1998 FORD ESCORT bulb

position to check the bulb. If it
comes on after the engine is
started, one of the engine's
emission control systems may be
malfunctioning. The light may
illuminate without a driveability
concern being noted. The vehicle
will usually be drivable and will not
require towing.
What you should do if the
Service Engine Soon light
illuminates
Light turns on solid:
This means that the OBD II system
has detected a malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause
yourService Engine Soonlight to
illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel.
(The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the
fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been
properly installed and securely
tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can
be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or
properly installing and securely
tightening the gas cap. After three
driving cycles without these or any
other temporary malfunctions
present, theService Engine Soon
light should turn off. (A driving
cycle consists of a cold engine
startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No
Instrumentation
8

Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON and the
engine is off. Also illuminates when
the parking brake is engaged.
Illumination after releasing the
parking brake indicates low brake
fluid level.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
(If equipped)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the
engine is off. If the light remains
on or continues to flash, the ABS
needs to be serviced.
Turn signal
Illuminates when the left or right
turn signal or the hazard lights are
turned on. If one or both of the
indicators stay on continuously or
flash faster, check for a burned-out
turn signal bulb. Refer toExterior
bulbsin theMaintenance and
carechapter.
High beams
Illuminates when the high beam
headlamps are turned on.
Anti-theft system (if equipped)
Refer toAnti-theft systemin the
Controls and featureschapter.
P!
BRAKE
ABS
THEFT
Instrumentation
10

Once started, do not turn off the
engine until the above driving
cycle is complete.
EXTERIOR BULBS
It is a good idea to check the
operation of the following lights
frequently:
²Headlamps
²Turn signals
²Foglamps (if equipped)
Coupe
Sedan/wagon
²High-mount brake lamp
²Tail lamps
²Brake lamps
²Backup lamps
²License plate lamp
Maintenance and care
163

Sedan
Wagon
Coupe
²Hazard flashers
²Interior overhead lamps
Do not remove lamp bulbs unless
they will be replaced immediately.
If a bulb is removed for an
extended period of time,
contaminants may enter the lamp
housings and affect performance.
Maintenance and care
164

Handle a halogen bulb
carefully and keep out of
children's reach. Grasp the bulb
only by its plastic base and do
not touch the glass; the oil from
your hand could cause the bulb
to break the next time that the
headlamps are operated.
Replacing headlamp bulbs
1. Make sure that the headlamps
are turned OFF.
Coupe
Sedan/wagon
2. Open the hood and find the
headlamp wiring socket and
disconnect from the in-line
connector. This will make it easier
to change the bulb.
Maintenance and care
165

3. Remove the protective dust
shield from the housing by turning
the dust shield counterclockwise
(when viewed from the rear).
4. Disconnect the electrical
connector from the bulb by pulling
it straight out.
5. Remove the bulb retaining ring
by rotating it counterclockwise
(when viewed from the rear).
6. Remove the old bulb from its
socket by pulling it straight back
out of the socket. Do not turn the
bulb while removing it.
7. Replace the bulb by pushing a
new one straight in with the bulb's
plastic base facing upward. You
may need to turn the bulb slightly
to align the grooves in the plastic
base with the tabs in the bulb
socket.
8. Slip the bulb retaining ring over
the plastic base and lock the ring
by rotating it clockwise until it
snaps into place.
9. Reconnect the electrical
connector to the bulb.
Maintenance and care
166

10. Replace the protective dust
shield and lock the shield by
rotating it clockwise until it locks
into position.
11. Reconnect the headlamp wiring
socket to the in-line connector.
Foglamps (if equipped)
To change the foglamp bulbs:
1. Disconnect the electrical
connector from the back of the
foglamp assembly.
2. Twist, then pull the bulb from
the foglamp assembly.
3. Install the new bulb.
4. Connect the electrical connector
to the back of the foglamp
assembly.
High-mount brake lamp
The brake lamp is mounted with
two fastener clips and an assembly
cover on the package tray.
Maintenance and care
167

Coupe
Sedan
Wagon
1. Remove the push pins and cover
from the package tray.
2. Detach the socket from the
housing and remove the bulb.
3. Replace the bulb and ease the
socket back into the housing.
Maintenance and care
168