1998 FORD WINDSTAR check engine

Maintenance and Care
289
%*
[MC13700(ALL)01/96]
Checking the Automatic Transaxle Fluid
*
[MC13800(ALL)01/96]
With the vehicle on a level surface, start the engine and move
the gearshift lever through all of the gear ranges allowing
sufficient time for each position to engage. Securely latch the
gearshift lever in the P (Park) position, fully set the parking
brake and leave the engine running.
*
[MC13900(ALL)01/96]
Wipe off the dipstick cap, pull the dipstick out and wipe the
indicator end clean. Put the dipstick back into the filler tube and
make sure it is fully seated. Pull the dipstick out and read the
fluid level.
[MC14000(ALL)01/96]
When checking fluid at normal operating temperature, the fluid
level should be within the crosshatched area on the dipstick.
[MC14100(ALL)09/96]
7-1/2 pica art:0050021-B
The automatic transmission dipstick
[MC14200(ALL)01/96]
NOTE: Your vehicle should not be driven until some fluid
has been added if the fluid level is below the bottom
hole on the dipstick and the outside temperature is
above50ÊF (10ÊC). Addonly enough fluid to bring the
level above the bottom hole. The fluid level should be
rechecked at normal operating temperature.
[MC14230(ALL)09/96]
If the vehicle has not been driven and the fluid level is above
the bottom hole on the dipstick, do not add fluid. Recheck the
fluid level after your vehicle has reached normal operating
temperature.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Tue Oct 8 10:24:50 1996

308
*
[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:
*
[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
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Update:Fri Oct 11 10:49:35 1996

366
Engine
does not start.................... 235
fuel injected engine, starting............. 205
fuel pump shut-off switch.............. 235
preparing to start.................. 205
service points.................... 273
storing your vehicle...............326±327
Engine block heater.................. 208
Engine coolant.................... 282
checking and adding................ 282
checking hoses................... 286
disposal..................278, 285, 290
drain and flush................... 286
preparing for storage................ 328
proper solution.............278, 284±285, 290
recovery reservoir................273, 282
specifications.................... 325
temperature gauge.................. 22
Engine coolant temperature gauge............ 22
Engine fan...................... 269
Engine oil...................... 276
changing oil and oil filter.............. 278
checking and adding................ 277
dipstick...................... 277
disposal..................278, 285, 290
engine oil pressure warning light............ 16
filter, specifications................. 323
refill capacities................... 324
specifications.................... 276
synthetic oil..................276±277
ªbreak-inº oils................... 4±5
viscosity....................276±277
File:wnixs.ex
Update:Fri Oct 11 10:49:35 1996

368
Fuel cap, replacing.................. 301
Fuel filter, specifications................ 323
Fuel gauge....................... 20
Fuse panels
engine compartment................. 244
instrument panel.................. 238
Fuses
charts....................... 240
checking and replacing............... 238
G
Gas mileage (see Fuel economy)............ 305
Gauges
engine coolant temperature gauge........... 22
fuel gauge...................... 20
odometer....................... 23
speedometer..................... 23
tachometer...................... 24
trip odometer..................... 23
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
calculating..................... 223
definition....................222, 233
driving with a heavy load.............. 233
location...................... 222
Gearshift
automatic operation................. 216
column-mounted.................. 216
locking the gearshift.................. 91
positions...................... 216
shifting the gears.................. 216
shift-lock...................... 217
File:wnixs.ex
Update:Fri Oct 11 10:49:35 1996

373
Index
N
New vehicle break-in.................. 4
O
Odometer........................ 23
description...................... 23
trip odometer..................... 23
Oil filter....................... 278
Oil (see Engine oil).................. 276
Oil viscosity...................... 276
On-board diagnostic (OBD II) system.......... 310
Overdrive....................... 218
Overseas offices.................... 337
P
Panic alarm feature, remote entry system........ 128
Parking brake
operation...................... 214
warning light................. 11,18,143
Parts (see Motorcraft Parts)............... 323
PCV valve, specifications................ 323
Power door locks................... 112
Power features
door locks..................... 112
lumbar support................... 137
mirrors.....................117±118
seats........................ 136
windows...................... 113
Power steering
dipstick...................... 286
driving with power steering............. 215
fluid, checking and adding.............. 286
fluid, specifications................. 325
servicing...................... 215
File:wnixs.ex
Update:Fri Oct 11 10:49:35 1996