1998 FORD WINDSTAR check engine light

Roadside Emergencies
263
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[ER13000(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.
[ER13100(ALL)01/96]
To prepare your vehicle for jump-starting:
[ER13200(ALL)01/96]1.
Use only a 12-volt battery to jump-start your vehicle. Your
vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so you need to use a
12-volt jumper system. You can 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 motor generator set).
[ER13300(ALL)04/96]2.
Do not disconnect the battery of the vehicle that needs a
jump-start. You could damage the vehicle's electrical system.
[ER13400(ALL)04/96]3.
Park the second vehicle close to the hood of your vehicle,
but make sure the vehicles do not touch each other. Set the
parking brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the engine
cooling fan.
[ER13500(ALL)04/96]4.
Check the battery terminals and remove any excessive
corrosion before you attach the jumper cables.
*
[ER13600(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:10wners.ex
Update:Mon Oct 7 11:47:52 1996

269
Maintenance and Care
*
[MC00200(ALL)01/96]
How Ford Makes Servicing Your Vehicle
Easy
*
[MC00300(ALL)01/96]
Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
*
[MC00400(ALL)01/96]1.
When we can, we design parts that do not need to be
serviced.
*
[MC00500(ALL)01/96]2.
We want to make servicing your vehicle as easy as possible.
To help you:
*
[MC00600(ALL)01/96]
n
We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in your engine
compartment so that you can find them easily.
*
[MC00700(ALL)03/96]
n
When possible, we design parts that can be replaced without
tools.
[MC00800(ALL)07/96]
n
We give you aMaintenance Schedulebooklet that makes
tracking routine service for your vehicle easy.
*
[MC00900(ALL)01/96]
This chapter tells you about the basic parts that you need to
check and service regularly.
[MC01000(ALL)01/96]
If you need professional servicing, see the chapter onCustomer
Assistancein this Owner Guide.
[MC01100(ALL)01/96]
Check yourWarranty InformationBooklet to find out which parts
are covered.
%*
[MC01200(ALL)01/96]
Precautions When Servicing Your Vehicle
*
[MC01300(ALL)01/96]
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing your vehicle.
Here are some general precautions for your safety:
[MC01400(ALL)04/96]
n
If you must work with the engine running, avoid wearing
loose clothing or jewelry that could get caught in moving
parts.
*
[MC01500(ALL)01/96]
n
Do not work on a vehicle in an enclosed space with the
engine running, unless you are sure you have enough
ventilation.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Tue Oct 8 10:24:50 1996

278
[MC05900(ALL)01/96]
7-1/2 pica art:0050073-D
Engine oil dipstick
*
[MC06000(ALL)01/96]6.
Carefully, pull the dipstick out again. If the oil level is below
the ªADD 1 QT.º line, add engine oil as necessary. If the oil
level is beyond the letter ªFº in FULL, engine damage or
high oil consumption may occur and some oil must be
removed from the engine.
*
[MC06100(ALL)01/96]7.
Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is fully seated.
*
[MC06200(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.
*
[MC06300(ALL)09/96]
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.
%*
[MC06400(ALL)01/96]
Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
*
[MC06500(ALL)05/96]
Refer to theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for additional
information.
%*
[MC06600(ALL)05/96
]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a
responsible manner. Follow your community's
standards for disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out about recycling
automotive fluids.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Tue Oct 8 10:24:50 1996

282methanol. Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze
agents should be used only if they provide cold weather
protection without damaging the vehicle's paint finish, wiper
blades, and windshield washer system.
*
[MC08700(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Windshield washer fluid contains methanol which is
poisonous.
[MC08800(ALL)01/96]
When adding windshield washer solution, be sure to observe all
warnings indicated on the washer solution container.
%*
[MC08900(ALL)01/96]
Engine Coolant
%*
[MC09000(ALL)01/96]
Checking the Engine Coolant
[MC09100(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle's engine coolant protects the engine from
overheating in the summer and from freezing in the winter.
Check the level of the engine coolant at least once a month, but
preferably each time you stop for fuel. Simply check the coolant
reservoir, located in the engine compartment. The coolant
should stay slightly above the ºFULL COLDª mark.
*
[MC09200(ALL)05/96]
Adding Engine Coolant
*
[MC09300(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Do not put engine coolant in the container for the
windshield washer fluid.
*
[MC09400(ALL)05/96]
If sprayed to clean the glass, engine coolant or antifreeze could
make it difficult to see through the windshield.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Tue Oct 8 10:24:50 1996

308
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[MC30500(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or
other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up
the engine compartment and exhaust system, which can
start a fire.
*
[MC30600(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not remove the floor carpet in your vehicle. Emission
controls cause high exhaust temperatures under the floor.
*
[MC30700(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Exhaust leaks may result in the entry of harmful and
potentially lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Under extreme conditions excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the fuel system, the interior floor covering,
or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
*
[MC30900(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.
*
[MC31000(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.
*
[MC31100(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.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Tue Oct 8 10:24:50 1996

310
%*
[MC31700(ALL)03/96
]
How to Prepare Your Vehicle for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Testing
*
[MC31800(ALL)07/96]
In some localities it may become a legal requirement to pass an
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the On-Board Diagnostic
(OBD) II system. If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery
has just been serviced, the OBD II system is reset to a not ready
for I/M testing condition. To prepare for I/M testing, the law
specifies that additional mixed city and highway driving is
required to complete the check of the OBD II system.
*
[MC31825(ALL)07/96]
The driving modes required to reach the ready condition consist
of a minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving as
described below:
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[MC32000(ALL)07/96]
n
At least twenty minutes driving in stop and go, city type
traffic with at least four idle periods.
*
[MC32100(ALL)07/96]
n
At least ten minutes of driving on an expressway or
highway.
*
[MC32200(ALL)07/96]
Before completing the above driving modes, the engine must be
warmed up and at operating temperature. Once started, the
vehicle must not be turned off during these driving modes.
[MC33200(ALL)01/96]
Lights
*
[MC33300(ALL)01/96]
It is a good idea to check the operation of the following lights
frequently:
*
[MC33400(ALL)01/96]
n
headlamps
*
[MC33500(ALL)01/96]
n
tail lamps
*
[MC33600(ALL)01/96]
n
brakelamps
*
[MC33700(ALL)01/96]
n
hazard flasher
*
[MC33800(ALL)01/96]
n
turn signals
*
[MC33900(ALL)05/96]
n
license plate lamps
*
[MC34000(ALL)01/96]
n
fog lamps
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Tue Oct 8 10:24:50 1996

Maintenance and Care
311
%*
[MC34100(ALL)01/96]
The alignment of your headlamps should be checked if:
*
[MC34200(ALL)01/96]
n
oncoming motorists frequently signal you to turn off your
vehicle's high beams when you do not have the high beams
on
*
[MC34300(ALL)01/96]
n
the headlamps do not seem to give you enough light to see
clearly at night
*
[MC34400(ALL)01/96]
n
the headlamp beams are not pointed slightly down and to
the right
% [MC34500(ALL)04/96]
Replacing the Headlamp Bulb
*
[MC34600(ALL)03/96]
The headlamps on your vehicle use replaceable bulbs. When the
lamp burns out, simply replace the bulb, rather than the whole
lamp.
*
[MC34700(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Handle a halogen headlamp 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 the
headlamps are operated.
*
[MC34800(ALL)01/96]
Do not remove the burned out bulb unless you can immediately
replace it with a new one. If a bulb is removed for an extended
period of time, contaminants may enter the headlamp and affect
its performance.
[MC34900(ALL)04/96]
To remove the headlamp bulb:
*
[MC35000(ALL)01/96]1.
Make sure that the engine is off and the headlamp switch on
the instrument panel is in the OFF position.
[MC35100(ALL)01/96]2.
Lift the hood and locate the headlamp bulb installed in the
rear of the headlamp. Remove the electrical connector from
the bulb by pulling the connector away from the bulb
assembly.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Tue Oct 8 10:24:50 1996

364
Compact disc player (see Electronic sound system) . . . 30, 36
Compact disc radio (see Electronic sound system)..... 30
Console, description.................. 121
Controls, mirrors................... 117
Coolant (see Engine coolant).............. 282
checking and adding................ 282
drain and flush................... 286
preparing for storage................ 328
proper solution................... 284
refill capacities................... 324
specifications..................283, 325
temperature gauge.................. 22
warnings...................... 282
Cupholder(s)...................... 90
Customer Assistance Center, Ford (U.S.)......... 332
Customer Assistance Centre, Ford of Canada...... 339
D
Daytime running light system.............. 88
Defrost
rear window..................... 83
windshield...................... 71
Dipstick....................... 277
automatic transaxle fluid............... 289
engine oil..................... 277
Disabled vehicle (see Towing)............. 268
Dispute Settlement Board............... 334
Doors........................ 108
door ajar warning light................ 17
lubricant specifications................ 325
File:wnixs.ex
Update:Fri Oct 11 10:49:35 1996