1998 Mercury Sable check engine light

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
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 care
chapter.
High beams
Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps
are turned on.
Safety belt
Momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is
turned to the ON
position to remind you
to fasten your safety belts. For more information,
refer to theSeating and safety restraintschapter.
Door ajar
Illuminates when the
ignition is in the ON or
START position and
any door is open.
EFC H
FUEL DOOR>
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
THEFT102030405060
70
80
90
100
1202060100
140
180
P R N D 2 1MPH km/h
00
000
00000
P!
BRAKELOW
COOLANT
+ –
110CRUISE
RPMx1000
0 1234
5
6
7ABSUNLEADED FUEL ONLY
O/D
OFF
Instrumentation
6

Service engine soon
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.
TheService Engine Soonindicator 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.
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.
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
Instrumentation
7

This lamp will come on when the ignition is first
turned on, but then should turn off. If the lamp
stays on, you should check the coolant level inside
the reservoir. For instructions on adding coolant, see
Engine coolantin theMaintenance and care
chapter.
Anti-theft system (if equipped)
Refer toAnti-theft
systemin theControls
and featureschapter.
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.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (If equipped)
Momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is
turned on and the
engine is off. If the
light does not illuminate momentarily at start up,
remains on or continues to flash, the ABS needs to
be serviced. With the ABS light on, the anti-lock
brake system is disabled and normal braking is still
effective unless the brake warning light also remains
illuminated with parking brake released.
THEFT
O/D
OFF
ABS
Instrumentation
9

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.
Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is
turned to the ON
position and the engine
is off. If brake warning lamp does not illuminate at
this time, seek service immediately. Also illuminates
when the parking brake is engaged. Illumination
after releasing the parking brake indicates low brake
fluid level and the brake system should be inspected
immediately.
Engine oil pressure
Illuminates when the
oil pressure falls below
the normal range. Stop
the vehicle as soon as
safely possible and switch off the engine
immediately. Check the oil level and add oil if
needed. Refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance
and Carechapter.
This lamp also illuminates when the ignition is
turned to ON and the engine is off.
Charging system
Illuminates when the
ignition is turned to
the ON position and
the engine is off. The
light also illuminates when the battery is not
CRUISE
ON
P!
BRAKE
Instrumentation
10

HAZARD LIGHTS CONTROL
Use only in an emergency to warn traffic of vehicle
breakdown, approaching danger, etc. The hazard
flashers can be operated when the ignition is off.
²The hazard lights
control is located on
top of the steering
column.
²Depress hazard
lights control to
activate all hazard
flashers
simultaneously.
²Depress control again to turn the flashers off.
FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH
After a collision, if the engine cranks but does not
start, the fuel pump shut-off switch may have been
activated. The shut-off switch is a device intended to
stop the electric fuel pump when your vehicle has
been involved in a substantial jolt.
1. Turn the ignition to the OFF position.
2. Check the fuel system for leaks.
3. If no fuel leak is apparent, reset the fuel pump
shut-off switch by pushing in the button on the
switch.
4. Turn the ignition to the ON position. Pause for a
few seconds and return the key to the OFF position.
5. Make a further check for leaks in the fuel system.
Roadside emergencies
108

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
²We highlight do-it-yourself items in the engine
compartment for easy location.
²We provide a ªService Guideº which makes
tracking routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your
dealership can provide necessary parts and service.
Check your ªWarranty Guideº to find out which parts
and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and
service parts conforming to specifications. Motorcraft
parts are designed and built to provide the best
performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR
VEHICLE
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing
your vehicle.
²Do not work on a hot engine.
²When the engine is running, avoid wearing loose
clothing, jewelry or long hair that could get
caught up in moving parts.
²Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running
in an enclosed space, unless you are sure you
have enough ventilation.
²Keep all lit cigarettes, open flames and other lit
material away from the battery and all fuel related
parts.
If you disconnect the battery, the engine must
ªrelearnº its idle conditions before your vehicle will
drive properly, as explained in theBatterysection in
this chapter.
Working with the engine off
1. Set the parking brake, and ensure the gearshift is
securely latched in park.
Maintenance and care
127

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Checking and adding washer fluid
Check the washer fluid
whenever you stop for
fuel. The reservoir is
highlighted with a
symbol.
If the level is low, add
enough fluid to fill the
reservoir. In very cold
weather, do not fill the
reservoir all the way.
Do not put engine coolant in the container
for the windshield washer fluid.
Checking and adding washer fluid for the
liftgate (if equipped)
The opening for the reservoir is located on the
passenger side under the tail lamp. Refill this
reservoir with the same fluid you use for your
windshield.
ENGINE COOLANT
Check the level of the
engine coolant in the
reservoir. Refer to the
ªService Guideº for
service interval
schedules. Be sure to
read and understand
Precautions when
servicing your vehicle
in this chapter.
Maintenance and care
134

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.
Lumination of the charging system warning light,
ªService Engine Soonº light or the temperature
warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or
loss of oil pressure, could indicate that the emission
control system is not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful
and potentially lethal fumes into the
passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your
vehicle or engine. By law, vehicle owners and anyone
who manufactures, repairs, items, sells, leases,
trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are
not permitted to intentionally remove an emission
control device or prevent it from working.
Information about your vehicle's emission 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.
Please consult your ªWarranty Guideº for complete
emission warranty information.
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to
pass an I/M test of the on-board diagnostic (OBD-II)
system. If your ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº
light is on, refer to the description in theWarning
Lights and Chimessection of theInstrumentation
chapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº light on.
Maintenance and care
159