1997 Mercury Villager check engine light

Driving
239
[GF20700(ALL)05/96]
Servicing Your Vehicle If You Tow
[GF20800(ALL)03/96]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your vehicle will need
to be serviced more frequently than usual. See theMaintenance
Schedulebooklet in the Owner's portfolio.
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[GF20900(ALL)01/96]
Trailer Towing Tips
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[GF21000(ALL)01/96]
Before starting on a trip, practice turning, stopping and backing
in an area away from heavy traffic. Get to know the ªfeelº of
the vehicle/trailer combination.
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[GF21100(ALL)01/96]
Practice backing up. Back up very slowly, with someone outside
at the rear of your trailer to guide you. Place your hand at the
bottom of the steering wheel and move it in the direction you
want the rear of the trailer to swing. Slight movement of the
steering wheel results in a much larger movement of the rear of
the trailer.
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[GF21200(ALL)01/96]
When turning, drive slightly beyond the normal turning point
so the trailer wheels will clear curbs or other obstructions.
*
[GF21300(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.
*
[GF21400(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.
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[GF21500(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.
[GF21600(ALL)01/96]
When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather,
place the gearshift selector lever in Park (P) to increase the
engine idle speed. This aids in engine cooling and air
conditioner efficiency. If the engine overheats, press the air
File:09vxgfn.ex
Update:Thu May 30 09:54:10 1996

Roadside Emergencies
271
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[ER01400(ALL)02/96]
To avoid damaging your vehicle or your battery, and to avoid
injury to yourself, follow these directions for preparing your
vehicle to jump-start and connecting the jumper cables in the
order they are given. If in doubt, call for road service.
%*
[ER01500(ALL)02/96]
Preparing Your Vehicle
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[ER01600(ALL)02/96]1.
Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so you need to
use a 12-volt jumper system. You will damage your starting
motor, ignition system, and other electrical parts if you
connect them to a 24-volt power supply (either two 12-volt
batteries in series or a 24-volt generator set).
*
[ER01700(ALL)02/96]2.
Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle. You
could damage the vehicle's electrical system.
*
[ER01800(ALL)02/96]3.
Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled
vehicle.Make sure the vehicles do not touch each other.Set
the parking brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the
engine cooling fan and other moving parts.
*
[ER01900(ALL)02/96]4.
Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive
corrosion before you attach the jumper cables.
*
[ER02000(ALL)01/96]5.
Turn on the heater blower in both vehicles. Turn off all other
switches and lights in both vehicles to prevent possible
damage to either vehicle's electrical systems.
File:10vxern.ex
Update:Thu May 30 09:55:50 1996

277
Maintenance and Care
%*
[MC01300(ALL)01/96]
Service Made Easy
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[MC01400(ALL)01/96]
Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
*
[MC01500(ALL)01/96]1.
When we can, we design parts that do not need to be
serviced.
*
[MC01600(ALL)01/96]2.
We want to make servicing your vehicle as easy as possible.
To help you:
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[MC01700(ALL)01/96]
n
We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in your engine
compartment so that you can find them easily.
*
[MC01800(ALL)03/96]
n
When possible, we design parts that can be replaced without
tools.
[MC01900(ALL)03/96]
n
We give you a Maintenance Schedule that makes tracking
routine service for your vehicle easy. The Maintenance
Schedule is located in theMaintenance Schedulebooklet.
*
[MC02000(ALL)01/96]
This chapter tells you about the basic parts that you need to
check and service regularly.
[MC02150(ALL)01/96]
If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your dealership can
provide the parts and service required. Check yourWarranty
Information Bookletto find out which parts and services are
covered. Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this
Owner's Manual.
[MC02225(ALL)03/96]
Ford Motor Company recommends that the Owner Maintenance
Checks listed in theMaintenance Schedulebooklet be performed
for the proper operation of your vehicle. In addition to the
conditions listed in the Owner Maintenance Checklist, be alert
for any unusual noise, vibration, or other indication that your
vehicle may need service. If you do notice something unusual,
see that your vehicle is serviced promptly.
*
[MC02250(ALL)01/96]
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids, and service
parts that meet Ford Motor Company specifications. Motorcraft
parts are designed and built to provide the best performance in
your vehicle. Using these parts for replacement is your
assurance that Ford-built quality stays in your vehicle.
File:11vxmcn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 10 15:17:05 1996

Maintenance and Care
283
%*
[MC15600(ALL)01/96
]
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
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[MC15700(ALL)01/96]
Since the proper amount of engine oil is important for safe
engine operation, check the oil using the dipstick each time you
put fuel in your vehicle. Remember the engine must be off, the
oil must be warm and the vehicle must be parked on level
ground.
%*
[MC15800(ALL)01/96
]
Checking the engine oil level:
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[MC15900(ALL)01/96]1.
Turn the engine off after it has warmed up and allow a few
minutes for the engine oil to drain back into the oil pan.
[MC16000(ALL)01/96]2.
Set the parking brake fully and make sure that the gearshift
is securely latched in P (Park).
*
[MC16100(ALL)01/96]3.
Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
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[MC16200(ALL)01/96]4.
Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in yellow) and
carefully pull it out of the engine.
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[MC16300(ALL)01/96]5.
Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into position, making
sure it is fully seated.
[MC16400(ALL)01/96]
7-1/2 pica art:0040218-A
Engine oil dipstick
File:11vxmcn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 10 15:17:05 1996

284
[MC16500(ALL)01/96]6.
Carefully pull the dipstick out again. If the oil level is below
the ªLº line, add engine oil as necessary. If the oil level is
beyond the letter ªH,º engine damage or high oil
consumption may occur and some oil must be removed from
the engine.
*
[MC16600(ALL)01/96]7.
Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is fully seated.
%*
[MC16650(ALL)01/96
]
Adding engine oil
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[MC16700(ALL)01/96]
It may be necessary to add some oil between oil changes. Make
sure you use a CERTIFIED engine oil of the preferred viscosity.
Your vehicle's warranty coverage may not apply if engine
damage is caused by the use of improper engine oil.
*
[MC16800(ALL)01/96]
Add engine oil through the oil filler cap highlighted in yellow.
To add oil, remove the filler cap and use a funnel to pour oil
into the opening. Be careful not to overfill the engine. Recheck
the oil level after you finish adding oil.
%*
[MC16900(ALL)01/96
]
Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
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[MC17200(ALL)05/96]
Refer to theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for additional
information.
[MC17300(ALL)04/96]
Follow these directions to change the engine oil and oil filter:
[MC17400(ALL)04/96]1.
Turn the engine off after it has warmed up.
[MC17500(ALL)04/96]2.
Protect yourself from engine heat and the engine oil being
drained.
[MC17600(ALL)04/96]3.
Remove the oil pan drain plug(s)andoil filter.
[MC17700(ALL)04/96]4.
Drain the oil into a container until flow from the drain plug
hole(s) and the filter mounting area slows to a drip.
[MC17800(ALL)04/96]5.
Install the drain plug(s) and a new engine oil filter according
to directions on the package.
File:11vxmcn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 10 15:17:05 1996

Maintenance and Care
285
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[MC17900(ALL)03/96]
NOTE: SeeRefill Capacities, Motorcraft Parts and Lubrication
Specificationsin theCapacities and Specificationschapter
for the appropriate oil filter and engine oil refill
quantity.
[MC18000(ALL)04/96]6.
Remove the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in yellow) to
prevent oil contamination of the engine ventilating system
while refilling.
[MC18100(ALL)04/96]7.
Refill the engine with a CERTIFIED engine oil of the
preferred viscosity. Start the engine and check for leaks.
Follow directions inChecking and adding engine oilto be sure
the engine is filled to the proper level.
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[MC18150(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Continuous contact with USED motor oil has caused
cancer in laboratory mice.
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[MC18200(ALL)01/96]
Protect your skin by washing with soap and water.
%*
[MC18220(ALL)05/96]
Brake Fluid
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[MC18240(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with a brake fluid level indicator in
the master cylinder which lights the BRAKE warning light on
the instrument panel when the brake fluid level is low.
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[MC18260(ALL)01/96]
Under normal circumstances, your vehicle should not use up
brake fluid rapidly. However, expect the level of the brake fluid
to slowly fall as you put more mileage on your vehicle and the
brake pads wear.
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[MC18280(ALL)01/96]
Check the brake fluid at least once a year. You can do this by
looking at the fluid level in the plastic brake fluid reservoir on
the master cylinder. The fluid level should be at or near the
MAX mark.
*
[MC18300(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Brake fluid is toxic.
File:11vxmcn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 10 15:17:05 1996

Maintenance and Care
287
[MC18423(ALL)01/96]
13-1/2 pica
art:0040205-C
Brake fluid master cylinder reservoir
%*
[MC18425(ALL)02/96]
Windshield Washer Fluid
[MC18435(ALL)01/96]
Check the level of the windshield washer fluid every time you
stop for fuel, or when the warning light indicates low washer
fluid. The reservoir for washer fluid is located in the engine
compartment. This reservoir contains the fluid for both the
windshield and liftgate washers.
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[MC18440(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not put windshield washer fluid in the container for
the engine coolant.
*
[MC18445(ALL)05/96]
If sprayed to clean the glass, engine coolant or antifreeze could
make it difficult to see through the windshield.
File:11vxmcn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 10 15:17:05 1996

Maintenance and Care
317
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[MC38555(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not remove the floor carpet in your vehicle. Emission
controls cause high exhaust temperatures under the floor.
*
[MC38560(ALL)01/96]
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke and loss of oil
pressure. Also watch for the charge warning light, the check
engine light, or the temperature warning light. These sometimes
indicate that the emission system is not working properly.
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[MC38565(ALL)01/96]
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or
engine. Changes that cause more unburned fuel to reach the
exhaust system can increase the temperature of the engine or
exhaust system.
%*
[MC38570(ALL)01/96
]
In general, maintenance, replacement, or service of the emission
control devices or systems in your new Ford Motor Company
vehicle or engine may be performed at your expense by any
automotive repair establishment or individual using automotive
parts equivalent to those with which your vehicle or engine was
originally equipped.
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[MC38575(ALL)01/96]
By law, anyone who manufactures, repairs, services, sells, leases
vehicles, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles is not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or
prevent it from working. In some of the United States and in
Canada, vehicle owners may be liable if their emission control
device is removed or is prevented from working.
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[MC38580(ALL)01/96]
Do not drive your vehicle if it does not operate properly. See
your dealer if the engine runs on for more than five seconds
after you shut it off or if it misfires, surges, stalls, or backfires.
*
[MC38585(ALL)01/96]
Information about your vehicle's emissions control system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information decal located on or
near the engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and
gives some tune-up specifications.
File:11vxmcn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 10 15:17:05 1996