1997 FORD CONTOUR ignition

12
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[IS01500(O )12/95]
Standard Cluster
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[IS01600(O )12/95]
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.
%*
[IS01900(ALL)04/96]
Indicator Lights and Chimes
%*
[IS02000(ALL)03/96]
Safety Belt Warning Light and Chime
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[IS02100(ALL)03/96]
This warning light and chime remind you to fasten your safety
belt. The following conditions will take place:
*
[IS02200(ALL)03/96]
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.
*
[IS02300(ALL)03/96]
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.
*
[IS02400(ALL)03/96]
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.
[IS02500(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0000291-CFile:03cdiso.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 10:58:17 1996

Instrumentation
13
%*
[IS02600(ALL)01/96]
Brake System Warning Light
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[IS02700(ALL)03/96]
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.
[IS02800(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0000971-D*
[IS02900(ALL)12/95]
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.
*
[IS03000(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes may not be
working properly. Have the brakes checked immediately.
File:03cdiso.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 10:58:17 1996

14
%*
[IS03100(ALL)01/96]
Charging System Light
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[IS03200(ALL)01/96]
This light indicates that your battery is not being charged and
that you need to have the electrical system checked.
[IS03300(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0000293-C*
[IS03400(ALL)03/96]
This light illuminates 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.
*
[IS03500(ALL)03/96]
If the light stays on or illuminates when the engine is running,
have the electrical system checked as soon as possible.
%*
[IS03600(ALL)01/96]
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
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[IS03700(ALL)12/95]
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.
[IS03800(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0000294-BFile:03cdiso.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 10:58:17 1996

16
[IS04600(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0000295-B*
[IS04700(ALL)08/95]
Chime for Headlamps On
[IS04800(ALL)12/95]
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.
%*
[IS04900(ALL)03/96]
Air Bag Readiness Light
*
[IS05000(ALL)03/96]
The air bag supplemental restraint 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 key to ON, 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.
[IS05100(ALL)12/95]
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.
*
[IS05200(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have
the air bag system serviced at your Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately.
File:03cdiso.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 10:58:17 1996

Instrumentation
17
[IS05300(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0001212-A[IS05320(ALL)02/96]
Traction Control System Light (If equipped)
[IS05340(ALL)02/96]
This light comes on when the traction control system has been
disengaged. It may come on or flash on and off while traction
control is operating.
[IS05360(ALL)02/96]
If the light stays on for more than three (3) seconds after the
ignition is turned to the ON position or does not come on when
the T/C OFF button is pressed, have the traction control system
checked by a qualified technician as soon as possible.
[IS05380(ALL)02/96]
6 pica art:0001213-AFile:03cdiso.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 10:58:17 1996

18
%*
[IS05400(ALL)03/96]
Check Engine Warning Light
[IS05501(ALL)04/96]
This light illuminates when the engine's Emission Control
System requires service. It will also illuminate when the ignition
key is in the ON position and the engine is off.
[IS05700(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0000640-B[IS06500(ALL)12/95]
Overdrive Off Indicator (Automatic Transaxle Only)
[IS06600(ALL)12/95]
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.
[IS06700(ALL)12/95]
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.
[IS06800(ALL)02/96]
6 pica art:0001211-BFile:03cdiso.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 10:58:17 1996

Instrumentation
19
%*
[IS06900(ALL)03/96]
Turn Signal Indicator Lights
*
[IS07000(ALL)03/96]
The turn signal arrow will flash to indicate the direction in
which you are going to be turning.
*
[IS07100(ALL)02/96]
one inch art:0050190-A
%*
[IS07200(ALL)03/96]
Fuel Gauge
*
[IS07300(ALL)01/96]
The fuel gauge displays approximately how much fuel you have
in the fuel tank.
[IS07400(ALL)12/95]
For proper fuel gauge operation, the ignition must be in the
OFF position before you add fuel to the fuel tank.
*
[IS07500(ALL)01/96]
The fuel gauge indicator may vary slightly while the vehicle is
in motion. This is the result of fuel movement within the tank.
An accurate reading may be obtained with the vehicle on
smooth, level ground.
%*
[IS07600(ALL)03/96]
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
*
[IS07700(ALL)02/96]
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not
the coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level or
mixture, the gauge indication will not be accurate.
[IS07800(ALL)12/95]
The pointer moves from the white mark into the NORMAL
band as the engine coolant warms up. It is acceptable for the
pointer to fluctuate within the NORMAL band under normal
driving conditions. Under certain driving conditions, such as
heavy stop and go traffic or driving up hills in hot weather, the
pointer may indicate at the top of the NORMAL band.
File:03cdiso.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 10:58:17 1996

2225 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.
[IS10100(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0001210-A% [IS10200(ALL)12/95]
Low Coolant Light (If equipped)
*
[IS10300(ALL)03/96]
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.
[IS10400(ALL)12/95]
6 pica art:0001214-B[IS10500(ALL)12/95]
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:03cdiso.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 10:58:17 1996