1998 FORD EXPLORER service

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Check engine
Your vehicle is equipped with a
computer that monitors the engine's
emission control system. This
system is commonly known as the
On Board Diagnostics System (OBD
II). This OBD II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your
vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD II system also assists the
service technician in properly servicing your vehicle.
TheCheck Engineindicator light illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the ON 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.
C
012345
6
RPMx1000
ABS!BRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE
FUEL
RESET
EFH
H
H
PRN D 2 1THEFT
SPEED
CONT
4WD
HIGH
4WD
LOW
O/D
OFFL
L
10MPH 205060
70
304080
90
km/h
0 0 0
10 100
1
20
1
0 0 0 0 0 0406080100
120
140
160
180
20
DOOR
AJAR
CHECK
GAGE
CHECK
ENGINE
Instrumentation
6

What you should do if the check engine light illuminates
Light turns on solid:
This means that the OBD II system has detected a malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause yourCheck Enginelight 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, theCheck Enginelight should turn off.
(A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.
If theCheck Enginelight remains on, have your vehicle serviced at the
first available opportunity.
Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic converter.
You should drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and
deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Fuel reset
Illuminates when the ignition key is
turned to the ON position and the
fuel pump shut-off switch has been
triggered. For more information,
refer toFuel pump shut-off switch
in theRoadside emergencies
chapter.
FUEL
RESET
Instrumentation
7

Air bag readiness
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to flash
or remains on, have the system
serviced immediately.
Safety belt
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON to remind you
to fasten your safety belts. For more
information, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
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)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the engine
is off. If the light remains on,
continues to flash or fails to
illuminate, have the system serviced
immediately.
!
BRAKE
ABS
Instrumentation
8

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,
check for a burned-out turn signal
bulb. Refer toExterior bulbsin the
Maintenance 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.
Charging system
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON and the engine
is off. The light also illuminates
when the battery is not charging
properly, requiring electrical system
service.
THEFT
Instrumentation
9

O/D off (if equipped)
Illuminates when the transmission
control switch has been pushed.
When the light is on, the
transmission does not shift into
overdrive. If the light does not come
on when the transmission control
switch is depressed or if the light
flashes when you are driving, have
your vehicle serviced.
Speed control (if equipped)
This light comes on when either the
SET/ACCEL or RESUME controls
are pressed. It turns off when the
speed control OFF control is
pressed, the brake is applied or the
ignition is turned to the OFF
position.
Safety belt warning chime
Chimes to remind you to fasten your safety belts.
For information on the safety belt warning chime, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning chime
For information on the SRS warning chime, refer to theSeating and
safety restraintschapter.
Key-in-ignition warning chime
Sounds when the key is left in the ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACC
position and the driver's door is opened.
Headlamps on warning chime
Sounds when the headlamps or parking lamps are on, the ignition is off
(and the key is not in the ignition) and the driver's door is opened.
O/D
OFF
SPEED
CONT
Instrumentation
11

Fuel range
Press once to display the
approximate kilometers (miles) left
to drive before the fuel tank is
empty.
Press again to display the distance
driven since this function was last
manually reset.
For maximum accuracy of this
display feature, the ignition should
be in the Off position during fueling.
The display FUEL LEVEL ERROR
indicates a problem with the fuel
indication system. See your dealer or qualified service technician for
system maintenance.
Fuel status
Press once to display the
approximate amount of fuel
remaining in the fuel tank.
Press again to display the
approximate amount of fuel used
since the system was last reset.
ENGLISH/
METRICRANGESTATUS
ECONRESETSYSTEM
CHECKOIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
ENGLISH/
METRICRANGESTATUS
ECONRESETSYSTEM
CHECKOIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
Instrumentation
17

System check
Press the system check control to
display the status of the following
systems:
²engine oil life left
²engine oil level
²voltage level
²engine coolant temperature
²washer fluid level
²automatic ride control
(if equipped)
²fuel level
The engine oil life left has two phases. The first display will indicate the
oil change status (OK, SOON, REQUIRED). The second display will
indicate the percentage of oil life remaining. The display OIL TEMP
SIGNAL ERROR indicates a problem with the system. Following this
display, contact your dealer or qualified service technician for system
maintenance.
Operating the message center during system check
The message center controls can be operated as follows during the
system check sequence:
1. Press the system check controls to advance to the next display.
2. Press the reset control to immediately conclude the system check.
3. Press the range, fuel status or fuel economy control to conclude the
system check and display the requested feature.
4. Press the metric/English control to conclude the system check and
change the previous display to the new mode.
5. Press the oil change reset control to conclude the system check and
begin the oil change reset procedure.
An oil change is recommended whenever indicated by the message
center. Use only recommended engine oils.
The message center will tell you the percent of oil life left during system
check. This percentage is based on your driving history and the time
since your last oil change. In order to ensure accurate oil life left
ENGLISH/
METRICRANGESTATUS
ECONRESETSYSTEM
CHECKOIL
CHANGE
RESET
FUEL
Instrumentation
19

special SecuriLockyelectronically coded keys provided with your
vehicle. Each time you start your vehicle, the SecuriLockykey is read
by the SecuriLockyanti-theft system. If the SecuriLockykey
identification code matches the code stored in the SecuriLocky
anti-theft system, the vehicle's engine is allowed to start. If the
SecuriLockykey identification code does not match the code stored in
the system or if a SecuriLockykey is not detected (vehicle theft
situation), the vehicle's engine will not operate.
Spare SecuriLockykeys can be purchased from your dealership and
programmed to your SecuriLockyanti-theft system. Refer to
Programming spare SecuriLockykeysfor more information.
If one or both of your SecuriLockykeys are lost or stolen and you want
to ensure the lost or stolen key will not operate your vehicle, bring your
vehicle and all available SecuriLockykeys to your dealership for
reinitialization.
Theft indicator
The theft indicator on the instrument cluster will operate as follows:
²When the ignition is OFF, the theft indicator will flash briefly every 2
seconds to indicate the SecuriLockysystem is protecting your
vehicle.
²When the ignition is turned to RUN or START, the theft indicator will
light for 3 seconds and then go out. If the theft indicator stays on for
an extended period of time or flashes rapidly, have the system
serviced by your dealership or a qualified technician.
Programming spare SecuriLockYkeys
Spare SecuriLockykeys can be purchased from your dealership and
programmed to your SecuriLockyanti-theft system (up to a total of 8
keys). Your dealership can program your new SecuriLockykey(s) to
your vehicle or you can do it yourself using the following simple
procedure. To program a new SecuriLockykey yourself, you will need
two previously programmed SecuriLockykeys (keys that already
operate your vehicle's engine). If two previously programmed
SecuriLockykeys are not available (one or both of your original keys
were lost or stolen), you must bring your vehicle to your dealership to
have the spare SecuriLockykey(s) programmed.
Controls and features
70