Page 1 of 39
Introduction 2
Diesel information 4
Warning lights 7
Starting 9
Driving tips 14
General maintenance information 19
Scheduled maintenance 32
Minor troubleshooting guide 33
Capacities and specifications 36
Service points 38
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Copyright
r1998 Ford Motor Company
Table of contents
1
Page 7 of 39
ECONOLINE
F-SERIES
F±250/350
F±450/550
0 1020304050
60
70
80
90
10 0
20 km/h
406080
10 0
12 0
14 0
H
L
16 0
MPH
000000
0000
18
8
WAIT
TO
START
WATER
IN
FUEL
FH
C
E
0
000000000
MPH20km/h
406080
100
120
140
160
010 20304050
60
70
80
90
100
WATER
IN
FUEL
WAIT
TO
STARTFUEL
RESET
ABSLEF
H
RPM1000X0 123
5
6 4
PRN 218C 18
H
D
FUEL FILL
0
000000000
MPH20km/h
406080
100
120
140
160
010 20304050
60
70
80
90
100WAIT
TO
START
WATER
IN
FUEL
LEF
H
RPM1000X0 123
5
6 4
PRN 218C 18
H
D
FUEL FILL
Warning lights
7
Page 8 of 39

WAIT TO START
With the key in the ON position, the
WAIT TO START light will illuminate
if glow plug heat is necessary as a
starting aid. Wait until the light goes
off before starting. The light should
always illuminate briefly, when the ignition key is in the ON position. If
the light does not illuminate, there may be a problem. Refer to the
Startingchapter in this guide. After the engine starts, the light should
remain off.
The light should always illuminate at least momentarily when the engine
is cold and the ignition is turned to ON. If it does not illuminate, the
glow plug system should be checked and repaired promptly to avoid
difficulty in cold starting.
WATER IN FUEL
During refueling, it is possible for
water-contaminated diesel fuel to be
pumped into your tank. Your vehicle
fuel system is equipped with a fuel
filter/water separator to remove
water from the fuel. The WATER IN FUEL light will illuminate when the
ignition is turned to START (as part of the light function check) and
when the fuel filter/water separator has a significant quantity of water in
it.
If the light illuminates when the engine is running, stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible, shut off the engine, then drain the filter bowl.
Refer to theGeneral maintenancechapter for drain procedure.
Allowing water to stay in the system could result in extensive damage to,
or failure of, the fuel injection system.
Do not drain the water separator while the engine is running.
Fuel may ignite if the separator is drained while the engine is
running or the vehicle is moving.
WAIT
TO
START
WATER
IN
FUEL
Warning lights
8
Page 34 of 39

IF THE ENGINE WON'T CRANK
Turn on the headlights. If the lights are dim, do not go on at all or if
when the ignition is turned to START the lights become dim or go out,
the battery connections may be loose or corroded, or the battery may be
discharged. If there is a clicking or stuttering sound coming from the
engine compartment when you turn the key to START, this may also
indicate a loose or corroded battery connection.
Check the battery connections at the battery posts, cable connection to
the engine grounding point and at the starter relay terminals. Also, make
sure the relay bracket is securely fastened to its mounting surface.
If the starter relay clicks, but the starter does not crank, check the
connections at the starter terminal. If a discharged battery is suspected,
have it checked and corrected.
²For vehicles with manual transmissions, the clutch pedalmustbe fully
depressed in order for the starter to operate.
²For vehicles with automatic transmissions, the gearshift lever must be
in Park or Neutral in order for the starter to operate.
²Try operating the starter switch several times. Should the switch be
corroded, this operation may clean the contacts or make the switch
temporarily operable until you can reach the dealer.
²If all electrical connections are tight and you need assistance to start,
see ªJump Starting Your Vehicleº in theStartingchapter.
IF ENGINE CRANKS BUT WON'T START
Prolonged starter cranking (in excess of 30 seconds) could cause
damage to the starter motor.
²Check the fuel gauge. You may be out of fuel. If the gauge shows that
there is fuel in the tank, the trouble may be in the electrical system or
the fuel system. If equipped with an auxiliary tank, be sure that the
tank control switch is set for the tank with fuel and not on an empty
tank.
²Leaving the ignition key ON for over two minutes without starting may
make starting difficult because the glow plugs will cease activation.
Reset the system by turning the ignition key to OFF and then back to
ON again.
Minor troubleshooting guide
34