1997 FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS FUEL SYSTEM

13
*
[IS05000( ALL)01/96]
Modification or additions to the vehicle may
cause incorrect operation of the OBD II system.
Additions such as burglar alarms, cellular
phones, and CB radios must be carefully
installed. Do not install these devices by tapping
into or running wires close to powertrain control
system wires or components.
*
[IS05100( ALL)01/96]
The light comes on briefly when you turn the
ignition key toON, but it should turn off when
the engine starts. If the light does not come on
when you turn the ignition toONor if it comes
on and stays on when you are driving, have
your vehicle serviced as soon as possible. This
indicates a possible problem with one of the
vehicle's emission control systems. You do not
need to have your vehicle towed in.
*
[IS05200( ALL)01/96]
If the light turns on and off at one (1) second
intervals while you are driving the vehicle, it
means that the engine is misfiring. If this
condition persists, damage could occur to the
engine or catalytic convertor. Have your vehicle
serviced at the first opportunity. You do not
need to have your vehicle towed in.
*
[IS05300( ALL)01/96]
If the light turns on and off on rare occasions
while you are driving, it means that a
malfunction occurred and the condition corrected
itself.
*
[IS05500( ALL)01/96]
An example of a condition which corrects itself
occurs when an engine running out of fuel
begins to misfire. In this case, the Check Engine
Warning Light may turn on and will then set a
Diagnostic Trouble Code indicating that the
engine was misfiring while the last of the fuel
was being consumed. After refueling, the Check
Engine Warning Light will turn off after the
vehicle has completed three consecutive warm
File:03ltism.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:17:22 1996

14up cycles without a misfire condition occurring.
A warm up cycle consists of engine start from a
cold condition (engine at ambient temperature)
and running until the engine reaches normal
operating temperature.
*
[IS05600( ALL)01/96]
On the fourth engine start up, the Check Engine
Warning Light will turn off as soon as the
engine begins to crank. It is not necessary to
have the engine serviced.
*
[IS05700( ALL)01/96]
Under certain conditions, the Check Engine
Warning Light may come on if the fuel cap is
not properly installed. If the Check Engine
Warning Light comes on and you suspect that
the fuel cap is not properly installed, pull off the
road as soon as it is safely possible and turn off
the engine. Remove and replace the fuel cap,
making sure it is properly seated.
*
[IS05800( ALL)01/96]
After completing the three consecutive warm up
cycles and on the fourth engine start up, the
Check Engine Warning Light should turn off. If
the light does not go off after the fourth engine
restart, have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer or a qualified technician.
%*
[IS05900( ALL)01/96]
Charging System Light
*
[IS06000( ALL)01/96]
This light, shown as a battery symbol on your
cluster, indicates that your battery is not being
charged and that you need to have the electrical
system checked.
*
[IS06100( ALL)01/96]
one inch art:0020777-A
Charging system light
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Update:Fri Dec 13 11:17:22 1996

41
*
[TO04600( ALL)01/96]
For cold or warm engines:
*
[TO04700( ALL)01/96]
If the engine still does not start after two
attempts:
*
[TO04800( ALL)01/96]
1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
*
[TO04900( ALL)01/96]
2. Press the accelerator all the way to the floor
and hold it.
*
[TO05000( ALL)01/96]
3. Turn the ignition key to the START position.
*
[TO05100( ALL)01/96]
4. Release the ignition key when the engine
starts.
*
[TO05200( ALL)01/96]
5. Release the accelerator gradually as the
engine speeds up. Then drive away in the
normal manner.
*
[TO05300( ALL)01/96]
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.
[TO05400( M)01/96]
NOTE: When turning the ignition key from
the ªOFFº to the ªRUNº position, a
subtle humming may be heard for up
to three seconds. This is the normal
sound of an electronically controlled
fuel pump, and indicates the operation
or pre-pressurizing the EFI system for
starting.
*
[TO05600( ALL)01/96]
If the engine idle speed does not slow down
automatically, do not allow your vehicle to idle
for more than 10 minutes. Have the vehicle
checked.
*
[TO05700( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Extended idling at high engine speeds can
produce very high temperatures in the
engine and exhaust system, creating the
risk of fire or other damage.
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Update:Fri Dec 13 11:22:15 1996

50
% [GF07450( M)01/96]
Automatic Transmission
Operation (E4OD)
[GF07500( M)01/96]
The E4OD transmission is an electronically
controlled four speed automatic transmission
with overdrive. Transmission operation is
controlled by the Powertrain Control Module
(PCM).
*
[GF07525( ALL)01/96]
The PCM will automatically adjust transmission
operation to make up for varying conditions.
Several sensors located on the engine and
transmission such as Throttle Position, Engine
Speed, Vehicle Speed and Transmission
Temperature are used by the PCM to shift the
transmission into a higher or lower gear when
required for the best performance and fuel
economy. For example, you may notice that the
transmission will upshift to a higher gear more
quickly when the vehicle is first driven and has
not reached normal operating temperature.
*
[GF07550( ALL)01/96]
The PCM also controls the transmission's Torque
Converter Clutch to further raise vehicle
performance and fuel economy. The Torque
Converter Clutch will engage when the
transmission operating temperature and other
conditions determined by the PCM have been
met. Engagement of the clutch may be noted as
a decrease in engine speed after an upshift has
completed or when the driver has depressed the
throttle while driving at a steady road speed.
[GF07575( ALL)01/96]
To help in troubleshooting, the PCM continually
performs self-tests on the electronic control
system and if any faults are detected, will store
them in memory. The Transmission Control
Indicator Light (TCIL), which is located on the
gearshift lever, may flash steadily if a
malfunction has been detected. If the TCIL is
flashing, contact your Ford dealer as soon as
possible. If this condition persists, damage to the
transmission could occur.
File:09ltgfm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:22:54 1996

107
%*
[MC10700( ALL)01/96]
Driveline Universal Joint and Slip
Yoke
[MC10800( M)01/96]
The universal joints that come standard with
your vehicle do require lubrication. Lubrication
will be necessary at the intervals shown in the
Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet.
%
*
[MC11700( ALL)01/96]
Engine Coolant
[MC11750( ALL)01/96]
Checking the engine coolant
*
[MC11800( ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle's engine coolant protects the engine
from overheating in the summer and from
freezing in the winter. Check the level of the
engine coolant at least once a month, but
preferably each time you stop for fuel. Simply
look at the engine coolant recovery reservoir
located in the engine compartment. To locate
this reservoir, see the diagram of your vehicle's
engine underEngine typesin this chapter.
*
[MC11850( ALL)01/96]
If the engine coolant has not been checked for a
long period of time the engine coolant reservoir
may eventually empty. If the engine coolant
reservoir empties, check the engine coolant level
in the radiator. Read the following warnings
before removing the radiator cap. If it is
necessary to fill the radiator, refer to theEngine
Coolant Refill Procedurein this chapter for
instructions.
[MC11900( M)01/96]
Your cooling system is of the coolant recovery
type. The engine coolant recovery reservoir is a
one-piece molded unit. Engine coolant in the
system expands with heat and overflows into the
engine coolant recovery reservoir. When the
system cools down, coolant is drawn back into
the radiator.
File:11ltmcm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:24:54 1996

129 %
*
[MC31100( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
If you do not use the proper fuel cap, the
pressure in the fuel tank can damage the
fuel system or cause it to work improperly
in a collision.
*
[MC31200( ALL)01/96]
NOTE: If you replace your fuel cap with an
aftermarket fuel filler cap, the customer
warranty may be void for any damage
to the fuel tank and/or fuel system.
*
[MC31300( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
The fuel system may be under pressure. If
the fuel cap is venting vapor or if you
hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the cap.
[MC31900( M)01/96]
You can prevent excessive condensation in the
fuel tank by keeping it over half full.
%*
[MC32000( ALL)01/96]
Choosing the Right Fuel
*
[MC32200( ALL)01/96]
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. Using leaded fuel
is prohibited by federal law. Any vehicle
damage may not be covered by your warranty.
%*
[MC32400( ALL)01/96]
Octane recommendations
*
[MC32500( ALL)01/96]
Your engine is designed to use regular
unleaded fuel with an octane rating of 87.We
do not recommend gasolines labeled ªregularº
that are sold with octane ratings of 86 or even
less in altitude areas.
*
[MC32600( ALL)01/96]
one inch art:0060001-C
Typical octane rating label
File:11ltmcm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:24:54 1996

133 %
*
[MC36000( ALL)01/96]
3. Replace the fuel cap completely when you
are finished. Turn it clockwise 1/4 turn until
it is tight. It will click when it is fully
tightened.
%*
[MC36100( ALL)01/96]
Running Out of Fuel
*
[MC36200( ALL)01/96]
If your vehicle runs out of fuel, try to stop on
level ground away from traffic. Add at least two
gallons (8 liters) of fuel to start your vehicle
again. If your vehicle is not on level ground,
you may need as much as five gallons (20 liters)
of fuel to start it.
*
[MC36300( ALL)01/96]
You may need to crank the engine several times
before the fuel system starts to pump fuel from
the tank to the engine.
%*
[MC36400( ALL)01/96]
Fuel Economy
*
[MC36500( ALL)01/96]
Fuel economy is an estimate of the efficiency of
your vehicle and can be calculated as Miles Per
Gallon (MPG) or Liters Per 100 Kilometers
(L/100K).
*
[MC36600( ALL)01/96]
Do not calculate fuel economy during your
vehicle's break-in period. This would not be an
accurate estimate of how much fuel your vehicle
will normally use.
*
[MC36700( ALL)01/96]
To calculate fuel economy:
*
[MC36800( ALL)01/96]
1. Fill the tank completely and record the
initial odometer reading.
*
[MC36900( ALL)01/96]
2. Every time you buy fuel record the
amount (in gallons or liters) purchased.
*
[MC37000( ALL)01/96]
3. After at least three to five tankfuls, fill the
fuel tank and record the final odometer
reading.
File:11ltmcm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:24:54 1996

134
*
[MC37100( ALL)01/96]
4. Use these equations to calculate your fuel
economy.
*
[MC37200( ALL)01/96]
q
English: MPG = (total miles)/(gallons used).
*
[MC37300( ALL)01/96]
q
Metric: L/100K = (liters used) x 100/(total
kilometers)
%*
[MC37700( ALL)01/96]
Improving Fuel Economy
*
[MC37800( ALL)01/96]
Fuel economy is affected by a number of
variables which can reduce efficiency. You can
improve fuel economy by understanding these
variables and minimizing their effect.
*
[MC37900( ALL)01/96]
The following decrease fuel economy:
*
[MC38000( ALL)01/96]
q
Lack of regular, scheduled maintenance
*
[MC38100( ALL)01/96]
q
Driving with your foot on the brake
*
[MC38200( ALL)01/96]
q
Sudden stops
*
[MC38300( ALL)01/96]
q
Excessive speed
*
[MC38400( ALL)01/96]
q
Extended engine idling
*
[MC38500( ALL)01/96]
q
Heavy loads
*
[MC38600( ALL)01/96]
q
Underinflated tires
*
[MC38700( ALL)01/96]
q
Extended use of the A/C, defroster, rear
window defroster and other accessories
[MC38800( M)01/96]
q
Use your air conditioning system wisely.
File:11ltmcm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:24:54 1996