bag
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RWARNING
If the air bag is inflated, THE AIR BAG
WILL NOT FUNCTION AGAIN AND
MUST BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. If
the air bag is not replaced, the unrepaired
area will increase the risk of injury in a
collision.
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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.
File:rcsrb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:53:31 1996

25 %
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A problem with the system is indicated by one
or more of the following:
[SR22225( ALL)05/95]
q
the readiness light will either flash or stay lit,
or
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q
it will not light immediately after the ignition
is turned on, or
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q
a group of five beeps will be heard.
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If any of these things happen, have the air bag
system serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury
dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the air bag
supplemental restraint system may not function
properly in the event of a collision.
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RWARNING
Do not attempt to service, repair, or
modify the Air Bag Supplemental
Restraint System or its fuses. See your
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
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Disposal of air bags or air bag equipped
vehicles
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For disposal of air bags or air bag equipped
vehicles, see your local Ford or Lincoln-Mercury
dealer. Air bagsMUSTbe disposed of by
qualified personnel.
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Safety Restraints for Children
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In the U.S. and Canada, you are required by law
to use safety restraints for children. If small
children ride in your vehicle Ð this generally
includes children who are four years old or
younger and who weigh 40 pounds (18 kg) or
less Ð you must put them in safety seats that
are made specially for children. Safety belts
alone do not provide maximum protection for
these children. Check your local and state laws
for specific requirements.
File:rcsrb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:53:31 1996

45
Starting Your Thunderbird
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Ignition
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Understanding the Positions of the Ignition
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quarter page art:0010035-B
The positions of the key in the ignition
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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.
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LOCK locks the steering wheel. It also locks the
automatic transmission gearshift lever.
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LOCK is the only position that allows you to
remove the key. The LOCK feature helps to
protect your vehicle from theft.
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OFF allows you to shut off the engine and all
accessories without locking the steering wheel or
the automatic transmission gearshift lever.
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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 key returns to the ON position once
the engine is started and remains in this position
while the engine runs.
File:rcstb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:52:09 1996

46
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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 warning light.
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Removing the Key From the Ignition
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1. Put the gearshift in P (Park).
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2. Set the parking brake fully.
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3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
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4. Remove the key.
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NOTE: The automatic transmission gearshift
must be in P (Park) to move the key to
the lock position.
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If the key is stuck in the LOCK position, move
the steering wheel left or right until the key
turns freely.
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If the driver's door is open while the key is still
in the ignition, a warning chime sounds.
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RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
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RWARNING
Do not leave children, unreliable adults,
or pets alone in your vehicle. They could
accidentally injure themselves or others
through inadvertent operation of the
vehicle. Further, on hot, sunny days,
temperatures in a closed vehicle could
quickly become high enough to cause
severe and possibly fatal injuries to
people as well as animals.
File:rcstb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:52:09 1996

47
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Fuel-Injected Engines
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When starting a fuel-injected engine,the most
important thing to remember is to avoid
pressing down on the accelerator before or
during starting. Only use the accelerator when
you have problems getting your vehicle started.
SeeStarting Your Enginein this chapter for
details about when to use the accelerator while
you start your vehicle.
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Starting Your Vehicle
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Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
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RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed
garage or other enclosed area. Never sit in
a stopped vehicle for more than a short
period of time with the engine running.
Exhaust fumes are toxic. SeeGuarding
Against Exhaust Fumesin this chapter for
more instructions.
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Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
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1. Make sure you and all your passengers
buckle your safety belts. SeeSafety Restraints
in the Index for more details.
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2. Make sure the headlamps and other
accessories are turned off when starting.
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3. Make sure that the gearshift is in P (Park)
and the parking brake is set before you turn
the key.
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Before you start your vehicle, you should test
the warning lights on the instrument panel to
make sure that they work. Refer to theWarning
Lights and Gaugeschapter.
File:rcstb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:52:09 1996

54
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If your engine cranks but does not start after a
collision or substantial jolt:
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1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
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2. Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.
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3. If you do not see or smell fuel, push the red
reset button down. If the button is already
set, you may have a different mechanical
problem.
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4. Turn the ignition key to the ON position for
a few seconds, then turn it to the OFF
position.
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5. Check under the vehicle again for leaking
fuel.If you see or smell fuel, do not start
your vehicle again.If you do not see or
smell fuel, you can try to start your vehicle
again.
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6. Check all vehicle warning lights before
driving the vehicle.
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Pushing
[ST19600( BCGV)03/95]
Vehicles with automatic transmissions cannot be
started by pushing. Follow the directions under
If Your Vehicle Needs a Jump-Start.
File:rcstb.ex
Update:Mon Feb 19 10:52:09 1996