1997 FORD WINDSTAR Owners Manual

Instrumentation
23
% [IS15000(ALL)04/96]
Tachometer (If equipped)
*
[IS15100(ALL)03/96]
The tachometer will show you the engine's speed measured in
revolutions per minute (RPM).
*
[IS15200(ALL)03/96]
The tachometer may move slightly when the key is placed in
the ACC or ON position, with the engine off. This is normal
and does not affect the performance of the tachometer when the
engine is running.
[IS15300(ALL)01/96]
Some vehicles are equipped with an engine speed (RPM)
limiting device that is contained within the Electronic Engine
Control Module. The purpose of this device is to maintain peak
engine speed (RPM) below a specified limit. (Engine speed
limits may vary based on engine size.)
*
[IS15400(ALL)03/96]
If you are experiencing an ªengine cut-outº condition at high
speeds, it may be the result of this limiting device. It is a
normal condition and can be avoided by reducing
vehicle/engine speed.
[IS15500(ALL)01/96]
10-1/2 pica
art:0050168-B
The tachometer
File:03wniss.ex
Update:Thu Jul 18 10:55:19 1996

24
[IS15501(ALL)07/96]
33-1/2 pica art:0050076-E
The electronic cluster
File:03wniss.ex
Update:Thu Jul 18 10:55:19 1996

Instrumentation
25
%*
[IS15502(ALL)07/96]
Electronic Cluster (If equipped)
[IS15503(ALL)07/96]
The Electronic Cluster works only when your ignition is in the
ON position. Each time you start your vehicle, the displays go
through a self-test by lighting up all segments for about one
second and then turning off all segments for about one second,
before displaying actual gauge readings. (The turn signal and
high beam indicators do not light during the self-test. The LOW
OIL light may remain on throughout the self-test and for several
seconds after normal readings are displayed.) This self-test
demonstrates that all of the display segments are working
properly.
[IS15505(ALL)07/96]
The electronic cluster has three major functions to provide you
with information about your vehicle's operating status:
[IS15507(ALL)07/96]
n
Warning and Indicator Lights
[IS15509(ALL)07/96]
n
Electronic Gauges
[IS15511(ALL)07/96]
n
The Fuel Computer
[IS15513(ALL)07/96]
The electronic cluster uses the same warning and indicator
lights as the mechanical cluster. However, the electronic cluster
contains some additional warning and indicator lights as
described here.
% [IS15515(ALL)07/96]
Oil Pressure Light
[IS15517(ALL)07/96]
6 pica art:0050150-B
The oil pressure light
File:03wniss.ex
Update:Thu Jul 18 10:55:19 1996

26
[IS15519(ALL)07/96]
This light indicates the engine's oil pressure, not the oil level.
However, if your engine's oil level is low, it could affect the oil
pressure. The light will come on briefly during the display
self-test every time you turn your key to the ON position. The
light will go off when the key is turned to the START position.
The light should stay off when the self-test is done if the engine
is running with normal oil pressure. If the light comes on while
the engine is running, you have lost oil pressure and continued
operation will cause severe engine damage.
*
[IS15521(ALL)07/96]
If you lose engine oil pressure:
*
[IS15523(ALL)07/96]1.
Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
*
[IS15525(ALL)07/96]2.
Shut off the engine immediately. If you do not stop the
engine as soon as safely possible, severe engine damage
could result.
[IS15527(ALL)07/96]3.
Check the engine's oil level. (See ªChecking and Adding
Engine Oilº in theMaintenance and Carechapter of this
Owner Guide.) If you do not follow these instructions, you
or others could be injured. To ensure an accurate reading,
your vehicle should be on level ground.
[IS15529(ALL)07/96]4.
If the level is low, add only as much oil as necessary before
you start the engine again. Do not overfill. Do not operate
the engine if the light is on regardless of the oil level.
Contact your nearest dealer for further service.
% [IS15531(ALL)07/96]
Low Windshield Washer Fluid Level Warning Light
[IS15533(ALL)07/96]
This light indicates that the level of your washer fluid is low,
and you have to add more fluid. This light comes on briefly
after you turn your ignition key from the START to the ON
position. If the washer fluid is low, a one second chime will
sound and the light will remain on for 60 seconds. If the washer
fluid is not low, the light should turn off a few seconds after
the engine has started. The light and chime also come on if the
washer fluid is low when you use your windshield washers.
File:03wniss.ex
Update:Thu Jul 18 10:55:19 1996

Instrumentation
27
[IS15535(ALL)07/96]
The washer fluid is only checked when the engine is started or
the windshield washers are in operation. The light will not
come on if the fluid level becomes low while you are driving
unless you turn on the windshield washers.
[IS15537(ALL)07/96]
6 pica art:0050062-B
The low windshield washer indicator light
[IS15539(ALL)07/96]
Speed Control Indicator
[IS15541(ALL)07/96]
A SPEED CONTROL light is displayed in the optional electronic
instrument cluster when the speed control system is engaged.
The display will turn off when the brake pedal is pressed or if
speed control is shut off.
*
[IS15543(ALL)07/96]
This display does not indicate any problems with the speed
control, but is simply a convenient way of knowing when it is
active.
[IS15545(ALL)07/96]
6 pica art:0050220-A
The speed control light
% [IS15547(ALL)07/96]
Hazard Flasher Indicator Light
[IS15549(ALL)07/96]
This light flashes when you turn on the hazard flashers. If your
ignition is ON, the turn signal indicator lights in the electronic
cluster will flash in time with the hazard flashers.
File:03wniss.ex
Update:Thu Jul 18 10:55:19 1996

28
[IS15551(ALL)07/96]
6 pica art:0050237-A[IS15553(ALL)07/96]
Electronic Gauges
%*
[IS15555(ALL)07/96]
Fuel Gauge
[IS15556(ALL)07/96]
The fuel gauge displays approximately how much fuel you have
in the fuel tank. The number of bars illuminated in the display
indicates fuel level. Your ignition must be in the ON position to
read the fuel gauge. Read the fuel level at the top bar that is lit.
When only one bar on the gauge is lit, the fuel pump symbol
on the gauge will flash to warn you of a low fuel level
condition.
[IS15557(ALL)07/96]
If the fuel gauge displays only the top two bars and bottom two
bars, or if the Distance to Empty function in the fuel computer
displays CO or CS, you must have the fuel indication system
serviced.
[IS15558(ALL)07/96]
Turn your ignition to OFF while fueling to obtain an accurate
fuel gauge indication. If you do not turn your ignition off, the
fuel gauge will not display the new fuel level immediately, but
will slowly increase to the correct value.
File:03wniss.ex
Update:Thu Jul 18 10:55:19 1996

Instrumentation
29
[IS15559(ALL)07/96]
7-1/2 pica art:0050156-B
The fuel gauge
%*
[IS15561(ALL)07/96]
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
[IS15563(ALL)07/96]
7-1/2 pica art:0050175-B
Engine coolant temperature gauge
[IS15565(ALL)07/96]
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine's coolant, not
the coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level or
mixture, the gauge indication will not be accurate. The gauge is
identified by a thermometer symbol, an ªHº (hot), and a ªCº
(cold). The ªNORMº indicates the normal operating range. The
bars will move into the normal operating range as the engine
coolant warms up. It is acceptable for the bars to fluctuate
within the normal operating range under normal driving
conditions. Under certain driving conditions, such as heavy stop
and go traffic, or driving up hills in hot weather, the gauge may
indicate at the top of the NORMAL band. This is also
acceptable.
[IS15567(ALL)07/96]
If, under any circumstances, the bars move above the NORMAL
band, the temperature symbol will flash and a chime will sound
to alert the driver that the engine coolant is overheating and
continued operation may cause engine damage.
File:03wniss.ex
Update:Thu Jul 18 10:55:19 1996

30
*
[IS15569(ALL)07/96]
If your engine overheats:
*
[IS15571(ALL)07/96]1.
Pull off the road as soon as it is safely possible.
*
[IS15573(ALL)07/96]2.
Turn off the engine. If you do not stop the engine as soon as
safely possible, severe engine damage could result.
*
[IS15575(ALL)07/96]3.
Let the engine cool.DO NOT REMOVE COOLANT
SYSTEM FILL CAP UNTIL THE ENGINE IS COOL.
[IS15577(ALL)07/96]4.
Check the coolant level following the instructions on
checking and adding coolant to your engine in this Owner
Guide. Seeengine coolantin the index. If you do not follow
these instructions, you or others could be injured.
*
[IS15579(ALL)07/96]
If the coolant continues to overheat, have the coolant system
serviced.
[IS15581(ALL)07/96]
If the temperature gauge displays only the top two and bottom
two bars, the temperature indication system is indicating that it
requires servicing. Take the vehicle to a dealership for service as
soon as possible.
%*
[IS15583(ALL)07/96]
Speedometer
[IS15585(ALL)07/96]
The electronic speedometer in the left center of the cluster has
two displays that indicate how fast your vehicle is moving in
miles or kilometers per hour. Press the fuel computer E/M
(English/Metric) button to switch between MPH and km/h. The
main digital speedometer indicates speed up to 120 MPH
(199 km/h). The secondary bar graph speedometer indicates
approximate speed up to 120 MPH in steps of 4 MPH
(180 km/h in steps of 6 km/h). The bar graph speedometer
shows your approximate speed relative to the full scale, and it
gives you a visual indication of how fast your speed is changing
when you accelerate or decelerate.
[IS15587(ALL)07/96]
Your vehicle may not actually be able to travel at the maximum
speeds indicated by the speedometer due to a speed limiter in
the Electronic Engine Control module. The purpose of the
File:03wniss.ex
Update:Thu Jul 18 10:55:19 1996