1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD check engine light

236 %
*
[MC38300( ALL)03/96]
How to Prepare Your Vehicle for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Testing
*
[MC38400( ALL)04/96]
In some localities it may become a legal
requirement to pass an
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the
On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) II system. If the
vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has
just been serviced, the OBD II system is reset to
a not ready for I/M testing condition. To
prepare for I/M testing, the law specifies that
additional city and highway driving is necessary
to complete the check of the OBD II system.
*
[MC38601( ALL)05/96]
The driving modes required to reach the ready
condition consist of a minimum of 30 minutes of
city and highway driving as described below:
*
[MC38701( ALL)05/96]
q
At least twenty minutes driving in stop and
go, city type traffic with at least four idle
periods.
*
[MC38801( ALL)05/96]
q
At least ten minutes of driving on an
expressway or highway.
[MC38901( ALL)04/96]
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 driving modes.
%
*
[MC41200( ALL)03/96]
Lights and Bulb Replacement
*
[MC41300( ALL)01/96]
It is a good idea to check the operation of the
following lights frequently:
*
[MC41400( ALL)01/96]
q
headlamps
*
[MC41500( ALL)01/96]
q
tail lamps
*
[MC41600( ALL)01/96]
q
brakelamps
*
[MC41700( ALL)01/96]
q
hazard flasher
*
[MC41800( ALL)01/96]
q
high-mount brakelamp
File:11rcmcb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:02:59 1996

251 %
*
[CS04500( ALL)01/96]
Engine
*
[CS04600( ALL)01/96]
q
Start engine every 15 days. Run at fast idle
until it reaches normal operating temperature.
*
[CS04700( ALL)01/96]
q
With your foot on the brake, shift through all
the gears while the engine is running.
%*
[CS04800( ALL)01/96]
Fuel system
%*
[CS04900( ALL)01/96]
q
Fill fuel tank with high-quality unleaded fuel
until the first automatic shutoff of the fuel
pump nozzle.
*
[CS05000( ALL)01/96]
NOTE: During extended periods of vehicle
storage (60 days or more), fuel may
deteriorate due to oxidation. This can
damage rubber and other polymers in
the fuel system and may also clog
small orifices.
*
[CS05100( ALL)01/96]
Ford Gas Stabilizer should be added whenever
actual or expected storage periods exceed 60
days. Follow the instructions on the label. The
vehicle should then be operated at idle speed to
circulate the additive throughout the fuel system.
%*
[CS05200( ALL)01/96]
Cooling system
*
[CS05300( ALL)01/96]
q
Protect against freezing temperatures.
%*
[CS05400( ALL)01/96]
Battery
*
[CS05500( ALL)01/96]
q
Check and recharge as necessary.
*
[CS05600( ALL)01/96]
q
Keep connections clean and covered with a
light coat of grease.
*
[CS05700( ALL)12/95]
q
If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days
without recharging the battery, it may be
advisable to disconnect the battery cables to
ensure battery charge is maintained for quick
starting.
File:12rccsb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:03:27 1996

290 Index
Car seats for children
(see Child safety seats)........ 120
Cassette tape player (see Electronic
sound system)........ 36,40,45,51
Catalytic converter............ 233
CD player (see Electronic
sound system)........... 25,31
Chains, tires.............. 226
Changing a tire............. 175
Charging system warning light....... 14
Child safety restraints.......... 118
child safety belts........... 136
child safety seats........... 120
Child safety seats............ 120
and air bags............. 120
automatic locking mode
(retractor)...........107, 120
in front seat............. 120
in rear outboard seat......... 129
in rear seat............120, 135
tether anchorage hardware....... 136
Chime
key in ignition............. 73
safety belt............... 12
Circuit breakers
checking and replacing........ 173
see also fuses............. 165
Cleaning your vehicle.......... 243
chrome and aluminum parts...... 243
engine compartment.......... 245
exterior............... 243
exterior lamps............ 244
fabric................ 245
headlamps.............. 244
instrument panel......... 59,245
instrument panel lens......... 245
interior................ 245
interior lamps............. 244
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:06:50 1996

Index 293
Emergencies, roadside (continued)
fuel................. 230
jump-starting............. 185
towing................ 192
Emergency brake (parking brake)..... 146
Emission control system......... 233
catalytic converter.......... 233
emissions warranty......... 4,233
Engine
does not start............ 141
fuel injected engine, starting...... 139
fuel pump shut-off switch....... 174
preparing to start........... 139
refill capacities............ 248
service points............ 195
starting............... 140
starting after a collision........ 174
storing your vehicle.......... 250
Engine block heater........... 142
Engine coolant............. 207
checking and adding......... 207
checking hoses............ 208
disposal............... 196
drain and flush............ 211
low coolant warning light........ 13
preparing for storage......... 251
proper solution........196, 209, 211
recovery reservoir........198, 207
refill capacities............ 248
specifications............. 249
temperature gauge........... 21
Engine coolant temperature gauge..... 21
description............... 21
mechanical............... 21
Engine fan............... 196
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:06:50 1996

294 Index
Engine oil............... 201
changing oil and oil filter....... 203
checking and adding......... 202
dipstick............... 202
disposal............... 204
engine oil pressure warning light..... 18
filter, specifications.......... 247
refill capacities............ 248
specifications...........201, 249
synthetic oil............. 201
ªbreak-inº oils............. 6
viscosity............... 201
Entry system
illuminated............... 88
remote................. 95
Exhaust fumes............. 143
Extended Service Plan, Ford........ 4
F
Fan .................. 196
engine fan, avoiding injury....... 196
Federal Communications Commission.... 57
Flashers, hazard.............. 77
Flashing the lights............. 75
Flat tire................. 175
Floor mats................ 92
Fluid refill capacities........... 248
Ford Customer Assistance Center..... 257
Ford Dispute Settlement Board...... 258
Ford Extended Service Plan........ 4
Ford Motor Company of Canada..... 263
Ford of Canada Customer
Assistance Centre........... 263
Foreign registration........... 264
French owner guides, how to obtain.... 3
Fuel.................. 227
capacity............... 248
choosing the right fuel......... 227
filling your vehicle with fuel...... 226
filter, specifications.......... 247
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:06:50 1996

Index 295
Fuel (continued)
fuel filler door release lever...... 227
fuel gauge............... 20
low fuel warning light......... 19
octane rating............. 229
quality................ 229
running out of fuel.......... 231
safety information relating to
automotive fuels.......... 230
storing your vehicle.......... 251
treating emergencies......... 230
Fuel cap................ 227
removing.............. 227
replacing............... 227
Fuel filler door............. 227
remote release............ 227
Fuel filter, specifications......... 247
Fuel gauge................ 20
Fuel pump shut-off switch
engine does not start......... 174
starting after a collision........ 174
Fuse panels
engine compartment......... 168
high current fuse panel........ 169
instrument panel........... 165
Fuses
charts..............167, 171
checking and replacing........ 171
circuit breakers............ 173
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap).......... 227
Gas mileage (see Fuel economy)..... 231
Gasoline (see Fuel)........... 227
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:06:50 1996

296 Index
Gauges, Mechanical
engine coolant temperature gauge.... 21
fuel gauge............... 20
odometer................ 22
speedometer.............. 22
tachometer............... 23
trip odometer.............. 23
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
calculating.............. 157
definition............... 156
driving with a heavy load....... 156
location............... 156
Gearshift
automatic operation.......... 151
console-mounted........... 153
locking the gearshift........... 72
positions............... 151
shifting the gears........... 151
shift-lock............... 152
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) . . . 156
calculating.............. 157
definition............... 156
driving with a heavy load....... 156
location............... 156
H
Hazard flashers.............. 77
Headlamps
aiming................ 236
autolamp system............ 69
bulb specification........... 242
checking alignment.......... 236
cleaning............... 244
daytime running lights......... 67
flashing................ 75
high beam............... 75
replacing bulbs............ 236
turning on and off........... 68
Head restraints.............. 99
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:06:50 1996

Index 305
Trailer towing............. 158
calculating maximum
trailer weight........... 158
safety chains............. 160
tips................. 161
trailer brakes............. 161
trailer lamps............. 161
Transmission
automatic operation.......... 151
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic)............ 217
fluid, refill capacities......... 248
lubricant specifications........ 249
Transmission control switch....... 154
Transmitter (see Remote entry)....... 95
Trip odometer.............. 23
Trunk
remote release lever........... 72
using the remote entry system to open . . 96
Tune-up specifications (VECI)...... 235
Turn signal................ 74
indicator lights............. 17
lever................. 74
U
Used engine oil, disposal........ 204
V
Vanity mirror............... 86
Variable interval wipers.......... 75
VECI (Vehicle Emission Control Information)
decal................ 235
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) . . . 258
Vehicle loading
automatic transmissions........ 157
calculating the load.......... 157
understanding loading information . . . 156
File:rcixb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 11:06:50 1996