1997 FORD E SERIES check engine

When fail-safe mode is
activated
²Pull off the road as soon as
possible.
²Immediately turn the engine off
to prevent severe engine
damage.
²Wait for the engine to cool.
²Check the coolant level.
CHECKING AND ADDING
POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid
level at least twice a year.
1. Remove the dipstick and wipe
indicator clean.
2. Put dipstick back into reservoir
and make sure it is fully seated.
3. Remove dipstick and read fluid
level.
4. Add power steering fluid until
the fluid level reaches full mark on
dipstick.
Use only fluid that meets Ford
specifications. Refer toCapacities
and specifications.
FULL COLD
eco_power_steering
eco_checking_adding_autotrans
Maintenance and care
140

speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the
vehicle should be turned off for
about 30 minutes to allow the fluid
to cool before checking.
1. Park the vehicle on a level
surface.
2. Start the engine and move the
gearshift lever through all of the
gear ranges. Allow sufficient time
for each gear to engage.
3. Latch the gearshift lever in P
(Park), set the parking brake and
leave the engine running.
4. Remove the dipstick, wiping it
clean with a clean, dry rag.
5. Install the dipstick.
6. Remove the dipstick and inspect
the fluid level.
For 4R70W transmissions, the fluid
level should be within the
crosshatched area, or if the vehicle
has not been driven, between the
holes near the bottom of the
indicator.
P RN 21D
DON'T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCHED AREA - CHECK WHEN HOT IDLING IN PARK
Maintenance and care
142

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.
DPRN 21
Maintenance and care
145

²Use only unleaded fuel.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition
while the vehicle is in motion.
²Have regular maintenance
checks performed according to
the intervals in theService
Guide.
When servicing your vehicle, never
use a metal exhaust collector. A
metal collector may melt or deform
plastic parts.
Do not park, idle, or drive
your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust
system, which can start a fire.
If you smell exhaust fumes
inside your vehicle, have
your dealer inspect your vehicle
immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
On vehicles without
original equipment floor
covering or insulation, do not let
passengers ride in your truck in
a manner that allows contact
between skin and the metal floor.
If you notice one or more of the
following, the emissions system
may not be working properly. Have
your vehicle serviced as soon as
possible.
Maintenance and care
162

Preparing your vehicle for
inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing
In some localities it may be a legal
requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostic (OBD) II
system. If your vehicle's powertrain
system or battery has just been
serviced, the OBD II system is
reset to a condition unready for
I/M testing. To ready the OBD II
system for I/M testing, the law
specifies that additional city and
highway driving is necessary to
complete the check of the OBD II
system.
The driving modes required to
reach the ready condition consist
of a minimum of 30 minutes of city
and highway driving:
²At least 20 minutes driving in
stop and go city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
²At least ten minutes of driving
on an expressway or highway.
Before completing the above
driving modes, the engine must be
warmed up and at operating
temperature. Once started, the
vehicle must not be turned off
during these modes.
eco_bulbs_replace
Maintenance and care
164

Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................52
and child safety seats ..............54
description ................................52
disposal ......................................58
indicator light ...........................57
passenger air bag .....................55
Audio system (see Electronic
sound system) .............................17
Battery .......................................144
servicing ..................................145
Brakes
adjustment ................................80
anti-lock .....................................80
fluid, checking and adding ....134
parking ......................................80
Brake-shift interlock ...................85
Break-in period .............................4
Bulbs, replacing ........................165
headlamps ...............................166
specifications ..........................167
Cleaning your vehicle ...............168
engine compartment ..............170
fabric ........................................172
instrument panel ....................172
plastic parts ............................171
safety belts ..............................172
tail lamps .................................171
washing ....................................168
waxing .....................................169
wheels ......................................170
Climate control system ..............17
Controls
steering column ........................23
Coolant (see Engine coolant)
proper solution .......................137
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................144
Driving under special
conditionsheavy load .................................86
Emission control system ..........162
emissions warranty .................163
Engine ........................................178
check engine temperature
warning, message center .......129
Engine block heater ...................77
Engine coolant
checking and adding ..............136
checking hoses .......................138
Engine oil
changing oil and oil filter .......133
specifications ..........................130
Entry system
illumination ...............................36
Exhaust fumes ............................78
Fail safe cooling ........................139
Flashing the lights ......................27
Fuel ............................................157
calculating fuel economy .......161
improving fuel economy ..........99
octane rating ...........................160
quality ......................................160
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................157
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......100
Fuse panels
instrument panel ....................104
power distribution box ...........108
Fuses ..........................................102
Gauges, Mechanical ....................11
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................12
engine oil pressure gauge ........13
fuel gauge ..................................12
Gearshift ......................................24
Hazard flashers ....................27,100
Headlamps
turning on and off ....................15
Hood ..........................................128
Index
183

Idle
relearning ................................145
Ignition .........................................23
Inspection
maintenance testing ...............164
Jump-starting your vehicle 120,122
attaching cables ......................121
disconnecting cables ..............122
Lamps
cargo lamps ...............................30
courtesy lamps ..........................31
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag ..........................................9
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..............8
brake ............................................8
charging system ..........................9
check engine ...............................8
door ajar ....................................10
engine oil pressure ...................10
high beam .................................10
safety belt ...................................9
Load limits
trailer towing ............................89
Lubricant specifications ...........175
Odometer .....................................13
Overdrive .....................................24
Parking brake
operation ..............................81,82
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....174
Power features
door locks ..................................32
mirrors .......................................31
Power point electrical outlet .....17
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....140
Refill capacities for fluids ........174
Relays .................................102,111
Remote entry system .................34
locking/unlocking doors ...........34
panic alarm ...............................35
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................36replacing the batteries .............35
Reporting safety defects ..........183
Safety restraints
adjusting the safety belts .........49
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................47
extension assembly ..................50
for children ...............................58
lap and shoulder belts .............45
maintenance ..............................51
proper use .................................43
warning light and chime ..........51
Safety seats for children
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .......................61,62,66
Seats ............................................37
adjusting the seat, manual .......37
adjusting the seat, power ........38
bench seat .................................39
lumbar support .........................39
quick release rear captain's
chair ...........................................41
Servicing your vehicle ..............124
precautions when servicing ...124
Special notice ................................2
ambulance conversions ..............2
diesel-powered vehicles .............3
Speed control ..............................28
accelerating ...............................29
resetting ....................................29
resuming a set speed ...............30
turning off .................................28
Speedometer ...............................12
Starting your vehicle ..................73
preparing to start your
vehicle .......................................74
starting a warm engine ............77
Steering, power ...........................82
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................26
Tires ...........................................153
changing ...........................112,114
Index
184