1997 FORD E SERIES service

additional information, please
contact the Light Truck Body
Builders Advisory Service
1±800±635±5560.
Use of your Ford light truck as an
ambulance, without the Ford
Ambulance Preparation Package
voids the Ford New Vehicle
Limited Warranty and may void the
Emissions Warranties. In addition,
ambulance usage without the
preparation package could cause
high underbody temperatures,
overpressurized fuel and a risk of
spraying fuel which could lead to
fires.
If your vehicle is equipped with
the Ford ambulance preparation
package, it will be indicated on the
Safety Certification Compliance
label. The label is located on the
driver's side door pillar or on the
rear edge of the driver's door. You
can determine whether the
ambulance manufacturer followed
Ford's recommendations by
directly contacting that
manufacturer. Ford Ambulance
preparation package is only
available on certain 7.3L Diesel
Econoline vehicles.
Diesel-powered vehicles
Read the 7.3L Diesel Engine
Owner's Guide Supplement for
information regarding correct
operation and maintenance of your
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Introduction
3

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
LIGHTS
Brake system warning
This light illuminates when you
turn the ignition key to START to
verify that the indicator bulb is
working. If the light stays on or
comes on after you have released
the parking brake fully, have the
hydraulic brake system serviced.
This light also will illuminate if
vacuum pressure is low on diesel
engine vehicles.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the
engine is off. If the light stays on
or continues to flash, the ABS
needs to be serviced.
Service engine soon
This light illuminates when the
engine's Emission Control System
requires service. It will also
illuminate when the ignition key is
000000
0000
BRAKE
NORMALNORMAL
NORMAL
BRAKE
ABS
SERVICE
ENGINE SOON
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Instrumentation
8

in the ON position and the engine
is off.
Transmission control indicator
light (TCIL)
The Transmission Control Indicator
Light (TCIL), which is located on
the gearshift lever, may flash
steadily if a malfunction is
detected. If the TCIL is flashing,
contact your Ford dealer as soon
as possible. If this condition
persists, damage to the
transmission could occur.
The word ªOFFº located on the
end of the gearshift lever is the
transmission control indicator light
(TCIL).
Safety belt
Illuminates when the ignition is
switched on to remind you to
fasten your safety belts. For more
information, refer toUsing the
safety restraints properlyin the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
Charging system
Briefly illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the
engine is off. The light also
illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly, requiring
electrical system service.
Air bag readiness
Briefly illuminates when the
ignition is turned on. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to
OVERDRIVE OFF
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Instrumentation
9

flash or remains on, have the
system serviced immediately.
Turn signal
Illuminates when the left or right
turn signal or the hazard lights are
turned on.
High beams
Illuminates when the headlamp
high beams are on.
Door ajar (if equipped)
Illuminates when the ignition
switch is in the ON or START
position and any door is open.
Oil pressure/Engine coolant
This light will come on when the
key is in the ON position and the:
²engine coolant temperature is
very high
²engine oil pressure is low
The light serves as a notice that a
system needs your attention and to
check the engine coolant
temperature gauge and the engine
oil pressure gauge.
Refer to engine coolant
temperature gauge and engine oil
pressure gauge in this section for
more information.
DOOR
AJAR
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Instrumentation
10

Transmission control indicator
light (TCIL)
The TCIL (the word ªOFFº)
located on the gearshift lever
indicates the status of the
transmission.
The TCIL may flash steady if a
malfunction is detected. If this
occurs have your transmission
serviced by your Ford dealer as
soon as possible or damage may
occur.
Tilt steering
Pull the control to adjust the
steering column angle. Push the
control back up to lock the
steering wheel into position.
Never adjust the steering
wheel when the vehicle is
moving.
OVERDRIVE OFF
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Controls and features
26

All occupants of the
vehicle, including the
driver, should always wear their
safety belts, failure to do so may
increase the risk of personal
injury in the event of a collision.
The right front passenger
air bag is not designed to
restrain occupants in the center
front seating position.
Do not place objects or
mount equipment on or
near the dashboard area,
steering wheel or in front of the
passenger that may come in
contact with a deploying air bag.
Failure to follow this instruction
may increase the risk of personal
injury in the event of a collision.
Do not attempt to service,
repair, or modify the Air
Bag Supplemental Restraint
System or its fuses. See your
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
If you are close to an
inflating air bag, it could
seriously injure you. Sit against
the seatback and position your
seat such that it is as far back
from the steering wheel as
possible but still allows you to
properly control the vehicle.
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Seating and safety restraints
53

If any of these things happen, even
intermittently, have the SRS
serviced at your dealership or by a
qualified technician immediately.
Unless serviced, the system may
not function properly in the event
of a collision.
Disposal of air bags and air bag
equipped vehicles
For disposal of air bags or air bag
equipped vehicles, see your local
dealership or qualified technician.
Air bags MUST BE disposed of by
qualified personnel.
SAFETY RESTRAINTS FOR
CHILDREN
Important child restraint
precautions
You are required by law to use
safety restraints for children in the
U.S. and Canada. If small children
ride in your vehicle (generally
children who are four years old or
younger and who weigh 18 kg [40
lbs] or less), you must put them in
safety seats made especially for
children. Check your local and
state laws for specific
requirements regarding the safety
of children in your vehicle.
Never let a passenger hold
a child on his or her lap
while the vehicle is moving. The
passenger cannot protect the
child from injury in a collision.
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Seating and safety restraints
58

Make sure the corresponding lights
illuminate briefly. If a light fails to
illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced.
²If the driver's safety belt is
fastened, the
light does not
illuminate.
STARTING PROCEDURE
Starting the engine
1. Turn the key to 5 (Start)
without pressing the accelerator.
The key will return to 4 (On).
2. If the engine does not start
within five seconds, wait ten
seconds and try again.
3. If the engine does not start in
two attempts OR the temperature
is below Ð12ÉC (10ÉF), depress
accelerator and start the engine
while holding the accelerator
down. Release accelerator when
engine starts.
4. After idling for a few seconds,
apply the brake and release the
parking brake.
Using the engine block heater
(if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the
engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine
3
2
1
5
4
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Starting
77