1997 Mercury Mercury Cougar ignition

10
%*
[IS01700( BCGV)01/96]
The Mechanical Cluster
*
[IS02000( BCGV)01/96]
The following warning lights and gauges are on
the mechanical cluster. All of the warning lights
and gauges alert you to possible problems with
your vehicle. Some of the lights listed are
optional. The following sections detail what each
of these indicators means.
%*
[IS02600( ALL)01/96]
Brake System Warning Light
*
[IS02700( ALL)03/96]
The warning light for the brakes can show two
things Ð that the parking brake is not fully
released, or that the brake fluid level is low in
the master cylinder reservoir. If the fluid level is
low, the brake system should be checked by a
qualified service technician.
[IS02800( BC )04/96]
one inch art:0000108-E
The brake system warning light
[IS03100( ALL)12/95]
This light comes on when the parking brake is
set, or if it is not set, it comes on briefly when
you turn the ignition key to START. It normally
goes off shortly after the engine starts and you
release the parking brake. If the light stays on
after you have fully released the parking brake,
have the hydraulic brake system serviced.
*
[IS03200( ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes
may not be working properly. Have the
brakes checked immediately.
File:03rcisc.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 13:56:06 1996

13 %
*
[IS06300( ALL)03/96]
Air Bag Readiness Light
*
[IS06400( ALL)04/96]
The air bag system uses a readiness light and a
tone to indicate the condition of the system. The
readiness light is in the instrument cluster. When
you turn the ignition key to the ON position,
this light will light up for six (6) seconds and
then turn off. This indicates that the system is
operating normally. NOTE: Regularly scheduled
maintenance of the air bag system is not
required.
*
[IS06500( ALL)04/96]
If the light fails to illuminate, continues to flash,
remains on, or you hear a beeping sound, have
the system serviced at your Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately.
[IS06700( BC )04/96]
one inch art:0000653-C
The air bag readiness light
% [IS07150( BC )03/96]
Low Coolant Light
[IS07200(MBC )04/96]
This light tells you that the coolant is low inside
the coolant recovery bottle and that you should
add more coolant.
[IS07300(MBC )04/96]
This light comes on for a few seconds when
your ignition key is turned to start, but should
turn off when the engine starts. If this light stays
on, check the level of coolant inside the recovery
bottle. SeeEngine Coolantin the Index.
File:03rcisc.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 13:56:06 1996

14 [IS07350( BC )03/96]
one inch art:0011209-AThe low coolant light
%*
[IS07500( ALL)01/96]
Charging System Light
*
[IS07600( ALL)01/96]
This light indicates that your battery is not being
charged and that you need to have the electrical
system checked.
[IS07700( ALL)04/96]
one inch art:0010119-B
The charging system light
*
[IS07800( ALL)03/96]
This light illuminates every time you turn the
ignition to the ON or START position (engine
off). The light should go off when the engine
starts and the alternator begins to charge.
*
[IS07900( ALL)03/96]
If the light stays on or illuminates when the
engine is running, have the electrical system
checked as soon as possible.
%*
[IS08400( BCGV)03/96]
Overdrive Off Indicator
[IS08600( ALL)04/96]
one inch art:0010730-B
The overdrive off indicator light
File:03rcisc.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 13:56:06 1996

16 %
*
[IS09000( ALL)03/96]
High Beam Light
*
[IS09100( ALL)03/96]
This light illuminates when the headlamps are
turned to high beam or when you flash the
lights.
[IS09200( ALL)04/96]
one inch art:0010125-B
The high beam light
%*
[IS11050( BC )12/95]
Service Engine Soon Warning Light
%*
[IS11100( ALL)05/96]
This light illuminates when the engine's
Emission Control System requires service. It will
also illuminate when the ignition key is in the
ON position and the engine is off.
[IS11350( BC )05/96]
one inch art:0000282-B
The service engine soon warning light
%*
[IS12100( BC )04/96]
Anti-Theft Alarm Light (If equipped)
[IS12150(MBC )04/96]
one inch art:0001389-A
Anti-theft alarm light
File:03rcisc.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 13:56:06 1996

18 % [IS13001( BC )03/96]Door Ajar Light (If equipped)
[IS13101( BC )03/96]
This light tells you when any door is not
completely shut. It glows when the key is in the
ON position.
[IS13201( BC )03/96]
one inch art:0010126-C
The door ajar light
%*
[IS13250( BC )04/96]
Engine Oil Pressure Light
[IS13300( BC )05/96]
This light indicates the engine oil pressure, not
the oil level. However, if your engine's oil level
is low, it could affect the oil pressure. The light
should come on every time your ignition key is
turned to ON or START, and should go out
when the engine starts. If the light stays on or
turns on while the engine is running, you have
lost oil pressure andcontinued operation will
cause severe engine damage.
[IS13350( BC )05/96]
one inch art:0010532-A
The engine oil pressure light
*
[IS13400( BC )05/96]
If you lose engine oil pressure:
*
[IS13450( BC )04/96]
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
*
[IS13500( BC )05/96]
2. Shut off the engine immediately. If you do
not stop the engine as soon as safely
possible, severe engine damage could result.
File:03rcisc.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 13:56:06 1996

20 % [IS13900( BC )04/96]Washer Fluid Low Light
*
[IS13950( BC )04/96]
This light comes on if the reservoir is less than a
quarter full when you turn on the windshield
washers.
[IS14000( BC )05/96]
one inch art:0000118-B
The washer fluid low light
%*
[IS14200( ALL)03/96]
Fuel Gauge
[IS14300( BC )04/96]
one third page art:0011340-B
The fuel gauge
[IS14600( ALL)12/95]
The fuel gauge displays approximately how
much fuel is in the fuel tank only when the
ignition switch is ON. For proper fuel gauge
indication after adding fuel, turn the ignition
switch OFF while refueling the vehicle.
[IS14700( ALL)12/95]
The fuel gauge indicator may vary slightly when
the vehicle is in motion. The most accurate
reading is obtained with the vehicle on level
ground.
File:03rcisc.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 13:56:06 1996

21
*
[IS14800( ALL)01/96]
With ignition switch OFF, the fuel gauge
indicator may drift from the ignition switch ON
position.
%*
[IS15700( ALL)03/96]
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
*
[IS15800( 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.
[IS15905( BCGV)04/96]
The pointer moves from the C (cold) mark into
the normal band as your engine coolant warms
up. Under normal driving conditions, the pointer
should stay in the normal band. It is acceptable
for the pointer to fluctuate within the noprmal
band under normal driving conditions, and
under certain driving conditions such as, heavy
stop and go traffic, or driving up hills in hot
weather, for the pointer to indicate at the top of
the normal band.
[IS16005( BCGV)04/96]
If, under any circumstances, the pointer moves
above the normal band, the engine is
overheating and continued operation may cause
engine damage.
% [IS16200( BC )04/96]
one third page art:0011144-D
The engine coolant temperature gauge
File:03rcisc.ex
Update:Fri Jun 7 13:56:06 1996

26
%*
[AS01105( BC )10/95]
Compact Disc Radio
*
[AS01175( BC )10/95]
The Compact Disc Radio combines the Electronic
Stereo Radio with the Ford Compact Disc Player.
[AS01200( BC )10/95]
Using the Controls on Your New Compact
Disc Radio
*
[AS01300( BC )10/95]
Most of the features of this unit work for both
radio and CD operation. Also, some of the knobs
and buttons control several different functions,
so be sure to read all of the operating
instructions carefully.
*
[AS01400( BC )03/96]
How to turn the radio on and off
*
[AS01500( BC )10/95]
Press the ªPOWERº button to turn the radio on.
Press it again to turn it off.
*
[AS01600( BC )03/96]
How to adjust the volume
*
[AS01700( BC )03/96]
Press the (R/S) side of the ªVOLº button to
increase/decrease the volume. Bars illuminate in
the display to show the relative volume level.
*
[AS01800( BC )02/96]
NOTE: If the volume level is set above a
certain listening level when the
ignition switch is turned off, when the
ignition switch is turned back on, the
volume will come back to a ªnominalº
listening level. However, if the radio
power is turned off, the volume will
remain in the position it was set at
when radio power was switched off.
*
[AS01900( BC )03/96]
Selecting the AM or FM frequency band
*
[AS02000( BC )10/95]
Push the ªAM/FMº button to select the desired
frequency band. When in the radio mode,
pushing the button more than once will alternate
between AM, FM1 and FM2. These functions are
used with the station memory buttons described
underHow to tune radio stations.
File:04rcasc.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:24:18 1996