1999 FORD CONTOUR warning light

Seating and safety restraints
86
If the air bag is inflated, the
air bag will not function
again and must be replaced
immediately.If the air bag is not
replaced, the unrepaired area will
increase the risk of injury in a
collision.
The SRS consists of the following:
¥ driver and passenger air bag
modules (which include the
inflators and air bags),
¥ one impact and one safing sensor,
¥ a readiness light and a secondary
warning light, and
¥ the electrical wiring and
components.
The diagnostic module monitors its
own internal circuits and the
supplemental air bag electrical
system readiness (including the
impact sensors), the system wiring,
the air bag system readiness light,
the air bag backup power, and the
air bag ignitors.
Several air bag system
components get hot after
inflation. Do not touch them after
inflation.
14CSSen 3/25/99 1:59 PM Page 86

Seating and safety restraints
87
Determining if the system is
operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in
the instrument cluster or a
secondary warning light to indicate
the condition of the system. Refer
to the Air bag readinesssection in
the Instrumentationchapter.
Routine maintenance of the air bag
is not required.
A difficulty with the system is
indicated by one or more of the
following:
¥ The readiness light will either
flash or stay lit.
¥ The readiness light will not
illuminate after ignition is turned
on.
¥ The air bag secondary warning
light will flash five times. The
pattern will repeat periodically
until the problem or the readiness
light is repaired.
If any of these things happen, even
intermittently, have the SRS
serviced at your dealership or by a
qualified technician immediately.
Unless serviced, the system may
not function properly in the event
of a collision.CHECK
ENGINE
O/D
OFFTRACTION
CONTROL
14CSSen 3/25/99 1:59 PM Page 87

Starting
109
3. Turn the key to the on position
(without turning the key to start).
Make sure the following lights
illuminate briefly. If a light fails to
illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer or a
qualified service technician.BRAKE
BRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE
¥ If the driverÕs safety belt is
fastened, the safety belt warning
light does not illuminate.
Alternative design
Alternative design
O/D
OFFTRACTION
CONTROL
21CSten 3/25/99 3:27 PM Page 109

Driving
133
Using a hitch
Do not use hitches that:
¥ Clamp onto the vehicle bumper.
¥ Attach to the axle.
Distribute the load so that only 10
to 15% of the total weight of the
trailer is on the tongue. Tie down
the load so that it does not shift
and change weight on the hitch.
Follow the instructions of a
reputable rental agency.
Using trailer lamps
See your local trailer retailer or
rental agency for proper
instructions and equipment for
hooking up trailer lamps.
Do not hook the trailer lamps
directly into the vehicleÕs wiring
system. If the trailer lamps are not
working properly, the warning
lights in the instrument cluster may
not work properly.
22CDren 3/25/99 3:32 PM Page 133

Roadside emergencies
141
Ampere
ratingCircuits protected
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52Ñ
7.5
20
Ñ
Ñ
3
20
Ñ
15
Ñ
20
Ñ
20
7.5
7.5
7.5
7.5
7.5
Ñ
20*
20*
40*
Ñ
Ñ
60*
Ñ
Ñ
Ñ
60*
Ñ
60*
60*Not used
Alternator
Foglamps
Not used
Not used
EEC ignition module (memory)
Horn and hazard flasher warning system
Not used
Fuel pump
Not used
Ignition, Electronic Engine Control
Not used
HEGO sensor
ABS module
Low beam headlamp (passengerÕs side)
Low beam headlamp (driverÕs side)
High beam headlamp (passengerÕs side)
High beam headlamp (driverÕs side)
Not used
Ignition, light switch, central junction box
EEC relay
Central junction box (fuse 37 to blower relay)
Not used
Not used
Ignition
Not used
Not used
Not used
Engine cooling
not used
ABS
Central junction box (central timer module, rear
window defrost relay, fuses 24, 25, 27, 28, 34)Fuse
Power distribution box (engine compartment)
* Have these fuses replaced by your dealer or qualified technician.
23CREen 3/25/99 3:35 PM Page 141

Maintenance and care
168
Brake/clutch fluid reservoir
Brake and clutch fluid systems are
supplied from the same reservoir.
The level of the fluid must lie
between the MIN and MAX marks
on the side of the reservoir. If the
level falls below the MIN mark, the
brake fluid level warning light on
the instrument cluster will
illuminate. Add only DOT 3, DOT 4
or Super DOT 4 brake fluid that
meets the Ford specification (see
the chapter Capacities and
specifications).
If you use brake fluid that is not
DOT 3, DOT 4 or Super DOT 4 you
will cause permanent damage to
your brakes.
MAX
MIN
Brake fluid is toxic.
BRAKE
BRAKE
Do not let the reservoir for
the master cylinder run dry.
This may cause the brakes to fail.
Windshield washer system
If necessary, add enough washer
fluid to fill the reservoir. Follow the
instructions on the washer fluid
label.
Alternative design
Do not put engine coolant in
the container for the
windshield washer fluid.
31CMCen 3/25/99 3:45 PM Page 168

Maintenance and care
197
BRAKE
O/D
OFFTRACTION
CONTROL
Alternative design
Alternative design
Watch for fluid leaks, strange
odors, smoke, loss of oil pressure,
engine overheating, illumination of
the charging systemwarning light
or the check enginewarning light.
These events 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 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.
31CMCen 3/25/99 3:45 PM Page 197

Index
236
APage
Accessory position on
the ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Additives, engine oil . . . . . . . . .165
Air bag supplemental
restraint system
and child safety seats . . . . . . . .84
description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
indicator light . . . . . . . . . . .13, 87
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
wearing safety belts . . . . . . . . .83
Air conditioning
(see Climate control system)
Alarm, activating panic . . . . . . . .67
Antenna, radio
(see Audio sytem) . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .112
Anti-theft system (see Passive
Anti-Theft System) . . . . . . . . . . .69
Antifreeze (see Engine coolant)
Audio system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Automatic transaxle
driving with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
fluid, adding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174
fluid, checking . . . . . . . . . . . . .174
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .218
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .219
B
Backing up . . . . . . . . . . . . .119, 125
Battery
charging system warning light . .7
jumping a disabled battery . . .150
proper disposal, recycling . . . .178
replacement, specifications . .217
servicing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176
BPage
Brake fluid
checking and adding . . . . . . . .168
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
Brake-shift interlock . . . . . . . . .118
Brakelamps
(see Bulb replacement)
Brakes
anti-lock brake system (ABS) 112
brake warning light . . . . . . . . . .14
fluid, checking and adding . . .168
fluid, refill capacities . . . . . . . .218
fluid, specification . . . . . . . . . .219
parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Built-in child seat
folding up the seat . . . . . . . . . .98
inspection after a collision . . . .98
interlock safety feature . . . . . . .94
operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
retractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
Break-in period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Bulbs, replacing
foglamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202
headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200
high-mounted brake lamp . . . .204
license plate lamp . . . . . . . . . .203
rear lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206
C
Cabin air filter . . . . . . . . . . .31, 180
Capacities for refilling fluids . . .218
Carbon monoxyde in exhaust . .197
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . .196
Chains, tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
Changing a tire . . . . . . . . . . . . .146
Charging system warning light . . .7
4CInden 3/25/99 3:55 PM Page 236