1997 FORD WINDSTAR engine overheat

Instrumentation
21
%*
[IS11400(ALL)07/96]
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
*
[IS11500(ALL)02/96]
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not
the coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level or
mixture, the gauge indication will not be accurate.
[IS11600(ALL)01/96]
10-1/2 pica
art:0050236-A
Engine coolant temperature gauge Ð base cluster
[IS11700(ALL)01/96]
The pointer moves from the C (cold) mark into the NORMAL
band as the engine coolant warms up. It is acceptable for the
pointer to fluctuate within the normal band under normal
driving conditions. Under certain driving conditions such as
heavy stop and go traffic, or driving up hills in hot weather, the
pointer may indicate at the top of the NORMAL band. This is
also acceptable.
*
[IS11800(ALL)04/96]
If, under any circumstances, the pointer moves above the
NORMAL band, the engine is overheating and continued
operation may cause engine damage.
*
[IS11900(ALL)07/96]
If your engine overheats:
*
[IS12000(ALL)07/96]1.
Pull off the road as soon as it is safely possible.
*
[IS12100(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.
File:03wniss.ex
Update:Thu Jul 18 10:55:19 1996

22
*
[IS12200(ALL)07/96]3.
Let the engine cool.DO NOT REMOVE COOLANT
SYSTEM FILL CAP UNTIL THE ENGINE IS COOL.
[IS12300(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.
*
[IS12400(ALL)07/96]
If the coolant continues to overheat, have the coolant system
serviced.
%*
[IS13600(ALL)07/96]
Speedometer
*
[IS13700(ALL)03/96]
The speedometer tells you how many miles (kilometers) per
hour your vehicle is moving.
%*
[IS14200(ALL)07/96]
Odometer
*
[IS14300(ALL)01/96]
The odometer records the total distance the vehicle has been
driven.
%*
[IS14700(ALL)01/96]
Trip Odometer
%*
[IS14800(ALL)05/96]
The trip odometer records the distance of individual trips.
Before each trip, set the trip odometer to zero by pushing the
reset control.
[IS14900(ALL)01/96]
10-1/2 pica
art:0050155-C
The speedometer, odometer and trip odometer
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

Controls and Features
91
[CF07400(ALL)01/96]
When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather,
place the automatic transaxle gearshift selector lever in Park (P)
or in Neutral (N). This aids in engine cooling and air
conditioner efficiency. (If the engine overheats, turn the
Function Selector Knob toQ(PANEL) and turn the
Temperature Control Knob to WARM.)
*
[CF07500(ALL)01/96]
When your vehicle's engine is operated at full throttle, the air
conditioner compressor will automatically be turned off to allow
maximum engine power. This may occur during passing or
when climbing steep grades. The compressor will return to
normal operation within a few seconds after full throttle is no
longer needed.
[CF07600(ALL)01/96]
NOTE: The compressor will not operate when the outside
temperature is less than about45ÊF (7ÊC).
% [CF07700(ALL)01/96]
Rear Climate Control System (If equipped)
[CF07800(ALL)01/96]
If your vehicle is equipped with a rear climate control system,
the rear seat occupants can select their own personal fan speed
settings.
[CF07900(ALL)01/96]
The rear seat climate control system is controlled from the main
climate control system on the instrument panel. If the rear
passenger compartment climate control knob in the front climate
control panel is set in OFF, the fan in the rear seat climate
control system will also be off. If the knob is set in any of the
fan speed positions (Medium Low, Medium High, or High), air
will be discharged from the rear seat vents at the corresponding
speed. However, when the knob is set at REAR CTRL, rear seat
passengers can control their own fan speed.
File:05wncfs.ex
Update:Wed Jul 31 15:55:37 1996

240
*
[GF15500(ALL)01/96]
When turning, drive slightly beyond the normal turning point
so the trailer wheels will clear curbs or other obstructions.
*
[GF15600(ALL)01/96]
Allow more room for stopping with a trailer attached. Trailer
brakes should be applied first, whether manually or
automatically controlled, when approaching a stop.
*
[GF15700(ALL)01/96]
For an easy-to-operate vehicle/trailer combination, the trailer
tongue load should be approximately 10-15% of the loaded
trailer weight.
*
[GF15800(ALL)01/96]
Make a thorough check of your equipment before starting out
on the road. After you have traveled about 50 miles (80 km),
stop in a protected area and double-check your hitch and
electrical connections. Also check trailer wheel lug nuts for
tightness.
[GF15900(ALL)01/96]
When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather,
place the gearshift selector lever in P (Park) to increase the
engine idle speed. This aids in engine cooling and air
conditioner efficiency. If the engine overheats, turn the selector
knob to select the fresh air position to stop the air conditioner
compressor. Increase the engine speed for a short time.
*
[GF16000(ALL)01/96]
Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
However, if you must park on a grade, place wheel chocks
under the trailer's wheels as follows:
[GF16100(ALL)01/96]1.
Apply the foot service brake pedal and hold.
*
[GF16200(ALL)01/96]2.
Have another person place the wheel chocks under the
trailer wheels.
[GF16300(ALL)01/96]3.
With the chocks in place, release the foot service brake
pedal, making sure the chocks are holding.
[GF16400(ALL)01/96]4.
Apply the parking brake by pressing the service brake pedal
down firmly with your right foot while applying the parking
brake lever with your right hand.
*
[GF16500(ALL)01/96]5.
Shift the gearshift lever into P (Park).
File:09wngfs.ex
Update:Thu Jul 18 11:01:42 1996

Maintenance and Care
295
*
[MC10700(ALL)05/96]
Ford Premium Cooling System Fluid is an optimized formula
that will protect all metals and rubber elastomers used in Ford
engines for four years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km). It is not
necessary and not recommended to use supplemental coolant
additives in your gasoline powered vehicle. These additives may
harm your engine cooling system. Follow the recommended
service interval for changing your engine coolant.
*
[MC10800(ALL)05/96]
NOTE: When adding to or changing your engine coolant, it is
important to maintain a coolant concentration between
40% (s11ÊF [s24ÊC]) and 60% (s62ÊF [s52ÊC])
depending on your local climate conditions. When
coolant concentration falls below 40%, you will lose
freeze protection; above 60%, your engine may
overheat on a warm day. If coolant concentration is
outside this range, you may lose corrosion and rust
protection for the metals in your engine cooling
system.
[MC10900(ALL)01/96]
NOTE: Do not use an engine coolant that does not meet all
14 requirements of Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A.
The use of a coolant that does not meet the 14
requirements may void your warranty for the engine
cooling system. Use only a premium, nationally
recognized brand name engine coolant.
*
[MC11000(ALL)05/96]
Ford Motor Company expressly authorizes the Ford Rotunda
engine coolant recycling process and chemicals. Use only Ford
Rotunda recycled engine coolant or an equivalent non-Ford
Rotunda recycled engine coolant that is certified by the supplier
to meet Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A.
%*
[MC11100(ALL)05/96
]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a
responsible manner. Follow your community's
standards for disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out about recycling
automotive fluids.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Mon Jul 8 14:29:32 1996