1999 FORD ESCORT ECU

Low fuel
Illuminates as an early reminder of a
low fuel condition indicated on the
fuel gauge. The light comes on when
there is approximately 1/16th of a
tank indicated on the fuel gauge
(refer toFuel gaugein this chapter for more information). The ignition
must be in the ON position for this lamp to illuminate. The lamp will also
illuminate for several seconds after the ignition is turned to the ON
position regardless of the fuel level.
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). The 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.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or properly installing and securely tightening
the gas cap. After three driving cycles without these or any other
LOW
FUEL
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
Instrumentation
7

Shift indicator light (if equipped)
To maximize fuel economy, the shift
indicator light illuminates when the
manual transmission should be
shifted to the next highest gear.
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.
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.
Anti-theft system (if equipped)
Refer toSecuriLockypassive
anti-theft systemin theControls
and featureschapter.
ABS
THEFT
Instrumentation
9

Folding rear seats (if equipped)
Folding down the rear seats
To fold the seatback down:
²Press the latch control downward
or pull up on strap and
²Pull the seatback forward and
down.
Returning the seat to the upright position
Check to see that the seat and seatback is latched securely in
position. Keep floor area free of objects that would prevent
proper seat engagement. Never attempt to adjust the seat while the
vehicle is in motion.
To return the seat to the upright/normal seating position:
²Rotate seat upward and latch.
The full rear bench seat is shown. The split-folding rear seat (if
equipped) operates in a similar manner.
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64

Combination lap and shoulder belts
1. Insert the belt tongue into the
proper buckle (the buckle closest to
the direction the tongue is coming
from) until you hear a snap and feel
it latch. Make sure the tongue is
securely fastened in the buckle.
2. To unfasten, push the release
button and remove the tongue from
the buckle.
The front and rear outboard safety restraints in the vehicle are
combination lap and shoulder belts. The front passenger and rear seat
outboard safety belts have two types of locking modes described below:
Automatic locking mode
In this mode, the shoulder belt is automatically pre-locked. The belt will
still retract to remove any slack in the shoulder belt.
The automatic locking mode is not available on the driver safety belt.
When to use the automatic locking mode
²When a tight lap/shoulder fit is desired.
²Anytimea child safety seat is installed in a passenger front or
outboard rear seating position (if equipped). Refer toSafety
Restraints for ChildrenorSafety Seats for Childrenlater in this
chapter.
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66

SAFETY SEATS FOR CHILDREN
Child and infant or child safety seats
Use a safety seat that is recommended for the size and weight of the child.
Carefully follow all of the manufacturer's instructions with the safety seat
you put in your vehicle. If you do not install and use the safety seat properly,
the child may be injured in a sudden stop or collision.
When installing a child safety seat:
²Review and follow the information
presented in theAir Bag
Supplemental Restraint System
section in this chapter.
²Use the correct safety belt buckle
for that seating position.
²Insert the belt tongue into the
proper buckle until you hear a
snap and feel it latch. Make sure
the tongue is securely fastened in the buckle.
²Keep the buckle release button pointing up and away from the safety
seat, with the tongue between the child seat and the release button,
to prevent accidental unbuckling.
²Place seat back in upright position.
²Put the safety belt in the automatic locking mode. Refer toAutomatic
locking mode(passenger side front and outboard rear seating
positions) (if equipped).
Ford recommends the use of a child safety seat having a top tether
strap. Install the child safety seat in a seating position which is capable
of providing a tether anchorage. For more information on top tether
straps, refer toAttaching safety seats with tether straps.
Seating and safety restraints
77

3. While holding the shoulder and
lap belt portions together, route the
tongue through the child seat
according to the child seat
manufacturer's instructions. Be sure
the belt webbing is not twisted.
4. Insert the belt tongue into the
proper buckle (the buckle closest to
the direction the tongue is coming
from) for that seating position until
you hear a snap and feel the latch
engage. Make sure the tongue is
latched securely by pulling on it.
5. To put the retractor in the
automatic locking mode, grasp the
shoulder portion of the belt and pull
downward until all of the belt is
extracted and a click is heard.
6. Allow the belt to retract. The belt will click as it retracts to indicate it
is in the automatic locking mode.
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79

7. Pull the lap belt portion across
the child seat toward the buckle and
pull up on the shoulder belt while
pushing down with your knee on the
child seat.
8. Allow the safety belt to retract to
remove any slack in the belt.
9. Before placing the child in the
seat, forcibly tilt the seat forward
and back to make sure the seat is
securely held in place.
10. Try to pull the belt out of the retractor to make sure the retractor is
in the automatic locking mode (you should not be able to pull more belt
out). If the retractor is not locked, unbuckle the belt and repeat steps
two through nine.
Check to make sure the child seat is properly secured before each use.
Attaching safety seats with tether straps
Some manufacturers make safety seats that include a tether strap that
goes over the back of the vehicle seat and attaches to an anchoring
point. Other manufacturers offer the tether strap as an accessory.
Contact the manufacturer of your child safety seat for information about
ordering a tether strap.
Tether anchorage hardware (Coupe)
Attachment holes (at both rear seating positions) have been provided in
your vehicle to attach anchor hardware, if desired. Tether anchorage
hardware kits (part number 613D74) including instructions, may be
obtained at no charge from any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. All
vehicles built for sale in Canada include a tether anchor hardware kit.
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80

Be sure to follow the child safety seat manufacturer's instructions.
Tighten the anchor according to specifications. Otherwise, the
safety seat may not be properly secured and the child may be
injured in a sudden stop or collision.
1. Install the child safety seat in the
rear right or rear left seat position.
For instructions on how to install
the seat, refer toInstalling child
safety seats in combination lap
and shoulder belt seating
positionsin this chapter.
2. Refer to the instructions provided in the tether anchor kit.
3. Refer to the instructions provided with your child safety seat to
securely attach the child safety seat by tether to the tether strap anchor
location.
Tether anchorage hardware (Sedan/Wagon)
Attachment holes (at each rear seating position) have been provided in
your vehicle to attach anchor hardware, if desired. Tether anchorage
hardware kits including instructions, may be obtained at no charge from
any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. All vehicles built for sale in Canada
include a tether anchor hardware kit.
Be sure to follow the child safety seat manufacturer's instructions.
Tighten the anchor according to specifications. Otherwise, the
safety seat may not be properly secured and the child may be
injured in a sudden stop or collision.
1. Install the child safety seat in the rear right, rear left or rear center
seat position. For instructions on how to install the seat, refer to
Installing child safety seats in combination lap and shoulder belt
seating positionsin this chapter.
2. Refer to the instructions provided in the tether anchor kit.
3. Refer to the instructions provided with your child safety seat to
securely attach the child safety seat by tether to the tether strap anchor
location.
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81