1997 Mercury Mountaineer check engine light

Instrument cluster warning and
indicator lights
DOOR
AJARilluminates when the ignition
key is turned to the ON or START
position and a door or liftgate is
opened.
CHECK
GAGEilluminates when the ignition is
turned to ON and the engine
temperature is high, the oil
pressure is low, or the fuel level is
near empty.
illuminates when there is a
problem with the generator or
charging system.
FUEL
RESETilluminates when the ignition
key is turned to ON and the fuel
pump shutoff switch has been
triggered. Refer toFuel pump
shutoff switchinRoadside
emergenciesfor more information.
illuminates when the air bag
system requires servicing.
0
20
1030405060
70
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90
110
200000000
oooo
100

20406080100
120
140
160
180
0ABS
- +
P RND21
UNLEADED
FUEL ONLY
RPM x 1000
12345
6
- +
H
H
L L
4WD
LOW 4X4
H
C
F
E
!P
DOOR
AJAR
CHECK
GAGEFUEL
RESET
BRAKEMPH km/h
DOOR
AJAR
CHECK
GAGE
FUEL
RESET
Instrumentation
8

illuminates when the parking
brake is activated, brake fluid level
is low, or break system requires
service.
illuminates when the
headlamp high beams are on.
ABSilluminates when the anti-lock
brake system requires service.
illuminates when the ignition
key is turned to ON and the safety
belt is not buckled. The light will
remain illuminated for one to two
minutes or until the safety belt is
buckled.
SPEED
CONTilluminates when the engine
is running and speed control is
turned on.
!P
BRAKE
ABS
0ABS
- +
P RND21
UNLEADED
FUEL ONLY
RPM x 1000
12345
6
- +
H
H
L L
ANTI-
THEFT
CHECK
ENGINE
O/D
OFF
SPEED
CONT
H
C
F
E
!P
DOOR
AJAR
BRAKE0
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MPH km/h
SPEED
CONT
Instrumentation
9

O/D
OFFthe transmission control
indicator light (TCIL) illuminates
when the transmission control
switch on the end of the gearshift
lever is pushed and the
D(Overdrive) mode is turned
off.
O/D
OFFindicates the status of the
transmission and may flash steadily
if a malfunction is detected. If
flashing persists, have your
transmission serviced by your
dealer as soon as possible.
If this condition persists, your
transmission may be damaged.
CHECK
ENGINEilluminates when the
emission control system requires
service.
THEFT(if equipped) illuminates
when the anti-theft system is
arming and flashes when the
anti-theft system is armed. Refer
toInterior featuresfor additional
information regarding the
anti-theft system.
illuminates when the left-
hand or right-hand turn signal or
the hazard lamps are illuminated.
O/D
OFF
CHECK
ENGINE
THEFT
Instrumentation
10

How to test the instrument
cluster lights
Turn the ignition key to ON
without starting the engine. The
warning and indicator lights shown
above will illuminate for a brief
time. If any of these lights do not
illuminate, have your vehicle
serviced.
Warning chimes
Safety belt warning chime
Refer to theSeating and safety
restraintschapter for information
on the safety belt warning chime.
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) warning chime
Refer to theSeating and safety
restraintschapter for information
on the SRS warning chime.
Key±in±ignition warning chime
A warning chime sounds when the
key is left in the ignition in the
OFF, LOCK, or ACCESSORY
position and the driver's door is
opened.
0ABS
- +
P RND21
UNLEADED
FUEL ONLY
RPM x 1000
12345
6
- +
H
H
L L
CHECK
ENGINE
H
C
F
E
!PBRAKE
CHECK
GAGE
0
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70
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110
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100

20406080100
120
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180
MPH km/h
Instrumentation
11

The above lights illuminate briefly.
If a light fails to illuminate, have
the vehicle serviced.
If the driver's safety belt is
fastened, the
light does not
illuminate.
STARTING THE VEHICLE
After completing the steps under
Preparing to start the vehicle:
1. Turn the key to START, hold
until engine is running, then
release. DO NOT press the
accelerator.
The key will return to the ON
position.
2. After idling for a few seconds,
apply the brake and release the
parking brake.
Special conditions when
starting
Starting a cold engine
At temperatures -12ÉC (10ÉF) and
below, do not hold the key in the
START position longer than 15
0ABS
- +
P RND21
UNLEADED
FUEL ONLY
RPM x 1000
12345
6
- +
H
H
L L
ANTI-
THEFT
CHECK
ENGINE
O/D
OFF SPEED
CONT
H
C
F
E
!P
DOOR
AJAR
BRAKE
CHECK
GAGE
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70
80
90
110
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100

20406080100
120
140
160
180
MPH km/h
ON
START
LOCK
ACCESSORYOFF
Starting your vehicle
91

Servicing while towing
If you tow a trailer for long
distances, your vehicle will require
more frequent service intervals.
Refer to theService Guidefor
more information.
Trailer towing
²Practice turning, stopping and
backing in an area before
starting on a trip to get the feel
of the vehicle/trailer
combination. When turning,
drive slightly beyond the normal
turning point so the trailer
wheels will clear curbs and
other obstacles.
²Allow more room for stopping
with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should
be 10-15% of the loaded trailer
weight for a Class I or II rear
bumper hitch.
²After you have travelled about
80 km (50 miles), thoroughly
check your hitch, electrical
connections and trailer wheel
lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long
periods of time in hot weather,
place the gearshift in P (Park)
to increase idle speed. This aids
engine cooling and air
conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not
be parked on a grade. If you
must park on a grade, place
wheel chocks under the trailer's
wheels.
Driving
115

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
Whenever possible, Ford has
designed parts that do not require
servicing. However, when servicing
is required, Ford's goal is to make
servicing your vehicle as easy as
possible. To help you:
²We highlight do-it-yourself items
in the engine compartment for
easy location.
²Often, parts (such as the
headlamp bulbs) may be
replaced without tools.
²We provide you with aService
Guidethat makes tracking
routine service of your vehicle
easy.
If your vehicle requires
professional servicing, your
dealership can provide the
necessary parts and service. Check
theWarranty Guideto find out
which parts and services are
covered. Use only recommended
fuels, lubricants, fluids, and service
parts conforming to Ford
specifications. Motorcraft parts are
designed and built to provide the
best performance in your vehicle.
Precautions for servicing your
vehicle
Be particularly careful when
inspecting or servicing your
vehicle. Here are some general
precautions for your safety:
²Do not work on a hot engine.
The engine cooling fan may
Maintenance and care
136

If you notice one or more of the
following, the emission system may
not be working properly. Have the
vehicle serviced as soon as
possible.
²Fluid leaks.
²The
andCHECK
ENGINElights
illuminate in the instrument
cluster and remain lit.
²Strange odors.
²Engine runs more than five
seconds after shut-off or engine
misfires, surges, stalls or
backfires.
²Loss of oil pressure.
When servicing your vehicle, never
use a metal exhaust collector. A
metal collector may heat or deform
plastic parts.
Important emission control
information
By law, anyone who manufactures,
repairs, services, sells, leases,
trades vehicles, or supervises a
fleet of vehicles is not permitted to
intentionally remove an emission
control device or prevent it from
working.
Do not make any unauthorized
changes to the vehicle or engine.
Changes that cause more
unburned fuel to reach the exhaust
system can increase the
temperature of the engine or
exhaust system.
Maintenance and care
170