1997 FORD E SERIES battery

Do not push-start your
vehicle. You could damage
the catalytic converter. For
further information, seeJumper
Cablesin the Index.
Batteries contain sulfuric
acid which burns skin,
eyes, and clothing.
Connecting the jumper cables
1. Position the vehicles so that
they do not touch one another.
2. Switch off the engine. Switch off
any unnecessary electrical
equipment.
3. Connect the positive (+)
terminal of the discharged battery
(1) to the positive (+) terminal of
the booster battery (2).
4. Connect one end of the second
lead to the negative (-) terminal of
the booster battery (3) and the
other end to a metal part of the
engine to be started (4), not to the
negative (-) terminal of the
discharged battery.
5. Make sure that the jump leads
are clear of moving parts of the
engine.
+–
+–
3
2
1
4
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Do not connect the end of
the second cable to the
negative ([-]) terminal of the
battery to be jumped. A spark
may cause an explosion of the
gases that surround the battery.
Jump starting
1. Start the booster vehicle and
run the engine at moderately
increased speed.
2. Start the engine of the vehicle
with the discharged battery.
3. Once the engine has been
started, run both vehicles for a
further three minutes before
disconnecting the leads.
Removing the jumper cables
1. Remove the jumper cables in
reverse order. Take the cable off
the metallic surface (1) first,
followed by the cable on the
negative (-) booster battery
terminal (2).
2. Remove the cable from the
positive (+) terminal of the booster
battery (3) and then the
discharged battery (4).
3. After the disabled vehicle has
been started, allow it to idle for a
while so the engine can ªrelearnº
its idle conditions.
+–
+–
2
3
4
1
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The cooling fan is
automatic and may come
on at any time. Always
disconnect the negative terminal
of the battery before working
near the fan.
²If you must work with the
engine running, avoid wearing
loose clothing or jewelry that
could get caught in moving
parts. Take precautions with
long hair.
²Do not work on a vehicle with
the engine running in an
enclosed space, unless you are
sure you have enough
ventilation.
²Keep all lit cigarettes, open
flames and other lit material
away from the battery and all
fuel related parts.
If you disconnect the battery, the
engine must ªrelearnº its idle
conditions before your vehicle will
drive properly, as explained in
Batteryin this chapter.
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Maintenance and care
125

ENGINE COMPARTMENT
COMPONENTS
1. Windshield washer fluid
reservoir
2. Engine oil filler
3. Automatic transmission fluid
dipstick
4. Air cleaner
5. Engine oil dipstick
6. Power steering fluid reservoir
7. Brake master cylinder
8. Engine coolant recovery
reservoir
9. Battery
91234
5
6
7
8
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Maintenance and care
129

DRIVELINE UNIVERSAL JOINT
AND SLIP YOKE
The universal joints standard with
your vehicle do not require
lubrication. If the original
equipment universal joints are
replaced with universal joints
equipped with grease fittings,
lubrication will be necessary at the
intervals shown in the ªService
Guideº supplement.
BATTERY
If the original equipment
maintenance-free battery needs
replacing, it may be replaced with
a low-maintenance battery. For
information on replacement
batteries, refer toMotorcraft part
numbersin theCapacities and
specificationschapter.
The gases around the
battery can explode if
exposed to flames, sparks, or lit
cigarettes. An explosion could
result in injury or vehicle
damage.
Batteries contain sulfuric
acid which burns skin,
eyes, and clothing.
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Maintenance and care
144

Servicing your battery
The low-maintenance battery has
removable vent caps for checking
the electrolyte level and adding
water. Check the electrolyte level
every 24 months or 40,000 km
(24,000 miles) in average
temperatures below 32ÉC (90ÉF).
Keep the electrolyte level in each
cell up to the level indicator. Do
not overfill.
If the level gets low, refill the
battery with distilled water. If the
battery needs water quite often,
have the charging system checked
for a possible malfunction.
Relearning idle conditions
Because your vehicle's engine is
electronically controlled by a
computer, some control conditions
are maintained by power from the
battery. When the battery is
disconnected or a new battery is
installed, the computer must
ªrelearnº its idle conditions before
your vehicle will drive properly. To
complete this process:
1. Put the gearshift in P (Park).
2. Turn off all accessories, and
start the engine.
3. Let the engine idle for at least
one minute.
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Maintenance and care
145

4. The relearning process will
automatically complete as you
drive the vehicle.
²If you do not allow the engine to
relearn its idle, the idle quality
of your vehicle may be adversely
affected until the idle is
eventually relearned.
²If the battery has been
disconnected or a new battery
has been installed, the clock and
preset radio stations must be
reset once the battery is
reconnected.
²Always dispose of used
automotive batteries in a
responsible manner. Follow your
community's standards for
disposal. Call your local
recycling center to find out
more about recycling automotive
batteries.
Disconnecting dual batteries (if
equipped)
Gasoline engines
Disconnect:
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Maintenance and care
146

1. Disconnect the primary battery
ground cable.
2. Disconnect the auxiliary battery
frame ground.
Remove the ground bolt.
Pull the cable away from the frame
and make sure that the cable does
not contact the frame.
Connect:
1. Reconnect the auxiliary battery
frame ground.
2. Reconnect the primary battery
ground cable.
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