1997 FORD CONTOUR key

118
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[TO02200(ALL)01/96]
Starting Your Engine
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[TO02300(ALL)01/96]
To start your engine:
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[TO02400(ALL)01/96]1.
Follow the steps underPreparing to Start Your Vehicleat the
beginning of this section.
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[TO02500(ALL)01/96]2.
Keep your foot on the brake pedal and turn the ignition key
to the ON position.
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[TO02600(ALL)01/96]3.
DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal when starting your
engine. DO NOT use the accelerator while the vehicle is
parked.
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[TO02700(ALL)01/96]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.
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[TO02800(ALL)01/96]
If you have difficulty in turning the key, rotate the steering
wheel slightly because it may be binding.
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[TO02900(ALL)01/96]
For a cold engine:
[TO03000(ALL)12/95]
2.0L engine:
[TO03100(ALL)12/95]
n
At temperaturesbelow-10ÊF (-23ÊC):Turn the key to ON,
crank the engine and depress the accelerator about 1/4 of
the way down and hold that position forfive (5) seconds.If
the engine fails to start, continue to crank with the
accelerator depressed about 1/4 of the way down and hold
that position until the engine starts.DO NOT crank for
more than 30 seconds,or you could damage the starter. If
the engine fails to start on the first try, turn the key to OFF
and wait two (2) minutes before trying again. Allow engine
to warm up for a few minutes before putting transaxle into
gear.
File:08cdtoo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:03:39 1996

Starting
119
[TO03200(ALL)12/95]
n
At temperaturesbetween-10ÊF (-23ÊC) and 10ÊF(-12ÊC):
Turn the key to ON, and crank the engine forfive (5)
seconds.If the engine fails to start, continue to crank and
depress the accelerator about 1/4 of the way down and hold
that position until the engine starts.DO NOT crank for
more than 30 seconds,or you could damage the starter. If
the engine fails to start on the first try, turn the key to OFF
and wait two (2) minutes before trying again.
[TO03300(ALL)12/95]
n
At temperaturesbetween10ÊF (-12ÊC) and 32ÊF (0ÊC):If the
engine does not start infifteen (15) secondson first try, turn
the key to OFF, then try again.
[TO03400(ALL)12/95]
n
At temperaturesabove32ÊF (0ÊC):If the engine does not
start infive (5) secondson the first try, turn the key to OFF,
then try again.
[TO03500(ALL)12/95]
If you have the 4-cylinder 2.0L engine and are not using an
engine block heater, warm up the engine for a minute or two
before putting the transaxle in gear. Depressing the accelerator
slightly will also help with cold starts.
[TO03600(ALL)12/95]
2.5L engine:
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[TO03700(ALL)01/96]
n
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.
[TO03800(ALL)12/95]
n
At temperaturesabove10ÊF(-12ÊC):If the engine does not
start infive (5) secondson the first try, wait approximately
ten (10) seconds so you do not flood the engine, then try
again.
File:08cdtoo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:03:39 1996

120
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For a warm engine:
[TO04000(ALL)12/95]
n
Do not hold the key in the START position for more than
five (5) secondsat a time. If the engine does not start within
five (5) seconds on the first try, wait a few seconds after the
starter stops, then try again.
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[TO04100(ALL)01/96]
Whenever you start your vehicle, release the key as soon as the
engine starts. Excessive cranking could damage the starter.
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[TO04200(ALL)01/96]
After you start the engine, let it idle for a few seconds. Keep
your foot on the brake pedal and put the gearshift lever in gear.
Release the parking brake. Slowly release the brake pedal and
drive away in the normal manner.
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[TO04300(ALL)12/95]
NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transaxle, your vehicle has an interlock that prevents
you from shifting out of P (Park) unless your foot is
on the brake pedal.
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[TO04400(ALL)01/96]
If the engine does not start after two attempts:
[TO04500(ALL)12/95]1.
Press the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold
it.
[TO04600(ALL)12/95]2.
Turn the ignition key to the START position.
[TO04700(ALL)12/95]3.
Release the ignition key when the engine starts.
[TO04800(ALL)12/95]4.
Release the accelerator gradually as the engine speeds up.
Then drive away in the normal manner.
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[TO04900(ALL)03/96]
If the engine still does not start, the fuel pump shut-off switch
may have been triggered. For directions on how to reset the
switch seeFuel Pump Shut-Off Switchin the index.
File:08cdtoo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:03:39 1996

Driving
127
[GF02000(ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle may have an Anti-lock Brake System feature. If it
does, check the Anti-lock Brake System light each time you start
the engine. If it stays on longer than three (3) seconds, shut off
the engine and restart. If it stays on, that means the Anti-lock
Brake feature is not working and should be serviced
immediately to restore the benefits of the Anti-lock feature.
Normal braking is not affected unless the brake warning light is
also lit.
[GF02100(ALL)12/95]
The Anti-lock Brake System has self-check capabilities. As
described above, the system turns on the anti-lock light each
time you start your engine. After the engine is started and the
anti-lock light turns off, the system performs another test the
first time the vehicle reaches 5 mph (8 km/h) (12 mph
[20 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.
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[GF02200(ALL)01/96]
Ford Motor Company has not found any negative effects of
mobile radio transmitting equipment installed on vehicles with
the ABS system providing that the radio is installed according
to the radio manufacturer's instructions. However, if you have
had a mobile radio transmitter installed and the ABS light
comes on (at any time other than immediately after turning the
key to the ON position) have your mobile radio dealer inspect
the radio installation. Also, if the ABS system is activated other
than during maximum braking, have your mobile radio
installation checked.
File:09cdgfo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:04:39 1996

Driving
131
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[GF04800(ALL)12/95]
To operate:
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[GF04900(ALL)12/95]1.
Start the engine.
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[GF05000(ALL)12/95]2.
Depress and hold the brake pedal.
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[GF05100(ALL)12/95]3.
Move the gearshift lever out of P (Park).
%*
[GF05200(ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a Brake Shift Interlock safety
feature. This feature prevents the gearshift from being moved
from the P (Park) position until the brake pedal is depressed.
This feature is active when the ignition is in the ON position. If
the gearshift lever CANNOT be moved from P (Park) with the
brake pedal depressed:
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[GF05300(ALL)12/95]1.
Turn the engine off and remove the ignition key.
[GF05400(ALL)12/95]2.
With the parking brake applied and the brake pedal
depressed, insert a screwdriver about 2" (5 cm) into the
square opening to the right of the gearshift at the base of the
console.
[GF05500(ALL)12/95]3.
Rotate the screwdriver point rearward.
[GF05600(ALL)12/95]4.
Push and hold the thumb button and move the gearshift.
[GF05700(ALL)12/95]5.
Remove the screwdriver when the gearshift moves from the
P (Park) position.
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Update:Thu Sep 12 11:04:39 1996

132
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13-1/2 pica
art:0001264-C
Overriding the brake shift interlock
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[GF05900(ALL)12/95]
The console-mounted gearshift will lock when you turn the key
to the LOCK position. When the gearshift is in any position
except P (Park), the ignition key cannot be turned to LOCK or
removed from the steering column. TO REMOVE THE KEY, the
gearshift levermustbe in P (Park).
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[GF06000(ALL)01/96]
Once the gearshift is secure in the desired position, release the
brake pedal and use the accelerator as necessary.
File:09cdgfo.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:04:39 1996

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[ER00700(ALL)04/96]
13-1/2 pica
art:0000530-D
The left-hand trim panel in the driver's footwell
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RWARNING
If you see or smell fuel, do not reset the switch or try to
start your vehicle. Have all the passengers get out of the
vehicle and call the local fire department or a towing
service.
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[ER00900(ALL)03/96]
If your engine cranks but does not start after a collision or
substantial jolt:
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[ER01000(ALL)01/96]1.
Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
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[ER01100(ALL)03/96]2.
Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.
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[ER01200(ALL)01/96]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.
File:10cdero.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:06:09 1996

Roadside Emergencies
151
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[ER01300(ALL)01/96]4.
Turn the ignition key to the ON position for a few seconds,
then turn it to the OFF position.
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[ER01400(ALL)03/96]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.
% [ER01900(ALL)12/95]
Fuses, Circuit Breakers and Relays
[ER02000(ALL)12/95]
Fuses, circuit breakers, and relays protect your vehicle's
electrical system from overloading. If electrical parts in your
vehicle are not working, the system may have been overloaded
and blown a fuse or relay, or tripped a circuit breaker. Before
you replace or repair any electrical parts, check the appropriate
circuit protector.
[ER02100(ALL)12/95]
The following charts tell you which circuit protector protects
each electrical part of your vehicle. If a fuse blows or a circuit
breaker opens a circuit, all the parts of your vehicle that use the
circuit will not work.
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[ER02200(ALL)01/96]
Once you have determined which fuses or circuit breakers to
check, follow the procedures underChecking and replacing fuses
orChecking and replacing circuit breakerslater in this chapter.
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[ER02300(ALL)12/95]
RWARNING
Always remove the key from the ignition before working
on or replacing fuses.
File:10cdero.ex
Update:Thu Sep 12 11:06:09 1996